Ezra's Got to Eat
In the first episode of Rebels, "Spark of Rebellion" (Rebels 1.1-2), Ezra Bridger is introduced stealing food from a hapless merchant on Lothal. When the merchant is aghast, Ezra glibly justifies his theft by saying, "A kid's got to eat." At the beginning of the series, Ezra's priority in life is to fill his belly. He lives in service to his appetite and does not care how his actions affect others.
Shortly thereafter, Ezra encounters the crew of the Ghost, who challenge and inspire him to strive for something higher. They also steal food, but they give it to the starving populace of Lothal rather than using it to fill their own bellies. Tagging along on their mission, Ezra is taken aback when one of the recipients of the team's charity earnestly thanks him – a direct contrast to the distress of the merchant whose food he stole.
In the final episode of Rebels, "Family Reunion – and Farewell" (Rebels 4.15), Palpatine tempts Ezra to open a gateway in the ruins of Lothal's Jedi Temple that will give him access to the World Between Worlds. He shows Ezra a vision of his deceased parents, claiming that if he opens the portal, he can be with them again. As always, Palpatine's temptation draws its power from the appetites: Ezra's parents are offering him food, calling, "Dinner's ready, Ezra!"
Ezra resists the temptation and destroys the temple, barring Palpatine from the power of the World Between Worlds. This act brings his development full circle. At the beginning of Rebels, Ezra's only concern was filling his own belly, even at the expense of others. By the end of Rebels, he has grown into someone who is able to deny his appetites for the good of Lothal and the galaxy.
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Characters: Ezra Bridger / Palpatine
Shows: Rebels
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Concepts: appetite / temptation
Interpretive Tools: Tripartite Soul Theory
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