Homecoming

The Ghost's crew allies with Cham Syndulla, Hera's father and a legend from the Clone Wars era. However, will his desire for vengeance—along with his strained relationship with his daughter—jeopardize a potential rebel triumph?

In one particular operation, Hera Syndulla and Garazeb Orrelios are in the process of transferring supplies from the Ghost to a Sphyrna-class Hammerhead corvette, all while being chased by an Imperial-class Star Destroyer accompanied by its squadron of TIE fighter escorts. After Zeb completes loading the cargo, the remainder of the rebels successfully make the jump to hyperspace. Nevertheless, the Phoenix Squadron pilot identified as Phoenix Two experiences damage to the hyperdrive of their A-wing starfighter. Phoenix Two attempts to dock with the Ghost, but is struck by incoming enemy fire. With limited options, Syndulla is compelled to guide the Ghost into hyperspace alongside the rest of the fleet.

Subsequent to the mission, Syndulla and Kanan Jarrus establish contact with Commander Jun Sato through a hologram, informing him about the rebels' increasing losses of both pilots and starfighters at a rate exceeding their replacement capabilities. Syndulla emphasizes the critical need for a secure landing location. Sato then relays intelligence indicating the sighting of an Imperial Quasar Fire-class cruiser-carrier positioned above Ryloth. Sato proposes the idea of seizing the vessel, advising them to connect with the Ryloth rebels. Hera is acquainted with the leader of the Ryloth rebels, who is none other than her father, Cham Syndulla, with whom she has a complicated relationship. In a private communication, Hera reaches out to Cham, who expresses his surprise at hearing from her.

Later on, Cham, accompanied by two other Twi'lek rebels, Numa and Gobi Glie, journey aboard a repurposed Republic Nu-class attack/transport shuttle to rendezvous with the Ghost in space. Aboard the Ghost, Jarrus displays noticeable anxiety regarding the impending meeting with Hera's father, stemming from his relationship with Hera, and inadvertently directs his tension towards his Jedi apprentice, Ezra Bridger. Following Cham and his Twi'lek comrades' entry into the ship, Jarrus proceeds to introduce the crew, mistakenly mixing up Bridger, Sabine Wren, and Garazeb Orrelios, and completely omitting Chopper, who responds with a disgruntled grunt. Cham expresses his admiration for the rebels, referring to them as a "fine group of fighters." Wren greets Cham, mentioning that she studied his strategies from the Clone Wars while attending the Imperial Academy on Mandalore. Subsequently, Cham introduces Numa and Glie to the Spectres.

Utilizing a hologram projection pod, Hera outlines her strategy to the crew and the Twi'leks, detailing her plan to infiltrate the Imperial carrier orbiting Ryloth using a captured TIE/sa bomber. Disagreeing with his daughter's proposal, Cham suggests destroying the carrier instead, aiming to demonstrate the Resistance's strength to Ryloth. In response, Hera points out that Cham and his group would have already destroyed the ship if they had the means to do so. Given their limitations, she proposes a compromise, suggesting collaboration with her rebel group, emphasizing the rebellion's need for the carrier. Jarrus supports her stance, advising Cham that working together could lead to a mutually beneficial outcome.

In a private conversation, Bridger inquires about Hera's relationship with her father. While Hera is engaged in repairing Chopper, she reveals that she and Cham have been estranged for years, stemming from their differing views on her decision to join the Rebellion instead of fighting for Ryloth's liberation. She explains that Cham dedicated his life to combating both the Confederacy of Independent Systems and the Galactic Empire. Following the death of her mother, Cham focused entirely on liberating Ryloth from Imperial control, neglecting his own daughter. Their discussion is interrupted by Cham's arrival, who informs the rebels that they should prepare for their mission. Bridger exits the room, but not before remarking that family should always be a priority.

Upon entering the room, Cham immediately recognizes Chopper as the old astromech droid that Hera had discovered during the Clone Wars. Hera confirms that the droid's name is Chopper, to which Chopper responds with an affirmative beep. Cham comments that if Hera had shown him half the dedication she had shown Chopper (whom he dismissively refers to as a "second rate junkpile"), they would have already reclaimed Ryloth. Chopper grunts in protest as Cham proceeds to reprimand his daughter for dedicating her life to the rebellion, which he believes to be a misguided cause. Briefly reverting to a Twi'lek accent, Hera defends her commitment to the rebel cause, arguing that the rebels are fighting for the freedom of everyone, including Ryloth. Cham counters that outsiders are not to be trusted and that his sole focus is on Ryloth's liberation. Unable to reconcile their differences, Cham abruptly leaves the room, leaving Hera alone with Chopper.

For the impending operation, the rebels from Lothal and Ryloth embark on Cham's Nu-class attack shuttle, initiating the jump to hyperspace. En route, Jarrus recounts how Jedi Master Mace Windu had spoken highly of Cham's strategic acumen during the Battle of Lessu. Cham elaborates on his achievements during the battle, including the capture of the plasma bridge and the enduring legacy of the attack, known as "The Hammer of Ryloth." Cham's companions also establish a rapport with the rebels, and Jarrus appears to be swayed by Cham's persona, attributing Hera's leadership skills to him. However, Hera remains skeptical of her father's intentions.

Upon exiting hyperspace, the rebel shuttle approaches the carrier, and everyone transfers to the stolen TIE bomber. Cham instructs Glie to prepare for their landing. The rebels intend to seize control of the carrier while its TIE bombers are engaged in a bombing campaign against Ryloth. Hera then signals for A-wing starfighters to pursue their stolen bomber. Approaching the carrier, they request permission to land and are directed to Bay Two. Subsequently, the two rebel A-wings disappear into hyperspace. Upon landing, Hera deliberately crashes the TIE bomber into the hangar bay to simulate damage.

Before they can proceed with their mission, Wren discovers that the Twi'lek rebels have brought explosives on board. Cham and his companions then stun the rebel crew and proceed with their original plan to destroy the fighter carrier. After exiting the ship, the three Twi'leks overpower an Imperial security detail. Back on the bomber, Hera regains consciousness to find herself chained, and she awakens Chopper. Chopper frees her from her restraints, informing her that Cham has betrayed them. After Bridger and Wren inform Hera that the Twi'leks are carrying bags of detonators, Hera realizes that Cham is heading towards the ship's munition racks, and she resolves to intercept the Twi'lek rebels. Cham intends to make the explosion a spectacle for all of Ryloth to witness.

On the bridge of the Imperial carrier, the commander dispatches reinforcements to investigate the adjacent hangar bay after losing contact with the security squad. Meanwhile, Wren and Orrelios attempt to ambush the Twi'lek rebels, only to become embroiled in a blaster firefight with both them and arriving stormtroopers. Simultaneously, Cham proceeds alone to sabotage the ship's hyperdrive. In the ship's corridors, Bridger and Jarrus engage stormtroopers in combat while evading blast doors, utilizing their lightsabers to breach the doors. The two Jedi are followed by Hera and Chopper. The four rebels eventually reach the command bridge, where Bridger employs a Jedi mind trick to compel the Imperial commander to order an evacuation of the ship. All the Imperials abandon ship and flee in escape pods.

Elsewhere, Wren and Orrelios utilize a rigged mouse droid to incapacitate the Twi'leks, rendering them unconscious. Back on the bridge, Cham encounters the crew of the Ghost and reveals that he has disabled the ship's hyperdrive. He attempts to contact Glie and Numa, only to discover that they have been captured. With both sides at an impasse, Hera attempts to reason with her father once more. She explains that destroying the carrier would only prompt the Empire to send another one to Ryloth. However, seizing the carrier would provide them with a valuable asset to combat the Empire. Cham retorts that his daughter has not witnessed the extent of the Empire's devastation on Ryloth, including the exploitation of the planet's resources and the enslavement of the Twi'leks. He intends to use the carrier's destruction to demonstrate the capabilities of the Twi'lek rebels.

Hera responds that she shares his desire for Ryloth's freedom but reiterates that the battle cannot be won on Ryloth alone. As they argue, Imperial fighters and a shuttle approach the carrier to reclaim it. In the munitions racket, Wren plays the recording of Hera and Cham's conversation to Numa and Glie. Hera recounts to Cham how he inspired her and her motivations for joining the rebellion. After Bridger emphasizes the need to buy Hera time to secure the ship, Cham and the others agree to assist. While Cham instructs Chopper on how to repair the hyperdrive, the other rebels utilize the ship's cannons to repel the Imperial reinforcements. The carrier's TIE bombers return and commence firing torpedoes at the carrier, damaging the ship's stabilizers. Hera manages to execute evasive maneuvers and stabilize the ship with her father's assistance.

Meanwhile, Wren, Orrelios, Glie, and Numa successfully shoot down the TIE bombers. After collaborating to regain control of the ship, Hera and Cham recognize the strength in their unity. However, their challenges escalate with the arrival of an Arquitens-class command cruiser. After informing Chopper that he has deactivated the hyperdrive's couplings on the third and fourth generators, Cham and Bridger rendezvous with Wren in the hangar bay. Utilizing their stolen TIE bomber, Ezra sets the bomber adrift. Cham fires upon the bomber, triggering an explosion that engulfs the Imperial light cruiser. With its magazine compartments ablaze, the burning cruiser plummets towards Ryloth. After Chopper completes repairs to the fighter carrier's hyperdrive, the stolen ship jumps into hyperspace.

Following the battle, Cham informs Hera that the theft of the Imperial carrier has galvanized the Ryloth rebels like never before, leading to a surge in recruitment. Cham also reconciles with his daughter, acknowledging that she shares her mother's idealism. Hera responds that she learned her leadership skills from Cham. The crew of the Ghost observe as Cham and his Twi'lek comrades depart on their shuttle into space.

This episode marks the inaugural instance of Hera speaking with a Twi'lek (French) accent, briefly reverting to it during her argument with her father. Actress Vanessa Marshall initially auditioned with her own accent before being asked if she could perform it with a French accent. Marshall, who possesses fluency in French, affirmed her capability, but the topic did not resurface immediately. Dave Filoni later inquired via email whether she believed Hera would ever employ a Twi'lek accent upon returning to her homeworld; Marshall responded, "Only if she was angry." She subsequently likened it to "someone from Tennessee or Texas, or something like that, when they get into an argument with their father, all of a sudden, they're a Southern belle. It demonstrates a kind of vulnerability that goes straight to the core of who she is. Even in that moment, she can't undo that accent. But I think that's how much she loves him and yearns to connect with him, that she even lets that guard down to speak in their shared accent."