The COMPLETE History of the Shadow Council (Books, Comics, Games, Shows, Movies)

[@matti.8465]

I always liked the reversal of having the heroes become the powerful institution, and the villains become the small rebel group hiding in the shadows. I really wish they had gone this route for the First Order, instead of making them as powerful as the Empire from the start.

[@HBpenman]

Interesting point

[@Spongebrain97]

Yeah I think Starkiller base for example was big overkill. I think a better explanation for why the rebel First Order was so strong was that it took advantage of the New Republic having downsided it's fleet and so their own army roughly matches theres. Also pockets of the First Order left the unknown regions and secretly opened up shop in scattered areas around the galaxy. Instead of straight up blowing up Hosnian Prime, I think it would've been cool if the First Order sacked it and at the same time all of those pockets also attacked their nearest New Republic bases

[@shnugle4514]

Yeah I agree. I really wish it was the new republic as the main group of good guys instead of the resistance just being a rehash of the rebellion

[@kingbooomer9231]

The way the new Shadow Council seems to be going, Sloane/Hux and Thrawn/Pelleaon are two very different groups that are working in tandem to maintain the presence of the Empire while collaborating with the Warlords. Gideon, one of the Warlords, tries to exert himself and make a power play and I think this is where Thrawn makes an executive decision to eliminate Gideon. Sloane could be absent because she is dealing with the First Order while Hux acts as an executive liaison with his war buddies

[@MetaNerdzLore]

Yeah I agree

[@asaschuemann9545]

I honestly kinda like the idea that Sidious had this whole plan in place to resurrect the Empire, a plan he'd crafted every detail of, only for Kylo Ren to kill Snoke and screw it up. The whole First Order command, save a few, were aware of Palpatine's greater plan, but seemingly refused to enlighten Ren out of spite. The OG leaders of the First Order, people like Enrich Pryde, Brendol Hux, Snoke, and perhaps even Sloane likely knew the plan, but as they died and were replaced by younger, less in-the-loop officers, the connections to the greater plan were lost. This is what we see at the beginning of Rise of Skywalker, with Palpatine trying to bring now Supreme Leader Ren into the fold, being less a genuine alliance as much as it was the Emperor doing damage control for his grand plan that men like Kylo and Armitage Hux fucked up. It seemed rather random and chaotic in the film BECAUSE IT WAS. Kylo's assention to the leader wasn't supposed to happen, even if Sidious was planting thoughts in his head, he seemingly wanted a new Vader, not for Kylo Ren to kill his most useful puppet and try to claim rule for himself. This also explains why Palpatine so easily casts Ren aside during the film, he was claiming back what had been his before Ren stole it, and now was casting aside Ren, whom he viewed as a "rogue chess piece" on HIS board.

[@RHR199X]

@@General_ONeill I’m willing to let him cook out of spite

[@chrissonofpear1384]

Definitely one way of putting it, @Asa Schuemann - although in retrospect, 'it's time to complete Kylo's training' as Snoke said, makes near perfect, Sith sense - especially as he now CAN slay his master, without Palpatine having to be the exact same one. One thing The Rise of Skywalker (albeit basically accidentally) perhaps helped 'explain' about the prior film, maybe. And hinted at, by the Visual Guide to it.

[@Tjp7624]

This is my canon now

[@babamuhammedalijames9201]

@asaschuemann9545 "Rogue Chess Piece" means that Kylo Ren is a loose end?

[@iamReddington]

As much as I hate to admit it, Sidious really was a fucking genius. It blows my mind how far into the future he planned EVERYTHING. Straight down to a contingency if he died.

[@somdavarya8078]

I agree with you that Sidious was a fucking genius and must have great Force Sight in order to do this planning.

[@klutchbase1623]

didn’t know jakku was actually supposed to be lost by the empire on purpose, very interesting, your research is one of the biggest reasons i love your content man, good work!

[@marshalllatta2073]

The shadow council is now my New favorite thing to learn about star wars so happy you're doing a video of this l love your channel

[@CptMoroni35]

To be perfectly honest, from what I could ascertain about Thrawn from the two canon trilogy books (Thrawn and Thrawn Ascendancy), he seems more like an anti-hero. Joining the Empire only to access whether they can be an ally against the Gryst, or a future enemy to the Chiss Ascendancy. He seemed to admire certain aspects of the Galactic Empire, but wasn’t totally sold on it. I could be wrong, but I doubt he would be part of the Shadow Council or help the Sith Eternal regain control of the Galaxy, that would be a serious threat to the Chiss that I know he would not allow. The canon material doesn’t say what happened to him after the “Rebel” series but my guess is that after the death of the Emperor and the shattering of the Empire, took the Chimera and the 7th Fleet into the Unknown Regions and either convinced those most loyal to him to use the ISDs to combat and utterly destroy the Gryst, or sit and wait to see what happened with the NGR and the First Order…… I expect to get annihilated here in the comments, but again, this is just my opinion based on what I’ve seen and read.

[@andrewrebholz]

I just hope Thrawn doesn't get some silly ending kind of treatment.

[@chrissonofpear1384]

Yeah, ever since the Hand of Thrawn duology, Thrawn has been painted increasingly whiter and whiter, by Zhan. Seems like a major minimizing of his earlier Imperial acts, and questionable ones.

[@frozarburst6350]

I prefer how Legends treated the imperial remnant but I gotta admit this sheds much needed light on all the stuff that happened after the original Trilogy. And the way its written makes it feel like you don't even have to address Palpatine existing on Exogol. You can choose your own adventure pretty much

[@adamd5849]

And it's perfect for him as well. Which makes him that much more terrifying

[@bloodycrypt7612]

I’m so fascinated by Gallius Rax and want more of him

[@grayflaneur4854]

As a bit of new cannon scholar myself, I would like to say excellent job. This is all coming togethor nicely..

[@artel6225]

Another great update MN. I'm looking forward to seeing how Filoni/Favreau & co, develop these shadow council storylines for Gallius Rax, Grand Admiral Rae Sloane, Thrawn, Hux, Snoke, and Darth Sidious. Especially Thrawn's role & actions.

[@joshk96]

This was amazing, great job piecing it all together

[@user-Jay178]

Can't wait to see more about the shadow council in lore. Love your content metanerdz and can't wait to see Thrawn again.

[@michaelnoack6379]

Thanks so much for this recap I would love to see more of these from the canon aby period or potentially high republic next the presentation is great esp the use of quote from the audio books

[@johnsidecake6226]

amazing video as always :)

[@babamuhammedalijames9201]

After killing Brendol Hux in 30 ABY, Armitage Hux, Phasma and Kylo Ren led a coup against Sloane under the guidance of Snoke. Sloane and her supporters had anticipated this and fled with the Executor-class Super Star Destroyer, Eclipse, some Imperial Star Destroyers along with several dockyards. During the half of the First Order's reign over the galaxy, First Order fleets in the Unknown Region vanished. The Resistance were initially unaware of the culprit until the Eclipse drastically changed. The Eclipse had been built at 17.5 km and had been meant to be a special class. Following the plans and refitting the Eclipse according to one of the Emperor's plans. Sloane had turned the Executor into a true terror. Pitch-black hull, massive Gravity Well generators, varied and deadly weaponry, and most terrifying of all, a superlaser, which is less powerful than the Death Star, but still strong enough to penatrate through planetary shields and crack a planet's crust like an egg and melt a planet with its own liquid mantle, subjecting its inhabitants to a slow, inevitable death. Sloane, along with the Eclipse, led the Imperial Remnants guerilla campaigns, eradicating First Order fleets while preventing Resistance and Rebel forces from utilizing Hyperspace rammings, later known as the Holdo Maneuver. After the Final Order's defeat and Palpatine and Pryde's death, the Imperial Remnants, who were also at war with the First Order, drove the First Order remnants back into their home systems in the Unknown Regions to prevent them from being a threat, where the Imperial Remnants reunited with each other, where the Eclipse became the flagship of the New Empire.

[@babamuhammedalijames9201]

The Neo-Imperials heavily automated the Executor-class Super Star Destroyer, Eclispe, the Imperial Star Destroyers and the dockyards' insides so that they can be run with a much smaller human crew.

[@theromanorder]

Please do some videos on all the new ships and stuff like the pirate ship the corsair i think

[@Aurelian_-vu3yz]

I think at least some of the Shadow Council members are in the know on the First Order and Sloane. Gideon and the other warlords seem frustrated that the “grand plan” in the unknown regions is sapping them for resources, but it’s ultimately necessary to maintain the facade of disparate imperial warlords. The more interesting question is whether or not Thrawn’s faction is separate from the First Order and I think it is.

[@MetaNerdzLore]

i agree on both

[@TheGreater-ScopeVillain]

Regardless of whether Thrawn’s faction is separate, he still ultimately serves the Emperor’s plan, whether he knows it or not.

[@fermintenava5911]

You know... if they had taken the time to mention some of this in "Rise of Skywalker", most complaints against the sequel triology would be null and void. But I guess they had someone else come up with it later, hadn't they?

[@coreyrobinson9010]

Nice, been needing the story filled in after Endor so this is perfect! Another great video.

[@th3s3us45]

Very comprehensive video, although I had a rough understanding of the timeline post Endor/post Jakku, this vid cleared it up a lot, as I haven't read Aftermath in a while.

[@Chisszaru]

I do want to learn more about the shadow counsil, and see Thrawn again. I do wonder what will happen to Moff Gideon in the finale of season three of the Mandalorian. My guess is that he dies, and man am i glad we got to see Palleon. I know he's a man with a big status, but still.

[@lightningboltt5437]

Finally the sequel trilogy is making sense

[@genethebook4213]

More Like Thrawn is the Strong Head the remnant needed, the First Order only gaining foothold after Thrawns forces fail.

[@liaml.e.5964]

I like to think the Shadow Council tore itself apart shortly before TFA. Perhaps the First order thought itself too good for the rest and decided to play with the big boys... only to lose pathetically in the end; while the rest of them either stayed true to their original vision, or founded their own warlord factions like the Pentastar Allignment, Zsinj's Empire, etc.

[@pkyboi937]

Considering we don't see them in the council, they probably don't exist or were essentially irrelevant.

[@Nubin2000]

This is an excellent birthday present! Impressive most impressive! 🎁 We are definitely getting the New Canon version of Thrawn Trilogy and Dark Empire with Darth Sidious return setting up TROS. Moff Gideon could get rescued and forced to serve directly under Grand Admiral Thrawn in the Mando S3 Finale. Moff Gideon could have served under Darth Maul during the Clone Wars as a Mandalorian. According to TROS novelization, Sidious use Essence Transfer during ROTJ to sent his soul to a Clone on Exegol. If they keep that justification Canon, then Project Necromancer is about Snoke instead.

[@sealofapproval3578]

I theorize that they first Order wasn’t a thing yet so the imperial remnant throw their backs on Thrawn’s return to bring back the Empire but presumably after his defeat the First Order was created as another attempt to bring back the Empire and the New Republic would have never thought the Empire would had come back for the a second time.

[@ryankwon8785]

The episode of Mandalorian was called "The Spies". This can refer to many things like Sith Eternal spies and agents in the Imperial Remnant. Commandant Brendol Hux could be a spy for the Sith Eternal as he is the head of Project Necromancer (Creating a New Leader -> Snoke). Sidious is a brilliant leader as he knew the New Republic will win following his first death so he will destroy the New Republic from within and give the First Order and Sith Eternal time to build its military. After the completion of Starkiller Base, the base was used to destroy the Hosnian System (the New Capital of the New Republic) In addition, Thrawn's connections with the Chiss Ascendancy allow an alliance between the Chiss and the Galactic Empire. The Chiss are the Empire of the Unknown Regions. So it is reasonable that the Chiss helps the First Order after the First Order helps the Chiss with problems like the Grysk. There are questions as to why Sidious built the Sith Eternal fleet if he already built the Death Stars and Starkiller Base. The purpose of a Death Star like Starkiller Base is to bring fear and control of the Known Galaxy. The Sith Fleet was meant to conquer the Unknown Regions and topple its various powerful factions and entities. The Death Star is slow in movement while the Sith Eternal Fleet is fast and can move from one system to the next in the Unknown Regions. However, the flaw of the Sith Fleet is that merely destroying the planet-destroying cannon will destroy the entire Star Destroyer within mere seconds. Thus, a Death Star-sized base like Starkiller Base is necessary. The mystery of what happened to Grand Admiral Sloane is interesting. She is not on board with Sidious and his plans. It is likely she and many First Order leaders, personnel, and soldiers escaped into secretive and hidden parts of the Unknown Regions with the help of the Chiss to hide from Snoke's First Order. This is similar to how Bo-Katan and her Mandalorians left and hid following Maul's takeover of Mandalore after defeating Pre-Viszla. Sloane rebuilding another First Order after Snoke's takeover can help develop the story in the formation of something similar to the Fel Empire with Imperial Knights in their ranks. The Fel Empire is less bad than the Galactic Empire and actually has a neutral perspective of the Force. In other words, the Fel Empire is the Empire that Sloane truly desired to reform and remake into.

[@judegagnon2738]

Do dark council history during swtor games

[@katsarelas1947]

I’m on book 3 of Aftermath right now and the thing I don’t get is, I had to REMIND myself when they were written. We’ve been told “oh palpatine was never the sequel series plan” but in the books it seems almost certain that is the plan?

[@xx_luigi_xx7223]

All of this is why I'm optimistic about the sequel era. The movies are okay at best, but most if not all of the mainline movies have issues. Its the background stories that connect everything that makes it good, and the sequels are just now starting to get that treatment.

[@NG480]

Yep. Clone Wars did it for the Prequels so it won't be surprising that the Mandalorian show and all it's spinoffs will do the same for the Sequels.

[@niklasj.6138]

Awesome Video, I love how Palpatine was trying to rule for all times.

[@macwelch8599]

Imagine if the First Order was the canon version of the Light Side Fel Empire

[@Obiwan7100]

I would love to see grand admirals and generals of the First Order who want to reform it and turn it into a more benign faction.

[@macwelch8599]

@@Obiwan7100 that would be cool

[@sky_professor3051]

It would have been really nice if they'd have even implied any of this in the sequel trilogy, which explained nothing.

[@andydaniels3029]

While I’m not entirely sure yet how I feel about this New Canon explanation as opposed to the Legends explanation of the IR after RotJ, thank you so much for providing it for the “lay” fan like me who doesn’t necessarily have a “nerdy” inclination to pick up the latest comic or novelization or video game that explains how and why things are happening the way they are on the more “mainstream” media of the universe. This explains so much and really does even a better job than the mainstream media at helping fans like me understand how we got from there to here with the new trilogy and New Canon, desired or not.

[@Return_to_Monkey]

I was just thinking he should do a video on this

[@Hello-bi1pm]

Will you make complete life of Pellaeon from Legends?

[@Tjp7624]

It bothers me that we never got to see Thrawn and Gideon interact. Gideon going unhinged and Thrawn just squish his sense of power like a bug

[@jbgaming3221]

Yeah I really wanted thrawn to just come in and shut him up. But now that he’s back, I just hope we get to see captain palleon and Eli vanto again. And hey who knows, maybe see more chiss.

[@sanderhoefsloot6852]

Excellent video. The Aftermath trilogy really solidified the story of tfa and tlj for me and made me love those movies! Still having difficulties with RoS though...

[@FatherlyVibes]

How interesting! 😀

[@fernandozavaletabustos205]

Thank you for another interesting video about Star Wars!

[@KS-PNW]

I love how Palpettine blames the empire for not protecting him when he's the genius that: 1) told the rebels where the shield generator for Death star 2 was 2) chose to face Luke with only Vader present 3) designed a throne room with giant pits almost as if he wanted someone to throw him down Etc etc etc...

[@youvebeenmungaid1470]

I wonder if we’ll see racks in live action

[@TheElvishElvis]

I never really thought of it until now but Palpatine is crazy powerful to use the force through a force sensitive clone across the galaxy to use the force on Hux through a hologram across the galaxy

[@Littlemilkjug533]

No matter how cool they make everything before we all know it ends in disappointment.

[@Reyma777]

While I appreciate that TV series and other media are explaining the infamous “Somehow Palpatine has returned.”. All the new lore still hasn’t made me a fan of the sequel trilogy. That being said there are many exciting pre-sequel trilogy stories on the way.

[@Hello-bi1pm]

Project Necromancer is honestly weird when we know Palpatine made Snoke and First Order leadership knew nothing about it. Are they rewriting Snoke's origin AGAIN? Is Snoke the most retconned character in Star Wars?

[@lordferbus2970]

Pretty sure project necromancer is the creation of the first order A revival of the Empire basically

[@Kclassics1]

First love the channel

[@DefinitelyNotEmma]

I like how the aftermath trilogy is essentially dark empire from wish lol

[@American_Trekkie]

I know the Rise of Skywalker is hated, but that scene where Palpatine talks about being every voice inside Kyle’s head was awesome😄😄

[@scarface406]

kinda impressive and it seems cooler the legends * not really a sequel fan *

[@Kurama420]

when will the complete history of Tarkin part 3 come out?

[@MetaNerdzLore]

Hoping in May

[@Kurama420]

@@MetaNerdzLore (╯°□°）╯WOOOOH! YEAH, BABY!!! THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR! THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT!!

[@shanenolan5625]

Thanks

[@chiefcrimson]

SHADOW WIZARD MONEY GANG! WE LOVE CASTING SPELLS!

[@joshuabillson4636]

A bit off topic but moff Gideon said that he had perfect the dark trooper Armour by having him in it. Did he clone himself to use as his emperial commandos.

[@joshuabillson4636]

Ha I was right

[@cj_wit_the_lunch_tray3231]

Can’t wait for Thrawn to put Gideon in his place

[@ThatBlazerGuy]

I guess i was only one who didn't realize The Eclipse was canon now???

[@MetaNerdzLore]

Technically only in name, no stats or anything but I think it would be strange to just make it a normal ship

[@AhmedHussain-ju6xd]

6:45 Which model of mc cruiser is on the far right. Is it a mc80 liberty?

[@Hello-bi1pm]

Mc95

[@johnpenley]

I had the unenviable position as an intern during the Remnant of the Empire's "Shadow Council meetings". Lemme tell you.. those were some of the worst coffee runs any intern would dread.😒

[@chudy383]

Where is the video with the palpatine droid in the red clothes from? Is there some kind of fan flim?

[@MetaNerdzLore]

From battlefront 2 campaign

[@tallman1184]

I’m kinda sad about the direction they went with back story for the first order. I really wanted to see starkiller get tied in at some point but with the route they went with cloning and force manipulation the clones of starkiller would have to be retconned because of the events of FU 1 & 2 and the perfected use of cloning the force sensitive galen marek. I also realize that the destruction of kamino and the introduction of inquisitors also made his story completely unnecessary.

[@Hello-bi1pm]

Inquisitors kinda suck, so Starkiller is still a better idea. Only Fallen Order actually utilized Inquisitors to their full potential, every other iteration of them sucked and was poorly written.

[@justjoking5841]

They were portrayed as greater threats in a gameplay medium but their potential is still low level.

[@Progger11]

0:30. 5 ABY, not BBY. I hope the video gets better from here.

[@MetaNerdzLore]

Nah downhill. Says more about u to not just think that was obviously a mistake

[@Progger11]

@@MetaNerdzLore Joke, dude. Calm down.

[@Progger11]

@@MetaNerdzLore I actually really liked the video.

[@clanarize]

Somehow Palpatine Returned..

[@MetaNerdzLore]

Lol that somehow is the same in legends, I agree with anybody thinking essence transfer is a bit cheap writing because everyone can be everyone

[@John-vv8bi]

Hello

[@danielwilber4246]

Whatever happened to Crix Madine. The guy spoke at the second Death Star briefing and arguably had the worst hairstyle in any Star Wars movie. Yet I've never heard of him again except in Legends

[@dingodave89]

Why did you make most of your older videos members only content?

[@MetaNerdzLore]

Because they're bad. I explain in the membership trailer thing

[@dingodave89]

@@MetaNerdzLore that's a shame as I think all your vids are great

[@CrashCraftLabs]

ok i never liked snokes ship, but the image shoing it can carrie a star destroyer inside it kinda makes it more bad ass.

[@emperorvader1310]

I seriously doubt Thrawn would allow Sloane to be his puppet master. Foolish.

[@MetaNerdzLore]

I think he would for as long as it took to overtake her. She has the Eclipse and knows that is insane and that nobody knows how much more she has

[@emperorvader1310]

@@MetaNerdzLore Thrawn is a master tactician. If he was to fall, and by the end of this it looks likely. Then she would be able to swoop in. So what she has the Eclipse. Thrawn's plans for a greater New Empire under his command would be more terrifying. From the defender, to elite stormtroopers, super soldiers and improved weaponry combined with Chiss design.

[@ajkoots258]

5:06 BONZAI !!!!!!!

[@thetotaldramaking5427]

The Shadow Council are so intriguing

[@pkyboi937]

Uhhh the New Republic didn't disbanded their military but merely demilitarised and decentralized their forces. There's a important difference.

[@Ottersanity]

Honestly the more they show about Palpatine’s plan the more it seems like Disney just copied “Dark Empire” and just decided to mess it up.

[@АлексейМомот-щ7о]

How they managed to mess up Dark Empire 😂 They made the story no one liked WORSE! That's an achievement.

[@justjoking5841]

Essence transfer is a Mc Muffin used by the Sith to circumvent the Hero's P'lot Ar'mur techniques.

[@rainbowgecko2719]

hi

[@user-Jay178]

I wonder what project necromancer is?

[@jasxnuwu4539]

The resurrection of Palpatine. Officially he is dead and they try a bring him back. They dk he is withering away in a clone

[@ryankwon8785]

Gideon says they need new leadership. Hux responded that Project Necromancer is the solution. Thus, the project refers to Snoke’s creation.

[@eliteastrea]

New canon is interesting, just sad that the execution sucks!

[@Progger11]

2:03 That's not Darwinism. That's social Darwinism.

[@MetaNerdzLore]

So Darwinism

[@nuclearsimian3281]

Aftermath were some of the worst Star Wars books I've ever read. The fact that they're combining Thrawn's rise with _them..._ Oh boy. This will be half Midas touch, half Mierdes Touch.

[@phorz85]

Calling the biggest ever singular gouvernment in this galaxies history the "underdog" is kinda rich. Specially in the described context. Propaganda of that kind would b self defeating, destroying the other propagandized, idealized image of the empire's nature that was of the most importance n the main reason for ppl to want it. How would a "underdog" ever secure stability n safety in the galaxy. An underdog by definition is in a disadvantaged position against bigger, dominating forces.

[@warhawk4494]

Ew Disney star wars lore.

[@gertbfrobe4502]

!!!

[@eren34558]

Expanded Universe did it better

[@IvanKinkle]

>Phasma 🤣

[@reynard4823]

What a pointless piss poor story arc that leads nowhere... why even buy into it or get involved when the end result is mid as heck.

[@Mordalon]

We know for fact it doesn’t lead nowhere.

[@zeeboo2012]

And were are the Vong?....this is why us true Star Wars fans hate Disneys version....Cannon my butt!...the true Cannon is the Star Wars books😂😂😂...Just saying

[@Mordalon]

Get out with that “true fan” crap.

[@lordferbus2970]

Touch grass

[@CRYSTAL_CUSTOMS]

That's not canon. And minus the mandalorian all this lore is from the books

[@IvanKinkle]

Oh God NO. 🙄

[@pyeitme508]

Lol

[@lorismarchitelli5274]

When you think this is all been made to cover up the error of killig off snoke without context