Photo credit: screenrant.com
Grand Admiral Thrawn is set to make a significant return in the ongoing conflict against the New Republic. Yet, a tantalizing theory emerging from the series Ahsoka suggests that during his exile on Peridea, he may have encountered an even more formidable adversary. Since his introduction in Timothy Zahn’s Star Wars: Heir to the Empire in 1991, Thrawn has evolved into a prominent figure within the Star Wars Expanded Universe, now referred to as Legends. His reappearance in the official canon occurred in Star Wars Rebels, and after his enigmatic disappearance alongside Ezra Bridger, fans were eager to see his live-action portrayal in the first season of Ahsoka.
Thrawn’s previous story arcs, particularly the Thrawn trilogy and Star Wars Rebels, centered around his confrontations with the New Republic and the Rebellion. As such, it seems natural that his narrative would continue along similar lines in his upcoming appearances. However, while Ahsoka season 1 laid the groundwork for this, it also introduced several intriguing clues hinting at a potentially greater threat. Although much remains unclear regarding Thrawn’s experiences during his time in exile, it appears that he might be entangled in a larger conflict that poses risks not only to the New Republic but could also threaten his own ambitions.
Ahsoka Hinting at Thrawn’s Encounter with Enemies
Thrawn’s Hasty Departure
Season 1 of Ahsoka subtly implies that there is a more significant force at play on Peridea, possibly an adversary of Thrawn himself. When Morgan Elsbeth and her associates arrived, Thrawn had notably not yet made his appearance despite being aware of their impending arrival. Given Thrawn’s reputation for meticulous planning and readiness, his delay is puzzling unless an unforeseen conflict or threat diverted his attention.
This absence might be explained by the presence of an enemy keeping him engaged elsewhere. For instance, Baylan Skoll’s attraction to the dark power emanating from Peridea suggests an ominous influence, one which Thrawn and his allies might also have been keen to avoid. It is plausible that Thrawn opted to distance himself from Peridea to bypass danger, or perhaps he was actively engaged in confrontations with another adversary before the arrival of his associates.
Will Thrawn’s Opponents Also Be Ahsoka’s?
Potential Alliances?
If Thrawn has indeed made enemies in another galaxy, an intriguing question arises: are these foes also Ahsoka’s? This speculation hinges on whether the force Thrawn is evading is linked to the darkness present on Peridea or originates from a separate extraterrestrial faction. The dark presence that beckoned Baylan Skoll and potentially put Thrawn on guard likely does not align with Ahsoka’s objectives unless a significant misconception exists.
Should Thrawn be battling another enemy, it opens the door to the possibility that his past actions might have provoked this additional threat, leading to a scenario where these adversaries could potentially ally with Ahsoka. This would introduce a complex dynamic where the New Republic, the Imperial remnant, and an uncharted enemy navigate their relationships amidst a multi-faceted conflict, an uncommon scenario in the Star Wars narrative.
The situation also provides rich narrative opportunities; an adversary shared by Thrawn and Ahsoka would create a compelling scenario for collaboration. If a new threat arose that challenges both the Imperial remnants and the New Republic, it could lead to unexpected alliances reminiscent of the traditional narrative arcs in Star Wars.
The Potential Aid from Thrawn’s Foes
A Call for Unity Against Thrawn
In light of the precarious position of the New Republic as depicted in both Ahsoka and The Mandalorian, Thrawn’s adversaries could serve as crucial allies in the quest to thwart him. The ongoing events within the Mandoverse illustrate the New Republic’s struggle to re-establish itself after years of autocracy, often being seen as ineffective by those in the Outer Rim and beyond. Figures like Senator Hamato Xiono are portrayed as prioritizing peace over confrontation, even at the risk of ignoring the threats presented by the Imperial remnants.
The Rebellion itself previously relied on allies like the Mandalorians to navigate their conflicts with Thrawn in previous narratives, indicating the importance of unity against formidable foes.
As the New Republic grapples with these challenges, they will likely need to seek any assistance available, emphasizing a narrative that resonates throughout Thrawn’s history, from the unanticipated interventions of the purrgil to the unexpected betrayals of the Noghri in the Thrawn trilogy. Fostering relations with new allies, possibly from distant galaxies, opens pathways for future Star Wars adventures, but fans will have to remain patient as they await details in the anticipated season 2 of Ahsoka or upcoming projects from Dave Filoni.
Source
screenrant.com