In Ahsoka, you may have noticed the massive squid-like space whales that populate the atmosphere of Seatos. These are purrgils. And they are so much more important than you think. First introduced in Star Wars Rebels, purrgils have gone on to appear in The Mandalorian and have now returned in Ahsoka.
Spoilers ahead for Ahsoka episode 5 and Star Wars Rebels.
What are purrgils?
First introduced in Star Wars Rebels, the purrgil is one of many types of space whales in the galaxy; the species is said to have originated hyperspace travel / hyperspace lanes, which is quickly confirmed in the show.
The Rebels first meet the creatures as they attempt to steal fuel from an Imperial refinery, which is also fending off the purrgils that feed on the gaseous fuel. Jedi padawan Ezra Bridger uses the Force to connect with the purrgils and the two groups eventually work together to take out the refinery and get the fuel they all need to live another day.
But that’s not the last we see of the purrgils. They actually play a big role in the Rebels series finale, when Ezra calls on them to take out Grand Admiral Thrawn’s blockade of Lothal. The purrgils also kidnap Thrawn, Ezra, and the crew of the Chimera (Thrawn’s Star Destroyer), leaving Ezra and Thrawn’s fates unknown at the end of Rebels.
Where else have they appeared in Star Wars?
In the season 3 premiere of The Mandalorian, Grogu looks through his glass bubble into the beauty of hyperspace surrounding him. But he’s not alone. There are shadows in hyperspace of large squid-whale-like creatures, migrating in a group alongside the Mandalorian and Grogu.
Though this had very little effect on The Mandalorian‘s ongoing narrative, it did set the stage for Grand Admiral Thrawn and Ezra Bridger’s return. It was also a fun easter egg / a bit of world-building for Star Wars fans. Ahsoka has now confirmed that many hyperspace lanes originated as purrgil migration routes and that early Force wielders like the Jedi and the Nightsisters were the ones who charted the paths for use of humans and aliens.
Ahsoka takes it even further, as Ahsoka asks a purrgil for passage along the migration path with the hope that the whales will travel the same route that Ezra Bridger and Grand Admiral Thrawn took. The purrgil complies and swallows her ship, and the pod sets out on their migration, a sight that spurs both terror and awe in the New Republic Fleet.
Remember, the biggest of these whales are capable of taking out Stardestroyers.
This, along with the plethora of other Star Wars kaiju and the knowledge that we may soon be getting a movie about the origins of the Jedi has me super excited for the future of Star Wars. These new shows and films are not just exploring the future of the galaxy but are also exploring its past.
(featured image: Lucasfilm)
