Warning: The below contains full spoilers for Ahsoka Episode 7, which is now streaming on Disney+.
Ahsoka Episode 7 adds another layer of intrigue to Baylan Skoll's story, prompting speculation about his master plan heading into the season finale.
The penultimate episode of Ahsoka, "Dreams and Madness", dropped another Baylan breadcrumb for fans to devour as the mysterious mercenary parted ways with his apprentice, Shin Hati, leaving her to carry out the Ezra Bridger and Sabine Wren kill mission without him, ready to take her place in the coming Empire.
"Your ambition drives you in one direction… my path lies in another", Baylan tells her. Shin looks slightly bewildered by her master's abandonment, and it seems like she is not the only one feeling that way, as people on social media have been questioning Baylan's motives and considering his next moves ahead of the final episode.
Generally, people think Baylan's actions could lead to a twist in the finale that will see him "turn good" and help Ahsoka in the fight against Grand Admiral Thrawn. Some even believe Baylan was called to the planet Peridea by Bendu, a powerful Force-sensitive entity from Star Wars Rebels who represents the centre of the force.
#Ahsoka spoilers
— Cris (@gar_serim) September 27, 2023
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I knew this was coming! I'm eager to see what Baylan has up his sleeve ?#BaylanSkoll #shinhati #StarWars pic.twitter.com/jbPQR9IEVN
The fact that even #Thrawn cant figure out what #Baylan is up to is crazy to me, #BaylanSkoll is up to something far greater than what were seeing unfold.
— Luke (@StreakyLB) September 27, 2023
Im so so intrigued.#Ahsoka pic.twitter.com/OkGsDPz9fR
What are the chances that the #Ahsoka finale has #Thrawn easily beating our heroes until Baylan wakes some evil supernatural Force spirit that interferes in the final battle and that gives our heroes the edge, as Thrawn can't predict random Force entities?
— Josh (@joshtheatkins) September 27, 2023
I think the most interesting thing going into episode 8 of #Ahsoka is honestly Baylan Skoll and whatever power he is seeking on Peridea..
— BattlefrontUpdates (@SWBFUpdates) September 27, 2023
I'm worried it won't be explored enough but I really hope his storyline comes to a satisfying conclusion (or continuation?) in the finale. pic.twitter.com/VRj1WKKNAS
This is exactly it.#Baylan is going to find a Deus ex Machina the Night Mothers and Thrawn are running away from, and use it to help Ahsoka in the finale.
— Stephen (@FlyingLandLeech) September 27, 2023
Just like Thor getting Stormbreaker to fight Thanos
Ray Stevenson is doing a fantastic job portraying the conflict going on inside Baylan. I don't think he's ever really been a bad guy. He's just been doing what he needed in order to survive. I think we'll see him "turn good" & sacrifice himself next week.#BaylanSkoll#Ahsoka pic.twitter.com/WN1ST8ziFu
— DeanC_2023 (@DeanC_2023) September 27, 2023
Wouldn't it be cool if it was the Bendu calling to Baylan Skoll?#StarWars #StarWarsAhsoka#StarWarsRebels pic.twitter.com/7oICmZR8Br
— Phil (@SciFi_Phil) September 26, 2023
Ya’ll, what if whatever calls to #BaylanSkoll is some type of Bendu creature? Maybe a Dark Side Bendu that wishes to destroy the historical cycle? What if it’s actually Bendu?!?#Ahsoka pic.twitter.com/JrPv1SxQp1
— Mandalore The First (@FirstMandalore) September 26, 2023
Bendu returning in the finale of #Ahsoka pic.twitter.com/TngjU4bjDc
— Westbrook (@deleteyoaccbum5) September 27, 2023
Baylan has been on viewers radars for a long while, with his name frequently coming up in post-episode discussions. One fan recently discovered a list of names in Aurebesh on Baylan's wrist device: Luke, Leia, Han, Chewie, R2-D2, C-3PO, and Ben, prompting even more theories about his allegiances and intentions.
The season finale of Ahsoka will hopefully deliver some long sought-after answers when it drops on October 3. Episodes 1-7 are available now and well worth your time. 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".
Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.