In 2022, there started a new animated mini series that provided an insight into pivotal moments of two characters. Tales of the Jedi revealed insight into Dooku’s fall to the dark and Ahsoka’s journey from discovering her powers to re-entering the fight after the Clone Wars were over. Now, Tales of the Empire has arrived on Star Wars Day, and repeats that same idea.
Morgan Elsbeth is a Nightsister, one who would end up serving the Empire. In the New Republic era, she is instrumental in returning Grand Admiral Thrawn to the known galaxy. Her pivotal moments start at the Clone Wars during the massacre of Dathomir, and end in the time of the New Republic. These episodes set up what is to follow in that era, with her stranglehold on Corvus and the local systems.
The second character is Barriss Offee. Last seen in The Clone Wars framing Ahsoka for the bombing of the Jedi Temple, she ended up imprisoned. And then was not heard from again. But her story, it was said, would continue in time. That is this time. The trailer has hidden most of this story, focusing upon her becoming an Inquisitor. But even in her first episode, like Ahsoka, she holds the virtues of a true Jedi inside.
Both stories feature a good balance of action and character moments. Said action is great to watch. There is a good variety with the action. Lightsabers have a good bit of the focus here, what with the Inquisitors featuring, but Elsbeth gets to show her skills with that pike she wields. And other close-quarters weapons. The action is so well choreographed, with no two fights feeling the same.
As for the character moments, the two characters have stories that come full circle. Elsbeth watched her world burn during the Clone Wars, falling deeper into the darkness to the point she will burn other worlds when she can’t have her way. She truly has become one with the dark by the time of the Empire’s fall. Though she is cool in her interactions, especially when it comes to that middle of her episodes, the darkness always shows itself.
With Barriss Offee, as I said, she holds the virtues of a true Jedi. During her Inquisitor training, she is being forced to release her anger by the Grand Inquisitor. Said scene sees the Grand Inquisitor not even use a lightsaber to defend himself, taunting Barriss by telling her the light within holds her back. In the last of her episodes, she gets to twist that to fit who she is. And I’m not giving any more away. The story of Barriss as shown here needs to be seen without any spoilers. It will have more of an impact, trust me.
Tales of the Empire also makes some nice connections and features some known characters. Darth Vader has already been seen in this style with the final season of The Clone Wars, but Thrawn looks great with this style. And with Thrawn comes someone else, who looks so much better compared to their Rebels’ appearances. A project of Thrawn’s features in the second of Elsbeth’s episodes, which reveals how it got its start.
The mini series is a great look at two more characters with actions that define who they are. While there might not be the epic highs of the films or even series such as The Bad Batch, Tales of the Empire is well worth the watch for fans of the characters. Or even just the animated content of Star Wars in general.
Images Taken From:
Tales of the Empire | Official Trailer | Star Wars
