Warning: The below contains full spoilers for Ahsoka Episode 7, which is now streaming on Disney+.
Ahsoka Episode 7 featured a Star Wars character name-drop that fans of the animated Clone Wars series were thrilled to hear mentioned on the show.
The penultimate episode of Ahsoka upheld the latter half of its title, "Dreams and Madness", as it sent Star Wars fans into a frenzy with a mere mention of a character from The Clone Wars. The thrilling line of dialogue came from Hayden Christensen's Anakin Skywalker on a historic hologram recording that Ahsoka Tano plays.
In the scene, Anakin attempts to prepare his one-time Padawan for the then-upcoming Clone Wars. He warns Ahsoka that she will "face more than just droids" on the battlefield, then proceeds to reel off the names of three lightsaber-wielding villains she could encounter: General Grievous, Count Dooku, and Asajj Ventress.
The mention of Asajj Ventress, in particular, caught the attention of viewers who celebrated hearing her name in "live-action Star Wars". Ventress developed a fan following after appearing in the 2008 animated film The Clone Wars and becoming a recurring antagonist in the subsequent series of the same name.
He named dropped Asajj Ventress?!#AsajjVentress #AnakinSkywalker pic.twitter.com/OI5BBlAvhC
— Sara Palpatine (@SaraPalpatine) September 27, 2023
I never thought I’d here Hayden christensen as anakin skywalker talk about asajj ventress wild #Ahsoka pic.twitter.com/bV7dQUA1x4
— Eddie? #HIVESZN (@YaBoyEd) September 27, 2023
A Grievous AND Asajj Ventress name-drop?!
— QG Jenna ? (@QuiGonJenna) September 27, 2023
This show is such a gift for Clone Wars fans. ✨#Ahsoka pic.twitter.com/pMsbG6bcuR
Asajj Ventress mentioned makes me so happy #ahsoka #ezra #sabine pic.twitter.com/lBjLOiZsjI
— vito (@joaovjttor) September 27, 2023
“asajj ventress” pic.twitter.com/O4VWyDM1dA
— ً (@HailEternal) September 27, 2023
I did not think we would hear Hayden say General Grievous or Count Dooku ever again yet here we are AND Asajj Ventress added it the list??? WE WON. pic.twitter.com/vHDxDlX5HW
— Lauren ? (@nottheanakinway) September 27, 2023
Only I would tear up at the mere mention of Asajj Ventress in live action Star Wars ?#Ahsoka pic.twitter.com/zot8NjVhem
— Scotty Holiday Star Wars (they/them) ??️? (@ScottyHolidaySW) September 27, 2023
In the Star Wars universe, Ventress is a former member of the Nightsisters of Dathomir, a coven of witches who have already made the jump to live-action. Her path led her to be trained in the ways of the dark side by Count Dooku, and she repeatedly clashed with Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Ahsoka Tano.
Ventress was a central character in the first five seasons of The Clone Wars but didn't appear in any episodes after that. However, a 2015 novel called Star Wars: Dark Disciple adapted an eight-episode arc intended for the final season, offering some closure to her story, though many had hoped to see her on-screen again.
The season finale of Ahsoka arrives on Disney+ on October 3, so now would be a good time to catch up on the story so far. IGN's review of Ahsoka Episode 7 called it a "largely a piece-moving affair" that puts the show's three lead characters "back in action for a fast-paced adventure" and "a necessary bit of fun" towards the end.
Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.
