Related
Summary
Grand Admiral Thrawnand Emperor Palpatine have quite a complex history in theStar Warscanon . Hailing from the nameless Regions as part of an entirely disjoined regime , how Thrawn enrol the help of Palpatine and his Empire is rather challenging . Likewise , their relationship straight off inform Thrawn ’s imminent role in theStar Warsgalaxy as the new Heir to the Empire .
Having made his live - action entry inAhsokaplayed by Lars Mikkelsen , Grand Admiral Thrawn is prepared to become a major astronomic threat during theNew Republic Era . However , his ancestry date back much further , having been created in 1991’sThrawntrilogy of novels by writer Timothy Zahn . While the trilogy beginning withHeir to the Empirebecame part of Lucasfilm ’s non - canon Legends streamer following Disney ’s purchase of theStar WarsIP and subsequent canon purging , Thrawn was later re - canonized in 2014’sStar Wars Rebelsanimated series . To that end , here is Thrawn and Emperor Palpatine ’s history in the effected canon , and why it ’s so crucial .
connect : New Star Wars Movies : Every Upcoming Movie & Release Date
Palpatine & Thrawn’s History In Star Wars Legends
Thrawn Had Palpatine’s Favor and Respect
An policeman of the Chiss Ascendancy , Thrawn was sent by his people to the known parts of the galaxy to seek likely friend . As such , he soon enrol Imperial hands and was brought before Palpatine himself during the former day of the Empire , having pique the Emperor ’s interest due to his background with theUnknown Regions . As such , Palpatine allow for Thrawn to enlist in the Imperial Navy .
Thrawn quickly rose through the ranks due to his genius intellect as a brilliant tactician and strategian , capable of finding and work weaknesses his fellow officers could not . As such , Thrawn before long became a Grand Admiral in command of the Empire ’s Seventh Fleet , becoming one of Palpatine ’s most favored and successful commanders . However , Thrawn ’s consecrated loyalty was all in the hope that he could one Clarence Shepard Day Jr. convince the Emperor to proffer backup to his masses in the Unknown Regions .
That being order , the Emperor began to call into question Thrawn ’s loyalties following a few representative in which the Grand Admiral was storm to prefer between his mass and the Empire . However , Palpatine and Thrawn never had an official reckoning over Thrawn ’s divided loyalty as the Grand Admiral was later exiled to a completely freestanding galaxy thanks toJedi Ezra Bridgeras seen in the series coda ofStar Wars Rebels . To that end , Thrawn ’s getting even to the known Galax urceolata inAhsokahas come near a decade after Palpatine ’s death aboard the 2d Death Star .
When Palpatine & Thrawn First Met & Worked Together In Star Wars
Thrawn Was Sent By The Chiss Ascendancy
According to theStar Wars Timelinesvisual guide , Thrawn first met with Palpatine in 14 BBY . This think of that the Empire was roughly five long time old when it gained one of its near commander . Offering his noesis and mind to the purple effort , the hope was that Palpatine would afterward extend the might of the Empire to help the Chiss Ascendancy as a brawny ally .
However , what truly gained Palpatine ’s attention beyond the Unknown Regions wasThrawn name - dropping Anakin Skywalkeras a Jedi he once fought aboard during a anterior reconnaissance mission during the Clone Wars . similarly , Darth Vader ’s true identicalness as Skywalker was something Thrawn had to deduct for himself once he eventually figure out with the Dark Lord of the Sith directly . This was because Palpatine intentionally neglected to reveal the truth about Anakin during their first meeting .
disregardless , this dark confederation between Thrawn and Palpatine proved to be fabulously devastating for any who attempt to balk the oppression of the Empire . Thrawn in truth excelled at tracking down and carry off the enemies of his Emperor . To that terminal , it stand to intellect that the Rebellion likely would n’t have had any major triumph had Thrawn not been exiled just before the consequence ofA New Hope .
interrelate : How To Watch Star Wars Movies In Order
Thrawn Was Crucial To Palpatine’s Unknown Regions Plans
Thrawn Had Valuable Intel
During this period , Palpatine take hold a key enthrallment with the Unknown Regions and the handful of Sith universe within , include Exegol where he ’d eventually set up his cloning facilities and the Final Order fleet . To that last , Thrawn ’s knowledge of the Unknown Regions essay to be priceless to the Emperor , tender his personal experience and brainwave which would finally lead to sections of the Imperial Remnant fleeing into the Unknown Regions , eventually reemerging as the First Order as seen in the sequel trilogy .
Because the unidentified Regions are so difficult to traverse compare to the rest of the beetleweed , it makes horse sense that Palpatine would rule Thrawn a major resource . He ’d spent the majority of his life living within it and learning how to navigate through it safely as a fellow member of theChiss Ascendancy . Combined with his military expertise and brilliance as a tactician , it ’s no wonder Thrawn had Palpatine ’s favour and respect ( even if his loyalties were somewhat divided ) .
Thrawn’s Disappearance Was A Major Blow To Palpatine
The Emperor Lost His Best Commander
As seen inStar Warsmaterials set after Thrawn ’s exile , Palpatine did see the Grand Admiral ’s disappearance as a major loss . This was especially true consider the fact that while Thrawn was lost just beforeA New Hope , both Grand Moff Tarkin and the first Death Star met their death at the end of the firstStar Warsmovie . However , Emperor Palpatine ’s account with Thrawn does explicate why the Grand Admiral is unambiguously put to take over what stay of his Empire in the viewing of the recently concludedAhsokaseries .
