Star Wars: Tales of the Empire
The Republic has fallen and now a new Empire will rise.
Created by Dave Filoni, the series of shorts devotes three episodes each to established characters revealing key moments not previously explored on screen.
In Tales of the Empire, journey into the fearsome Galactic Empire through the eyes of two warriors on divergent paths — Nightsister Morgan Elsbeth and former Jedi Barriss Offee. We’ll learn how a young Morgan survives the annihilation of her clan and navigates the expanding Imperial galaxy on a path of vengeance in alliance with Thrawn.
Meanwhile, former Jedi Padawan Offee gets a second chance as a member of the Inquisitorius serving the Sith Lord Darth Vader. The choices they make will define their destinies.
Release Date: 4th May 2024
Creator: Dave Filoni
Writers: Dave Filoni, Amanda Rose Muñoz, Matt Michnovetz, Nicolas Anastassiou
Directors: Dave Filoni, Nathaniel Villanueva, Steward Lee, Saul Ruiz
Executive Producers: Carrie Beck, Dave Filoni, Athena Yvette Portillo
Co-executive producer: Josh Rimes
Senior producer: Alex Spotswood
Cast: Diana Lee Inosanto, Meredith Salenger, Rya Kihlstedt, Wing T. Chao, Lars Mikkelsen, Jason Isaacs, Matthew Wood, Katee Sackhoff, Shelby Young, Steve Blum, Suzi McGrath
Composer: Kevin Kiner
Morgan Elsbeth
The Path of Fear: The witches of Dathomir are under attack from the Separatist droid army under the command of General Grievous. The world is afire as battle droids lay waste to the Nightsister Clan. A young woman, Morgan Elsbeth, witnesses her mother’s death as she tries to fight off Grievous. “Wipe them out. All of them”, Grievous laughs. His master’s master, Darth Sidious, gave the same order in The Phantom Menace. This changes Morgan forever. After collapsing, she is taken in by the Mountain Clan. Morgan’s fears permeate the Mountain Clan and eventually come true as the droid army attacks again. When Nali, the daughter of the leader of the Mountain Clan dies in battle, her mother fears for Morgan’s future as flames surround her. Fear fills her heart.
The Path of Anger: During the early days of the Empire, Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth promotes her design of the new TIE Defender to a group of high-ranking Imperial officers but they turn it down due to its high cost. But they, however, take advantage of her planet’s resources. One officer, Captain Pallaeon, recognizes her talents. Corvus’ citizens are growing weary of Morgan’s promises of a better future. An assassin, Rukh, tests Morgan’s fighting ability as she narrowly defeats him. Admiral Thrawn recruits Morgan Elsbeth for her analytical mind. Her anger towards her mother’s death fuels her fight for revenge.
The Path of Hate: Morgan Elsbeth reigns over the citizens of Corvus with a durasteel grip. Nadura, a member of the New Republic Embassy, arrives with her guards to offer Corvus to become a New Republic member planet in exchange she must relinquish control of the local systems. If she does not comply she will be arrested. Nadura was a former citizen of Corvus and worked for Elsbeth. Elsbeth has employed her citizens but also controls their lives to see her vision come true. Morgan’s hate literally burns Corvus down. This is why when Ahsoka arrives in The Mandalorian the forest looks burnt. Morgan’s hate burns hot. Before Nadura dies she sends a distress call which is answered by Bo-Katan.
Barriss Offee
Devoted: The Jedi Temple is engulfed in flames. In a cell block in the distance, Barriss Offee is held prisoner for her crimes against the Republic. Lyn arrives to offer her an opportunity, and she accepts without further explanation. Lyn, now known as the 4th Sister, recruits Barriss to become an Inquisitor. Barriss is trained by the Grand Inquisitor and eventually meets her new master, Darth Vader. The 4th Sister was originally seen in Obi-Wan Kenobi. We also see the unnamed inquisitor Ahsoka destroys in Tales of the Jedi.
Realization: The 4th Sister and Barriss arrive on a planet looking for a possible Jedi in hiding. Much like Reva looking for Kenobi. Perhaps Reva and Barriss don’t have titles because they haven’t reached that status yet. Barriss begins to see the error of her ways. The cruelty the 4th Sister displays is not in her nature and she knows this is not her path. Interesting how the landscape also looks scorched as on Corvus. On Corvus it was a result of hatred, Barriss took hers in a different direction and seemingly destroyed the 4th Sister.
The Way Out: On a cold barren mountainous landscape, a couple arrives at a healer’s hut seeking help for their baby. The Empire took samples of the baby’s blood likely to check its M-count. The parents fled with their baby once it was clear they wanted to take the baby from them. The healer, an older Barriss Offee, speaks of when a darkness took her. As we hear this, the music of Anakin’s fall is played. I love the idea of Jedi-in-hiding using their natural abilities to help regular citizens in need. It’s their way of giving back in a galaxy at war. The 4th Sister arrives to retrieve the baby. After facing Barriss, she enters what seems like a cave of mirrors. The family escapes with their baby, and in a panic, the 4th Sister impales Barriss with her saber. Lyn carries Barriss outside the cave but whether or not she lives remains unknown.
Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to Corvus’ citizens suffering. This is the case in Morgan Elsbeth’s story. A downward spiral it was. Barriss’ is one redemption. It was great seeing Susie McGrath’s name back in Star Wars and revisiting older characters like the Grand Inquisitor and General Grievous. Having closure on Barriss’ story after so many years was long coming. I love this series and I hope they continue as they’re a great way to add story detail and closure. Finally, the talent of the animators and likely the quality of the software used really stands out.
- Audible Audiobook
- Lydia Kang (Author) - Marc Thompson (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 04/04/2023 (Publication Date) - Random House Audio (Publisher)