Max Nocerino 
Lightsaber mechanics aside, this was a decent episode of STAR WARS: AHSOKA and I am looking forward to seeing Thrawn’s return to the galaxy.
STAR WARS: AHSOKA has reached its penultimate episode. Titled “Dreams and Madness” this episode has basically confirmed that the series will indeed be returning for a second season. Mainly because much of Season 1 has been a set-up for Thrawn’s return to the known galaxy. That is not necessarily a good thing. But it also certainly isn’t a bad thing as this show displays many familiar elements that make Star Wars the captivating story and juggernaut franchise that we have all grown to love.
IMPERIAL MINEFIELD
Ahsoka and Huyang have arrived in the new galaxy, and Thrawn quickly tries to destroy them. As someone who grew up in the shadow of Thrawn, I am a little disappointed that his tactics aren’t as complex and brilliant as the original Legends continuity displayed. Thrawn requires the help of the Great Mothers to flush them out and doesn’t really have the whole one-step-ahead mentality. Perhaps he is saving the good stuff for later?
The Lightsaber duels (while epic), continue to display sloppiness and a lack of finesse in terms of the choreography. Ahsoka and Baylan’s duel was cool. But their strikes were blocky and crude and it feels even less executed than the Original Trilogy. Even worse, we have the perpetual dark and “too advanced” special effects that make the action look somewhat “faker”. The big win for this episode, however, was seeing Ezra, Sabine, and Ahsoka fighting together, just like the Ghost Crew of old back in Star Wars Rebels. I also very much like the original trilogy character cameo and find Kaz Xiono’s father to be quite despicable and the first of the new ineffective senators.
DAVE FILONI
What really hurts this episode is the obvious build-up for Season 2. The result is a lot of filler and weak storytelling to get to that eventuality. Also, Dave Filoni (a lesser storyteller) really doesn’t know how to write Thrawn like Timothy Zahn could and while this is not his first handling of Thrawn (see Rebels Season 4), he really has not gotten better and may have even gotten worse. Writing a genius requires a genius and Zahn is certainly more qualified than Filoni in that department.
VERDICT
Lightsaber mechanics aside, this was a decent episode and I am looking forward to seeing Thrawn’s return to the galaxy.
Future of the Force will cover the series from every angle. And that begins with our customary in-depth review that will drop within hours of each episode. And if that isn’t enough, our traditional poster and concept art coverage will keep you entertained as we build the hype for the latest episode.
Star Wars: Ahsoka is streaming on Disney Plus now!
FORCE FACTS
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Anakin recorded 20 “pep-talk” holograms for his apprentice Ahsoka, and the last one recorded warns her about encountering Dooku, Grievous, and Ventress. Aside from Dooku, Ahsoka has encountered all those people in battle and I have to say that despite his flaws Anakin was a very good teacher for Ahsoka
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Huyang is able to use his sensors to know that the Purgills are slowing down in hyperspace and will be exiting soon. This is fascinating because I have never seen a droid do that before. And I wonder if this is special hardware that is only found in a droid 25 millennia old. One that it has acquired over the centuries. I also find it titillating that you can slow down in hyperspace and this makes me think of all sorts of nerdy hyper-velocity and acceleration possibilities.
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It is confirmed. This series takes place shortly after Mandalorian Season 3. It’s great when everything syncs up.
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I think it’s safe to rule out the Night Troopers as Nightsister zombies as they seem pretty human to me and die like every other run-of-the-mill Stormtrooper.
Max Nocerino is a regular Staff Writer for The Future of the Force. He is a passionate Star Wars fan and loves the literature of the galaxy far, far away. Follow him on Twitter where he shares his love of the Force frequently!
