'TALES OF THE JEDI' (2022) REVIEW
Lucasfilm, Lucasfilm Animations
Age Certificate: TV-6
IMDb: 8.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 100/100
Cast
Ashley Eckstein 'Ahsoka Tano'
Corey Burton 'Count Dooku'
Janina Gavankar 'Pav-ti Tano'
TC Carson 'Mace Windu'
Liam Neeson 'Qui-Gon Jinn'
Micheál Richardson 'Qui-Gon Jinn'
Bryce Dallas Howard 'Yaddle'
Ian McDiarmid 'Darth Sidious'
Matt Lanter 'Anakin Skywalker'
James Arnold Taylor 'Obi-Wan Kenobi'
Dee Bradley Baker 'Captain Rex' 'Jesse'
Phil LaMarr 'Bail Organa'
We see the former Jedi Master on diplomatic missions, one with padawan Qui-Gon Jinn and another with fellow Master Mace Windu. Three of the six shorts follows Count Dooku; we see the conflict within Dooku and recognise the reasons to why he finally betrays the Jedi Order and falls into the arms of Darth Sidious.
The other half of the series depicts the life of Ahsoka Tano. Ahsoka was first introduced in the Clone Wars movie as a newly appointed padawan learner to Anakin Skywalker and throughout the Clone Wars, we see Ahsoka develop into the powerful character that we love today. She has qualities that makes her one of the best Jedi in the galaxy. Ultimately, Ahsoka leaves the Jedi Order, on her own accord, before taking the rank of Jedi Knight. In 'Tales of the Jedi', we follow Ahsoka to when she was first discovered to be a Jedi with two more shorts focusing on her training with Anakin Skywalker and the events after the Republic falls; turning into the Galactic Empire.
I was first sceptical of watching Star Wars animation back in mid 2010s. I thought they would be for only children and was the reason why I didn't watch any of the 'Clone Wars' or the 'Rebels' series. Though I did watch a couple of episodes just to have a better understanding of the franchise, it was only after 'The Mandalorian' when I began watching 'Clone Wars' religiously. By season four, I was hooked and realised how dark it has become and why it would intrigue all the fans and not just children. Season seven was peak Star Wars content that I had seen in a long time and was just the most heart breaking yet touching ending to the series. When 'Tales of the Jedi' was announced, I was excited to see more prequel content and dive further into the lives of Ahsoka and Count Dooku. This series may be short but it does not hide away from its dark tone and the impact it leaves from the first episode to the last. I could not believe how bleak the series is especially when you know what the future holds for the protagonists. The series has the same feeling as the finale to 'The Clone Wars'.
Ahsoka's Birth
Although short, we get a quick glimpse into Ahsoka's origin. Born on the planet Shili, young Ahsoka goes on her first hunt with her mother Pav-ti. Pav-ti believes this tradition amongst Togrutas should still continue as it teaches Ahsoka a lesson she will have to deal with in her future - to face death. This episode foreshadows a big event in the Clone Wars. The episode ends with Ahsoka taking the title of Jedi. This leaves a huge impact as we know the rest of Ahsoka's journey as a Jedi and her involvement in the Clone Wars and the Rebellion against the Empire.
Corruption within the Republic
Count Dooku and padawan Qui-Gon Jinn are set on a rescue mission - looking for a senator's son in a rundown village. This episode truly shows the conflict within Dooku and his journey to the dark side. It is clear that the Republic is not at all what they seem. The Jedi find out that the senator is backed up by the Republic and is intentionally depriving the people of resources. Questioning the alliance between the Jedi Order and the Republic, Dooku takes control of the situation by using dark side powers to demonstrate authority in front of the corrupted senator and his padawan. Though Qui-Gon Jinn stops his master from killing the senator via force choke, it is obvious that Dooku questions his loyalty to the Jedi Code and believes that he is following a corrupted Order. By the end, Dooku tolerates the Order by showing mercy on the senator regardless of his true beliefs.
Temptations of the Dark Side
Count Dooku is set on a mission alongside Master Windu to discover the truth behind the murder of Jedi Master Katri. Just as the episode prior, a corrupted senator is once again involved with the investigation, however the situation peaks Count Dooku's interest when the story does not add up. Whilst Master Windu suggests that they report back to the Jedi council, Dooku requests for a further search at the scene of the crime.
Once it is discovered that the senator's guards are controlling the senator in order to take back their planet from the corruption the senator has caused by using his power to become rich at the expense of his own people, both Jedi masters are in conflict with how they should deal with the situation. Count Dooku once again, taps into the dark side of the force to get answers out from the culprits. In the end, Dooku expresses his opposition to one of the guard's ideologies but acknowledges his reasonings to wanting the best for his people. This shocks the guard as it shows that Dooku is different from the other Jedi; that he may not be a pawn to the Jedi Order or the Republic like the rest of the council.
We begin to understand Count Dooku when he discovers that Mace Windu was given Master Katri's seat on the council. This lead Dooku to believe that Windu may have only acted out in accordance to the Jedi code in order to be given that rank. Dooku's defiance to the code stopped him from achieving the same rank and was rather looked down upon for interfering with the mission which led to a senator's death. Regardless of solving the case, we discover that everyone, including the Jedi, are motivated by power.
Fall to the Dark Side
We continue to follow Count Dooku during the events of Episode One: 'The Phantom Menace' (1999). Here, Count Dooku is deeply connected to the dark side of the force as he has already made contact with Darth Sidious and wiped-out planet Kamino from the Jedi archives which we later find out in Episode Two: 'Attack of the Clones' (2002). The death of his padawan, Qui-Gon Jinn, was a factor to his downfall. After countless warnings about the coming darkness, the Jedi dismissed Dooku and there were consequences. However, the intervention of Yaddle could have changed the course of the Clone Wars if she had not been defeated at the end of the episode. Though, we understand Dooku's point of view about the Jedi council, there were Jedi like Yaddle who knew better than the council and would have helped Dooku turn back to the light. Ultimately, the episode highlights Darth Sidious' power and manipulation tactics. He is more cunning than in the prequels; easily convincing Dooku that everything that has happened is for the 'better' future.
Order 66
Ahsoka Tano is trained to defend herself from clones as droids are too easy for a battle stimulation according to her master, Anakin Skywalker. This eventually leads up to the infamous Clone Wars arc in which Ahsoka and Captain Rex fight their way through the clones to survive Order 66; the rigorous training gives Ahsoka the upper hand. Who would have thought that Anakin, who will lead a clone army and personally execute the order himself in the future, be the one to train Ahsoka to overcome it?
A short episode and a nod to the conclusion of The Clone Wars. Once again, Dave Filoni knows how to tug at the fans' heartstrings.
Start of a Rebellion
The final episode ties in with the end of Episode Three: 'Revenge of the Sith' (2005). We see a Clone Wars animated version of Padmè's funeral scene, however, Ahsoka Tano is seen in attendance by Bail Organa. He takes the opportunity to recruit Ahsoka for a Rebellion against the Empire but learns that she plans on hiding instead. Similar to Obi-Wan 'Ben' Kenobi, during the early days of the Empire, Ahsoka becomes a farmer and tries to blend in with villagers. Her plan does not go smoothly when one of the farmers discovers her force powers and reports back to the Empire. Before Ahsoka can do anything, an Inquisitor has already destroyed the entire village. Ahsoka is forced to come out of the shadows and confront the Inquisitor. You can draw parallels between the next few minutes and the lightsaber duel between Ben Kenobi and Maul in the 'Rebels' series.
Ultimately, good prevails only because we have seen the struggles both Ahsoka and Ben Kenobi had to go through during the Clone Wars and Order 66, that nothing can really destroy them at this point. Apart from Darth Vader, everyone else seems pointless to them.
Season 2 has now been confirmed by Lucasfilm at Star Wars Celebrations 2023 in London and since the first season focused solely on Ahsoka Tano and Count Dooku, I hope to see a shift in focus on different Jedi for the second season; such as Plo Koon or even Shaak-Ti.
My rating: 8/10
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I had the opportunity to go to Celebration this year and watch a preview for the new Visions series.
Sabina 🦁
