By George Bate & Josh Bate
WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Ahsoka – Part 6
Thrawn’s return as heir to the Empire grows ever closer in the latest episode of Ahsoka – Part 6: Far, Far Away. Check out easter eggs, references, and trivia facts from the episode below.
Huyang tells Ahsoka a story from galactic history and begins by saying, “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.” This is the first time a Star Wars character has said these iconic words aloud.
Part 6 reveals more about the Nightsisters of Dathomir. It appears that the Nightsters were among the first to discover how to travel between galaxies as they are present on Peridea when Morgan Elsbeth and company arrive, but, like Thrawn, they were stranded here as all the purrgils have died.
The three Nightsister Great Mothers are named Aktropaw, Klothow, and Lakesis, all of which are references to Moirai in Greek mythology. In Greek mythology, the Moirai consist of three sisters – Clotho, Lachesis, and Altropos, who, collectively, are the personifications of fate or destiny. A more direct reference to the influence of this Greek mythology on Nightsisters appears when they refer to “the thread of destiny.” Adding another layer to this, Morai in Star Wars (like Moirai in Greek mythology) is the convor with spiritual ties to Ahsoka.
Sabine rides a Howler as she searches for Ezra on Peridea. Howlers appeared in the video game Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy, amongst other Legends stories.
It is revealed that Baylan Skoll was present on Coruscant at the Jedi Temple when Palpatine declared Order 66. The Disney+ shows so far have frequently shown new sides to the burning of the Jedi Temple, including the presence of Grogu and Reva.
Baylan discusses the inevitability of the rise of an Empire in a speech that pretty succinctly summarizes Star Wars as a whole. Regardless of era, Star Wars is always united by a common plot thread – different people and organizations are trying to increase their power. Some try to maintain the power they accrued, while others try to overthrow those in power to become the top dogs.
Thrawn arrives on the Chimera, a customized Star Destroyer he used in Star Wars Rebels. The Chimera, though, first appeared in the 1991 Star Wars Legends novel Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn.
Thrawn’s return is accompanied by Kevin Kiner’s booming theme for Thrawn in Star Wars Rebels.
Thrawn is accompanied by a group of Night Troopers, who appear to have redesigned their traditional Stormtrooper uniforms. They are led by Captain Enoch. In the Bible, Enoch is discussed in the Book of Genesis as someone who “walked with God; and he was no more; for God took him.” This may be a reference to Enoch’s devotion to Thrawn.
It’s unclear what power Baylan is drawn to on Peridea, but it is possible that it is connected somehow to the return of Palpatine. The Mandalorian have set the stage for Palpatine’s return with discussions of cloning and Project Necromancer, while Thrawn’s reemergence will likely tie in to the rise of the First Order and the appearance of Snoke in the sequel trilogy.
Sabine encounters Nomads in the wastelands of Periedia. These Nomads have obvious parallels to Tusken Raiders, including the noises they make and the style of their ambush.
Thrawn isn’t the only character from Star Wars Rebels making his live-action debut here. After sacrificing himself to save his friends on Lothal, none other than Ezra Bridger returns. Played by Eman Esfandi, Ezra has grown a beard and looks a little older at this point. Nonetheless, it’s endearing to see a heartfelt Star Wars Rebels reunion with Sabine and Ezra emotionally returning to one another.
Stay tuned to The HoloFiles and Star Wars Holocron for continued coverage of Ahsoka!