The Unstoppable Ascendancy of Grand Admiral Thrawn: A Menace Surpassing Palpatine's

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Ahsoka

Summary

In the Ahsoka series, the comeback of Grand Admiral Thrawn in the known galaxy hints at the formidable and treacherous nature of his Empire, surpassing even Emperor Palpatine's reign in the original trilogy. Both the Night Troopers' armor and Thrawn's ship feature cracks that have been skillfully repaired with gold in the Kintsugi style, symbolizing his determination to revive the shattered Empire into a force even more powerful and menacing.

Thrawn's deliberate and strategic tactics set his Empire apart from Palpatine's capricious rule. With dedication and careful planning, Thrawn poses a significant threat to the New Republic and its defense fleet in the future of the galaxy. In comparison to Palpatine's Empire in the original Star Wars trilogy, Grand Admiral Thrawn's Empire will be much more dangerous. Despite being exiled to the extragalactic planet of Peridea prior to A New Hope, Thrawn has now returned to the known galaxy, following the events of the new Ahsoka series. It is reasonable to expect that his Empire will be even more formidable.

In Ahsoka episode 8, Grand Admiral Thrawn manages to escape Peridea with the help of the Nightsisters called the Great Mothers and their dark powers. He is now joined by the remaining forces on his Star Destroyer, The Chimaera, and it is evident that Thrawn is poised to gather the Imperial Remnant as the rightful "Heir to the Empire". There are strong indications that under Thrawn's guidance, the Empire will become even more formidable and menacing than it was under Emperor Palpatine's rule in the original trilogy.

Grand Admiral Thrawn's Night Troopers Serve As A Symbol Of His Purpose

In Ahsoka episode 6, Grand Admiral Thrawn makes his live-action debut on his Star Destroyer, which bears prominent patches of gold, indicating repairs from the purrgil attack that sent the ship to Peridea due to Jedi Ezra Bridger's interference in Star Wars Rebels. The stormtroopers under Captain Enoch, newly named Night Troopers, wear armor adorned with cracks filled with gold and red bandages likely sourced from the Nightsisters, who have pledged themselves to Thrawn. These visual elements, along with Thrawn's Night Troopers and his ship, serve as significant symbols that reveal his ultimate purpose for the remnants of the Empire.

Thrawn's soldiers have adopted the traditional Japanese style of Kintsugi to maintain their armor. Drawing inspiration from the art of repairing broken pottery with gold, they embrace flaws and imperfections as they believe it creates something stronger and more beautiful than before. This practice not only aligns with Thrawn's interest and knowledge of art but also symbolizes his intentions for the shattered Empire. With his return to the known galaxy, Thrawn aims to restore and reshape the Empire into a stronger and more formidable force.

Under Thrawn, The Empire Will Be More Dangerous Than Ever

During Emperor Palpatine's reign, the Empire experienced internal conflicts and rivalries among officers seeking power within the Imperial hierarchy. This was a deliberate means for Palpatine to establish and maintain control over his subordinates. Additionally, the Empire was convinced of its absolute and invincible power, as it had ruled for nearly two decades since the events depicted in Revenge of the Sith. However, the destruction of the Death Star in A New Hope served as a significant indication to the galaxy that the Empire was vulnerable and could potentially be defeated.

Presently, the Rebellion has achieved victory, establishing the New Republic, while the Empire has dwindled into the diminished Imperial Remnant following the deaths of Palpatine and Darth Vader. Palpatine's Empire, overall, was notorious for its malevolence and oppressive nature, yet it also displayed unpredictability. In contrast, Grand Admiral Thrawn, as portrayed in Rebels and Ahsoka, has repeatedly demonstrated a strategic, patient, and deliberate approach in his tactics. This indicates that every action taken by his Empire carries a purpose. Thrawn is not too proud to retreat or accept defeat, particularly if the temporary setback can yield long-term advantages.

Thrawn, now in command, will lead the Empire with unwavering dedication and strategic focus. Over the past five years, the New Republic and its defense fleet have grown into a formidable presence in the galaxy, while the Imperial Remnant remains fragmented, lurking in the shadows of the Outer Rim and Unknown Regions. However, with Thrawn as their catalyst, they await the opportunity to reunite and emerge as a new Empire, one that will be even stronger and more perilous in the future of the Star Wars universe.

Watch all episodes of Ahsoka on Disney+ today.