Ahsoka Season 1 Episode 7 Review: Part Seven: Dreams and Madness

This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

The battle against Thrawn on Peridea heats up as the heroes, finally, all converge on one location. Ahsoka Season 1 Episode 7, “Part Seven: Dreams and Madness,” which is directed by Geeta Vasant Patel and written by Dave Filoni, starts to put the pieces together.

While there are still many unanswered questions regarding how all of this will end, there is an excitement to this episode that Ahsoka Season 1 Episode 6, “Part Six: Far, Far Away,” was lacking.

The show continues to bank on viewers’ desire to see certain characters more than they care about the true quality of the story. As we reach the final episode, this issue is going to create a mess that the writers won’t be able to logically get out of.

The Importance of Hera

So far, this series has used Hera as a sort of backdrop to compare what Sabine and Ahsoka are up to. It isn’t the strongest use of this character and begs the question of why she’s been included in the story at all.

Is the storyline with General Syndulla and the council really necessary to ensure the major storyline is completed in the strongest way possible? To answer that, we have to look at how much her presence has actually contributed to the progression of Sabine and Ahsoka’s story.

Her guidance has definitely helped keep Ahsoka’s head on straight whenever she starts to spiral against being a mentor. And she does accomplish quite a bit when she goes against orders and provides Ahsoka with the backup she needs to get back to Sabine.

However, the writers are failing to give Hera any real “oomph” in the overall story. She’s simply a footnote, which is fine — we need those kinds of characters, too — but it’s beneath the established reputation of Hera.

Ahsoka fails her because she could have been a stronger force of support for Sabine and Ahsoka instead of the two characters going off on their own all the time. I understand that this solitude is needed to make the threat of Thrawn that much more significant, but why couldn’t Hera have been part of the team from the start and only temporarily been separated?

There is a possibility that in the grand finale, Hera and her crew will come to the aid of Ahsoka, Sabine, and Ezra. Unfortunately, it will still feel like the writers are using her as a cop-out to get themselves out of a plot hole of their own devising.

What is Going on with Baylan?

Ahsoka Season 1 Episode 7, “Part Seven: Dreams and Madness,” brings up a development that I’ve been questioning since the previous episode.

Is Lord Baylan really against Ahsoka and Sabine, or is he using that ruse to get what he really wants — which still isn’t clear? After “Part Seven: Dreams and Madness,” I’m inclined to believe that he’s after something much bigger than defeating a couple of Jedi.

After all, he refuses to go with Shin to have a final stand with Ezra Bridger. Instead, he hangs back and simply observes. This leads him to fight with Ahsoka when she arrives, but based on his reaction to her, that wasn’t in his plan.

So, what exactly is his plan? 

If the context clues are anything to go on, Baylan is in search of more power than anyone has ever dreamed of. This gives credence to the theory that he could be after Thrawn’s position in the galaxy.

This would give him access to a Night Trooper force, clout and respect from strong people you’d rather have on your side, and notoriety. 

The evidence for him has been subtly written on the wall since the beginning. The way he speaks reverently about the Jedi Order and Ahsoka while also vehemently holding up ideals that go directly against what the Jedi teach.

Baylan is a man who wants to have influence over others without fully becoming someone as dangerous and destructive as Vader.

The Saber Fights

One of the reasons this episode of Ahsoka works better than previous episodes is the artful way in which the lightsaber battles commence. There is a balance between sides that comes out masterfully with the sabers.

Let’s look at the battle between Baylan and Ahsoka. These two warriors have vastly different fighting styles that come together in a sort of dance we can’t take our eyes off.

Baylan’s moves are more choppy and aggressive, while Ahsoka is more relaxed and thoughtful with each move she makes. This becomes an extension of their characters. 

Baylan is an ambitious, selfish, older man who wants to destroy. Whereas Ahsoka is a calm, logical, and calculated person who wants to create a peaceful solution.

This same dynamic comes out similarly with the battle between Ezra, Sabine, and Shin. Shin is much like her master, except that her moves are even less calculated and more driven by her passion. Meanwhile, Ezra and Sabine are two sides of the same logical coin. 

While Ezra doesn’t use actual weapons against Shin and the troopers, he does show discipline by how he utilizes the force to protect him. Then there is Sabine, who’s still driven by her emotions a bit but knows how to handle a blaster with a similar focus and precision.

Ezra and Sabine’s ability to know when to stop and how to prevent as few fatalities as possible shines drastically against Shin, who doesn’t have the sense to stop herself when she gives into her passion.

Shin’s fighting displays her fears loudly for all to hear. It’s what makes her a weaker fighter.

Stray Thoughts:

• The C-3PO cameo and the Leia Organa mention were nice, but continue to speak to the show’s desire to flash fun characters at us in the hopes it’ll hide its flaws.
• I’m unimpressed by Thrawn. He still doesn’t feel like much of a threat. His moves haven’t been anything more calculated than the average person
• Huyang freaking out is always a fun side bit of humor.
• The Anakin recordings should have been the only way this character was brought back for this series. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy his return during Ahsoka Season 1 Episode 5, “Part Five: Shadow Warrior.” Just that the story would’ve been stronger if we limited how much he is a part of it.

 

What did you think of this episode of Ahsoka? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Ahsoka airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on Disney+.

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