Pattern and Web

Within the Headquarters Frigate of the Rebel forces, situated near the Sullust system, the leading figures of the Rebel Alliance gather for an informative session concerning the new Death Star and the strategy for its destruction. Lando Calrissian and Han Solo engage in playful banter, discussing their newly acquired ranks of general and their respective command positions in the upcoming conflict: Lando will spearhead the fighter assault targeting the Death Star's vulnerable interior, while Han will lead a commando unit on the surface of the Forest Moon of Endor to neutralize the station's deflector shield. During this meeting, Chewbacca, See-Threepio, Leia Organa, and Luke Skywalker (accompanied by Artoo-Detoo) step forward to join Solo's team, forming the command crew of the commandeered imperial shuttle known as Tydirium, which they intend to use to infiltrate the Forest Moon. Simultaneously, Lando will pilot his familiar vessel, the Millennium Falcon.

The crew boards the shuttle, making preparations for departure. Han inquires if Luke desires an additional blaster, but Luke insists on relying solely on his lightsaber as his weapon. Placing his faith in the Force, Luke expresses confidence in the mission's success, while Han harbors greater apprehension, fearing he may never see the Falcon again. The Tydirium approaches the Death Star, transmitting a transponder code to secure permission for landing on the moon. As they pass a Super Star Destroyer, Luke senses the presence of Darth Vader. He worries that his presence is jeopardizing the mission, prompting Han to offer reassurance in return. After a tense and prolonged silence, the shuttle receives clearance to proceed.

Shortly after landing on Endor, the Rebels encounter a pair of scout troopers. Han and Chewbacca attempt a stealthy flanking maneuver but are detected. One of the troopers escapes on his speeder bike, while Luke and Leia commandeer the other bike and pursue him through the dense forest. When another pair of scouts spots them and gives chase, Luke and Leia become separated, and Luke is knocked off his speeder. He destroys the remaining scout's speeder utilizing his lightsaber, but upon returning to the Rebel commandos, he discovers Leia is missing. Subsequently, the Rebels divide their forces: Han, Chewbacca, and the droids accompany Luke in the search for Leia, while Major Derlin leads the remaining members towards the Endor shield generator.

Leia, also dismounted from her speeder, encounters and quickly establishes a friendly connection with a small being, despite her initial belief that Endor lacked intelligent inhabitants. Another pair of scout troopers discovers them; Leia's newfound companion assists her in fighting |the first, enabling her to eliminate the other with her blaster. Unsure of the being's identity or nature, Leia refers to him as an "Endorian" and playfully nicknames him "Short, Round and Furry". After dealing with the troopers, Leia follows him into the depths of the forest.

Certain additional lines within "Pattern and Web" allude to recently released content from the Star Wars Expanded Universe. During her briefing, Mon Mothma states, "We must adjust our own plans to make up for the losses inflicted on us by Lord Vader at the Battle of the Bajic Shipyards." This represents another instance where the radio drama references events originating from the Shadows of the Empire novel, which was published a few months prior to the episode's airing. The episode aligns with the Galaxy Guide 5 in identifying Major Derlin, a character from Empire Strikes Back, as Han's second-in-command within the Rebel commando unit. Leia's surprise at discovering intelligent life on Endor is ironic, considering the moon's reputation for harboring a diverse array of sentient species, often likened to a "desert island" in space.

The script of the radio play, published under the title Return of the Jedi: The National Public Radio Dramatization, consolidates two scout troopers into a single character, designated as "Scout #1," and it is possible they are portrayed by the same voice actor in the episode. These troopers include the one Han Solo attempts to ambush and the one who discovers Princess Leia and is subsequently attacked by Wicket the Ewok. These two were later identified as Avarik and Oberk. The dialogue, which expands upon lines from the film, does not suggest that the two characters are intended to be the same individual, as the second trooper, Oberk, appears unaware of his comrades' earlier encounter with the Rebels. Consequently, this article treats them as distinct characters.