‘Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’: What Happened [Spoiler]? | Entertainment

The subject of Barriss Offee’s (voiced by Meredith Salenger) whereabouts after the fall of the Republic has been a hotly debated topic among Star Wars fans. Some thought she managed to escape from prison and save Grogu… which turned out not to be the case. Some thought she would appear in Ahsoka as the antagonist of his former friend’s battle… which turned out not to be the case. Still others hypothesized that the disgraced ex-Jedi could have become an Inquisitor… and they were right. But Tales of the Empire proved that turning to the Dark Side was only part of Barriss’ story.

At the end of the final episode, we’re left conflicted about Barriss – and, again, we’re not sure if she survived. Let’s break it down.

Did Barriss Offee die?

That’s the question most Star Wars fans will certainly be asking themselves after finishing Tales of the Empiresix short episodes. When we leave Barriss, she is being carried from a series of labyrinthine caverns on a frozen planet in the arms of Lyn (voiced by Rya Kihlstedt), the former Fourth Sister who worked with Barriss during her brief tenure on the Inquisitorius. Before you get too sentimental about Lyn following Barriss’ example by renouncing the Dark Side and leaving behind her double-bladed lightsaber, remember that she stabbed Barriss in the stomach. In fact, carrying her out of the caves was the least Lyn could do.

To Lyn’s credit, she seems to regret hurting Barriss the moment the blade goes through her. She promises the dying Barriss that she will get her out, and she does – moments after white puffs stop appearing below Barriss’ nostrils. It seems like a common setting for an emotional funeral scene, but for some reason, Tales of the Empire opts to leave the two former inquisitors in the snow, with their fates unknown. There is no post-credits scene to give any indication of the fate of Barriss or Lyn. Even the comics are vague about Lyn’s survival status; although a Rebel Alliance Commander appears with her armor at one point, there is no mention of whether or not she killed Lyn to obtain it.

Could Barriss have survived?

In Star Wars, characters have come back from something worse than a lightsaber stab to the stomach (just ask Darth Maul). Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) actually survived an extremely similar injury after Rey (Daisy Ridley) used the Force to heal him. It’s also worth noting that Barriss was living in exile as a healer, so she could have materials in her house for Lyn to use to save her life.

If Disney creatives wanted to revive Barriss or even bring her to live action in a hypothetical second season of Ahsoka, the door was left suspiciously open. However, even though Barriss died, Lyn survived – and she has also appeared in live-action before, in Obi Wan Kenobi. One or both of the former Inquisitors may appear on screen again. Even if they don’t, theirs was a moving story about redemption and forgiveness that rings true to the central themes of Star Wars.

Star Wars: Tales of the EmpireStreaming Now, Disney+

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