This week's episode of Ahsoka has been written off as "filler" by some. However, for those unfamiliar with the role played by Grand Admiral Thrawn in the Expanded Universe and Star Wars Rebels, "Dreams and Madness" has finally explained why everyone is so scared of him!
After outsmarting Ahsoka Tano, Ezra Bridger, and Sabine Wren, Thrawn reveals his plan to leave Peridea and return to his Galaxy to presumably take his place as "Heir to the Empire." We still don't know exactly what he has planned but with The Great Mothers doing his bidding, it's nothing good.
Up until this point, there's been a great deal of speculation about where in the wider Star Wars timeline Ahsoka actually takes place. While it's obviously set during the same post-Return of the Jedi period as The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, it's been hard to say where exactly it lines up with them.
The Mandalorian's third season made it clear Thrawn hadn't returned yet, though it was way back in season 2 we first learned of Ahsoka's quest to find the Imperial during her clash with Morgan Elsbeth.
In the opening scene of Ahsoka episode 7, Captain Carson Teva arrives to lend Hera Syndulla a hand as she's questioned by the New Republic about her actions on Seatos. After the idea of Imperial Remnants is dismissed, he speaks up to remind them of what recently happened on Mandalore.
As we first explained on SFFGazette.com, this confirms Ahsoka takes place weeks, if not months, after Moff Gideon's defeat. Word of what happened has spread through the Galaxy as has the threat the remaining Imperials pose.
Lucasfilm has shared only a few stills from "Dreams and Madness," and you can check out those shots below.
Set after the fall of the Empire, Ahsoka follows the former Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy.
In addition to Rosario Dawson in the title role, the series stars Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Hera Syndulla, the late Ray Stevenson as Baylan Skoll, Ivanna Sakhno as Shin Hati, Diana Lee Inosanto as Morgan Elsbeth, David Tennant as Huyang, Lars Mikkelsen as Grand Admiral Thrawn, and Eman Esfandi appearing as Ezra Bridger.
Ahsoka was written by Dave Filoni, who executive produces alongside Jon Favreau, Kathleen Kennedy, Colin Wilson, and Carrie Beck. Directors include Filoni, Steph Green, Peter Ramsey, Jennifer Getzinger, Geeta Vasant Patel, and Rick Famuyiwa.
Seven of eight episodes of Ahsoka are now streaming on Disney+.