Star Wars: Ahsoka Season 1 Episode 7 Review

It’s hard to believe we’ve reached the penultimate episode of Star Wars: Ahsoka™. Season 1 episode 7, “Part Seven: Dreams and Madness,” is a blast and a half. Firstly, it’s directed by Geeta Vasant Patel, who helmed House of the Dragon‘s best episode (“The Lord of the Tides”). Secondly, we get fun cameos from C-3PO™ and Anakin Akywalker™, along with an update on Leia™, who’s now the head of the Defense Council. How cool is it that the franchise continues to fill in the blanks for her character after Return of the Jedi™?

I love watching Ahsoka Tano™, Sabine Wren™, and Ezra Bridger™ kick butt together in live-action form. We get some delightful scenes with Sabine and Ezra plus more of Huyang’s™ innate sassiness. He’s the sassiest droid in the galaxy, and I’m here for it.

All in all, episode 7 is a propulsive, action-packed outing brimming with immersive visuals, solid performances, and a narrative that presents more questions for next week’s season finale to answer.

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Part Seven: Dreams and Madness

We open with Hera Syndulla™ meeting with the New Republic council as Mon Mothma™, the New Republic’s first Chancellor, presides over the proceedings. Senator Xiono™ has it out for Hera. He thinks she deserves to be stripped of her rank. In fact, she should be court-martialed. Xiono thinks Hera’s report reads like a fairytale and that the Imperial threat is nonexistent. Carson Teva™ attempts to defend Hera, asking the council about the attack on Mandalore™. Hey, that just happened in The Mandalorian™ season 3! I love it when everything is connected.

Anyway, Xiono believes Moff Gideon™ was acting of his own accord and doesn’t represent a more significant threat to the galaxy. Suddenly, a familiar face barges into the room: C-3PO (AKA Threepio™)! He presents a transcript from Senator Leia Organa™ claiming the latter sanctioned Hera’s mission. And who would want to defy Leia’s authorization?

Mon Mothma dismisses the court, accepting Threepio’s words as proof enough to allow Hera to remain a general. While Carson chats with Threepio, Mon Mothma pulls Hera aside, asking her if the threat from Grand Admiral Thrawn™ is real. Hera believes they should prepare for the worst.

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Training Session

Meanwhile, Ahsoka trains with a hologram of Anakin. He leads her through said training session. Huyang observes from afar. Afterward, Ahsoka reveals that Anakin made 20 recordings for her to train with, and the recording she just listened to is the last one. Ahsoka states that Anakin was a great Master. I love that this series acknowledges Anakin’s positive contributions, especially as a Master to Ahsoka. Even after his death, it adds more nuance to his character.

Next, Huyang reveals that the purrgil™ are about to drop out of hyperspace. He wonders aloud if they’re close to their destination. What if they’re not even near the same planet as Sabine? Ahsoka has faith that all will work out as it should. After the purrgil are out of hyperspace, Ahsoka notifies the Purrgil Ultra to release their ship. Once they’re in space, Ahsoka and Huyang notice they’re under attack by Thrawn’s forces. Uh-oh.

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A Bumpy Landing

Then, Ahsoka and Huyang navigate the explosions and debris. They wind up hiding in the purrgil graveyard of Peridea™, evading attacks from Thrawn’s troops. Meanwhile, Thrawn watches the battle play out. Morgan Elsbeth™ presents him with the info she found on Ahsoka. Thrawn discovers Anakin was Ahsoka’s Master. Well, that changes everything. Captain Enoch™ checks in with his superior. Thrawn orders Enoch and his forces to retreat … for now. Morgan isn’t a fan of this move, but she’s not the grand admiral, now is she?

Later, Ahsoka and Huyang realize Thrawn is behind the attack. He knew they were coming. Meanwhile, Sabine and Ezra travel with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Noti™ to a new location, where they’ll set up a temporary home. Sabine fills Ezra in somewhat on what’s transpired since he left — the Rebellion defeated the Empire, the Emperor is dead (uh, about that…), Zeb Orrelios™ is a trainer (glad they finally mentioned him), and Hera is a general. She omits the whole “Thrawn is alive, and he’s making a comeback” thing and that she believes Ahsoka is dead.

Ezra tries to pry further, but Sabine isn’t an open book. Meanwhile, Baylan Skoll™ and Shin Hati™ have found Sabine and Ezra. So, there’s that.

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The Great Mothers

Then, Thrawn summons the Great Mothers™, AKA the witches of Dathomir™, for a request. He asks them to locate Ahsoka. Fun fact: Claudia Black, who starred in Farscape and Stargate SG-1, is the lead witch. Gotta love it when a series brings in sci-fi royalty. While the Nightsisters™ perform a spell to search for Ahsoka, Ahsoka reaches out to Sabine with her mind. Sabine hears her and responds.

Unfortunately, the witches pinpoint our titular hero. Ahsoka and Huyang flee while Thrawn’s forces fire on him. Thrawn tells Enoch to have the fighters re-engage their opponent, but it seems like Thrawn wants to wait until Ahsoka reunites with Sabine before truly giving them hell.

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Paths Diverge

Later, Baylan encourages Shin to kill Sabine and Ezra. Then, she can take her place in the Empire. Shin is bewildered by Baylan’s choice not to join her. Baylan claims his path is different from hers. He’s meant for something else. I love how enigmatic and cryptic this character is. Thrawn orders Enoch to assist the mercenaries. Well, to lend a helping hand to Shin, that is.

Suddenly, things get shaky on the ground as Sabine, Ezra, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Noti are beset by their enemies. Unfortunately, the Noti are a peaceful race, so they don’t carry real weapons. Ezra isn’t armed, either. Thus, Sabine is left to her own devices, firing on the antagonists pursuing them.

Next, Shin arrives with her team. The Noti go into hiding while Sabine and Ezra approach her, bracing themselves for a fight. Ahsoka and Huyang fly in on their ship. Huyang takes the wheel as Ahsoka leaps from the vessel, hoping to reunite with Sabine and Ezra on the ground. However, she comes face-to-face with Baylan.

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Battle Time

Ahsoka and Baylan prepare to fight again. Baylan’s surprised to see Ahsoka alive, but our girl is a survivor. While their lightsabers™ clash with that glorious buzzing sound (you know the one), Ezra uses the Force to throw the baddies around. Sabine tries to return Ezra’s lightsaber; however, he refuses to take it, insisting it belongs to Sabine now. Plus, he doesn’t need it. Sabine battles it out with Shin before fighting off Thrawn’s troopers.

Next, Ahsoka holds her own against Baylan. She uses the distraction of a few ships flying close to the ground to escape, leaving Baylan in a smoky haze before stealing his howler™. Naturally, this is embarrassing for him. He got hoodwinked!

Sabine and Shin are in the heat of the fight when Ahsoka stylishly swoops in to save the day. Talk about a badass entrance. Now reunited with her pals, Ahsoka fends off Shin and Thrawn’s troopers alongside Sabine and Ezra. Meanwhile, Thrawn orders Enoch and his troops to retreat once more. He explains to Morgan that their cargo transfer is almost complete, meaning they can leave this planet soon. Ahsoka’s already losing something critical: time. He doesn’t need to pour salt into the wound.

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Retreat

Shin looks ashamed and defeated as the troops fall back on the ground. Ahsoka offers to help Shin, but she silently hops on a howler and flees. Thrawn mentions to Morgan that Baylan is MIA. He wasn’t present for the battle, nor did he appear on the map. Hmm. Perhaps he’s fulfilling his glorious purpose somewhere else?

With this battle won, Ahsoka embraces Ezra, giddy to reunite with him after thinking he was dead. Sabine admits she thought Ahsoka was down for the count. I guess everyone thought the other person went to the Big Jedi Temple™ in the Sky.

Huyang approaches while flying Ahsoka’s ship, ready to take everyone home. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Noti are naturally on the defense. They think Ezra’s friends are enemies. He reassures them that’s not the case. Ezra tells Ahsoka and Sabine that he “might be going home after all.” Aw.

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Where do you think Baylan went? Will Shin reunite with him? Will Thrawn escape Peridea before Ahsoka tracks him down? Become one with the Force and connect with other fans at side.show/geekgroup or in the Sideshow Social Network, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!