History Recap / StarWarsRebelsStepsIntoShadow

* DespiteThePlan: The Imperials start incinerating the Y-Wings to keep them from falling into Rebel hands, leading to Ezra deciding to change it into a full-on retrieval mission. Hondo manages to convince the Ugnaught workers into stopping the incinerations in exchange for safe passage off the station, and Ezra lets the station fall while everyone else fuels up and grabs a Y-Wing. It works . . . but it results in the loss of the ''Phantom'', and if Kanan hadn't come in the last second, Ezra would've been trapped and died.

* SmugSnake: Titus still has this attitude, as evidenced by his smug smirk when he informs Ezra he sabotaged the Y-Wing docking clamps. This quickly devolves into OhCrap territory when Ezra simply cuts the power to the entire station, despite Titus protesting that he'd send the entire facility crashing.

** Commander Titus returns. Ezra remarks on his demotion from Admiral since their meeting in [[Recap/StarWarsRebelsS2E07StealthStrike "Stealth Strike"]].

--> '''Sabine:''' When did Kanan teach you ''that''?\\

** Given the novel ''[[Literature/StarWarsThrawn Thrawn]]'' reveals that [[spoiler:the casualties at Batonn are all Pryce's direct fault, as in she triggered the explosions in question that killed the civilians]] she definitely doesn't have a problem with them.

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Titus's fate is unknown as the station falls. Turns out he was fine after this -- Thrawn called him over to be interrogated in [[Recap/StarWarsRebelsS3E15ThroughImperialEyes "Through Imperial Eyes"]].

* EverybodyHasStandards: When Ezra has the AT-ST fire on the other Stormtroopers and then forces it walk off the platform into the abyss, Sabine, Zeb, and Hondo are disturbed and ask if Kanan taught him this, to which he answers no.

* MisBlamed: InUniverse -- Kallus' comment indicates he believes Thrawn was responsible for the civilian casualties at Batonn. Thrawn's [[Literature/StarWarsThrawn novel]] reveals they were actually Governor Pryce's fault.

* MisBlamed: Kallus' comment indicates he believes Thrawn was responsible for the civilian casualties at Batonn. Thrawn's [[Literature/StarWarsThrawn novel]] reveals they were actually Governor Pryce's fault.

* NoOneCouldSurviveThat: Tarkin mentions that Vader has dealt with Phoenix Squadron's Jedi leadership, referring to the disappearance of Ahsoka and perhaps assumed Vader blinded Kanan, though they seem unaware that Ezra is still an active Force user. In all fairness, Tarkin hasn't met Ezra yet, and did not think Kanan would get back into action.

** Kanan tells Ezra off for committing Dark side acts and listening to the Presence again, leading to him confiscating the Sith holocron.

* EvenEvilHasStandards: Kallus notes with restrained, but audible disdain that Thrawn's most recent victory (the one that got him his promotion to Grand Admiral) came at a cost of high civilian casualties. Pryce and the other main Imperials couldn't care less.
** More specifically, Pryce's comment is the casualties were within "acceptable limits." Suggesting that this trope is LITERALLY in play as it's more surprising the Empire has guidelines for what are considered acceptable civilian casualties.

* IDidWhatIHadToDo: Ezra to Hera about using the AT-DP pilot at Morraka prison. She's more concerned about him letting Terba die though.

** Ezra when Kanan unexpectedly comes into his cabin while the Sith Holocron is sitting on the table.
** Sabine when she realizes that the Y-wings have no hyperdrives, leaving them with no escape in front of a Star Destroyer.

* PsychologicalProjection: When the Bendu tells Kanan that he brings conflict with him, Kanan immediately assumes he's talking about the Sith holocron, even though the Bendu made clear that it's Kanan causing imbalance in the Force. Later, Kanan pins the fear he's feeling on the spiders, then Ezra, before realizing it's his own.
* PsychosomaticSuperpowerOutage: Kanan repressing his emotions and distancing himself from everyone has severely limited his ability to sense things through the Force, to the point where he can't feel the Sith holocron, the spiders, or even Ezra. The Bendu helps him deal with it, at which point he immediately senses Ezra in danger.

* ThatsAnOrder: Ezra when he changes the mission at Reklam Station from recon to retrieval.

** Given the novel ''Literature/Thrawn'' reveals that [[spoiler: the casualties at Batonn are all Pryce's direct fault, as in she triggered the explosions in question that killed the civilians]] she definitely doesn't have a problem with them.

Having established a secret base on Atollon, the Ghost crew, now led by a more powerful Ezra, strengthens the rebel fleet by acquiring new resources and recruits eager to stand against the Empire. However in response, the Imperial efforts to eliminate the rebellion turn to the coldly analytical Grand Admiral Thrawn, whose strategic, tactical and cultural insights make him a threat unlike any they have faced before.

** Kanan takes one of the sensor markers as he goes off to follow Bendu's voice to deter the krykna. When they meet, the Bendu destroys it and explains that the krykna pick up on his fears and negative emotions rather than being naturally hostile to the Force.

* CallForward:
** The Y-Wings are going to be sent to [[Film/ANewHope General Dodonna's Yavin cell]].

--> '''Sabine:''' Karabast!\\

* StatusQuoIsGod: After having it for one episode (though there ''was'' a 6-month TimeSkip between this and the last), Ezra gets the Sith holocron confiscated. [[SubvertedTrope Too bad the damage is already done]], because the Presence taught Ezra enough that he's at risk of falling to the Dark side. And it turns out they have to get it back in the next episode, but if the Season 3 trailer means anything, it's a DoubleSubversion.

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Titus's fate is unknown as the station falls. Turns out he was fine after this--Thrawn called him over to be interrogated in "Through Imperial Eyes".

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Titus's fate is unknown as the station falls.

-->'''The Bendu:''' Are [the spiders] close?
-->'''Kanan:''' No.
-->'''The Bendu:''' Are you sure?
--> ''Kanan reaches his hand out and touches a spider standing right in front of him.''

** The Y-Wings are going to be sent to [[Film/ANewHope General Dodonna's Yavin cell.]]

* DespiteThePlan: The Imperials start incinerating the Y-Wings to keep them from falling into Rebel hands, leading to Ezra deciding to change it into a full-on retrieval mission. Hondo manages to convince the Ugnaught workers into stopping the incinerations in exchange for safe passage off the station, and Ezra lets the station fall while everyone else fuels up and grabs a Y-Wing. It works... but it results in the loss of the ''Phantom'', and if Kanan hadn't come in the last second, Ezra would've been trapped and died.

* FadeAroundTheEyes: Thrawn does this at the end of his first scene

* HopeSpot: For Terba, who happily charges out of the prison and onto the platform outside... right into the sights of a AT-DP.

** Hondo gets rescued in the intro mission, after we last saw him in custody back in "Legends of the Lasats".
** Titus is at Reklam Station, demoted to Commander from his Admiral position. Losing a prototype Interdictor will do that.

** The crew makes a quick stop at the mining facility from "The Call", and are accosted by the Mining Guild.
** Commander Titus returns. Ezra remarks on his demotion from Admiral since their meeting in "Stealth Strike".
** Hondo has been in prison since the events of "Legends of the Lasats", where he was captured by Kallus.
** Kanan takes one of the sensor markers as he goes off to follow Bendu's voice to deter the krykna. When they meet, Bendu destroys it and explains that the krykna pick up on his fears and negative emotions rather than being naturally hostile to the Force.

** Lothal has been firmly under Imperial control since the blockade enacted by Darth Vader in "The Siege of Lothal".
** Phoenix Squadron is still operating out of Atollon, their base established in "The Mystery of Chopper Base".

* PetTheDog: After Ezra destroys the control panel, Titus gets on the intercom to warn everyone to evacuate before he himself leaves.

* RedEyesTakeWarning: PlayedWith. Ezra has the Sith holocron stored in his cadet helmet. When it glows, the eye holes on the helmet glow red.

* StatusQuoIsGod: After having it for one episode (though there ''was'' a TimeSkip between this and the last), Ezra gets the Sith holocron confiscated. [[SubvertedTrope Too bad the damage is already done]], because the Presence taught Ezra enough that he's at risk of falling to the Dark side. And it turns out they have to get it back in the next episode, but if the Season 3 trailer means anything, it's a DoubleSubversion.
* StealthInsult: Pryce complains about Konstantine's incompetence by saying that he's more politician than soldier. This is likely a shot at the late [[BeleagueredBureaucrat Minister Tua.]]

* TimeSkip: Six months after the mission to Malachor, as confirmed by [[WordOfGod Dave Filoni.]]

* NoOneCouldSurviveThat: Tarkin mentions that Vader has dealt with Phoenix Squadron's Jedi leadership, referring to the disappearance of Ahsoka and perhaps Kanan's blindness, though they seem unaware that Ezra is still an active Force user. In all fairness, Tarkin hasn't met Ezra yet.

* NoOneCouldSurviveThat: Tarkin mentions that Vader has dealt with Phoenix Squadron's Jedi leadership, referring to the disappearance of Ahsoka, though they seem unaware that Ezra is still an active Force user.

* CerebusSyndrome: This episode has surprisingly less humor than previous episodes. [[TookALevelInCynic Ezra doesn't goof around anymore, has a shorter temper, and has taken up the responsibility of leader]], and [[HeroicBSOD Kanan is depressed]]. Everyone else has noticed. The closest thing to a constant source of comedy is Hondo.

* WouldNotShootACivilian: Kallus objects to potential civilian casualties in Thrawn's plan against the rebels at the Y-Wing station. His fellow Imperials, specifically Pryce, overrule him.

* ButtMonkey: It's not PlayedForLaughs anywhere near as much as other examples of the trope, but Konstantine is constantly getting taken down a peg since he's the Imperial with the longest standing rivalry with Phoenix Squadron but with the least amount of success compared to fellow veteran Kallus. First, he's mocked by Pryce in private. He's then humiliated when he hasn't heard of Thrawn. Finally, he is completely baffled at the Imperials allowing Phoenix Squadron to escape as part of Thrawn's larger plan.

* ScrewThisImOutOfHere: Hondo ditches offscreen Ezra when the station falls.

* EvenEvilHasStandards: Kallus notes with restrained, but audible disdain that Thrawn's most recent victory came at a cost of high civilian casualties. Pryce and the other main Imperials could care less.