Title: Dreams and Madness
Directed By: Geeta Vasant Patel
Runtime: 45 minutes
This is the penultimate episode of the season. I don’t know how much preamble I can provide. Geeta Vasant Patel is a new director to the franchise. I don’t recognize much of her other work but I think she did a great job on Ahsoka Part Seven.
Of course, we should start with a quick recap. Thrawn has completed his preparations for his return to the home galaxy. Ahsoka arrives at Peridea with a trap waiting for her. Shin and Baylan’s alliance with the bandits makes trouble for Ezra and Sabine.
I really enjoyed this episode for a few reasons; one of which I will get into later. Kevin Kiner does an amazing job, again! Ezra and Sabine’s sibling-like banter is humorous and endearing. In the end, I’m glad Ezra chose not to use the lightsaber. There is a bit of Yoda’s teachings in his decision to trust in the Force. In fact, I almost wonder if Ezra may have been communing with Yoda’s spirit while stranded in this far-off galaxy.
Alignment of Events
I want to establish a couple of timelines to help put a few things into perspective. When Thrawn learns that Ahsoka’s master is Anakin, it’s important to note that Thrawn knows who Anakin becomes. This is established in Timothy Zahn’s novel Thrawn: Alliances when Thrawn must work with Vader. The events of that book, and the other two in that trilogy, take place prior to Thrawn’s appearance in Rebels (approximately Season 3).
Hera’s trial establishes that we are now past the events of The Mandalorian Season 3. Does this mean we will get a Din Djarin cameo next week? Doubtful. Unless he figured out how to traverse galaxies. In fact, I don’t think we will be seeing any more Din Djarin cameos.
Cameos and Theories
Speaking of cameos, how big was your smile when you first heard that voice during Hera’s trial? It was so wonderful to see C-3PO make an appearance on behalf of Senator Organa. It was a nice touch and a fantastic way to honor Carrie Fisher. If you didn’t pay attention to the end credits, yes, it was Anthony Daniels. This may have been one of my favorite scenes from this episode.
The big mystery all of us are wondering about is what is Baylan looking for. In the previous episode, he said he was searching for “the beginning”. He wants to “end the cycle”. What if Baylan is looking for the beginnings of the Jedi? Maybe he blames the Jedi for the vicious cycle. Perhaps this will be a link to the premise of James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi movie? On the other hand, why would the Jedi beginnings be on Peridea?
There is one episode left and the only means for everyone to get back is the Eye of Sion. This begs the question, how will Ahsoka, Ezra, and Sabine get back? Will they stow away? The purrgils have left the system thanks to Thrawn’s minefield so that’s not an option anymore. Maybe they will allow themselves to be captured or perhaps Baylan’s mystery holds the answer.
What did you think of Ahsoka Part Seven? What are your theories?
