Warning! This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episode 3.
Summary
- The New Republic is willing to accept former Imperial officers and soldiers in their ranks, allowing for ineffectiveness and corruption.
- The New Republic politicians are turning a blind eye to the sinister developments in the Outer Rim, while their boots on the ground are aware of the threats.
- Chancellor Mon Mothma takes full blame for the New Republic’s failures, even though her intentions are to establish a true democratic government.
Ahsoka episode 3 sees the return of Chancellor Mon Mothma and the New Republic, who prove willing to open the door for the Empire’s return. Established as ineffective and corrupt in The Mandalorian season 3, the New Republic has already been shown to be helpless against Imperial loyalists infiltrating their ranks. Running former Imperial officers and soldiers through a special amnesty program, New Republic agencies at every level accept the services of their former oppressors to establish an already ailing government.
While the New Republic’s boots on the ground are aware of sinister developments in the Outer Rim, politicians have turned a blind eye. The fighter pilots of Adelphi squadron have had run-ins with Moff Gideon’s Imperial Remnant, with Carson Teva confirming the leader’s escape from custody. Morgan Elsbeth’s liberation from her New Republic captors further proved the regime’s incompetence, paving the way for the likes of Din Djarin to take on contracting work. The New Republic’s failures begin at the top, however, and Mon Mothma takes full blame for the government’s ineptitude – even if her ideals come from the right place.
Mon Mothma Is Determined To Run A Democracy, Not An Empire
Unlike her predecessor Emperor Palpatine, Chancellor Mon Mothma is not in search of unlimited power. She views her position from the angle of public service, wishing to run the New Republic through a true democratic process. During the Clone Wars, Palpatine continually amassed more power as chancellor, making his transition to Emperor seamless. While Mothma has designs of a great New Republic, she’s unwilling to compromise the value of letting every voice be heard to do so.
The New Republic Fears Another War
Only four years removed from the Galactic Civil War, the New Republic is looking to avoid another conflict at all costs. With the Empire dealt a final defeat at the Battle of Jakku, peace was seemingly restored to the galaxy. Indications of a resurgent Imperial Remnant are easy enough for New Republic senators to scoff at, but the government would lose credibility if it declared war so shortly after concluding the previous fight for freedom.
The Empire Has Fooled The New Republic Into Believing It’s Divided
Convinced that what remains of the Empire are scattered warlords, the New Republic doesn’t view their adversaries as a credible threat. Unbeknownst to all, the Imperial Remnant operates under a secret Shadow Council, with each warlord contributing resources to planned strikes at the heart of the New Republic. The Mandalorian season 3 reveals that the Shadow Council is already unified, though it lacks a central authoritative figure. Moff Gideon attempts to take the mantle, but the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn will truly restore the might of the Imperial fleet.
Everyone Thinks Hera Is Obsessed With Thrawn & Ezra
Complicating matters is the overwhelming assumption that General Hera Syndulla has an obsession with finding the missing Jedi Ezra Bridger, rather than looking out for the New Republic’s best interests. Senator Hamato Xiono specifically challenges Hera, viewing her claims of Thrawn’s imminent return as a means of obtaining resources for a personal crusade. With Syndulla’s report difficult to prove, Mon Mothma and the New Republic senators elect to withhold support from a reconnaissance mission to Seatos in Ahsoka.
Ahsoka releases new episodes Tuesdays at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Disney+.