Episode Title:
Zero Hour: Part 1.
Episode Description:
Various Rebel cells begin gathering at Atollon to prepare for the attack on Lothal. However, Thrawn is aware of the Rebel plans and tells Governor Pryce and Grand Moff Tarkin that "The real performance is about to begin" and he has already planned a trap for them. Kallus tries to warn the Rebels, but is captured by Thrawn. Thrawn traces Kallus's transmission and determines the Rebel base's location at Atollon. Thrawn sends his fleet to Atollon, which includes two Interdictor Cruisers. With the Interdictors in orbit, it is impossible for the Rebel ships to escape and the fleet is forced to fight a losing battle against the Imperials. Knowing that their only chance is to send someone out to summon the rest of the Rebel fleet, Commander Sato sacrifices himself by crashing his carrier into one of the Interdictors, giving Ezra a window to escape. On Atollon, Kanan attempts to ask the Bendu for help, but the Bendu is reluctant due to its neutral role. Kanan then accuses the Bendu of being a coward, which angers the Bendu and it disappears. In hyperspace, Ezra contacts Mon Mothma for help, but she is unable to send reinforcements due to fear of them getting caught in another of Thrawn's traps. With no options left, Ezra decides to ask Sabine for help. With the battle going poorly, the Rebels are forced to retreat back to their base on Atollon and activate its shield generator, protecting them from the Imperial fleet's bombardment. Thrawn responds by sending a ground force to assault the base. Ezra reaches Sabine and manages to convince her and Rau to lead a small Mandalorian force to destroy the remaining Interdictor cruiser, which will allow the Rebels to escape. Thrawn's forces manage to breach the base's defenses, but before he can capture the Rebels, the Bendu intervenes, attacking the Imperial forces and distracting them long enough for the Rebels to evacuate, but attacks them as well. At the same time, Ezra and Sabine manage to destroy the Interdictor. Kallus manages to escape imprisonment and ejects in an escape pod to be picked up by the Ghost crew. The Rebel fleet then escapes. Back on the surface, Thrawn manages to incapacitate the Bendu, who warns Thrawn that it has already foreseen his defeat. Refusing to believe this, Thrawn attempts to kill the Bendu personally, but it disappears before the shot could even hit it. The remaining Rebel fleet leaves to rendezvous with the rest of the Rebellion at Yavin IV, and Hera promises to help Sabine and the Mandalorians on an upcoming mission. Ezra is worried about the massive defeat the Rebellion has suffered, but Kanan points out that it is in fact a victory since they managed to escape. He then tells Ezra that he foresees a future where everybody is free, but that they will have to fight to make it happen.
