The Mandalorian 2.5 Review - 7 Ups And 0 Downs From Chapter 13

1. Grand Admiral Thrawn Gets Name Dropped

Wait... did this episode just set up the Star Wars Rebels sequel series?

The concluding act of Chapter 13 brought with it a couple of really good teasers. As Ahsoka defeats the Magistrate, she interrogates her as to the whereabouts of her master, who turns out to be none other than Grand Admiral Thrawn. Star Wars Rebels fans will be the first to tell you that this is a HUGE deal, but Thrawn's name raises more questions than it currently does answers.

Star Wars Rebels concluded with Ezra and Thrawn being carried by the Purrgils into the unknown regions of the galaxy, a few years before the events of A New Hope. The finale's epilogue then flashes forward to after Return of the Jedi, where Ahsoka and Sabine Wren (another Mandalorian) resolve to finally try and find Ezra.

But here's the thing: The Mandalorian takes place in 9 ABY, so that means five years have passed since Ahsoka and Sabine embarked on their journey to find Ezra. Did Sabine give up? Has Thrawn already returned, and that's why Ahsoka is desperate to find him, or is this still just her embarking on her initial search? Given Corvus was desolate and there was the implication that the Magistrate was still manufacturing, does that mean Thrawn was in contact with her?

It's too soon to tell at this stage, but the other thing that's worth pointing out is that we don't know when or where these questions will be answered. Will we get an animated Rebels sequel TV show, or does Lucasfilm have plans for a live action Ahsoka spin-off?

For now, Din Djarin and Grogu (that... will take some getting used to) venture to Tython, an ancient Jedi planet once prominent in the Legends continuity. The hope is that other Jedi will be alerted to Grogu when they encounter an ancient temple (Luke Skywalker, perhaps?), but there's always the chance something less fortuitous could be right around the corner.

Either way, what an episode. Roll on Chapter 14.