The Unmatched Brilliance of Grand Admiral Thrawn: Unveiling His True Power
Thrawn's Achilles' heel: The unstoppable Force Ahsoka's triumph highlights Thrawn's inability to anticipate its power Even with allies, the Force remains his ultimate adversary
Warning! This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episode 7.
Summary
Thrawn's downfall lies in his inability to anticipate and manipulate the Force, posing a challenge in incorporating it into his strategies. Consequently, he is caught off guard by the unforeseen appearance of Ahsoka and fails to grasp the intentions of individuals like Baylan Skoll, ultimately resulting in unexpected consequences and his ultimate defeat.
The comeback of Lars Mikkelsen's Grand Admiral Thrawn in Ahsoka serves as a reminder of his remarkable villainy in the Star Wars universe while also highlighting his ongoing vulnerability to the Force. Thrawn has consistently instilled fear as a formidable opponent, thanks to his unmatched success and cunning strategies, often stemming from his unconventional approach. Whether delving into the artistic expressions of a civilization to exploit their shortcomings or manipulating his enemies into believing they have autonomy, Thrawn emerges as a dominant force within controlled environments. Nonetheless, the ever-unpredictable nature of the Force ultimately undermines his endeavors, preventing him from truly achieving victory.
Thrawn's inability to control the Force remains a constant challenge for him. Despite his expertise in manipulating various situations, he is unable to wield the same level of control over the Force. Nevertheless, Thrawn possesses a deep understanding of this mysterious energy, particularly due to his past experiences with Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader. So, why does the Force continue to be Thrawn's greatest vulnerability?
The Force Has Always Been Impossible For Thrawn To Predict
Thrawn is not only devoid of Force manipulation, but also lacks the ability to foresee its actions. He thrives in situations where extensive knowledge about his adversaries enables him to anticipate their every move, which is why he invests heavily in research. However, since Thrawn cannot predict the elusive nature of the Force, incorporating it into his plans becomes challenging.
In the case of Ahsoka, Thrawn fails to anticipate the arrival of the prominent former Jedi to Peridea. Due to the Force's inability to grant him foresight, he is unable to foresee the inclusion of another Force-sensitive character. Nevertheless, he compensates for this by extensively studying Ahsoka, particularly after discovering that she is the former apprentice of Anakin Skywalker. Hence, he is able to anticipate her strategies. Despite his attempts to gain control over the Force's influence, Ahsoka's actions continue to highlight Thrawn's primary area of vulnerability.
Even In Ahsoka, Thrawn Can't Predict Baylan Skoll
Similar to Ahsoka, Baylan Skoll also poses an unexpected challenge for Thrawn, willingly guided to Peridea by the Force. Thrawn mistakenly believes that Baylan is on his side, as a mercenary serving Morgan Elsbeth. However, unbeknownst to Thrawn, Baylan has his own hidden motives for venturing into this new galaxy. Thrawn intends to exploit Baylan as a pawn in his larger plan, but the enigmatic workings of the Force prevent him from foreseeing what unfolds next.
When Baylan veers away from Thrawn's mission to pursue his own secretive agenda, Thrawn finds himself lacking a crucial player, resulting in his ultimate defeat. Nevertheless, Thrawn manages to turn this defeat into a future victory, thanks to the unpredictable nature of Baylan's connection to the Force. To compensate, Thrawn seeks alliances with the Great Mothers, who possess their own unsettling abilities to tap into the Force. Although this proves advantageous in certain aspects, it does not alter the course of the Force's movements.
Thrawn May Have Powerful Allies, But The Force Is His Enemy
Besides the Great Mothers, Thrawn has been accompanied by numerous formidable allies such as Darth Vader and the Emperor himself. Throughout the history of Star Wars, Thrawn, as one of the most skilled Force users, has consistently pursued harnessing the power of the Force. However, he is acutely aware that his endeavors in this regard have always fallen short, likely due to the Bendu's warning to him in Star Wars Rebels.
The Force, embodying Thrawn's greatest fear of unpredictability, will forever be his adversary. Thrawn cannot manipulate or control the events that unfold according to the will of the Force, as demonstrated by individuals like Baylan, Ahsoka, and even Sabine in the Ahsoka series. As long as Thrawn continues to confront the Force, he will perpetually struggle to grasp its elusive nature, and this vulnerability will persist within him.
Although Thrawn lacks proficiency in the Force, he compensates for this weakness by excelling in other areas. Recognizing his limitations, Thrawn meticulously controls every aspect of battles and strategies to make up for it. This attribute contributes greatly to his intimidating presence as a villain, as his profound understanding of himself and his enemies makes him seem virtually invincible. These are the types of tactics that can be anticipated in the Ahsoka finale, as Thrawn meticulously plans his return to the Star Wars galaxy after a long absence. With nearly a decade of preparation, there is no doubt that Thrawn utilized every moment effectively. Catch new episodes of Ahsoka on Disney+ every Tuesday at 6 pm PT / 9 pm ET.
