Okay, potentially controversial take incoming, but…
I think that the canon Thrawn books are simply better than the legends ones.
I honestly don’t know how most people feel about this, but I’m gonna throw my opinions out there anyway. So, what are the big differences between the two? The main thing is this: we get a lot more development of Thrawn himself in the canon books, especially the Ascendancy trilogy. However, in legends, Thrawn as an actual character is most fleshed out in Outbound Flight (note: I have not read the Hand of Thrawn duology and can’t comment on it). This is not to detract from legends Thrawn; I love both iterations of the character and Outbound Flight remains a favorite of mine. However, Thrawn in his original trilogy is very much a force of nature as opposed to a very fleshed-out character, given that he was the villain. His development was also somewhat retroactive, as Outbound Flight was written afterwards. Meanwhile, we’re a lot closer to Thrawn in both his canon trilogies.
Furthermore, and this is one of the big things, his motivations are much more interesting in canon. He has willingly been vilified by his people and put into exile in order to infiltrate the empire, and spends a lot of time there in order to help the Ascendancy. He spends over a decade in the imperial service, and during that time, he goes out of his way to do things that benefit his people, even though it risks his station and life. He sends Eli Vanto to Ar’alani, tries to recruit Nightswan, repeatedly annoys Darth Vader in order to rescue Chiss Navigators, and openly works with the Chiss without permission, skirting dangerously close to treason. Thrawn in canon is a character who is going to incredible lengths to do anything that has even a chance of benefiting his people, even when it risks his own life. Especially when it risks his own life.
The other major improvement from legends is the increased development of the Chiss Ascendency and its characters, as well as an increase in those characters. Ar’alani gets much more focus in canon than she did in Outbound Flight, and has become a key part of Thrawn’s story. And speaking of Outbound Flight—Thrass is given increased attention and development in the story, not in place of his time in Outbound Flight, but in addition to it. Nothing of Thrass’ character in Outbound Flight is seriously countermanded by his Ascendancy characterization, and many aspects of Outbound Flight, especially the Chiss parts, have been effectively canonized by the Ascendancy trilogy. Eli Vanto, Karyn Faro, Samakro, Thalias, Ba’kiff, Thurfian, and all the rest are also wonderful additions to Thrawn’s mythos. Getting to see snapshots of Thrawn’s youth, his rise, his struggles within the Ascendancy, and even his failures also go a long way towards making him more of a fleshed-out character and not just the overwhelming tactical genius that he was in legends.
And most importantly: Eli Vanto actually appreciates the art Thrawn studies and can give meaningful commentary rather than just saying it’s “interesting” (looking at you, Captain Paelleon).
Anyway, that’s my take on why canon Thrawn is better than legends. Feel free to agree or disagree, I’m eager to hear what people think.
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