Who Is Hera Syndulla?

Star Wars

Sep 18

Hera Syndulla is an important character in Star Wars. Not only is she the leader of the Ghost crew, but she is also one of the best pilots in the galaxy. She has a long history in the Rebellion and is an essential part of it. She is most recently seen in Ahsoka but for those unfamiliar with Rebels, who exactly is this Twi’lek Rebel leader?

Hera Syndulla is a Twi’lek female born on the planet of Ryloth. She was born to parents General Cham Syndulla and Eleni Syndulla. She also had a brother, who ended up dying young. She was a young girl during the Clone Wars, and her father was a revolutionary who fought against the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the Clone Wars, and later the Galactic Empire.

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During the Clone Wars, the Separatist droid army took over her homeworld, so her mother hid her underground. When the Republic's Clone Army came, Hera was enamored by their ships and decided that she wanted to become a pilot. She eventually left home to pursue her pilot dreams. The Purgill have been a big help in both Rebels and Ahsoka, Hera however, thought of them as a menace. Ships would be lost during hyperspace travel, due to collisions, and she lost her share of friends to them. During the Battle of Ryloth, a ship crashed in front of her home, and while the pilot died, she was able to save the astromech droid, Chopper, who eventually would be an essential part of her story.

From a young age, Hera has always been a part of the rebellion. She was a part of different missions, aiding the Rebellion, with her first being on her home planet of Ryloth. There she accompanied her father's friend, Gobie Glie, on his mission. She spied, and was eventually caught, and then accompanied him once again on a supply run, where she was shot down by Crosshair. She was captured by Vice Admiral Rampart and Senator Orn Free Taa, who was jealous of her father. The ship they were on was attacked by her parents coming to save her. Her mother put Hera on a speeder bike, with Chopper driving, in order for her to escape safely. Taa was shot by Rampart so that Cham could be framed.

Her parents were eventually arrested by the Empire. Hera eventually recruits a squad, including the Bad Batch to help rescue her parents and the others imprisoned by the Empire. They are able to blow up the facility and are successful at saving her parents. When her father returns, he is able to lead the Free Ryloth Movement against the Empire. Eventually, her mother is killed, and Cham puts all his energy into the movement instead of his family, straining his relationship with Hera. Their relationship becomes further strained, when Hera joins the wider Rebellion.

She then meets Kanan Jarrus, and the three of them go on to form a rebel cell called the Spectres. Eventually, they were joined by lasat warrior, Garazeb Orrelios and former Mandalorian Sabine Wren. During a mission where Sabine, Zeb, and Kanam were tasked with stealing some crates from the Empire, they met Ezra Bridger. He tried to steal several of the crates, but was unsuccessful, and accepted a ride on the Ghost. Eventually, Ezra joins them on more missions and becomes an essential member of the Ghost crew and the Rebellion. He even sacrifices his life in order to protect his friends from their enemy, Grand Admiral Thrawn.

During the finale of Rebels, the Ghost crew splits up and goes their separate ways. This is the last time we see any of these characters until the events of Ahsoka. With the New Republic in control, Hera has been made a General. She has lost her love, and Ezra, and will do anything to save the ones she can, even going against orders from the New Republic, which she does in Ahsoka.

Vanessa Marshall portrayed the animated Hera in Star Wars Rebels, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead is the live-action Hera. Both actresses are great at bringing the character to life. Hera is an essential character in the Rebellion, and I am so happy that we get to see her again in Ahsoka and see how her story continues.

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