Unveiling the Strategic Significance of Grand Admiral Thrawn's Return in Star Wars

Star Wars recently revealed a crucial part of Grand Admiral Thrawn's return in Ahsoka. Thrawn is considered one of the most formidable Imperial officers, being the only alien to earn Emperor Sheev Palpatine's trust and reach the rank of Grand Admiral in the Empire. Known for his strategic brilliance, Thrawn had a series of victories and had the rebels on the brink of defeat in Star Wars Rebels. However, the rebels managed to outsmart him by using purrgil space whales to send Thrawn's flagship to another galaxy.

In the finale of Ahsoka season 1, Thrawn successfully returned to the main Star Wars galaxy. This led to a deeper exploration of Emperor Palpatine's Project Necromancer at Mount Tantiss on Wayland in The Bad Batch season 3. The project, which aimed to bring the Emperor back to life through a Force-sensitive clone, continued even after his death as the Imperial Remnant in The Mandalorian era still pursued this goal. Interestingly, a key aspect of this project is linked to Thrawn's reappearance in Ahsoka.

Dathomir's Proximity to Wayland, The Hub of Project Necromancer

In the season 1 finale of Ahsoka, Thrawn makes his way to Dathomir accompanied by the Great Mothers and suspicious crates believed to hold Nightsisters. While part of his visit is to honor his agreement with the Great Mothers, there seems to be another motive behind his choice of destination. Both The Bad Batch and The Mandalorian indicate that Project Necromancer is of utmost importance to the Imperial Remnant, including Thrawn. They are willing to take significant risks to further their efforts, as evidenced by the ongoing activities revealed in The Bad Batch. Dathomir's close proximity to Wayland, the Empire's primary cloning facility, may play a crucial role in these endeavors.

Grand Admiral Thrawn's Connection to Mount Tantiss

In Timothy Zahn's original Thrawn trilogy from the 90s, Mount Tantiss housed Project Necromancer. Following the Emperor's downfall, Thrawn took control of the location, using it as his strategic base. While the storyline is no longer considered canon, Star Wars has been incorporating elements from the trilogy. Thrawn's link to Mount Tantiss is being subtly reintroduced in current canon through appearances in The Mandalorian and Ahsoka.

Grand Admiral's Role in Project Necromancer

In "The Mandalorian," it is revealed that the Imperial Shadow Council has mentioned Grand Admiral Thrawn's involvement in aiding Brendol Hux with Project Necromancer. This suggests that Thrawn's objective may have a dual purpose. He is not only working towards overthrowing the New Republic and restoring the Empire but also serving as a diversion to prevent the New Republic from uncovering details about Project Necromancer.

Thrawn Choosing Dathomir Makes More Sense Now

This twofold mission is the most logical approach. The secrecy surrounding Project Necromancer, as emphasized by Emperor Palpatine in The Bad Batch, is crucial. The Imperial Remnant must divert the attention of the New Republic while also regaining resources for the project. In Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Emperor Palpatine granted Dr. Royce Hemlock unlimited resources for Project Necromancer. However, after the Empire fell, these resources became scarce. Reviving the Empire would enable them to acquire resources once more.

Dathomir being Thrawn's first stop makes sense because it is only a few planets away from Wayland. He promised the Great Mothers that he would take them there, and the close proximity to Wayland allows Thrawn to reach his destination quickly and efficiently. By stopping at Dathomir first, he can fulfill his promise to the Great Mothers and reduce the risk of detection from the New Republic.

Thrawn's decision to visit Dathomir before Wayland also helps ensure that the New Republic is not aware of his location. This strategic move allows him to maintain secrecy and successfully carry out his plans without drawing unwanted attention.

Ezra Bridger sneaked aboard the Chimaera, making it back to a galaxy far, far away with Thrawn. It is uncertain if Thrawn is aware of Ezra's presence on board, but he will likely find out soon. This puts Thrawn's operation at risk, as the New Republic now knows he has returned earlier than expected. To ensure that his location remains undisclosed, Thrawn decides to first visit Dathomir before heading to Wayland.

Grand Admiral Thrawn's decision to rebuild the Empire is driven by his own motivations. In the Thrawn (2017) and Thrawn: Ascendancy trilogies, it is revealed that Thrawn joined the Empire with the goal of protecting his people and the galaxy from the Grysks. The Grysks are a conquering species that employ deceptive tactics to conquer planets. Thrawn, who distrusts democracies and views them as ineffective, sees reviving the Empire as the only way to combat the Grysks effectively.

Thrawn is considered a major threat to the New Republic because he is deeply concerned about the potential negative outcomes if the Imperial Remnant fails. He is not just supporting Project Necromancer to revive the Empire out of loyalty to Emperor Palpatine. The Thrawn (2017) trilogy shows that he understands the Emperor's corruption. When he tried to recruit rebel leader Nightswan, he argued that a better leader could replace Palpatine in the future. However, it seems that by the time of his return in Ahsoka, he believes bringing back the Emperor is necessary.

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Editor's P/S:

The article delves into the intricate connection between Grand Admiral Thrawn's return and the sinister Project Necromancer, a testament to the depth and complexity of the Star Wars universe. Thrawn's strategic brilliance and enigmatic motivations, coupled with the secretive nature of the project, create an intriguing narrative that keeps readers engaged. The exploration of Thrawn's possible involvement in aiding Project Necromancer raises questions about his ultimate goals and loyalties, adding a layer of intrigue to his character.

Overall, the article effectively combines canon information from various Star Wars series to provide a cohesive and compelling analysis of Thrawn's return and its implications for the galaxy. It leaves readers eager to witness the unfolding events and the role Thrawn will play in shaping the destiny of the Star Wars universe.