Thrawn - for our favorite Grand Admiral

So the Ahsoka show has come and gone and I didn’t much care for it. I rather forgot how little I cared for Thrawn’s characterization because the rest of the show was, in my opinion, somehow worse than even the butchering (again imo) of Thrawn.

Nonetheless I remain less than impressed at what they have done, and I am beginning to worry that Filoni’s film will be a solid stinker that joins the rest of Disney’s current critical and commercial slump. I also hope Zahn is unbothered out there and not disappointed that they threw out six books of characterization.

Equally I’m sad we’ll never get the Thrawn/Ezra ally dynamic against the Grysk, that the Asdendancy crisis is likely out the window, and about the chance that we do not ever get books again. Zahn’s current characterization of Thrawn is so removed from Filoni’s that more books would probably be seen as at odds with the TV version. Well, not that Lucasfilm leadership much cares about readers’ opinions.

A bleak post but those are some of my thoughts. It’s been a while since the show ended and it was (imo) so bad that I didn’t really care about what they did to Thrawn, but now that I’m reflecting on it, I’m not the biggest fan.

While this was resoundingly the expectation, I will admit some sadness that all of Zahn’s new characterization of Thrawn is being discarded in favor of an Heir redux. I’m glad Filoni is getting to live out his dream of Ahsoka’s story, I just wish it didn’t come at the expense of Zahn’s character, who he no doubt cared for much as Filoni cares for Ahsoka.

It was wise of Zahn to make his continuation of the story— Thrawn and Ezra teaming up— known. I imagine he knew what was coming.

The saddest part is that Thrawn’s entire characterization and purpose will likely never be completed, and the book series (where Thrawn truly lives, as film cannot delve into the thoughts of him and his crew) may end at Ascendancy.

Maybe I’m jumping the gun and they’ll get it right, but it doesn’t seem likely.

Personally, I think the shoulder bars fit the theme of the imperial uniforms better, but the epaulettes have much more of a dramatic flair. Though if I had to pick, I'd vote shoulder bars.

Image source is wraithdt on Deviantart and the second image I found on a random forum, but is clearly an edit of the original.

[Image description: Thrawn in the Grand Admiral's uniform, on the left with gold epaulettes, on the right with gold shoulder bars.

Even if they don't explicitly call it out, it'd be a cool Easter egg to include

Compared to the couple live-action shots from the trailer:

[Image descriptions: first image is a large command deck built with a heavy emphasis on gold and curving forms. Golden humanoid droids stand at four stations, looking at circular screens. The second and third images are of the same command deck, less ornate than the concept art, the second with Thrawn and the third with Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth.]

[Image description: photo of a page in the book Heir to the Empire, with this text highlighted:

"Thrawn smiled faintly. "You served too long under Lord Vader, Captain," he said. "I have no qualms about accepting a useful idea merely because it wasn't my own. My position and ego are not at stake here.""]

The lack of pupil and therefore the inability to really see where he is looking I think added a layer of intimidation that the canon depiction is missing.

[Image description: artwork of Grand Admiral Thrawn seated, wearing the Legends uniform with gold epaulettes, his eyes a solid red. Captain Pellaeon stands alongside Thrawn.]

Text in photo:

'"It would also be useful to arrange the comlinks so that one would not need to draw them from belt or pocket."

"That would definitely be handy." Vanto gestures to the lieutenant's rank plaque. "Maybe you could put it inside the rank plaque. At least wouldn't have to worry about dropping it."

"Could that be done?"

"What, put a comlink in the rank plaque? Sure.'

I'd post a link to her info, but I'd like to avoid utterly doxxing myself. I'll pm folks if you ask. She described this uniform as Thrawn in the First Order, which was very cool.

[Image description: two women in a crowded hall, one cosplaying as Thrawn in a white and black uniform has her arm draped over the other, who is wearing a t-shirt with Thrawn on it.]

[Image description: art in the style of the classic Episode 4 movie poster, with Thrawn in the center holding aloft a ysalamir, flanked by Eli Vanto and Gilad Pellaeon.]

0:55 for our Admiral!