Ahsoka Episode 7 has fully prepared us for what’s to come in the series finale. We finally saw the arrival of Ahsoka as the Force properly guided her to her desired destination. With great friends reunited, Grand Admiral Thrawn plans his next moves diligently. This episode’s conclusion was not shy to showcase Thrawn’s intelligence. Now, just a week away from Episode 8, it’s clear that the one dangerous factor standing in the way of our heroes is time.
A Jedi reunion far, far away
In last week’s episode, Sabine and Ezra have finally been reunited. The two were seen together for the entirety of this episode, traveling and fighting to hopefully survive. Ultimately, the duo was met by Shin Hati and a squad of Thrawn’s troopers. Sabine and Ezra fought valiantly, but the numbers game soon got the best of both fighters. Just as it seems that Ezra and Sabine are about to meet an unfortunate fate, they’re thankfully rescued by Sabine’s Jedi Master, Ahsoka Tano.
After making the risky journey between galaxies, Ahsoka fends off the remaining stormtroopers. Suddenly, Shin Hati is outnumbered and alone. Ahsoka reaches out, telling Hati that she can help her. Hati stops to think for a minute but quickly begins running away from her enemies. Ahsoka holds both Ezra and Sabine back from chasing young Hati. Once again, Ahsoka appears to have saved the day.
In shock at her survival, Sabine calls out Ahsoka’s name with an enormous smile on her face. Ahsoka then turns to give Ezra a long and meaningful hug. While she was willing to sacrifice the opportunity to find Bridger, Ahsoka was more than thrilled to see her friend, who she thought had been lost forever. As the three celebrate, the scene ends with Huyang descending with Ahsoka’s starship.
Although Ahsoka showed no resentment for Sabine, she surely hasn’t forgotten the choice Sabine made that brought them all here in the first place. Even under the impression that Ahsoka was dead, Sabine giving the map over to Baylan Skoll in Episode 4 could still mean the destruction of their home galaxy. It wasn’t explored in this episode, but it’s likely Ahsoka will undoubtedly have words with Sabine after what transpired on Satos before the series finale concludes.
Baylan’s agenda remains unknown
Just before saving her Padawan, Ahsoka battles and escapes Baylan Skoll thanks to Huyang’s assistance from above. Ahsoka manages to leave the battleground and search for Sabine and Ezra. Just after we see Ahsoka ride off into the distance, we see the camera slowly close up on Baylan’s face. Baylan’s facial expression was one of frustration yet determination. The highly trained mercenary walks off camera with the attitude that there’s work to be done.
After speaking in riddles regarding his plans on numerous occasions, it still remains unclear what Baylan’s actual plan for himself and his apprentice, Shin Hati, are. Baylan certainly takes a liking to the forsaken kingdom of the Dathimir and seemingly doesn’t intend on leaving. However, whatever Baylan looks to accomplish in this new galaxy remains to be revealed.
Unlike Emperor Palpatine, Darth Vader, or even Thrawn, Skoll sees beyond repetitive shifts between good and evil. He wishes to start a new beginning here in this new world but has given no in-depth detail about how. Whatever Baylan’s plans entail, they’re sure to include Shin Hati. As ruthless as Skoll appears to be, it is clear that his one potential weakness is indeed his apprentice. However, after Hati’s defeat at the hands of Ahsoka, it’s not entirely clear where she’s headed next. While this could throw a wrench in Skoll’s unannounced plans, all the gears could be in motion for all we know.
Time is on Thrawn’s side
The episode officially concluded with Thrawn and Morgan Elsbeth once again. Thrawn watches on via hologram (of some kind) and sees that Team Ahsoka has surprisingly prevailed. Elsbeth stands by his side and begins to worry what the reunion of her enemies might bring. Thrawn, however, doesn’t share this worry at all. Thrawn calmly explains to Elsbeth that they are almost ready to depart this galaxy and head home. After that, there will be no reason to worry about the opposition, as they won’t have any way to follow them between galaxies. Even though Ahsoka has found her friends, time is most definitely running out before Thrawn’s battered Star Destroyer finally departs.
Thrawn has made it clear that his main focus is not taking down the enemies in this galaxy but instead taking down a whole republic in another. He’s stated that whether Sabine and Ezra die or get left stranded here makes no difference. Additionally, Thrawn noted that his number of troopers has decreased significantly and that he wishes to conserve what army he has left. Therefore, he most likely won’t be generously sending his men Ahsoka’s way just so they can be brutally slaughtered right before the true battle commences.
Although Elsbeth would like nothing more than to see Ahsoka dead, she considers herself a servant of Thrawn and wouldn’t dare go against his orders. Certainly, she wouldn’t cross him just to kill Ahsoka after finally locating him. With the help of Elsbeth, the Great Mothers, and the remaining army of (possibly undead) stormtroopers, Thrawn has great confidence that he has enough time to make his great escape, resulting in the chaos and havoc of our known galaxy.