Ahsoka: Mon Mothma’s political predicament
By Daniel Davis
Mon Mothma has been one of the most underused characters in Star Wars canon until recently. With Andor and now Ahsoka, she is getting some much-needed screen time.
Genevieve O’Reilly reprises her role from Rogue One and Andor here in Ahsoka, and her part is just as political. Mothma is in an interesting position since her role was formerly held by Emperor Palpatine, and the fall of the Empire was not without its consequences.
Like any political uprising or overthrow, there are sympathizers on both sides. The rise of the New Republic has shown a few different issues, none other than the Empire infiltrating the ranks of the military and leadership. As seen in Episodes 1 and 2 of Ahsoka, the Empire still has many people who want to see it rise again. This being said, the many politicians in power are turning a blind eye to what is going on in the Outer Rim.
Much of the military has had run-ins with Moff Gideon, yet the politicians do nothing. Whether out of arrogance or ignorance, those who want power or want to see the Empire rise again are allowed to continue spreading the message.
Mothma has a particular issue in the situation she is in. On the one hand, she wants to find Grand Admiral Thrawn and ensure the New Republic agents find him first. But on the other, she’s also a political actor who needs to be strategic and vows to be different than her predecessor. Whereas Palpatine desires power, Mothma views herself as a servant of the people.
The main issue is the lack of willingness to start another war by the Senators in the New Republic. Less than five years after the end of the Galactic Civil War, the newly formed government lacks the political firepower or the support to engage in another war. The people involved in the Outer Rim skirmishes understand what’s at stake and request authorization to find Thrawn.
Unbeknownst to the new Government, their enemy has gathered, looking to retake power as Moff Gideon is the head of it with his Dark Troopers. At the end of The Manolorian season 3, the Shadow Council is formed, working together and planning to strike at different parts of the New Republic government.
As this is going on, General Hera Syndulla is asking for resources to look for Thrawn, and the pushback is, of course, Ezra Bridger. The Senators look at this hunt for Thrawn as her personal mission to find Ezra. Hera responds by saying that certain political actors sat on the sideline while she took on the Empire. The Senate should listen to the advice of military leaders like her.
However cowardly this decision to not go out and find Thrawn is, the lack of evidence is hard to ignore.
Despite her disapproval of her mission, I speculate that Hera will join Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren in the hunt for Thrawn as the show continues. While this story still has several episodes to play out, we ultimately know what happens to the Senate thanks to The Force Awakens.
Catch up on Ahsoka on Disney+ and watch every new episode on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. PT.