History Recap / StarWarsRebelsS1E04BreakingRanks

* VehicularTurnabout: Ezra, Zare, and Jai hijack the AT-DP to cover their escape.

** Ironically, despite being a literal one (albeit not exclusively for marksmanship), [[DefiedTrope the academy on Lothal has a test that actually requires one to have good aim to get through]]. Also [[SubvertedTrope subverted]] in that it's not meant really for stormtrooper training, but weeding out Force-sensitive cadets for acquisition by an Inquisitor.

* NeverBareheaded: The only other named cadet, Oleg, is never seen without his cadet helmet, perhaps putting him in the FacelessMook category.

* ChronicHeroSyndrome: Lampshaded when Ezra risks his life for a fellow cadet, and blames it on hanging out with the ''Ghost'' crew.

* OhCrap: Ezra, when he finds out that the the Inquisitor is coming for the Force-sensitive cadets.

* StupidEvil: Aresko praises Ezra for pushing Jai off the platform during the second test and tells the other cadets to follow his example, stating that there is no friendship in war and that all that matters is victory. While this is obviously right in line with the Empire's ethos, it pretty much goes without saying that encouraging ChronicBackstabbingDisorder and GloryHound tendencies in your soldiers is a '''really''' bad idea, as on the battlefield they need to be able to trust one another implicitly.

* AdultFear: Discussed between Zare and Jai. When Ezra and Zare warn Jai that Inquisitor will be taking him away for training, Jai skeptically responds that this might be what he wants. Zare (whose sister already went missing) then asks him how his mother would feel if he were taken away from home (note that Jai is the only family his mother has on Lothal).

* TheMole: Ezra and Jai have independently infiltrated the Academy, the former to steal a decoder so the team can destroy a shipment of Kyber crystals, the latter so he can find information on his sister, who genuinely joined the Academy only to disappear (it's hinted she was taken by the Inquisitors).

* TraitorShot: Jai looks suspicious after he spots Ezra signaling Chopper. Subverted, however, as it turns out he's also an infiltrator on a separate mission.

* ReverseMole: Zare becomes one for the Rebels.

[[caption-width-right:300:'''Jai:''' Hey, Zare...bet'cha I get my next cameo before you do.\\

Kanan has sent Ezra and Chopper on a mission to infiltrate the Imperial Academy on Lothal so they can get access to data files which include the coordinates of a convoy that is in possession of some kyber crystals for the Empire. There, Ezra makes two new friends, Zare and Jai, who are among the best cadets alongside Ezra. Unfortunately, Kallus is currently stationed at the Academy, and to make matters worse Ezra overhears a conversation between Commandant Aresko and the Inquisitor: it turns out that the Empire flags cadets for potential Force-sensitivity, with any cadets weeded out like this getting a visit from the Inquisitor to confirm it. And Ezra and Jai have been singled out for a visit . . .

!!Tropes in this episode:

* AdultFear: Discussed between Zare and Jai. When Ezra and Zare warn Jai that Inquisitor will be taking him away for training, Jai skeptically asks what if this is what he wants, Zare (whose sister already went missing) then asks him how his mother would feel if he were taken away from home (note that Jai is the only family his mother has on Lothal).

* BlatantLies: Kanan claims he's not worried about Ezra . . . and then completely freaks out when he realizes that the plan has gone off the rails and Ezra's still in the Academy.
* BoomHeadshot: Done by Sabine to a Stormtrooper at point-blank range.

* ChronicBackstabbingDisorder: Commandant Aresko actually encourages this trope to the cadets during training.

** Also invoked by Zare after his IChooseToStay moment, he makes sure not to arouse suspicion by aiming for the ''Ghost'' crew during their escape, but deliberately misses each shot.

* ThisIsGonnaSuck: The look Aresko has on his face practically screams it when the Inquisitor tells him that it is a quite black mark to have let a known rebel, and Jedi Padawan no less, infiltrate his academy.

* TheInfiltration: Ezra goes undercover as a cadet to steal an encryption module.

* BadLiar: Zare tries to distract Kallus by claiming he had a delivery of two crates of ''used pod-racer parts'' for the agent. And he is so nervous doing it that Kallus suspects something is up.

** Also remember ''The Clone Wars'' episode [[Recap/StarWarsTheCloneWarsS4E17TheBox "The Box"]]? Well, the training facility here should seem very familiar. The first scene of the training scenario also reuses musical cues from that episode.

** Also invoked by Zare after his IChooseToStay moment, he makes sure not to arouse suspicion by aiming for the the ''Ghost'' crew during their escape, but deliberately misses each shot.

Kanan has sent Ezra and Chopper on a mission to infiltrate the Imperial Academy on Lothal so they can get access to data files which include the coordinates of a convoy that is in possession of some incredibly potent weapon for the Empire. There, Ezra meets two new friends, Zare and Jai, who are among the best cadets alongside Ezra. Unfortunately, Kallus is currently stationed at the Academy, and to make matters worse Ezra overhears a conversation between Commandant Aresko and the Inquisitor: it turns out that the Empire flags cadets for potential Force-sensitivity, with any cadets weeded out like this getting a visit from the Inquisitor to confirm it. And Ezra and Jai have been singled out for a visit . . .

* OutrunTheFireball: The transport carrying the Kyber Crystal blows big when it is hit by Hera. Considering it was intended to be the centerpiece for the Death Star's planet-busting superlaser, this is to be expected.

** Remember the kyber Crystals from the unfinished Crystal Crisis on Utapau arc in ''[[WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars The Clone Wars]]''? They're back, and guess what the Empire intends to use them for.
** Also remember ''The Clone Wars'' episode [[Recap/StarWarsTheCloneWarsS4E17TheBox "The Box"]]? Well, the training facility here should seem very familiar. The first scene of the training scenario also reuses musical cues from that episode. And it serves the same purpose of weeding out hidden Force sensitives.

* IChooseToStay: When Ezra and Jai escape, Zare chooses to stay behind and operate as an informant to the Rebels. He also still wants to learn what happened to his sister.

* RevealingSkill: As part of the Academy tests, cadets who do exceptionally well are tested for Force sensitivity by the Inquisitor.

** Also remember ''The Clone Wars'' episode [[Recap/StarWarsTheCloneWarsS4E17TheBox "The Box"? Well, the training facility here should seem very familiar. The first scene of the training scenario also reuses musical cues from that episode. And it serves the same purpose of weeding out hidden Force sensitives.

Kanan has sent Ezra and Chopper on a mission to infiltrate the Imperial Academy on Lothal so they can get access to data files which include the coordinates of a convoy that is in possession of some incredibly potent weapon for the Empire. There, Ezra meets two new friends, Zare and Jai (who is also Force Sensitive), who are among the best cadets alongside Ezra. Unfortunately, Kallus is currently stationed at the Academy and to make matters worse Ezra overhears a conversation between Commandant Aresko and the Inquisitor; it turns out that the Imperials testing for Force abilities among the cadets and those who tested positive be delivered to the Inquisitor for special training and eventually be brought before the Emperor. The two candidates the Commandant has eyed for this training are Ezra and Jai.

* BadLiar: Zare tries to distract Kallus by claiming he had a delivery of two crates of ''used pod-racer parts'' for the Agent. And he is so nervous doing it that Kallus suspects something is up.
* BigWhat: Kanan's reaction to finding out Ezra stayed in the Academy after grabbing the decoder.
* BlatantLies: Kanan claims he's not worried about Ezra...and then completely freaks out when he realizes that the plan has gone off the rails and Ezra's still in the Academy.

* BootCampEpisode: Ezra has to join the Imperial Academy as a cadet to obtain coordinates for a Khyber shipment.

* ChronicHeroSyndrome: Lampshaded when Ezra risks his life for a fellow cadet and blames it on hanging out with the ''Ghost'' crew.
* ContinuityNod:
** Remember the Kyber Crystals from unfinished Crystal Crisis on Utapau arc in ''[[WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars The Clone Wars]]''? They're back and guess what the Empire intends to use them for.
** Also remember the episode "The Box" in the ''The Clone Wars''? Well, the training facility here should seem very familiar. The first scene of the training scenario also reuses musical cues from that episode. And it serves the same purpose of weeding out hidden Force sensitives.
* DressingAsTheEnemy: While infiltrating the Academy Chopper is given a black Imperial paint-job and of course Ezra is wearing a cadet uniform.
* DrillSergeantNasty: We get to see Aresko and Grint in action as combat instructors.

* ImperialStormtrooperMarksmanshipAcademy: Ironically, despite being a literal one (albeit not exclusively for marksmanship), [[DefiedTrope the academy on Lothal has a test that actually requires one to have good aim to get through]]. Also [[SubvertedTrope subverted]] in that it's not meant really for stormtrooper training, but weeding out Force-sensitive cadets for acquisition by an Inquisitor.

* OhCrap: Ezra, when he finds out that the the Inquisitor is coming for the Force Sensitive cadets.
* OutrunTheFireball: The transport carrying the Kyber Crystal blows big when it is hit by Hera. Considering it was intended to be the center-piece for the Death Star's planet-busting superlaser, this is to be expected.

** Remember the Kyber Crystals from Crystal Crisis on Utapau arc in ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars''? They're back and guess what the Empire intends to use them for.
** Remember the episode "The Box" in the ''The Clone Wars''? Well, the training facility here should seem very familiar. The first scene of the training scenario also reuses musical cues from that episode. And it serves the same purpose of weeding out hidden Force sensitives.