Grand Admiral Thrawnwill return to wage war on the New Republic in upcomingStar Warsprojects, and one 15-year-old detail sets up a confrontation withAhsoka Tano. Before it became Ahsoka’s mission to hunt Thrawn inThe Mandalorianseason 2, these characters never had any meaningful connection, as Ahsoka disappeared inStar Wars Rebelsjust before Thrawn made his canon debut. Thanks toAhsokaseason 1,Thrawn and Ahsoka have been on a collision course, one that still hasn’t come to fruition but is inevitable inAhsokaseason 2or Dave Filoni’sMandalorian-era movie.
Filoni’s history of developing Ahsoka’s character inStar Warsanimation makes him the most qualified person to recognize a crucial detail tying her and Thrawn together. It would present the most logical scenario for a proper face-off and bring over a decade ofStar Warsstorytelling full circle. It would also honor Thrawn’s origins in theStar WarsExpanded Universe (aka Legends), whichupcomingStar Warsmoviesand TV shows are likely to draw inspiration from.This all hinges on a battle between Ahsoka and Thrawnas the war between the New Republic and the Imperial Remnant rages on.
Ahsoka & Thrawn Must Face Off At Some Point
There’s been too much setup for it to be otherwise
Ahsoka may be trapped on Peridea in another galaxy, but no matter how long it takes her to get home, she must inevitably confront Thrawn. Her first live-action appearance inThe Mandalorianseason 2, episode 5 “Chapter 13: The Jedi” established that her goal was to find Thrawn, and her desire to stop his return carried over intoAhsokaseason 1. The closest they came to interacting was in the season finale whereThrawn opened a channel to essentially gloat as Ahsoka was helpless to stop himfrom returning to the mainStar Warsgalaxy.
The potential of their interaction would make it disappointing for Ahsoka and Thrawn not to meet each other in person.
Thrawn even laments during his monologue how”… we haven’t met face to face, and perhaps now we never shall.“However, there’s too much setup for a future confrontation for that to be the case, asThrawn gets under Ahsoka’s skin by explaining how he exploited her weaknesses to outsmart her. He also reveals that he knew what she would do because he knew her master, Anakin Skywalker, a reference toStar Wars: Thrawn - Alliancesby Timothy Zahn. The potential of their interaction would make it disappointing for Ahsoka and Thrawn not to meet each other in person.
The Clone Wars Confirmed Ahsoka Is As Good A Leader As Thrawn Himself
She proved it the first time she was placed in command
The most compelling reason for Ahsoka and Thrawn to confront each other, preferably in a military engagement, is how similar their strategic minds are. InStar Wars: The Clone Warsseason 1, episode 19 “Storm Over Ryloth,” which premiered in 2009,Ahsoka won a space battle by using a bold strategy that caught the enemy by surprise. She ordered the Republic ship to angle its underside towards the droid fighters, protecting the clones and catching the droids before they had time to retreat. Even as a Padawan and inexperienced commander, Ahsoka had a talent for military strategy.
Of course, Ahsoka wasn’t the firstStar Warscharacter to use this strategy. As confirmed byStarWars.com’s “Storm Over Ryloth Episode Featurette”, this maneuver was taken directly fromStar Wars: Heir to the Empireby Timothy Zhan, where a similar technique was used by none other than Grand Admiral Thrawn. The featurette description states thatAhsoka and Thrawn are”…both schooled in classic fleet tactics,“so there’s no telling how much they think alike in the heat of battle. It’s fittingly explained by Dave Filoni years before he went on to create, write, and directAhsoka.
Thrawn May Use Ahsoka’s Own Strategy Against Her
It’s what Thrawn does best
Unfortunately,Ahsoka’s understanding of Thrawn’s strategies is a double-edged sword, as he can use her mind against her in battle. When Thrawn made his canon debut inStar Wars Rebelsseason 3, episode 1 “Steps Into Shadow,” he claimed he would defeat the rebels by making them”…the architects of their own destruction.“This philosophy traces back to Thrawn’s first appearance in Legends, where he successfully implemented the Ahsoka-like strategy by knowing how a particular alien race would respond to the maneuver. Thrawn has already anticipated Ahsoka’s actions because he knew her master during the Clone Wars.
“To defeat an enemy, you must know them. Not simply their battle tactics, but their history, philosophy, art.” - Grand Admiral Thrawn
If Thrawn and Ahsoka were to meet each other in a space battle, he could pull up her history and see what strategies she used as a commander.Ahsoka would think she anticipated Thrawn’s move but realize too late that he outsmarted herby manipulating her expectations. This would play into her fear of failing those under her command, building off the Clone Wars flashback inAhsokaseason 1, episode 5 “Part Five: Shadow Warrior.” However, Ahsoka having to admit how rusty she is as a commander would inevitably backfire on Thrawn during their next confrontation.
Thrawn’s Cunning Would Push Ahsoka To Be A Leader Again
Developing a different side of her character
It’s been years since Ahsoka maintained a leadership role, and it’s easy to understand why. Experiencing the horrors of the Clone Wars, walking away from the Jedi Order, andwatching her men die following Order 66 would have reinforced Ahsoka’s desire to avoid military leadership. She did play an important role in the Rebellion as Fulcrum, and she aided the rebels when she could, but it was far from the position she once held in the Grand Army of the Republic. Even her time as Sabine’s master ended because she feared continuing Anakin’s dark legacy if she failed.
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Despite how great a threat Thrawn’s tactical genius is to the New Republic, it could give Ahsoka the push she needs to become a leader again. The New Republic is a young government and far less militarized than the Empire, so they will need all the experienced commanders they can get.Thrawn wouldn’t stand a chance against Ahsoka in hand-to-hand combat, so facing off as military commanders is the most logical way to have these characters meet. It would be highly rewarding for one 15-year-old detail to culminate in an epic showdown betweenAhsoka TanoandGrand Admiral Thrawn.
Ahsoka Tano
The apprentice of Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano was an accomplished Padawan who served during the Clone Wars. Ahsoka left the Jedi after she became disillusioned with the Jedi Council, but returned to serve in the Siege of Mandalore at the end of the Clone Wars. She survived Order 66, becoming a Rebel agent during the Dark Times of the Empire’s reign, and her adventures continue in the New Republic era. Ahsoka was last seen stranded in a distant galaxy, having failed to prevent Grand Admiral Thrawn’s return.
Grand Admiral Thrawn
The only alien to ever ascend to the rank of Grand Admiral, Thrawn is a strategic genius who hails from an isolationist race known as the Chiss. Thrawn’s motives are enigmatic, but his tactical brilliance made him a vital asset for the Empire. Jedi Padawan Ezra Bridger successfully defeated Thrawn during the Battle of Lothal, resulting in Thrawn’s exile to the distant planet Peridea in another galaxy, but the Grand Admiral has now returned.
