Ahsoka may have gifted a classic Star Wars villain an army of the undead
“Far Far Away,” episode 6 of Disney Plus’ Ahsoka, delivered on style this week, giving us a new planet, new creatures, and a strikingly adorned company of castaway stormtroopers. The army is lead by Enoch, an officer who has replaced the faceplate of his helmet with what looks like a creepy golden death mask.
What do we know about Enoch? What do we know about these troopers? It’s not much, but it’s already ominous in a way live-action Star Wars usually steers clear of, leaving us with a little theory.
[Ed. note: This piece contains spoilers for Ahsoka episode 6, “Far Far Away.”]
Thrawn’s forces in episode 6 make a big appearance in his big entrance. We can immediately see a military force that’s been isolated from everything designed to keep it fighting fit. Although Ahsoka isn’t precise about when it’s set, Thrawn’s star destroyer has been stranded in a different galaxy for at least nine years. His troopers’ armor is dirty with age, lashed together with fabric, and repaired with metals, some even in a kintsugi style that really emphasizes the need to keep equipment going without replacements available. It looks cool!
Now forget about the armor — what’s kept these troopers together for a decade? That question isn’t exactly answered, but they sure do seem cult-like in a way that the pushy, griping troopers of their Rebellion era didn’t, chanting “THRAWN, THRAWN, THRAWN, THRAWN” when their leader walks across a cargo deck to meet his own allies. Something about their isolation has understandably changed how this army operates.
On the other hand, they’re still recognizably stormtroopers, fading into the background of scenes and taking orders without comment, even though their commanding officer, Enoch, has a weird robot
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