The new animated series, Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi, was announced at Star Wars Celebration in May. A teaser and the first episode was shown. It is of course created by Dave Filoni who wrote the first two epiodes. It premiered on Disney Plus today, October 26th, on Disney Plus. Filoni had created the character of Ahsoka Tano, introduced in The Clone Wars (2008) film. Then, she appeared in The Clone Wars, up to the latest Season Seven. Ahsoka was found by Jedi Master Plo Koon on Shili and brought to the Jedi Temple, shown in the episode, “The Gathering” (2012). These Ahsoka Tano episodes fill in her character’s background right before the live action Ahsoka series. Her story parallels Count Dooku’s tales which has returning Clone Wars voices; Corey Burton as Count Dooku and Mace Windu (TC Carson). It is great to hear film voices from Liam Neeson (Qui-Gon Jinn) and Darth Sidious (Ian McDiarmid). The best part is young Qui-Gon voiced by Michael Richardson, the son of Liam Neeson. I would like to see more of Qui-Gon Jedi Knight. The episodes are about 15 min., 13-18 mins., long.
“Life and Death” begins with a starfield that pans down, classic Star Wars, and we hear insect chirping. It is night at a Togruta village, they have circular, patterened lanterns and rounded, tiled roofs. A baby’s cry is heard, a proud father, Nak-il (Sunil Malhotra), announces to the village about the baby’s arrival, he bows to an elder, Gantika, before running to deliver the announcemnt. Moalhotra voiced the Padawan Jinx in The Clone Wars episodes, “Padawan Lost” (2011) and the “Wookie Hunt”(2011). The other villagers crowd the doorway as the baby is placed in the arms of her mother, Pav-ti. The baby’s montrals, the curved horns of the Togruta is flat for the baby. The elder enters, the mother (Janina Gavankar) gives a slight bow, and tells the elder that the baby’s name is Ahsoka. In Sanskirt, her name means “Pure and hopeful.” Gavankar has voiced Iden Versio in the video game, Star Wars: Battlefront II (2017). It’s great to hear Gavankar back and as an important character. A gong sounds as we the episode title, then we get the village in the morning, centered in a clearing surrounded by trees. The music by Kevin Kiner is brilliant, it feels like an evolution of his Clone Wars score, moody.
Nak-il is working on the roof with assistance by a droid when he sees Pav-ti with Ahsoka.
She reaches in the house to take out a rifle for a hunt. Pav-ti sees Gantika feeding several grey-furred Loth cats. The elder (Toks Olagundoye) gives a blue stripe on the foreheads of baby and mother. Olagundoye was in Duck Tales (2017-2021) voicing Mrs. Beakley and other parts. I like the ceremonial hunting symbol. A single warrior for a hunt? This should at least be a hunting party. I’m imagining this a bonding experience between a mother and child, but still dangerous. Pav-ti heads into the forest, she tells Ahsoka to look at the life around them. She taps some large flowers that spurt out puffs of what looks like dandelions, all to Ahsoka’s delight. Pav-ti hears the bellow of a creature and heads towards it. The Kybucks are grazing, a deer-like creature that looks part kangaroo, they were intrduced in Chapter 1 of the Tartakovsky Clone Wars (2003) series. Kybucks were native to Kashyyyk. Pav-ti raises her rifle and then a shot is heard. They head to the fallen Kybuck and Pav-ti wants her daughter to “face death.”
The Kybuck is struggling to breathe, Pav-ti says words to the animal, and raises her dagger. It feels vey Native American like in The Last of the Mohicans (1992). The sound effect is heard and not the violent act. We see Pav-ti tying up the Kybuck and jokes to Ahsoka about bringing the Kyback back to the village. Also, heard is the creature that snarls from the bushes. Pav-ti hears the growling and turns. It is a Sabertooth creature, yellow-furred with ridges! The Sabertooth roars and without the rifle, Pav-ti shouts back! She manages to pick up the rifles and fires several blasts. The Loth Cats are disturbed, Nak-il knows his wife is in trouble, he and other villagers bring their rifles. Pav-ti fights it with her dagger and then struck down by its paws. The Sabertooth turns to look at the infant Ahsoka! There is a hint of Attack of the Clones (2002). Gonna say it, adorable, main character, there has to be a Baby Ahsoka action figures and doll! There is also Clone Wars voice veterans; Ashley Eckstein as the older Ahsoka, Matt Lanter (Anakin Skywalker), and James Arnold Taylor (Obi-Wan Kenobi). Plus, the surprise voice of Bryce Dallas Howard as Yaddle! The series has a gentle, different tone in contrast to the morally complex Count Dooku episodes. Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi has a great focus on the very popular former Jedi, Ahsoka, and the fall of Count Dooku!
Five Lightsabers out of Five!
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