Star Wars: Tales Of The Empire Theory Retcons One Clone Wars Story As The Birth Of The Inquisitors

Summary Barriss Offee and the Grand Inquisitor are linked through a theory that suggests a connection to the Jedi Temple bombing in the Clone Wars era.

The Grand Inquisitor's dark path may have been initiated during the bombing, shedding light on his fall from grace.

Tales of the Empire will explore these connections and the origins of the Inquisitors, premiering on Disney+ in 2024.

A theory linking Tales of the Empire to Star Wars: The Clone Wars could explain the birth of the Imperial Inquisitors. Since their creation in Rebels season 1, Star Wars' Inquisitors have become integral parts of several stories in a galaxy far, far away. The Inquisitors have become so vital to the Dark Times of the galaxy that they are even set to have an impact on upcoming Star Wars TV shows.

One such show is the Tales of the Empire story, the pseudo-sequel to Tales of the Jedi. These tales will focus on two key Imperials in different areas of the Star Wars timeline. Morgan Elsbeth, known for her appearances in The Mandalorian and Ahsoka, is one of these characters, while the other brings a seemingly long-forgotten Jedi Padawan back, linking to the timeline of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. This character is none other than Barriss Offee, with one theory about her story in Tales of the Empire potentially linking the Clone Wars to the birth of the Inquisitor program.

Barriss Offee’s Jedi Temple Bombing Could Be Linked To The Grand Inquisitor

The Grand Inquisitor has ties to the Jedi Order of the Republic.

image via Disney+

The crux of this theory about Tales of the Empire is the Grand Inquisitor, a character confirmed to appear in the TV show. The Grand Inquisitor was also introduced in Star Wars Rebels and appeared in Obi-Wan Kenobi as the leader of the Inquisitorius program. With Tales of the Empire being set before both shows and his death in Rebels, the Grand Inquisitor will appear as the person responsible for inducting Barriss Offee into his order of dark side users.

Related Star Wars: The Grand Inquisitor's Fall To The Dark Side & Order 66 Connection Explained The Grand Inquisitor was once a member of the Jedi Order, though his corruption to the dark side happened before Revenge of the Sith's Order 66.

Interestingly though, Barriss and the Grand Inquisitor may unknowingly be acquainted with one another as hinted at by one reveal in Star Wars Rebels. In Rebels, it was confirmed that the Grand Inquisitor was once a Jedi Temple Guard. These yellow lightsaber-wielding guards stood watch over the Jedi Temple on Coruscant during the time of the Republic - including when Barriss Offee bombed the building in The Clone Wars. Other than the brief reveal in Rebels, little about the Grand Inquisitor's Jedi past has been revealed, with Tales of the Empire being the prime opportunity to do so.

This Can Be Retconned As The Moment The Grand Inquisitor Was "Born"

The Grand Inquisitor's fall to darkness could be tied to Barriss' Star Wars story.

If it is indeed mentioned that the Grand Inquisitor was still a Jedi Temple Guard when Barriss bombed the Temple, Tales of the Empire could tie his fall from the light to the same moment as Barriss'. Barriss' rage primarily drove the Jedi Temple bombing as she believed the Jedi had lost sight of what they were supposed to be. This caused further discourse, such as Ahsoka Tano being framed and subsequently becoming disillusioned with the Jedi herself. With two people already losing faith in the Jedi Order, it could be written that the same happened to the Grand Inquisitor.

All six of Tales of the Empire's animated shorts will begin streaming on May 4, 2024, on Disney+.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars could be retconned by revealing that one of the guards in the blast was the Grand Inquisitor, with the potential death of his peers putting him on a dark path. Similarly, the Grand Inquisitor could be revealed as one of the guards who arrested Barriss and witnessed her trial alongside Anakin Skywalker, witnessing the disillusionment of the Jedi Order firsthand. All of this could have driven the Grand Inquisitor to abandon the Jedi himself, putting him on the path to the Inquisitorius long before the events of Tales of the Empire.