Page 58 - Star Wars Insider #182

THRAWN: A VILLAIN’S PURPOSE

a recurring villain in the series at large. The mount an attack to destroy the TIE fi ghter factory
crew of the Ghost needed to have some wins on Lothal. Thrawn predicts this move, heading
on their heroic path, but if each of these to the planet to report his suspicions to Tarkin,
was a loss for Vader, then a vital part of his Pryce, and Konstantine. His meeting with the
potency would be undermined. Introducing Imperial leaders flushes out a traitor in their

Thrawn kept the show’s stakes high, while also midst, and when Agent Kallus tries to report this
providing the heroes with a foil they could news to the Rebel Alliance, Thrawn confronts
sometimes reasonably escape and defeat. Even him. Thrawn defeats Kallus in a fi ght, having
more importantly, though, Thrawn’s extreme studied the combat training of the Empire in
observational, analytical style allowed for order to understand its weaknesses. Not only
additional character detail to be revealed about does Thrawn evaluate his enemies, but also
the rebels themselves. the strengths and frailties of his peers. Kallus’ 05
In Season Three’s “Hera’s Heroes,” the desperate transmission gives Thrawn the one
resistance cell led by Hera’s father, Cham piece of the puzzle he lacked: the location of the
Syndulla, calls for the Ghost’s assistance when rebel base. Thrawn’s plan to crush more than
Thrawn makes his base on Ryloth, the Syndullas’ simply the Ghost crew, but the entire Phoenix
home planet. Thrawn has chosen Hera’s family Squadron, almost succeeds. Only a bold move by
home as his headquarters Phoenix Squadron commander
and carefully studies a family Sato saves the day, when he
heirloom known as the Thrawn’s pilots his ship out of formation
Kalikori in order to better and catches the attention
understand his foe. The perception of the of Interdictor commander
Kalikori is a piece of evolving Ghost crew as a Konstantine, who ignores
Twi’lek art, where important Thrawn’s orders to hold
family events are memorialized hierarchy, rather position. Sato pilots his ship
with a unique carving into the interdictor, allowing
than as a team
and passed down through Ezra to escape the system to
generations. But Thrawn is not send for help.
only there to study artifacts. that places trust Unfortunately for those
He is well aware that his rebels still at the base on
presence and possession of the in individuals to Atollon, Mon Mothma
Kalikori creates a situation that isn’t yet ready to engage
will keenly test the emotional make independent the Empire in open warfare
limits of one of Phoenix decisions, is an and refuses to send military
Squadron’s leaders. aid. Ezra convinces Sabine’s
Hera sneaks into her old uncharacteristic Mandalorian clan to dispatch 07
home to liberate the Kalikori, reinforcements, while
but is caught and tries to error of Kanan pleads with Bendu
pass herself off as a servant to reconsider his neutral
who stole the object to sell it. judgment position. The ancient being
While this lie seems reasonable refuses, but before Kanan
enough to Captain Slavin, leaves he calls Bendu a
Thrawn knows better. He understands what coward. While Thrawn is focused on Hera’s
the Kalikori is and what it means to a Twi’lek, actions as a commander, both Jedi have made
and that rebel leader Hera Syndulla would have unexpected moves. Thrawn’s perception of
come in person to retrieve it. As portrayed by the Ghost crew as a hierarchy, rather than as a
voice actor Lars Mikkelsen, Thrawn is in most team that places trust in individuals to make
instances restrained, but Slavin’s offer to destroy independent decisions, is an uncharacteristic
the Kalikori brings out a rare show of rage. The error of judgment on his part, upon which there
Kalikori remains in Thrawn’s possession, and are consequences.
Hera, in a heartbreaking move, destroys her By the time Thrawn’s troops reach the surface
family home in her escape. Although an Imperial of Atollon, Bendu has whipped up a raging

cruiser is in position to fire on the escaping Force storm. The creature doesn’t necessarily
rebels, Thrawn lets them go free once again. take sides, shooting down rebels and Imperials
It’s an alien methodology to his colleagues, but alike. Thrawn dismisses the attack as Jedi trickery
Thrawn perceives his interaction with Hera as and orders his troops to shoot at the eye of the
just a small part of a much larger plan. storm. The rebels escape as Bendu falls from the

Later on in Season Three, Phoenix Squadron sky, and Thrawn finds the enormous creature

convinces the newly formed Rebel Alliance to wounded yet still defiant. Bendu claims that the 08

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