Warning! This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episode 7.
Summary
- Ahsoka introduces Senator Hamato Xiono, a member of the New Republic Defense Council who dismisses the threat of Thrawn and the Imperial Remnant.
- The New Republic has less control over the galaxy than the Empire, with democratic oversight over the military provided through the Defense Council.
- Senator Xiono's son, Kaz, appears in Star Wars Resistance and may have political clout due to his father's position, while Senator Xiono himself may have collaborated with the First Order.
Ahsoka has introduced Senator Hamato Xiono, a key member of the New Republic Defense Council who refused to believe in the threat of Star Wars' Disney+ TV shows are fleshing out a period of galactic history that has previously been largely unexplored; the time between the original trilogy and the sequels. The Empire is believed defeated after the Battle of Jakku, and the New Republic is attempting to cement itself as the new galactic government.
The New Republic has a looser grip on the galaxy than the Empire. Chancellor Mon Mothma has sought to re-establish democratic norms, which means the Republic Senate has oversight over the military - specifically over the New Republic Defense Fleet. Senator Hamato Xiono is a key player in this, but unfortunately he looks set to cause plenty of problems as the Empire returns under Thrawn's leadership.
Hamato Xiono Serves On The New Republic Defense Council
The Empire was noted for the vast size of its military. In contrast, the New Republic Defense Fleet is much smaller in size, meaning it must be more carefully deployed. Mon Mothma has also been keen to ensure there is democratic oversight of all military resources, and this is provided through the New Republic Defense Council - chaired by Leia Organa herself. Senator Hamato Xiono, who represents Hosnian Prime, is an influential member of the New Republic Defense Council; he believes the threat of an Imperial Remnant to be nothing more than a conspiracy theory.
The Mandalorian season 4 had previously confirmed politicians in the New Republic were risk-averse; Captain Teva's petition for resources helping the citizens of Nevarro against their pirate problem was rejected. In that case, it was largely thanks to the influence of Imperial spy Elia Kane. It's currently unknown whether Hamato Xiono is being manipulated, or indeed whether he is in fact an Imperial sympathizer.
Who Plays Hamato Xiono In Ahsoka & Star Wars Resistance
Senator Xiono is played by Nelson Lee (best known for roles in Blade: The TV Series, Stargirl, and Mulan). He gives Xiono a certain smugness, a bureaucratic intensity that makes him feel like the consummate politician. The character also appears in Star Wars Resistance, set decades later. There, he is voiced by Christopher Friel (NCIS: Los Angeles, Star Wars Visions, Gotham Knights).
Xiono's Son Kaz s The Resistance
Ahsoka is Senator Xiono's first appearance in live-action, but both the senator and his son Kaz have appeared before - in Star Wars Resistance. Set decades after Ahsoka, Star Wars Resistance stars Kazuda "Kaz" Xiono, a young pilot who develops his skills through races before ing the same New Republic Defense Fleet his father is associated with. There are hints Hamato helped Kaz get to where he is, meaning Kaz may have some serious political clout due to his father being a senator.
By this point in the Star Wars timeline, Leia Organa has been ostracized politically after the galaxy learned she was the daughter of Darth Vader. She has already established a Resistance movement, which Senator Xiono dismisses as "extremists." It's possible Leia's clashes with Senator Xiono in the senate, including over Hera Syndulla, led to a long-lasting grudge; Leia's Resistance movement certainly lacked the democratic oversight Senator Xiono is so focused on.
Senator Xiono Survives Hosnian Prime's Destruction
Senator Hamato Xiono is the representative of Hosnian Prime, which becomes the capital of the New Republic by the time of the Star Wars sequel trilogy. The planet is destroyed by the First Order in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but Star Wars Resistance eventually reveals he was offworld. This may be a fortunate coincidence on Senator Xiono's part, or it may in fact mean he has been secretly collaborating with the First Order, and knew the attack was imminent. This would be a shocking reveal, further reinforcing the theme of the New Republic's decay; it would also mean the battle lines between the First Order and the Resistance were subtly drawn throughout the Xiono family, given Kaz ed the Resistance. No doubt more will be revealed as Star Wars continues to explore this part of the timeline after Ahsoka.
Ahsoka releases new episodes Tuesdays at 6 pm PT / 9 pm ET on Disney+.
