Gilad Pellaeon

He first debuted in Timothy Zahn’s groundbreaking, number one New York Times Bestseller, Heir to the Empire, has since gone on to become one of the most beloved characters in Star Wars Legends, and is now breaking through into live-action with a recent appearance in season three of The Mandalorian—Gilad Pellaeon. Captain Pellaeon’s original role in the Thrawn Trilogy was a reader stand-in character through whom the audience could observe the remarkable and mysterious tactics of Grand Admiral Thrawn. Pellaeon was a tried-and-true Imperial with a heart of gold; the captain of the Star Destroyer Chimera who conducted himself with the very best traits an Imperial officer could hold—loyalty, dignity, and order. Unlike the caricature of Imperial officers we’ve come to associate with over the years, Pellaeon none of the cruelty or selfish ambition of his many counterparts. Instead, he was always willing to learn, to question the status quo, and even work with his “enemies” if the situation required. 

Throughout the decades of continuity to follow throughout the publication history of the Expanded Universe, Pellaeon is a character who developed beautifully after his initial appearance. We see him commanding the Imperial fleet with brilliant battle tactics learned from his tutelage under Thrawn, while also holding his own as a political leader in the Empire in the post-Endor era. He advanced in the ranks, surviving Thrawn and even surpassing his greatness by some standards. He eventually became the leader of the Imperial Remnant that would make a treaty with the New Republic to put an official end to the Galactic Civil War, carving out a piece of territory that the Empire would continue to hold for decades to come. He displayed a mix of the confidence, wisdom, humility, and integrity that allowed for the survival of the Empire when they had their backs against the wall. Pellaeon eventually partnered with the New Republic to form the Galactic Alliance, earning the Empire respectability in the new era of galactic governance after the New Republic era had run its course.

Want to know more about why so many hold Pellaeon so dear and are beyond thrilled to see him make his grand return to Star Wars? Below you can find a thorough list of titles in which the character appears.