This is the first regular half-hour episode of the series. The crew of the Ghost are running a bit behind on money and resources, so they agree to pull another arms "redistribution" job for Vizago. They board a transport at a waystation where an alien Amda Wabo is accompanied by an Imperial Minister Maketh Tua. She doesn't speak Basic (English), so everyone's favorite translator C-3PO and his counterpart R2-D2 are along for the ride. Chopper, however, causes a disturbance to get all three droids sent to the cargo area. Sabine apparently speaks Angulish and provides the docking bay where Wabo's shipment is being kept. As she escorts the alien there, the Rebels head to the actual docking bay. Ezra goes via rooftop, practicing his Force jumps. It's stated during this episode that Kanan hasn't given him any proper Jedi training yet, despite an unknown amount of time having past between this episode and the pilot film.
The Imperials quickly figure out that they're in the wrong place and head toward the correct docking bay, Chopper unsuccessfully providing a distraction. The Rebels find out what kind of weapons they're smuggling: D-17 Disruptors, which Zeb is visibly distressed by. Stormtroopers arrive at their docking bay and a scuffle ensues. The Ghost crew escape with the blasters, as well as R2 and 3PO. Zeb is thinking they shouldn't go through with the job, clearly having some issues with this type of weapon. Translating for R2, 3PO informs Kanan that they were actually on a mission to make sure the disruptors don't reach the Empire, and would be willing to pay for them. Kanan decides to consider it, but follow through on their word to Vizago anyway. 3PO then sends a distress signal to Imperial Agent Kallus, who tracks their position.
On the way to Lothal, Hera tells Ezra about the history of Zeb and those blasters, which were used against by the Empire against the Lasat people nearly to the point of wiping them out. They still deliver as planned, but Vizago spots the Imperials coming their way and leaves with half the shipment, skipping on payment. As a fight ensues, Kanan decides the remaining blasters need to be destroyed. At R2's suggestion, Sabine overloads the crates and sends them towards the Imperials, taking out several Stormtroopers and a couple walkers. Zeb ends up face to face with Kallus, wielding the same kind of weapon Zeb carries, an apparent staple of Lasat warriors. Kallus reveals himself as the one who ordered the D-17s used against Lasan and having killed a Lasat to get the weapon. Kallus overpowers Zeb, but before he can deliver a finishing strike, Ezra uses the Force to push Kallus against the wall. The Rebels escape, Kanan agreeing to formally start Ezra's training.
Kanan safely returns R2-D2 and C-3PO to Senator Bail Organa, who gratefully pays for their return but doesn't mention who he is. After Kanan is gone and 3PO has moved off-screen, Organa asks R2 to tell him about the Rebels.
This episode was a lot of fun, and the presence of R2 and 3PO certainly helps. Anthony Daniels is back, and it's hard to imagine anyone else voicing the character. There's some nice homages in this one. Zeb and Chopper are supposedly based on initial concept designs for Chewbacca and R2-D2 respectively. A further nod to this is seen when Chopper is in the cargo hold with 3PO and R2, and there's another more humanoid droid there, who some might recognize as the old concept design for C-3PO. Also, the droid piloting the transport appears to be based off the pilot for the Star Tours ride at Disney World. The episode does a good job subtly developing Ezra and more obviously developing Zeb. It also confirms Bail Organa's connection the the Rebellion. Its shorter run time and faster pace will probably make this episode an easier starter for Disney XD's target audience, and the fact that it's enjoyable on its own certainly doesn't hurt.
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