Heir to the Empire Trilogy. A General Discussion

What do we like about what is widely regarded as the Unofficial Sequel Trilogy? What do we dislike?

I like them a lot. I think Zahn nailed the characters; I can hear the voices of the original actors.He created great villains in Thrawn and C’Baoth without just giving us another boring Darkside user.He did not try to write a screenplay - these are novels that were written as novels; not intended to be made into films. He Gave Wedge some serious “screentime”.

A minor gripe was that he created 12 Grand Admirals other than Thrawn - all military geniuses. But we of course never see them in the films. And he left their fates for others to figure out The EU never really was able explain what they were doing during The Battle of Endor to my satisfaction.

I love how Zahn writes the OT characters. He fleshes them out so much and shows how they’ve grown and matured since the OT. Luke feels lost and unsure of himself, but is still a compassionate hero. Han is adjusting to life as a husband and future father. I love Leia’s whole mystery plot surrounding the Noghri. I love Mara Jade and Talon Karrde. I like the political intrigue with Fey’lya, though Fey’lya really pissed me off, which seemed to be the intent. I like Joruus C’baoth a lot and think the concept of an embittered “mad Jedi” makes for a great post-RotJ villain. I love Thrawn and Pellaeon’s whole dynamic and relationship, though Thrawn’s genius becomes a little unbelievable at times. I love how the space battles are written in a way that feels like they’re actual battles. And I love how problems in the story are solved through brains and creativity rather than just through brute force.

In terms of tone and plot, it feels like a natural continuation of the OT, though if they had been adapted into movies, they would’ve had to be trimmed down and streamlined a lot.

A really good trilogy. I’d like to reread it soon.

Servii said:

I love how Zahn writes the OT characters. He fleshes them out so much and shows how they’ve grown and matured since the OT. Luke feels lost and unsure of himself, but is still a compassionate hero. Han is adjusting to life as a husband and future father. I love Leia’s whole mystery plot surrounding the Noghri. I love Mara Jade and Talon Karrde. I like the political intrigue with Fey’lya, though Fey’lya really pissed me off, which seemed to be the intent. I like Joruus C’baoth a lot and think the concept of an embittered “mad Jedi” makes for a great post-RotJ villain. I love Thrawn and Pellaeon’s whole dynamic and relationship, though Thrawn’s genius becomes a little unbelievable at times. I love how the space battles are written in a way that feels like they’re actual battles. And I love how problems in the story are solved through brains and creativity rather than just through brute force.

In terms of tone and plot, it feels like a natural continuation of the OT, though if they had been adapted into movies, they would’ve had to be trimmed down and streamlined a lot.

A really good trilogy. I’d like to reread it soon.

Never want these to be adapted into film or TV. A lot of the stuff that would be cut out is what makes these books so good. Agree that Thrawn is a little OP at times. Yeah, the new characters he introduces compliment the originals beautifully. Mara Jade becomes a Mary Sue later unfortunately.

I consider the Thrawn trilogy really good fanfiction. Now, I’ve gotta emphasis “really good” over “fanfiction”. I think Zahn fell short with his description of how ysalamari powers work, not to mention inclusion of the Luuke clone and the improbable survival of Anakin’s lightsaber, but the pros far outnumber the cons in my book.

I’ll forever consider Zahn’s Clone Wars the real Clone Wars over Lucas’.

BedeHistory731 said:

As far as adaptations go, did anybody read the Dark Horse comic versions or listen to the Marc Thompson audiobooks?

I’m planning to listen to the Thompson audiobooks soon. I already listened to the Hand of Thrawn duology, and that was really well done.

Marooned Biker Scout said:

JadedSkywalker said:

Hated Mara saying she didn’t believe the emperor reborn was Palpatine, that was Zahn taking a shot of Veitch.

I don’t know much about the early EU and how it came about past Veitch’s Dark Empire being originally wrote and set before Zahn’s Thrawn trilogy, but it got turned around somewhere along the lines by Lucasfilm or the publishers? Was there some disagreements or bad blood between the two writers?

Or was it more of friendly jibes and banter type of thing?

Zahn hated the idea of Palpatine returning, so refused to reference the events of Dark Empire in his trilogy. I don’t know what Zahn thought about Veitch personally, but he definitely wasn’t a fan of his story.

I’ve been watching the “Episode IX: Duel Of The Fates” fan made comics and animated films lately, and I’ve really enjoyed them. So I am now giving Crimson Empire and Zahn’s original Thrawn trilogy a watch too. If anyone else is interested in these:

The Thrawn Trilogy: Motion Comic | nathan S

63 video playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlKJO4D2BftV-zZFT7gtxJt9VfT2MsQIM
 

"It’s five years after the Rebel Alliance destroyed the Death Star, defeated Darth Vader and the Emperor, and drove the remnants of the old Imperial Starfleet to a distant corner of the galaxy. Princess Leia and Han Solo are married and expecting Jedi twins. And Luke Skywalker has become the first in a long-awaited line of Jedi Knights.

But thousands of light-years away, the last of the Emperor’s warlords, Grand Admiral Thrawn, has taken command of the shattered Imperial fleet, readied it for war, and pointed it at the fragile heart of the New Republic. For this dark warrior has made two vital discoveries that could destroy everything the courageous men and women of the Rebel Alliance fought so hard to build."

Nathan S also has a Star Wars animated comic website with more EU content available, that is not on YouTube (for free): https://nlstrong.wixsite.com/starwarsmotioncomic

A live orchestra performance for some original music inspired on the Heir To The Empire trilogy novels, after the main Star Wars theme has played, of course!

Composed and conducted by Arturo Díez Boscovich, with The Malaga Philarmonic Orchestra, at the MOSMA Festival:
 

Heir to the Empire symphonic poem. Music by Arturo Diez Boscovich (Subtitles) | Arturo Díez Boscovich

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqnZxxW68Sw | 20 minutes