The Ahsoka series sees the first appearance of Grand Admiral Thrawn in live-action and while he may be a new foe for many, these seven episodes of Star Wars Rebels show why he’s one of the franchise’s most fearsome villains.
*WARNING: Spoilers ahead for Star Wars Rebels* — Ever since he was created in Timothy Zahn’s Heir to the Empire book trilogy in the 1990s, Grand Admiral Thrawn has been regarded as one of the most dangerous Imperial commanders in the whole galaxy. Now, more than 30 years after he was first brought to life on the page, Thrawn has just made his live-action debut in the ongoing Ahsoka series on Disney+, reiterating just how much of a threat he is – something that Star Wars Rebels fans know all too well.
7. Rebel Assault
The first episode in our look back at Grand Admiral Thrawn’s exploits in Star Wars Rebels is one from season 4.
In the episode, Hera Syndulla leads a strike team of Rebel fighters against the Imperial blockade above the planet Lothal.
However, Thrawn’s well-prepared defense of the planet renders the Rebel attack completely harmless, leaving Hera and a handful of surviving pilots desperately trying to survive in the Imperial-occupied city.
6. An Inside Man
Heading back to season 3, An Inside Man sees Ezra Bridger and Kanan Jarrus attempting to infiltrate an Imperial factory on Lothal where Thrawn plans to construct a new Imperial fighter, the TIE Defender.
The episode highlights Thrawn’s military insight as widespread production of the TIE Defender – which was equipped with shields and a hyperdrive unlike traditional TIE Fighters – would have likely helped the Imperial fleet much more than the astronomically expensive Death Star project.
It’s revealed in this episode that ISB Agent Kallus is secretly working for the Rebellion under the codename Fulcrum.
Thrawn works out that there must be a spy amidst the Imperial ranks but rather than beginning an immediate hunt for the traitor, he plans to play the long game in order to strike a much deadlier blow to the Rebels.
5. Through Imperial Eyes
Through Imperial Eyes serves as a continuation of the earlier episode as Ezra, Chopper and the ever-whining AP-5 secretly infiltrate Thrawn’s Star Destroyer, the Chimaera, in order to rescue Kallus who believes his cover is blown.
Despite Ezra’s rescue attempt, Kallus elects to stay with the Empire in the hopes of continuing his covert operation.
However, while the majority of the Imperial officers onboard are duped by a very convincing ruse into thinking that the lowly Lieutenant Lyste is the Rebel spy, Thrawn finally reveals that he knows that Kallus is the real spy and plots to use this information to wipe out the Rebellion.
4. Steps into Shadow
Thrawn was introduced in the first episode of season 3 and it’s clear from the moment he arrives on screen that he is a much more sinister threat than most of the bumbling Imperials that the Ghost crew had encountered up to this point.
What makes him so menacing is his focus on strategy over brute force, which sees him allow the Rebels to flee from their latest operation so that he can target the entire Rebel fleet at the opportune moment.
3. Hera’s Heroes
Part of what informs Thrawn’s tactical decisions is his desire to learn as much about his opponents as possible, not only studying their battle strategies but also delving into their history, culture and art.
In the season 3 episode Hera’s Heroes, Thrawn sets up a base on the planet Ryloth, in Hera’s family home of all places, which means he comes into possession of the Syndulla family’s ‘kalikori’, an heirloom that tracks the Syndullas’ history.
Not wanting the heirloom to remain in Imperial hands, Hera sneaks in to retrieve the kalikori and while she attempts to pass off as a servant, Thrawn’s knowledge of art results in him deducing her true identity.
2. Family Reunion – and Farewell
The final double-length episode of Rebels sees the Ghost crew mount one final assault against Thrawn and the Imperials on Lothal.
Despite the initial stage of the Rebels’ plan succeeding, Thrawn is not perturbed and issues a cold-blooded threat to Ezra, warning him that unless he surrenders, he’ll bombard the city and its civilians whom Ezra and the Rebels were trying to liberate.
Thrawn was only defeated by Ezra sacrificing himself and having the Purrgil carry the Chimaera to this new galaxy that has been the focus of the ongoing Ahsoka series.
1. Zero Hour
And finally, we reach Thrawn’s high point in Star Wars Rebels, the season 3 finale.
After uncovering a Rebel plot to attack Lothal, Thrawn uses communications being sent by Agent Kallus to locate the hidden Rebel base and mounts a full-scale assault.
The battle, which begins in space and then moves to the planet’s surface, sees Thrawn at the peak of powers as his forces have the Rebels cornered.
With victory within Thrawn’s grasp, the Rebels are saved at the last moment by the Bendu, a mystical Force-sensitive creature that exists in between the light and dark sides of the Force.
Bendu’s distraction allows the Rebels to escape what would have been a certain defeat at the hands of Thrawn, showing that only spiritual intervention prevented him from wiping out the Ghost crew.
Ahsoka is streaming weekly on Disney+ after premiering on August 22, 2023.
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