Quick Links
Summary
WhileAhsokais not the firstStar Warsseries to feature afan favorite villain created by Timothy Zahnfor the Legacy novels, it is the first to feature him in live-action. Grand Admiral Thrawn (played by Lars Mikkelsen, who also voiced the character inStar Wars: Rebels) is a member of the Chiss species from the Unknown Regions whoworked with Anakin Skywalkerduring the Clone Wars. Thrawn would later join the Galactic Empire, a feat for the xenophobic Empire, even earning Emperor Palpatine’s respect. However, he was mainly using the Empire as a means to an end for the Chiss.
At the end ofRebels, Thrawn disappeared afterJedi Padawan Ezra Bridgersummoned the purrgil to drag them both to hyperspace. Lady Morgan Elsbeth, one of Thrawn’s allies, was determined to find him after he had been stranded for about nine years. It turned out that he was in a different galaxy altogether, but at the end of Season 1 ofAhsoka, he made his way back.
When Thrawn first appears in Season 1, Episode 6, “Far, Far Away,” viewers not only meet him, but also hisarmy of Night Troopers.All of their armor looks like it has seen better days. However, among the crowd, there is one that stands out:Enoch, the captain of the guard.Eerily, his stormtrooper faceplate has been replaced with a golden humanoid mask. Who exactly is Enoch, and what role might he play in the future?
Enoch’s Role In Star Wars Thus Far
Enoch is a brand-new character in theStar Warscanon, so there’s little information about him yet. Currently,Ahsokais keeping his character details close to its chest. Thus far, audiences have seen Enoch report to Thrawn and then carry out his orders.
Perhaps the most interesting scene so far is when Thrawn allowed Sabine Wren to traverse Perideain search of Ezra. As she set off, Enoch gave her provisions, weapons, and warned her of dangerous nomads before wishing her to “die well”. While that is not the warmest goodbye, it is helpful and practical. It is possible that Enoch is acting this way because Thrawn wants Sabine to lead him to Ezra. However, it could also imply that there is more to Enoch than meets the eye, especially when Thrawn is not around.
Enoch’s Name Could Be a Clue
Many of the characters inAhsokadraw inspiration from mythology or Arthurian legend. Morgan Elsbeth takes her name from Morgan le Fey, a famous witch and antagonist to Arthur.Baylan Skoll and Shin Hatiare both named after wolves in Norse mythology. Ezra gets his name, which means “protector,” from a Biblical priest.
This trend continues with Enoch, who may be named after a character in the Holy Christian Bible. The Biblical Enoch was completely loyal to God during a time when humanity was turning away from Him in droves. In fact, Biblical Enoch lived so righteously, it is implied that he was able towalk into heaven instead of dying. This could allude to the depth of Enoch’s loyalty to Thrawn. Some fans have noted that the actor that plays Enoch, Wes Chatham, is well-cast for a loyal wild card. His most well-known role isAmos inThe Expanse— another character who, early in the story, is hard to pin down.
An interesting detail about the Night Troopers' costumes is that their broken armor is repaired with gold. This is similar tokintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing pottery with lacquer dusted with metallics. Meanwhile, Enoch’s entire faceplate has been replaced with a golden mask. Taken together, this could imply that, instead of being cosmetic, Enoch’s mask could hint that his face has been badly wounded in the past and might have been healed by magic. However, given that Chatham is a well-known actor, it is more than likely that Enoch will have a face reveal at some point. Perhaps he was created by the Great Mothers. After all, theNightsisters are powerful Dark Side users, as demonstrated by how the Night Troopers have inhuman persistence and can rise from the dead as reanimated corpses. If the Night Troopers are that imposing of an enemy, surely Thrawn’s Captain of the Guard has something even more terrifying going on under that creepy gold mask.
Although viewers don’t know much about Thrawn’s mysterious right hand inAhsoka,the show’s writing appears to be laying the groundwork for a reveal. Whether or not Enoch will stick to his current role loyally serving Thrawn, become a greater threat, or even a surprise ally is anyone’s guess right now. (Perhaps Enoch’s alleged loyalty could be to a character that has not been revealed yet.) Audiences will just have to wait and see whenAhsokareturns from a galaxy far, far away when Season 2 hits Disney Plus.
