Page 37 - Star Wars Insider (Special Edition 2019)

REBEL ROMANCE

This is the first time in the entire series that Putting the Romance
either one of them has even remotely addressed
their relationship. Kanan believes that there is a into Rebellion:
conversation they need to have, and Hera knows
exactly what he’s talking about. It’s hard to work
out what has caused his newfound urgency, but HERA SYNDULLA KANAN JARRUS
it’s likely that almost dying on Atollon at the end Born seven years before the start of the Before he was known as Kanan Jarrus,
of Season Three put things in perspective for him. Clone Wars, Hera Syndulla was raised to Caleb Dume was a youngling who was
fi ght: for her home, for her people, for brought to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant
But in this moment, Kanan and Hera as a couple
her freedom. Trained by her father, the and left there. With no knowledge of his
becomes an actual plot point in the series. Ryloth freedom-fi ghter Cham Syndulla, parents or homeworld, Caleb made the
Wonderfully, it doesn’t stop there, either. Two Hera felt the cost of fi ghting the Empire temple his home and was apprenticed to
personally. The loss of her mother and Jedi Master Depa Billaba.
episodes later, “In the Name of the Rebellion” we
disagreements with her father saw her When Order 66 was initiated by

see Hera flying like an ace through a cloud-fi lled looking to the skies as a way to fi ght the Emperor, Billaba sacrifi ced herself to
canyon, her maneuvers guided solely by Kanan’s the Empire in the best way she knew give Caleb a chance to save himself. On
Jedi senses. When she nervously quips, “I must how—as a pilot. the run and still reeling from her death,
With C1-10P, a droid recovered from he met a smuggler, Janus Kasmir, who
really trust you,” he replies, “I know you do.” It’s
a fallen Y-wing on Ryloth, Hera set off in taught him the skills he would later use
another perfect example of what these two can her ship, the Ghost, to lend her skills as to survive. Caleb put aside the teachings
accomplish together. both a pilot and a fi ghter to the larger of the Jedi and became Kanan Jarrus:
struggle. Her search for new allies led scoundrel, pilot, and bounty hunter.
A chance meeting with Hera Syndulla
Kanera: Past and Future her to the planet Gorse, where she met set Kanan on a new path which would
Kanan Jarrus and recruited him to join
While undercover on Lothal in Season Four’s fi fth the fi ght. eventually lead him, grudgingly, into the
Hera Syndulla, captain of the Ghost fi ght against the Empire. Once unwilling
episode, “The Occupation,” Kanan and Hera end
and rebel leader, is the glue that holds to commit to anything, Kanan Jarrus
up face to face in an alley and realize how long her team together and the heart and now dedicates himself to leading the
it’s been since they’ve been alone together. It’s soul of Star Wars Rebels. Spectres, and mentoring Ezra Bridger.
a story beat filled with promise and back-story,

and a confirmation that these two have, indeed,

shared this sort of intimacy in the past. he knew all of this and was 100 percent okay
That past is also evident in the “almost” kiss with it, when clearly he wasn’t.
that follows. There’s no awkwardness. These are Kanan quickly realizes he may have pushed
two people who have clearly kissed one another too far and tries to apologize, but he’s promptly
before and, while the kiss is interrupted by Zeb silenced by Hera reaching up and pulling his
(dang it, Zeb!), there’s little doubt these two will head down to meet hers in a kiss. It’s a promise,
kiss again. a reassurance, and an answer to his question.
That promised kiss happens in episode seven, Not only does she initiate this kiss, but once it
“Kindred.” With Hera about to undertake a new ends, she cups his face in her hand and stares
mission that will put her face to face with Grand directly into his eyes, as if to say, “Got it?” It’s
Admiral Thrawn and the might of the Imperial empowering, it’s loving, and is everything that

fleet, Kanan finds himself unwilling to let her go Kanan ever wanted—if the look on his face is

without finally addressing what we could call the any indication.
“Kanan Loves Hera” bantha in the room. Last we saw, Hera had been captured by the
It’s funny that two people who can so easily foul Governor Pryce, which likely means that
communicate on other topics have such a blind a face-to-face confrontation with Grand Admiral
spot when it comes to talking about their feelings Thrawn comes next. We know that she survives
for each other. But great romantic moments are thanks to Rogue One, but, beyond that, who
built on these sorts of misunderstandings, and knows? What will happen in the second half
Rebels’ executive producer, Dave Filoni, does an of Rebels’ fi nal season is anyone’s guess.
excellent job of setting up what is arguably the Will Hera and Kanan be reunited? Will they
best kiss in Star Wars. For, as much as Kanan has get a chance to explore their relationship further?
been her partner through their time together, it Could things potentially get more intimate? Will
seems they’ve never talked about whether they they live happily ever after?
are or aren’t a couple. The man who fell in love The specter of doubt is raised as we already
with a voice on Gorse is head over heels for the know that the Jedi are supposed to be “all but
woman attached to that voice, and he wants to extinct” by the time we reach the events of A
know if she feels the same way. New Hope. But a lot can happen between now
In Hera’s mind, Kanan already knows. Once and then—and we all know that things can be

the fighting is over, and once the Empire is gone, true, if only from a certain point of view.
only then can they indulge their feelings for each Ultimately, wouldn’t we all like to see Kanan
other. But it takes Kanan openly addressing the and Hera end up together for a long, long time
issue to make her realize she just assumed that in that galaxy far, far away?

STAR WARS INSIDER / 37

30/10/2018 13:27
SWI2019_032-037_FEAT_KananHera.indd 37
SWI2019_032-037_FEAT_KananHera.indd 37 30/10/2018 13:27