The mysterious purrgils have long been referenced throughout the Star Wars franchise, but it was in Dave Filoni's animated hit, Star Wars Rebels, that we first got to see the ancient creatures - capable of travelling at lightspeed - up close.
The Jedi Ezra Bridger and Kanan Jarrus encountered them along with the rest of the Ghost's crew, with the former feeling a particularly strong connection to the mysterious whale-like beasts. Initially an exciting way of hinting at a different side to this Galaxy, their importance wouldn't fully be driven home to us until Star Wars Rebels' blockbuster final episode.
In that, Ezra led the purrgil against Grand Admiral Thraw's 7th Fleet blockade of Lothal, decimating even the massive Imperial Star Destroyers. When the battle came down to Ezra and Thrawn, the young Jedi used his powers to get the creatures to pull him and Thrawn into hyperspace and away from his home.
Ezra hasn't been seen since, though The Mandalorian season 2 established that Ahsoka Tano is searching for Thrawn (likely as part of her mission to be reunited with her old friend).
Where the purrgil took them is likely to be key to upcoming spin-off, Ahsoka, and The Mandalorian season 3 premiere offered a hint of that during a blink-and-you'd-miss-it moment in "The Apostate."
As Din Djarin sleeps, Grogu looks out at the hyperspace trail surrounding them and sees a number of purrgil travelling right alongside. The Child's connection to the Force likely explains his ability to so clearly see the creatures, and this cleverly begins to lay the groundwork for what we're sure will be their proper live-action introduction in Ahsoka later this year.
It's also hard not to wonder whether Grogu might somehow factor into Ezra's return, though we're sure they'll cross paths at some point!
Check out our review of The Mandalorian season 3's first two episodes by clicking here.
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