The Surprising Twist That Will Intensify Thrawn's Anakin Skywalker Dilemma

Warning! This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episode 8.

Summary

Thrawn's awareness of Anakin Skywalker's transformation into Darth Vader and his link to Ahsoka poses a significant predicament for him, leading to the utilization of this information as a tool to manipulate and oppose her.

Discovering Luke Skywalker's role in the downfall of the Empire heightens Thrawn's wariness and dread of the Jedi. As Lars Mikkelsen's Grand Admiral Thrawn becomes aware of Ahsoka's connection as Anakin Skywalker's former Padawan, portrayed by Rosario Dawson and Hayden Christensen respectively, in Ahsoka, he realizes he is faced with a significant predicament. Unbeknownst to him, the situation is about to worsen. Since learning about this revelation from Morgan Elsbeth in episode 7 of Ahsoka, Thrawn has chosen not to underestimate Tano and instead employs techniques known to him from Anakin's past. Although this strategy has proven successful thus far, it is evident that Thrawn remains cautious of Ahsoka and her intertwining link with Anakin Skywalker, even as they exist in different corners of the galaxy.

Thrawn possesses exclusive knowledge of Anakin's transformation into Darth Vader, and he fearlessly alludes to it in front of Vader himself. In the Ahsoka finale, he uses this knowledge to provoke Ahsoka, but, in reality, it reflects the apprehension Thrawn harbors for her former master. Now that Thrawn has returned to the Star Wars universe, he will discover the destiny of Vader and the true cause behind the Empire's downfall. This revelation will only exacerbate Thrawn's predicament with Anakin.

The Empire Was Brought Down... By Anakin's Son

The astonishment on Thrawn's countenance upon discovering Anakin's possession of a living Padawan holds immeasurable value. However, when he further learns that Anakin has a progeny who, in fact, played a pivotal role in the downfall of the Empire, there is no doubt that Thrawn's reaction will be even more profoundly repulsed. Should the murmurs pertaining to Luke's affiliation with the Jedi find their way to Thrawn's ears, his sense of vigilance will skyrocket, particularly considering his pre-existing skepticism towards Jedi and the enigmatic nature of the Force. If Thrawn believed that Anakin's haunting presence through the Padawan was disconcerting, his circumstances have now deteriorated significantly with the inclusion of his formidable blood-relative.

Luke Skywalker Is Even Bringing Back The Jedi

Luke not only poses a significant challenge to Thrawn, but he is also on the verge of fulfilling one of Thrawn's greatest fears: the restoration of the Jedi Order. Thrawn explicitly states to Morgan in the Ahsoka finale that he refuses to underestimate even a single Jedi, implying his apprehension towards the formidable trio, including Luke, as they depart from Peridea. If Thrawn were to learn of Luke's intention to establish a new Order, it could potentially overpower him, especially with the influential presence of Anakin Skywalker's son at the helm.

Thrawn's reaction to the Skywalker lineage has become a running joke in Ahsoka, but it also presents great potential for the future of Star Wars. With Luke as Thrawn's first Force-sensitive adversary in the original Heir to the Empire trilogy, their potential confrontation now becomes even more exciting. In the meantime, it would be beneficial for Thrawn to sit and have his loyal servants inform him of the events that led to the Empire's downfall, including the revelation of another Skywalker Jedi. Stream all episodes of Ahsoka now on Disney+.