Happy May the Fourth … also known to many fans
as “Star Wars” day. Ever since the 2005 movie “Star Wars 3: Revenge
of the Sith” premiered, the term “May the Fourth be with You!” became a
staple of the fan base. In the decades since, it’s only grown into popularity,
to the point where many view May Fourth as the official “Star Wars”
Celebration Day. For the occasion, I wanted to review the animated series
that’s mainly exclusive to May the Fourth itself. The 2022 animated anthology
series “Star Wars: Tales” is a spin-off from the fan favorite “Star
Wars: The Clone Wars” series and created by the same show-runner Dave Filoni.
As of now, this series only airs new episodes
on “May the Fourth”, making it a special little nugget to go along with the
celebration. It began in 2022 with a season called “Tales of the Jedi”,
was followed up with a second season titled “Tales of the Empire” and as
of now has one other season titled “Tales of the Underworld”. The
structure of the show takes two established “Star Wars” characters each
season and gives them three short, animated episodes to expand on their stories.
As a long-time fan of both “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”, and its animated
spin-off material, I can’t help but enjoy this micro series for what it is. It’s
still the same great looking animation, and similar personality. That being
said, it’s arguably the least significant spin-off property of the classic show
and doesn’t fully take advantage of what it can expand on … or what characters
can be further explored. To keep things simple, I’ll highlight the main
characters who are given episode arcs … and then I’ll focus on the shorts
themselves.
Characters
from “Tales of the Jedi” …
Count
Dooku (voiced by
Cory Burton) – Of all the characters singled out for this show … I’d say the
sinister Count Dooku benefited the most from his trilogy of shorts. In fact,
I’d go so far as to say, he’s the only character from this anthology series who
was actually improved on. While the character had achieved iconic Villain
status in both the Prequel era movies, and the animated “Clone Wars”
offerings, he was still lacking one thing … a good backstory. This series did
credit to his character by exploring his time as a decent Jedi master who
gradually fell from grace, and it added some much-needed layers to a character
who’d only hinted at his complexities and motivations in previous instalments.
Ashoka
Tano (voiced by
Ashley Eckstein) – Like many characters highlighted in this series, Ashoka Tano
originated from “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”, and was one of the main
players, serving as the loyal apprentice to the famous Jedi Knight Anakin
Skywalker. Speaking personally, Ashoka is my personal favorite “Star Wars”
character who didn’t originate from one of the live-action movies, and I’m
always going to enjoy more material with her on some level. Having said that, I
do feel she’s gotten more than enough attention as is, and I would have
preferred this anthology series to select other lesser explored Jedi with
material worth experiencing … there’s actually quiet a phew options for
interesting Jedi characters to explore, which this show simply didn’t take
interest in.
Characters
from “Tales of the Empire” …
Morgan
Elsbeth (voiced by
Diana Lee Inosanto and Cathy Ang) – Perhaps the most random and curious choice
character focused on in this anthology series is Morgan Elsbeth. One of the
last surviving Witches from the planet Dathomir, Morgan found favor with the
Empire as a weapons designer and is out on a bid for revenge. Unlike the
majority of characters in this anthology, Morgan made her first appearance in
the live-action series “The Mandalorian” and became a main villain in
the first season of the live-action series “Ashoka”. She eventually met
her demise at the end of the first season. As such, the character seemed rather
complete and didn’t leave much of an impression. In short, I wasn’t very
interested in seeing her origin story, and while her episodes weren’t done badly,
they still didn’t do enough to enhance my feelings on the character. I’d say
the most exciting aspects of Morgan are the characters she comes across along
the way, like General Grievous and Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Barriss
Offee (Voiced by
Meredith Salenger) - Barriss was featured in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”
as a loyal Jedi apprentice, and close friend to Ashoka Tano. However, near the
end of the series, she betrayed the Jedi order, and framed Ashoka for various
crimes. Once the truth was made known, Barriss was locked away in prison,
leaving her fate up in the air. As such, spotlighting her in this anthology
series, and presenting a tale of what happened to her next made sense.
Initially, she’s recruited to be an Imperial Inquisitor, tasked to hunt down
and kill any remaining Jedi. Realizing the errors of her ways, she leaves the
Empire and seeks a quiet life utilizing her Force abilities as a healer. On paper,
it’s an okay story for her, but the execution is riddled with irritating
details … like characters easily surviving things that should have been fatal …
and the fate of Barriss herself is once again left up in the air on whether or
not she’s dead. It makes for an uneven collection of shorts, and probably my
least favorite arc.
Characters
from “Tales of the Underworld” …
Asajj
Ventress (voiced by
Nika Futterman) – One of the most intriguing characters from “Star Wars: The
Clone Wars” was the dark assassin Asajj Ventress, who began as a deadly
apprentice serving under Count Dooku, but gradually developed into a bounty
hunting anti-hero. While her final episodes never aired, the tragic fate of the
character was made canonical in the novel “Dark Disciple”. I’m not
overly fond of the ever-growing list of characters brought back from the dead, but
for such a compelling character, I absolutely want her story to continue and
reach finality in animation form. Thus, this series brought her back as a
full-time protagonist, this time on a mission to protect a Force sensitive boy,
and guide him to “the path”, in which he’ll be safe from the dark Jedi hunters.
After many exciting encounters, the two for-go with “the path” and set off to
places unknown. Of all the characters arcs from this anthology, this one felt
the most like a back-door piolet for a potential spin-off series. I wasn’t
overly impressed with these shorts as a “Pitch” for a new series, but Ventress is
certainly a reliable source of excitement in the world of “Star Wars”
animation.
Cade Bane (voice by Corey Burton and A. J.
LoCascio) – My personal favorite original villain to be introduced back in “Star
Wars: The Clone Wars” was the bounty hunter Cade Bane, who stood out with
his signature cowboy attire, and laid-back sinister personality. In this
series, we get a three-part origin showcasing Bane’s upbringing, and how he
gradually became one of the most ruthless hunters in the galaxy. Unlike the
previously mentioned Count Dooku, Cad Bane was a perfectly set-up character who
didn’t require an origin story. Thus, this series of shorts doesn’t elevate the
quality of the character … but they’re at least done well, and probably my
second favorite character arc from this show. It’s exciting to see Bane start
as a lowly pickpocket and gradually climb the criminal totem pole, to the point
where he becomes a feared outlaw. They’re no surprise reveals, but a solid
execution on the premise.
#10 “The
Path of Fear” (Empire Ep 1) – Kicking off my list is the first
episode of “Tales of the Empire”, and the start of Morgan Elsbeth’s
three-part arc. Set in the immediate aftermath of the episode “Massacre”
from “The Clone Wars”, the teenage Morgan witnessed the genocide of her
people at the hands of General Grievous and his battle droids. She’s rescued by
the people of the mountain, who value pacifism and don’t seek conflict. Morgan
fears they’re too exposed and incapable of protecting themselves. Thus, against
the matriarch’s orders, she goes looking for weapons and a means to fight …
only for her actions to draw-in her enemies to a lethal confrontation.
Honestly, the whole reason this episode makes my list is for the extended cold
opening, in which we see General Grievous with his significantly improved
animation design, and being presented as a serious threat … which he wasn’t
always in the previous series. Other than that, it’s an okay start for Morgans
arc, showcasing how sometimes good intentions can dramatically spiral into
obsession and loss.
#9 “Resolve”
(Jedi Ep 6) – The last of Ashoka’s episodes shows her living the quiet
farm life and having trouble keeping her Jedi powers secret. All it takes is
one slip-up for her secret to be made known, and heralding the arrival of a
Jedi Hunter called The Crow. This character looks awesome, and is voiced by the
always reliable Clancy Brown, but unfortunately … his battle with Ashoka is an anti-climax
and leaves me wishing for more. Once again, the whole reason this episode makes
my list is for the extended cold opening, in which we see Ashoka and Captain
Rex present at the funeral of Padme Amidala at the end of the 2005 movie “Revenge
of the Sith”. It’s an awesome detail and seeing Ashoka’s first steps in the
formation of the Rebellion makes this short feel like a nice little epilogue to
have after the season finale of “The Clone Wars”.
#8 “Devoted”
(Empire Ep 4) – The first episode in the story arc of Barriss Offee is
set in the immediate aftermath of the tragic fall of the Jedi Order, and the
rise of the Empire. Since she abandoned the Jedi back in “The Clone Wars”,
Barriss is recruited to be a deadly Jedi hunter, and thus … we see the early
formation of the Imperial Inquisitors. Both visually and thematically, this is
one of the darker shorts of the series and is full of little novelty items. In
general, the Inquisitors have become main stay villains in a number of expanded
“Star Wars” media, and it’s cool to see their origins in this outing. Also,
as a longtime fan of the animated series “Star Wars: Rebels”, I loved
the return of Jason Isaacs to his signature villain role of The Grand
Inquisitor. Throw in some other solid references like “Fortress Inquisitorius”,
along with a walk in appearance from Darth Vader, and it makes for a noteworthy
little offering from this animated series.
#7 “Choices”
(Jedi Ep 3) – In the second chapter of Count Dooku’s arc, we see he and
Jedi Master Mace Windu investigating an ambush sight in which a Jedi Master was
murdered. While Mace Windu is determined to follow the rules, Dooku wants quick
results and the truth, which leads to further casualties. It’s an interesting
dynamic between the two men, as they both respect one another, but each also
has reservations on their tactics. TC Carson reprised his vocal performance as Mace
Windu and it’s just cool to see he and Dooku paired together.
#6 “A Way
Forward” (Underworld Ep 1) – Following directly after the events of
the novel “Dark Disciple”, in which Asajj Ventress was killed by her
former master Count Dooku, we see her body revived by the spirits of her home
planet Dathomir, and she’s given a second chance at life … by extent for us
viewers, it’s a second chance to see this character’s story continue in
animation. Initially, she chooses the quiet life but is quickly called back to
adventure when she protects a young (and honestly annoying) force sensitive
teenager. Her efforts to get him to safety lead into a rousing battle with a
Jedi hunting Inquisitor … and if you’re going o bring this character back, you
need to give her some awesome action to shine in. Of her three appearances in
this anthology, her battle with the Inquisitor is absolutely thrilling, and the
most exciting moment of her return.
#5 “A
Good Turn” (Underworld Ep 5) – After spending years in the company
of criminals, Cad Bane has grown into a young and menacing crook himself and
even has a girl friend named Arin. Meanwhile, his childhood friend Lazlo has
grown into a deputy, enforcing the law, putting him at odds with Bane. Following
after the death of Banes team leader, he sets out against the Marshall who
killed him, and by extent set-up a dangerous confrontation between he and his long-standing
childhood friend. It’s an intense showdown, as Bane shows off his deadly aim in
killing the Marshall, but there’s a tragic twist. Bane’s girlfriend Arin is
critically injured and uses her own injury as a means to let Bane’s guard down
and taken into custody by his former friend Lazlo. It’s a hollow victory, as
the villain is taken away, it’s made clear that Bane will be back for vengeance
and emerge from prison as a feared hunter. It’s a solid middle chapter for his story
and sets the stage for an exciting finale.
#4 “Justice”
(Jedi Ep 2) – Jedi Master Dooku and young apprentice Qui-Gon Jinn set
off on a secret mission to rescue the kidnapped son of a powerful Senator. Upon
arriving in a small village, it’s revealed that the boy has been by locals
who’ve been struggling under the Senator’s corruption. Both the Jedi
liberators, and the captive boy himself sympathize with the villagers and are
eager to aid them … but that’s when the crooked Senator Dagonet arrives with a battalion
and aims to set a grizzly example on those who defy him. In the ensuing fight, we
get our first glimpse of Dooku acting aggressively, while Qui-Gon acts with
wisdom in order to stop the conflicts. This marked the first short of Count
Dooku’s arc and It’s a strong set-up for where we’ll see both these characters
later in the saga. It’s a cool novelty to get a glimpse of the relation between
these two characters, which had only been hinted at in previous “Star Wars”
media. In this short, the young Qui-Go is voiced by Micheal Richardson, while
the vile Senator is voiced by Mark Rolston.
#3 “One
Good Deed” (Underworld Ep 6) – Following the betrayal of his best
friend Lazlo, his girlfriend Arin and time in prison … Cad Bane has returned to
his home turf to exact some vengeance. Meanwhile, Lazlo has been fathering Bane’s
child after the death of Arin, and the inevitable confrontation puts everyone’s
future in question. The tension and build-up to Banes return home is
sensational, as we see the effect he’s had on the populous. The final outcome
is nothing unexpected, but sufficient, and like I said … it’s simply the build
up and tension in this short that makes it one of my favorite offerings from
this anthology series. If you’re a long-time fan of the bounty hunter Cad Bane,
his final two episodes from this series get a stamp of recommendation.
#2 “Practice
Makes Perfect” (Jedi Ep 5) – During the days of “The Clone Wars”,
Jedi Master Anakin Skywalker is unimpressed with the training of the Jedi order
and fears his new apprentice Ashoka won’t be up for the challenge that awaits
in battle. As such, he subjects her to intense combat exercises with his fellow
clone troopers, under the command of Captain Rex. The lessons are physically
demanding, but over the years, she gradually perfects her craft, to the point
where she faces her greatest challenge at the end of the war. While Ashoka’s
shorts are hit and miss, this one absolutely benefits her character and deepens
her relationship with her master Anikan. While “The Clone Wars” series mainly
focused on them bounding through battle, this was a special example of them
bonding as master and student.
#1 “The Sith
Lord” (Jedi Ep 4)- In the final chapter of Count Dooku’s, we see him
lamenting the death of his former apprentice Qui-Gon Jin after the events in
the movie “The Phantom Menace”. His grief leads him to the evil Emperor
Darth Sidious, who’s also lamenting the loss of his personal assassin Darth
Maul. Into their midst comes a third party, Jedi Master Yaddle (or female Yoda
as she’s sometimes called by fans) who pleads to Dooku to rejoin the Jedi and
leave his new evil master. Unfortunately, in his state of grief, Dooku is taken
over by the dark side, and after a tense duel, slays Yaddle. It’s a chilling
short, well shot and scored and a satisfying transition to see a once humble
Jedi morphed into the famous villain we all recognize. This episode also had an
all-star cast, with Ian McDiarmid reprising his role as The Emperor from the
movies. Also, Liam Neeson likewise makes a cameo reprising his signature role
of Qui-Gon Jin from “The Phantom Menace”. Lastly, Bryce Dallas Howard,
who directed several episodes of “The Mandalorian”, and is the doubter
of “Solo” director Ron Howard, is the voice of Jedi Master Yaddle … and delivers
an unrecognizable performance. For all the untapted potential in this animated
anthology, it certainly delivered with Count Dooku’s arc, and this final short stands
as my personal favorite episode from this series.
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