This article contains spoilers from Ahsoka episode 6.
Grand Admiral Thrawn has a new henchman in Ahsoka, the mysterious Captain Enoch, and he seems to make his celebrated death in Star Wars Legends impossible. The old Star Wars Expanded Universe was discontinued in 2014, with its stories branded “Legends.” Many characters and ideas have made the jump from Legends to the current canon, though, including Grand Admiral Thrawn (now played in live-action by Lars Mikkelsen).
Thrawn was one of the most important characters in Legends, a ruthless military strategist introduced – and memorably killed – in Timothy Zahn’s “Thrawn Trilogy.” The broad brush strokes between Legends and canon are the same; Thrawn is still a blue-skinned, red-eyed Chiss who was exiled from his own people. But their stories have gone in very different directions, and it’s now clear they mmust end in different ways as well. While this might be disappointing news to some longtime Star Wars readers, it is ultimately for the best.
How Grand Admiral Thrawn Died In Star Wars Legends
In the Legends continuity, Grand Admiral Thrawn was one of many Imperial warlords in the post-Endor Galactic Civil War. He succeeded in uniting many Imperial leaders under his leadership, and came close to overthrowing the entire New Republic. He would have succeeded if not for his alliance with a race known as the Noghri Overclan, whose elite Noghri Death Commandos once served Darth Vader himself. Vader had given Thrawn command of the Noghri Death Commandos after he helped the Dark Lord of the Sith against Prince Xizor of the Black Sun crime syndicate.
The Empire had earned the Noghri’s loyalty through deception, seemingly providing them with relief after a disastrous Clone Wars-era bioweapon mishap on their home planet Honoghr (events shown in the Star Wars: Republic comics). In reality, the Empire worked hard to ensure Honoghr continued to suffer so the Noghri remained loyal to them and their warriors continued to fight for the Empire. This proved to be a fatal mistake for Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Princess Leia learned the truth toward the end of the “Thrawn Trilogy,” and she successfully turned the Noghri against Thrawn and his forces. During the Battle of Bilbringi, Thrawn’s right-hand man — the Noghri Rukh – assassinated the Grand Admiral, ensuring a New Republic victory at the cost of his own life. The dying Thrawn’s famous final words were, “But it was so artistically done,” perhaps referencing his assassination rather than the ongoing battle outside his flagship. Darth Vader had deceived the Noghri, but it was Thrawn who paid the price for maintaining this facade and was ultimate betrayed – stabbed in the back just as the Empire had done for the Noghri for decades.
It’s Impossible To Imagine Captain Enoch Betraying Thrawn In This Way
Like Grand Admiral Thrawn, Rukh appeared in Star Wars Rebels as Thrawn’s right-hand man. Importantly, though, the Clone Wars history of the Noghri and their loyalty to Darth Vader is entirely absent from current canon. What’s more, Rukh ultimately died in Star Wars Rebels‘ finale, electrocuted to death after crashing into a shield generator.
Ahsoka has given Grand Admiral Thrawn a new henchman in the gold-plated stormtrooper Captain Enoch. Little is known about Captain Enoch at this stage, but it’s already clear Thrawn’s leadership has allowed Enoch and his Night Troopers to survive on Peridea for a decade – and the Grand Admiral has clearly earned their loyalty. It is highly unlikely Captain Enoch will betray Thrawn the way Rukh did in Legends, meaning Thrawn’s story will end in a different way.
Star Wars Isn’t Just Doing A Repeat Of The Thrawn Trilogy
The “Thrawn Trilogy” launched in 1991, and it was originally seen by many as the unofficial sequel trilogy. It’s no surprise, then, that Thrawn and elements of these books would become part of the new canon. The characters, lore, and overarching narrative of the “Thrawn Trilogy” cannot, however, simply be repeated in the new canon and Ahsoka is doing the right thing by telling a very different story to Legends. That means viewers shouldn’t simply be looking for canon versions of other characters introduced in Zahn’s “Thrawn Trilogy,” ranging from Emperor’s Hand Mara Jade and rogue Jedi Master Joruus C’baoth. The current Star Wars canon is better off creating new characters and storylines, rather than simply reimagining and reinterpreting the past.
Ahsoka releases new episodes Tuesdays at 6 pm PT / 9 pm ET on Disney+.
