Summary
Despite complaints from some viewers thatAhsokaepisode 7 on Disney Plus didn’t advance things much, it looks like it did accomplish one crucial goal. It made a specific and definitive statement on precisely when the series is set in theStar Warstimeline.
Ahsokaepisode 7, titled “Dreams and Madness,” saw an early scene featuring Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s General Hera Syndulla facing a bit of a tribunal regarding her previous disregard of New Republic regulations to help Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) and Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) search for an old friend and a terrifying old enemy. But aside fromAhsokasetting a new cameo recordin this episode, it’s also notable for pointing out the show’s time frame. That answer came from Paul Sun Hyung Lee’s New Republic pilot Carson Teva, who almost seems to be turning into theStar Warsequivalent of Marvel’s ever-present Sorcerer Supreme Wong.
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During the committee, Senator Xiono (Nelson Lee) pushed back against Hera’s insistence that remnants of the Imperial forces were gathering strength even after the Galactic Empire’s sound defeat during theReturn of the Jedi. As noted byThe Direct, Carson’s response to Xiono’s objection subtly but definitively pinpointedAhsoka’s near exact place in theStar Warscanon. “What about the conflict on Mandalore?” Carson asked, prompting Xiono to respond, “Gideon was a warlord acting on his own.” Fans who have kept up withStar Warsshows as of late should immediately recognize the events referenced here.
Season 3 of theparticularly rewatchableThe Mandaloriansaw Giancarlo Esposito’s Moff Gideon as the main antagonist for its story arc, which culminated in a final battle on the heavily scarred planet of Mandalore where Gideon attempted to light the spark of the Empire’s return before ultimately perishing in that way only a blazing inferno can pull off. The specific mention of this moment proves thatAhsokatakes place shortly after the conclusion ofThe Mandalorianseason 3. Gideon is listed as having died in 9 ABY, or 9 years after the Battle of Yavin (seen inA New Hope). So this new information places the timeline ofAhsokaat roughly that same time or possibly one year later.
This is an interesting development, asAhsokawas previously thought by many to take place at the same time asThe Mandalorianseason 3. But it seems as thoughStar Warsis finally, if granularly, moving the post-Return of the Jeditimeline forward. This could be great news for fans of characters fromThe Clone WarsandStar Wars Rebels, as many have yet to make a live-action debut despite canonically being around.
Whatever the case, this also offers the opportunity forbig changes in the era ofThe MandalorianandAhsoka. Of course, what those changes will be is still anyone’s guess. But here’s hoping fans can finally get that live-action Captain Rex appearance they’ve been dying for. (No, the Clone Wars flashback doesn’t count. Beard or nothing.)
Ahsokawill release its season finale on Disney Plus on May 15, 2025.
