"Rise of the Old Masters" marks the fifth installment in the first season of the Star Wars Rebels animated television program. It is also the fifth episode to air in the entire series.
This episode premiered at New York Comic Con on October 11, 2014. Subsequently, it was released on WatchDisneyXD.com on October 20, before finally being broadcast on Disney XD on October 27. The script was penned by Henry Gilroy, while Steward Lee took on the role of director.
Within this episode, Ezra Bridger's Jedi instruction persists under the guidance of Kanan Jarrus, who harbors concerns about his ability to effectively mentor Bridger. The rebel group receives information suggesting that Jedi Master Luminara Unduli survived the destruction of the Jedi Order, prompting an attempt to liberate her from the Spire located on Stygeon Prime. However, they soon come to the realization that this is a ruse orchestrated by the Grand Inquisitor, and that Unduli actually perished during the Jedi Order's downfall. The rebels manage to escape, and Jarrus comes to the understanding that he is capable of being a sufficient teacher for Bridger, despite his earlier misgivings.
As Kanan proceeds to educate Ezra in the Force's ways, both characters experience growing dissatisfaction with each other and their respective roles. Simultaneously, an illicit transmission surfaces, revealing that a Jedi Master, previously presumed deceased, is alive and held in Imperial captivity.
Far above the surface of Lothal, on the Ghost's rooftop, Kanan Jarrus continues to instruct Ezra Bridger in the skills of the Force, while Garazeb "Zeb" Orrelios and the droid Chopper observe. Bridger struggles with a one-handed handstand on the Ghost's dorsal laser turret, as Kanan advises him, quoting, "Do, or do not. There is no try." Ezra questions how achievement is possible without trying, a sentiment Kanan shares, admitting the saying never resonated with him, despite its frequent use by Grand Master Yoda. Impatient, Zeb shakes the turret, causing Ezra to fall. Ezra objects to the Lasat's presence, but Kanan explains the importance of focusing amidst distractions.
Kanan decides to transition to lightsaber practice, handing Ezra his weapon. Ezra inquires about acquiring his own lightsaber, but Kanan bluntly states that owning one doesn't make someone a Jedi. After adjusting the blade for Ezra's height, Kanan directs Chopper to throw small, empty containers at Ezra from a crate. With closed eyes, Ezra attempts to block the containers with the lightsaber but struggles to focus, getting hit and stumbling. Zeb assists Chopper in launching a barrage of containers at Ezra, forcing him backward until he falls off the ship, plummeting toward the ground. Kanan uses the Force to catch Ezra mid-fall, telekinetically pulling him back toward the Ghost. Zeb extends the ship's front entry ramp and grabs Ezra as Kanan lifts him within reach. Back on board, Kanan confronts Ezra, criticizing his lack of discipline and self-doubt. Ezra suggests Kanan is at fault as his teacher. Kanan sighs, expressing the difficulty of teaching, before walking away frustrated.
The crew gathers in the ship's lounge, where a HoloNet News broadcast covers the missing TIE fighter Zeb and Ezra stole and their subsequent assault on Imperial Troop Transports, falsely claiming the attack was unprovoked. The report is interrupted by an unauthorized transmission from Gall Trayvis, a former Imperial Senate member who speaks out against the Galactic Empire. Trayvis claims Luminara Unduli, a Jedi Master from the Clone Wars era, is alive and imprisoned in the Stygeon system. Trayvis demands a fair trial for Unduli on behalf of galactic citizens before his transmission is cut off. Ezra asks if Kanan knew Unduli. Kanan confirms he met her, describing her as brave, compassionate, and disciplined, believing she would be an excellent teacher for Ezra. Despite rumors of Unduli's survival, her location remained unknown until now. The crew agrees to a rescue mission, and Kanan orders preparations. Ezra believes Kanan is abandoning him, intending to pass him off to "some stranger."
En route, Sabine Wren presents a hologram of the Spire, a prison on Stygeon Prime and the system's only Imperial detention facility. She describes the Spire as impregnable, detailing its security defenses. Sabine suggests that while breaking in is difficult, escaping will be the real challenge. After discussion, the crew agrees to a strategy, despite its craziness, to infiltrate the facility.
Upon reaching Stygeon Prime's atmosphere, the crew leaves Chopper in charge of the Ghost and heads to the prison in the Phantom. Kanan jumps from the shuttle onto a secluded platform, engaging the stormtroopers guarding the entrance. Overexcited, Ezra deviates from the plan, jumping down after Kanan, stumbling into the door and alerting more stormtroopers. Zeb and Sabine join the fight, and together, the crew overcomes the stormtroopers. Kanan scolds Ezra for his lack of discipline, but Sabine interrupts, instructing him to pick the lock. Ezra succeeds after some effort, granting the crew access to the prison.
Inside, Kanan senses Unduli, though her presence is clouded. Sabine accesses a terminal, learning that the Jedi Master is in an isolation cell on the lower levels. This indicates outdated schematics, forcing Kanan to devise an alternate plan as they board a turbolift.
Meanwhile, Hera waits in the powered-down Phantom, attached to the Spire. The sensors detect an approaching object, initially suspected to be a TIE fighter, but it turns out to be a group of Tibidee, attracted to the Phantom's jamming signal, mistaking it for a mating call. Concerned about attracting attention, Hera detaches the shuttle and flies away, luring the creatures away.
On the prison's lower levels, Kanan instructs Sabine and Zeb to guard the lift while he and Ezra proceed deeper. A couple of stormtroopers appear, and Kanan quickly dispatches them. Ezra comments on Kanan's fierceness, and Kanan says there's more at stake than Ezra knows. They reach Unduli's cell, and Kanan uses a mind trick to make the guards leave. Inside, they find Unduli bound. Kanan senses something amiss as Unduli stands and walks forward, then her image fades, revealing a sarcophagus containing her remains.
From the doorway, the Grand Inquisitor reveals himself, welcoming the Jedi to his trap. He enters, igniting his lightsaber as the door locks. The Inquisitor explains that Unduli died with the Republic, but her remains serve the Empire, luring Jedi to their deaths. Kanan attacks the Inquisitor, and they engage in a duel. Kanan struggles against the superior swordsman. The Inquisitor recognizes Kanan's style, deducing he was trained by Depa Billaba, who favored Form III. Unnoticed, Ezra plants a detonator on the door and blows it open, allowing them to escape. The Inquisitor pursues.
In the turbolift, Sabine fails to contact Kanan, realizing the Empire is jamming their signal and the mission is a trap. She decides they need a new escape route, as the Empire expects their original one.
Back in the detention center, Kanan and the Inquisitor continue their duel. The Inquisitor tries to entice Ezra to the dark side of the Force, but Ezra claims ignorance. Ezra attacks with his energy slingshot, but the Inquisitor blocks the shots and Force-pushes him down the cell block.
Sabine and Zeb prepare a new escape. They detonate the turbolift on the upper levels, ambushing the stormtroopers. With the turbolift destroyed and others disabled, Sabine prevents the Imperials from reaching the lower levels quickly.
As the duel continues, the Inquisitor urges Kanan to surrender for Ezra's sake. Kanan refuses, and the Inquisitor Force-pushes him, stunning him. The Inquisitor again tries to recruit Ezra. When Ezra refuses, the Inquisitor rushes to kill him, but Kanan uses the Force to stop him, slamming him into the ceiling. The Jedi flee together.
Kanan and Ezra reunite with Sabine and Zeb, who inform them of the new escape route. The Inquisitor orders a lockdown and speeds up as doors close between him and the rebels. He is cut off by a final door, which he begins to slice through. The rebels reach the hangar but can't open the door due to the lockdown. Kanan instructs Ezra to visualize the locking mechanism, and together, they use the Force to unlock and lift the door. However, numerous stormtroopers await and open fire. Zeb uses the last detonator to eliminate some soldiers, creating an opening. Sabine contacts Hera, who arrives in the Phantom with the Tibidee, who attack the stormtroopers. The rebels scramble for the Phantom as the Inquisitor appears, throwing his lightsaber, but Kanan deflects it back to him. The rebels board the Phantom and fly away.
Safely on board, Ezra overhears Kanan telling Hera that Unduli is dead and that Ezra will be stuck with him as his teacher, at least for now.
The Ghost lands on Lothal. Kanan finds Ezra sitting on the boarding ramp. Ezra says Kanan doesn't have to train him, knowing Kanan wanted to give him to Unduli. Kanan assures Ezra he only wanted the best teacher for him. Ezra wants Kanan to teach him, and Kanan agrees, resolving to stop trying and instead will train Ezra. With renewed resolve, Bridger takes Jarrus' lightsaber while his master throws stones at him, which Bridger successfully deflects. Their training continues, without distraction or doubt.
This episode was turned into a young readers book, The Inquisitor's Trap by Meredith Rusu. The book was available on December 9, 2014.