Star Wars Rebels Season 3: 5 Ways It'll Connect To Rogue One

Up until now, Rebels has been telling the story of a single faction. In the first season, Hera and the Ghost Crew were operating as a small cell, unofficially tied to any greater force, but causing trouble for the Empire in any way they could. Season Two, they became part of a bigger picture, operating as part of Phoenix Squadron headed by Commander Sato and playing a more pivotal part in the ongoing conflict. But up until this point, they have never been at war with the Empire. To the Empire, they are perceived as an inconvenience.

Season Three, they are becoming much more than that. Their activities have sparked the attention of the Empire, with Governor Pryce bringing in the help of Grand Admiral Thrawn to deal with the growing threat of this single Rebel cell. But while Governor Pryce doubts the rebels' ability to unite under one banner, Thrawn more perceptively sees the bigger picture and has been looking to dismantle them since the start of this season. In the season-premiere, Steps in Shadow, Thrawn allowed the rebels to escape with the Y-Wings under the pretense that the true Rebel fleet had not revealed itself. But once they do, he will be ready to play his hand.

Here, the Rebel cells are coming together to form the Alliance that we see in Rogue One. We have Mon Mothma, General Dodonna, Bail Organa and the Rebel Fleet all massing together. We get Nebulon-B Escort Frigates, Liberty Type Star Crusiers (famously captained by Admiral Ackbar), CR90 Corvettes, Hammerhead Corvettes, all the ships that build up the fleet that took on the Empire head on over Scarif.

But here’s the thing. The opening crawl to A New Hope states that “Rebel spaceships, striking from a hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil Galactic Empire”, and we see that victory in Rogue One. But pay attention to the word “first.” The fleet may be coming together, but Thrawn is still out there, and that doesn’t bode well for Rebels.

Were there any references to Rogue One that we missed? What are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below.