Meredith Salenger discusses Barriss' significant turn in Tales of the Empire
Wringing Truth from Tales:
Delving headfirst into the continuing saga of Barriss Offee, the once-prominent Jedi Padawan, Tales of the Empire offers a gripping account of her post-Clone Wars life, her fight for existence amidst the Empire's rise, and the “aha!” moment fans have eagerly awaited.
The pivotal scene unfolds in the penultimate episode, "Realization." Having joined the ruthless Inquisitorius following the Republic's fall, Barriss, alongside the Fourth Sister, is deployed on a mission to root out a hidden Jedi. Horrified by the Inquisitors' bloodthirsty tactics, Barriss rebels, pushing the Fourth Sister off a cliff with a burst of Force and abandoning her own helmet as a symbol of her disassociation.
Fast-forward to "The Way Out," where we meet a transformed Barriss. Years have passed, her hair has been cropped, and on a distant, icy world, she has morphed into a healing sage, offering guidance and solace to the needy. It's a breath of fresh air, witnessing Barriss blossom and embrace the aura of the Jedi she once held in such high esteem, only to see the Order destination in its involvement in the Clone War. Meredith Salenger, the acting prowess behind Barriss, reveals her joy at seeing her character evolve beyond the violent, disenchanted Padawan.
"It's like in life, when you grow older, you realize you don't always need to be fighting or combative. Barriss, for all her training and adherence to the rules, made mistakes. But it takes an underlying love for everyone and a desire to change perspectives to caring and healing, rather than causing harm, to effect real change," Salenger recently shared with io9.
This change in attitude provides a fertile ground for Barriss's further exploration within the Star Wars universe. In a mirror image of the "Realization" climax, the Fourth Sister tracks down the renegade Barriss, but the confrontation ends with them both finding common ground, albeit across wounded bodies. At last, Star Wars enthusiasts get a glimpse of the fate of the rebellious Padawan, her transformation into a Jedi that transcends the Order she once felt let down by.
Streaming now on Disney+, Tales of the Empire offers more insights into the saga, keeping fans up-to-date on the release schedules for Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC, and the future of Doctor Who.
- In the future, Barriss Offee's journey may continue to unfold on streaming platforms like Disney+, as it covers the stories of other universes, including Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC, and the forthcoming series of Doctor Who.
- Amidst the uncertain future of the Jedi Order after the Clone Wars, fans now have a glimpse of Barriss Offee's transformation, a former Jedi Padawan who has renounced violence and embraced healing.
- The tumultuous tale of Barriss Offee, the Jedi Padawan, invites scrutiny into the role of technology in shaping characters, as her post-Clone Wars life showcases a transformation from a rebellious fighter to a healing sage.
- Just as Barriss reclaimed her Jedi identity and forgave her own actions, the character Barriss Offee serves as a testament to the power of technology, specifically television, in reclaiming and redefining narratives.
