Ahsoka: Part 7 – Dreams and Madness

Ahsoka treks closer towards the end of the season with its penultimate episode showing that Dave Filoni knows what he is doing.

Last week saw Ezra Bridger’s (Eman Esfandi) long overdue reunion with Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo). This week more or less started where last week left off. But first, General Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) must answer on Coruscant for her use of New Republic resources. Hera and the Senate have not seen eye to eye, least of all with Senator Xiono (Nelson Lee). Senator Xiono clearly doesn’t believe any of what has ever transpired in the Star Wars universe going off of his comments on what happened at Seatos.

Next week is either the season finale or series finale. I’m assuming series finale. While I expect many loose ends to be tied up, Dave Filoni’s announced Star Wars film will tie up further loose ends.

I’ll have more to say about the episode below the photo. Warning: there will be spoilers.

It’s during the Senate trial where everyone’s favorite goldenrod, C-3PO (Anthony Daniels), makes an appearance. With that, Kevin Kiner makes use of the classic John Williams themes. Xiono objects to Threepio’s submission of evidence about the Seatos mission. Senator Organa is leader of the Defense Council. Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) accepts the evidence but knows Leia and Hera are up to something. In any event, the off-screen Leia saves the day.

Hera knows what could happen with the reappearance of Grand Admiral Thrawn. The Imperial Remnants are growing stronger whether members of the Senate accept it or not. As she tells Chancellor Mothma, “We have to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.” Canon material and Legends material are substantially different as far as Thrawn’s life in a post-ROTJ universe.

Back in a galaxy far, far away, the purrgil exit hyperspace and what do you know, it’s a trap. Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) and Huyang (David Tennant) find cover in the purrgil remains around the planet while Thrawn’s (Lars Mikkelsen) forces attack. It’s a classic Star Wars trick to use an asteroid or debris field for cover but this is the first time that they do so while hiding from Thrawn’s forces. Down on the planet, Thrawn learns about Ahsoka’s background. He is among those who know Darth Vader’s identity as Anakin Skywalker. He is among those who know Darth Vader’s identity as Anakin Skywalker. The Grand Mothers help Thrawn in finding Ahsoka’s ship.

Elsewhere on the planet, Sabine lets Ezra know what he’s missed through the years. Meanwhile, Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) and Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno) are on their tail and have different agendas. Baylon sends Shin to face off against both Ezra and Sabine. He chooses to stay put. Meanwhile, Ahsoka reaches out through the Force to find Sabine and she looks just like Leia when Luke reaches out in The Empire Strikes Back. Ahsoka eventually battles him but you have to wonder what his agenda is now that he’s helped Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto) find Thrawn. I’m not quite sure what it is but it appears that Baylan and Shin have split up following their fight. Maybe Ahsoka coming back from the dead had something to do with it?

We get a few lightsaber battles but the combo of Ezra, Sabine, and Ahsoka proves to be too much for Shin to handle. Interestingly, Ezra opts to forgo his lightsaber and rely solely on his use of the Force. Thrawn sends Night Troopers as backup but he eventually comes to the conclusion to withdraw in defeat. For a moment, it looks like Shin could surrender but she runs off in defeat. It may be a success for now but the finale looms down the line. I have no clue if Ray Stevenson’s tragic passing will change the game plan for Baylon Skoll in the finale. I’ll be curious to see what happens with his character. One way or another, a lot of characters would like to get back to their home galaxy.

Some Notes:

• Given what we learn during the Senate trial, the episode clearly takes place following the third season of The Mandalorian. There were some thoughts that the two might be taking place simultaneously but this puts that thought to rest. In referencing Moff Gideon’s role, it’s definitely after the third season at this point.
• Given that Captain Carson Teva (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee) has appeared in Ahsoka, The Mandalorian, and The Book of Boba Fett, one wonders if an appearance in Andor is in the works.
• Carrie Fisher might no longer be with us but Senator Leia Organa is still having an impact on the universe. After covering for General Hera Syndulla a few episodes prior, the senator sends C-3PO to deliver a data transcript.
• An earlier TV spot featured dialogue from when Anakin Skywalker was training Ahsoka Tano during the Clone Wars. We finally got to see the recording from when the lines were spoken. There are 20 recordings in existence but this one is last of them. It was nice seeing Clone Wars-era Anakin again even if it is from a recording. Will we see another appearance from Anakin Skywalker in the finale? Maybe as a Force Ghost?

CREATOR/HEAD WRITER: Dave Filoni
DIRECTOR: Geeta Vasant Patel
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Dave Filoni, Jon Favreau, Kathleen Kennedy, Colin Wilson, Carrie Beck
CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Karen Gilchrist
CAST: Rosario Dawson, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ray Stevenson, Ivanna Sakhno, Diana Lee Inosanto, David Tennant, Lars Mikkelsen, Genevieve O’Reilly, Eman Esfandi, with Anthony Daniels and Hayden Christensen
GUEST STARRING: Nelson Lee, Maurice Irvin, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Nican Robinson, Wes Chatham, Jeryl Prescott Gallien, Claudia Black, Jane Edwina Seymour

Disney+ premieres new episodes of Ahsoka on Tuesday nights at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT. Episode 7 – Grade: 4/5

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