Star Wars: Chronicles of Empire review: Even the bad guys have souls

It will premiere on Disney+ Star Wars: Chronicles of Empire May 4th, which coincides with Star Wars Day. Last year’s success of the mini-series Jedi Chronicles convinced those responsible at Lucasfilm to start a new season. Dave Filoni At Star Wars Celebration 2023, he confirmed that he would once again take control of the project. Only this time we are not talking about warriors of the Light Side of the Force. Instead, it occurs in two characters on the side of evil.

Yeah Jedi Chronicles told stories about Ahsoka Tano And Dooku, Star Wars: Chronicles of Empire focus your attention on Morgan Elsbeth And in Barriss Offee. The first is a servant Grand Admiral Thrawnvillain in the series The Mandalorian And Ahsoka. The second is a former padawan Master Luminarawho became so disillusioned with the Jedi Order that she betrayed it and ended up in prison.

Morgan Elsbeth’s Story

First three episodes Star Wars: Chronicles of Empire tell life Morgan Elsbeth. Fans of the galactic saga knew her as the heir to the Night Sisters of Dathomir. But far from serving her own purposes, she was a loyal vassal Grand Admiral Thrawn. In fact, it is she who finds in Ahsoka a formidable villain and does everything to make him return.

Now the company wanted to give the character more depth by exploring his past. Because while he was an interesting character, he was so mysterious and unknown to the public that it was difficult to empathize with or feel captivated by his power. These three chapters Star Wars: Chronicles of Empire This is an attempt to pay tribute to him. Thus, we can see her from childhood, where she experienced the most terrible tragedies, to her rise as one of the greatest antagonists after the fall of Palpatine.

Thanks to the series we learn that Elsbeth She is, first of all, a hooligan. The future of the galaxy with the rise of the Empire caused so many sudden changes that the inhabitants of the galaxy had to adapt. The path of the villain is essentially to accept circumstances and take advantage of them. Understanding that the world she lives in is hostile and that only her ambitions will help her survive. That is, the plot that is told in Star Wars: Chronicles of Empire It’s not just that Morgan Elsbeth but the fate of many others who had to find a place for themselves in the reign of terror Palpatine.

The first episode is amazing. A typical origin story, full of tragedy and action. However, it loses a lot of momentum in the next two chapters. Having a great conversation with Thrawn about the Empire and the desire to go beyond its borders. But because the chapters are so short, the series skips too many parts of his life. In fact, some of the most interesting. The decision to focus on your services to the Empire is understandable, but it makes for a very uneven pacing. And above all, episodes 2 and 3 feel like boring filler with no clear purpose. If there wasn’t a good story to tell, there was no need to dig deeper.

The Barriss Offee Story

In case of episodes Barriss OffeHowever, the opposite happens. The character’s presentation is formidable, since it is not even necessary to know his past in Clone Wars empathize with her. On this occasion, the series explores how, after the rise of the Empire, she was recruited by the Inquisition, an elite body Darth Vader. This is what many fans star Wars They have been demanding for years. Inquisitors have appeared in several series, but not their training or the ins and outs of their organization.

Although, generally speaking, due to the type of format, Star Wars: Chronicles of Empire provides answers to these requests. But he does it through a character with much more soul than Morgan Elsbeth. His story doesn’t need as much context because it appeals to emotion. And it works from the first to the last minute. It captures the most spiritual part of the franchise with a very unique, visceral and surprising approach.

Like the previous one, this is also the life of a man who must adapt to the vicissitudes of the Empire. But everything has become much more coherent, now creating the feeling of a solid, coherent story, rather than three disparate strokes. In the second half of the season Star Wars: Chronicles of Empire will grow enormously and will convince fans no less than Jedi Chronicles in his day. The episode ends leaving a good taste in my mouth.

Very good format

This format of short, self-contained episodes is one of the best plans he’s ever had. star Wars gnomes. Don’t tell stories about these minor characters as if they Anakin Skywalker wave Princess Leia. With small tablets of 10 or 15 minutes, this is more than enough. Moreover, they include action, drama and a lot of knowledge. No need to stretch gum and life Barriss this is the best example.

Besides, in Star Wars: Chronicles of Empire The set includes some very valuable episodes that will delight fans. And while it’s common at this point, we must continue to celebrate the excellent level of animation in the series. Their technique is so perfect that they are masters. Without a doubt, this is a series that, although it does not offer anything significant, is very interesting and enjoyable to watch for the most devoted fans of the saga, especially in the second part.