Unveiling the Hidden Truth: Grand Admiral Thrawn's Epic Redemption After 30 Years of Darkness

Warning! This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episode 8.

Summary

Thrawn's alliance with the Nightsisters in Ahsoka goes against Palpatine's genocide of the witches, contradicting his previous beliefs.

Thrawn is reviving the Nightsisters by transporting crates filled with dormant or suspended witches to the core galaxy, reversing Palpatine's decree.

Thrawn's current arrangement with the Nightsisters is mutually beneficial, but their dissatisfaction during the Ahsoka finale hints at potential troubles for him in the future. Lars Mikkelsen's portrayal of Grand Admiral Thrawn in Ahsoka reveals his undoing of one of Emperor Palpatine's significant Force purges, which arises from his unexpected collaboration with the Nightsisters. In the final episode of the Star Wars Disney+ TV series, Ezra Bridger informs Ahsoka that Thrawn was responsible for awakening the witches before solidifying their alliance. It is evident that Thrawn has struck a deal with them, prompting the Great Mothers to contact Morgan Elsbeth across galaxies and return both Thrawn and his Imperial Star Destroyer to the main galaxy.

In contrast, Emperor Palpatine never liked the Nightsisters. Thrawn's decision to form an alliance with them, even going to the extent of transporting crates from the catacombs of Peridea on his ISD while returning to the main galaxy, goes against Palpatine's beliefs. The contents of these crates remain a mystery, but Ezra's words suggest that Thrawn is reversing one of Palpatine's biggest acts of eliminating the Nightsisters: their genocide.

Palpatine Tried To Wipe The Nightsisters Out

Thrawn Is Bringing The Nightsisters Back

Palpatine, perceiving the Nightsisters as a formidable menace to the advancement of his Galactic Empire, deemed it necessary to eliminate them during the Clone Wars, a staggering three decades before the events of Ahsoka transpire. As Count Dooku also encountered difficulties due to their interference, Palpatine commanded General Grievous to launch a vicious assault on the Nightsisters' cherished homeworld, Dathomir, in order to eradicate them. In the dreadful aftermath, a mere seven Nightsisters managed to survive this merciless onslaught, among them being Mother Talzin, Asajj Ventress, and Morgan Elsbeth. The remaining members of their once-thriving civilization, tragically numbering in the multitude, perished in a merciless genocide comparable in devastation, if not surpassing, the infamous Order 66. The extinction of the Nightsisters had long overshadowed the Star Wars galaxy, but now, Thrawn emerges as a harbinger of change, poised to transform their destiny.

The crates that Thrawn is transporting to the main galaxy most likely contain a significant number of dormant or hibernating Nightsisters. By doing so, Thrawn is essentially reversing Palpatine's act of genocide, allowing the witches of Dathomir to return to their native world in the main galaxy and rebuild their civilization. While this action contradicts Palpatine's previous orders, it aligns with Thrawn's character as someone who values life and perceives this arrangement as mutually advantageous. Thrawn aids them, and in exchange, they pledge their loyalty to him.

However, it is becoming increasingly clear that the Nightsisters may soon decide to end their alliance with Thrawn. The Great Mothers were not pleased with many of Thrawn's statements during the Ahsoka finale, which could pose future troubles for him. The Force has always been Thrawn's greatest adversary, and even though the Nightsisters utilize the Force in a different manner than the Jedi or Sith, they still possess the ability to wield it and use it against him. While Thrawn is successfully reversing Palpatine's Force purge, the most challenging aspect will be maintaining the trust required to secure his position as the Empire's heir.

All episodes of Ahsoka are currently available for streaming on Disney+.