Tales of The Empire episode 2 "The Path of Anger" ending explained

As we delve more into the Tales of the Empire, we continue to see Morgan Elsbeth’s story unravel. In episode 2, "The Path of Anger," we see her rise to power as Magistrate of the planet Corvus.

The “Path of Anger” is a story about Morgan’s brilliance and ambition being unacknowledged by the powers that be of the Empire. It is also a story about how the people of Corvus view her as a failure of a leader while she feels otherwise until one sees her vision and acknowledges her talents and brilliance.

Let’s explain the ending of the “Path of Anger” and how it plays a role in the future of Corvus and the galaxy.

“Revenge. Years ago, my people were all but destroyed.”

“Our culture, our beliefs, are fading into memory.”

“Yes, I seek power to ensure my future, to destroy my enemies.”

“My anger gives me strength, and it is that strength that I offer the Empire.”

It is with those words that Morgan Elsbeth, a survivor of a massacre that left her scared, rose to power and became a disciple to then Admiral Thrawn.

One can argue that after her people, the Nightsisters, were massacred by General Grievous and the Separatists, Morgan wanted to do what she could to destroy whoever got in her way and safeguard anyone she viewed as her own people, even if they feared her.  

One can also argue that it was her path of fear expressed by others that had led to her path to anger.

In this episode, we learn that Morgan was the brainchild behind the TIE Defender, which was heavily favored by Thrawn in Star Wars Rebels. Morgan presented her ideas regarding the TIE Defender at an Imperial briefing aboard an Imperial Star Destroyer, which the Imperial Moff Isdain and the Imperial Officers rejected, stating that it would be too costly. However, the Imperials wanted the planet Corvus and its neighboring star systems for their resources. The Imperials were fearful of losing money rather than investing in the Empire’s own military and future.

This sentiment echoes the same viewpoint expressed by Governor Tarkin in The Bad Batch when he felt that the Clones were too costly and that they could be replaced by a conscripted military at half the cost. One can only wonder how powerful the Empire would have been if they still produced an army of Jango Fett clones.

The same could be said about the TIE Defender, which Rebel Alliance leaders, like Hera Syndulla, were concerned could destroy the Rebellion.

Admiral Thrawn noted that the Imperials' lust for greed and power would weaken the military and would eventually cause the Empire to crumble. Both predictions were ultimately correct when the Rebel Alliance defeated the Empire and became the New Republic.

Another argument is that the fear expressed by the Wing and the people of Corvus further fueled Morgan’s anger.

Little is known about how Morgan came across the people of Corvus, but what is known is that she promised them wealth and work, which she failed to deliver. The people of Corvus were concerned about their living circumstances and tried to express them to Morgan, which she angrily rebuffed by telling them that they were better off than they were before.

Ultimately, Thrawn would bring his fleet to Corvus after accepting Morgan’s services to the Empire, allowing her to fulfill her vision and ideas.

Little do Wing and the people of Corvus know that Morgan “won,” and her alliance with Thrawn would play a significant role in the galaxy in the years to come.

Tales of the Empire is currently streaming on Disney +.