Exciting Mandalorian Theory Hints at an Imperial Power Struggle Following Thrawn's Resurgence

Article Overview

Grand Admiral Thrawn's return in The Mandalorian and related shows sets up an Imperial civil war as the Empire seeks to regain power.

Moff Gideon and other Imperial leaders dismiss Thrawn's significance and are unwilling to wait for his comeback. Consequently, Thrawn's eventual return might cause a rift within the Imperial Remnant, rendering them susceptible to the New Republic and other galactic threats.

A captivating theory suggests that The Mandalorian and subsequent shows like Ahsoka will provoke an Imperial civil war due to the reappearance of Grand Admiral Thrawn. These shows are establishing the Empire's desire to regain dominance in the galaxy, with Thrawn playing a pivotal role. Known for his formidable leadership, Thrawn possesses terrifying tactical skills that could undermine the New Republic's efforts to restore peace and freedom. This explains why Ezra Bridger, a Jedi, dedicated many years to preventing Thrawn from seizing control of Lothal and other planets in the Star Wars Rebels series finale. It also clarifies why Ahsoka Tano was determined to thwart his return in Ahsoka.

Thrawn's disappearance in Star Wars Rebels initiated the Empire's downfall, but similar to Palpatine, the Empire never truly vanished. The Imperial Remnant, consisting of ex-Imperial warlords and dictators scattered throughout the galaxy, intends to reclaim the Empire's power and influence. Thrawn, now safely back in the prime galaxy of Star Wars, is destined to lead them to victory. However, even before Thrawn's return, the Imperial Remnant had another cunning and conniving member in Moff Gideon. Surprisingly, Gideon and others did not consider Thrawn important or even believe in his continued existence.

Gideon Had Supporters In Not Wanting To Wait For Thrawn

Thrawn Has Always Struggled With Politics

In The Mandalorian season 3's penultimate episode, the Imperial Shadow Council gathers to discuss the potential return of Thrawn, with Moff Gideon and other leaders of the Imperial Remnant. However, it becomes evident that Gideon and a few other Imperials do not believe that Thrawn is the key to their organization's future. Gideon argues that Thrawn's whereabouts were unknown at that time, and suggests that their focus should be on gathering resources, as there are more pressing concerns. Although Gideon is presumed dead after the explosion of his Imperial base on Mandalore in The Mandalorian's season 3 finale, the Imperial leaders who agreed with him are still present. This poses a challenge for Captain Pellaeon, who previously had a close working relationship with Thrawn, as he may struggle to convince his peers of the significance of the Grand Admiral.

Grand Admiral Thrawn's brilliance lies in his meticulous study of his opponents, delving into their cultures, history, and relationships in order to exploit their weaknesses and turn it against them. His tactical prowess allowed him to uncover a hidden Rebel base in the Star Wars Rebels series, relentlessly demolish the Rebel Alliance's expanding fleet, and enforce suffering, anguish, and oppression on every planet he was assigned to govern, including Ryloth and Lothal. Furthermore, he showcased his strategic acumen by persuading the Great Mothers of Peridea to support him in securing his future in the main Star Wars galaxy, as demonstrated in Ahsoka. However, being a masterful tactician and warmonger does not automatically equate to being a shrewd politician. This requires an entirely different set of skills.

Politics is not a matter of brute force or military expertise, but rather the ability to persuade others to support one's own arguments and objectives. Moff Gideon possessed this skill, as he was adept at charming people and convincing them that his viewpoint was the only correct one. An example of this can be observed in the Shadow Council scene in season 3 of The Mandalorian, where he subtly sways the other Imperial leaders to align with him, planting seeds of doubt in their minds. Why exactly is Thrawn so important and why wasn't he already present? Why do they require him when there are numerous worlds still available to exploit?

Thrawn's methods have proven to be effective, evident from his impressive Imperial service record. However, it does not guarantee unanimous agreement on his tactics or leadership, particularly when his leadership could interfere with someone else's pursuit of personal glory.

Thrawn made his debut in Heir to the Empire, a novel authored by Timothy Zahn. While this particular novel is no longer considered canon, it continues to serve as a source of inspiration for the Star Wars live-action shows.

Will The Empire Divide Rather Than Unify Under Thrawn?

Despite Gideon's apparent demise in season 3 of The Mandalorian, his influence may have already impacted the members of the Imperial Shadow Council enough to discourage their support for Thrawn. Captain Pellaeon's wish has come true; Thrawn has indeed returned, albeit not as covertly as he had hoped. Ezra Bridger managed to infiltrate Thrawn's Star Destroyer and hitch a ride back home, finally reuniting with his friend Hera Syndulla. Syndulla, a General for the New Republic, has had previous encounters with Thrawn. It is inevitable that the New Republic will now have knowledge of Thrawn's resurgence. The jig is up, and the galaxy's new government must prepare itself for his imminent attack.

Once the other members of the Imperial Remnant discover that Thrawn's return is no longer shrouded in secrecy, their reaction may be less favorable. They may question whether Thrawn is truly their best option for victory in the war. He has been defeated before, and the Rebels and Jedi will be ready to face him once more. Thrawn, despite his strength and cunning, is not invincible. His struggles with politics may hinder his ability to persuade them to support his cause. Mere words will not suffice; he will need to make a grand gesture and achieve a significant triumph. However, this feat becomes even more challenging now that the New Republic is likely aware of his return, along with his newfound formidable allies, the Nightsisters.

Thrawn's return has the potential to create division among the Imperials, who are known for their greed. Those members of the Shadow Council who agreed with Gideon's reasoning displayed their own greed and frustration. They are eager to strike, eager to win, and lack patience. Thrawn, on the other hand, values patience and careful planning, which could lead to the downfall of the Imperial Remnant. It is possible that they will turn against each other, with one emerging as the ultimate victor. This potential conflict could be explored in Season 4 of The Mandalorian, as Din Djarin and Grogu venture into the Outer Rim to confront the Imperial Remnant and other threats.

During their journey, Din Djarin and his allies may encounter Thrawn on Dathomir, or they could come across another Imperial warlord causing chaos on a distant planet. Din Djarin and his allies have already successfully defeated Gideon and reclaimed control of Mandalore, a strategically significant planet with abundant resources. The more they achieve, the more challenging it will become for Thrawn and the remaining members of the Imperial Remnant to establish their dominance in the galaxy. One might wonder if this was Gideon's true intention all along – to utilize the resources of the Shadow Council, sow discord among them, and then seize whatever remains for himself. It is certainly a possibility. Regardless, it seems that the Imperial Remnant may not possess the strength and power it is believed to have in The Mandalorian and beyond.

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan, I am thrilled by the exciting theory that hints at an Imperial civil war following the resurgence of Grand Admiral Thrawn. The return of this iconic villain promises to bring a new level of conflict and intrigue to the Star Wars universe. Thrawn's formidable leadership and tactical skills make him a formidable opponent for the New Republic and other galactic threats. His reappearance will undoubtedly cause a rift within the Imperial Remnant, as Moff Gideon and other Imperial leaders are unwilling to wait for his comeback. This division within the Empire will leave them vulnerable to the New Republic and other galactic threats.

The potential for a civil war within the Imperial Remnant is a fascinating development that will add depth and complexity to the Star Wars storyline. Thrawn's return will force the Imperial Remnant to confront its own internal divisions and decide whether to follow his leadership or remain loyal to their current leaders. This struggle for power will have far-reaching consequences for the galaxy and will shape the future of the Star Wars universe. I am eagerly looking forward to seeing how this storyline unfolds in The Mandalorian and related shows like Ahsoka.