Geek Review – Star Wars: Tales of the Empire (Disney+)

The galaxy far, far away seems awash with a new wave of live-action Star Wars on Disney+. The Mandalorian (2019-present), Ahsoka (2023-present), and Andor (2022-present) have dominated our screens, with their gritty realism and complex themes earning critical and fan acclaim. Yet, to dismiss the animated side of Star Wars as mere ‘cartoons’ for kids is to ignore a vital element of its long-term appeal.

Just as the Force flows through all life, so too does the spirit of Star Wars inhabit both live-action and animation. Building on the success of The Clone Wars (2008-2020) and The Bad Batch (2021-2024), Star Wars: Tales of the Empire arrives fresh off the heels of The Bad Batch’s thrilling finale. The release of Tales of the Empire nods to May the 4th – a galactic celebration synonymous with the Force. In recent years, some of the most beloved Star Wars stories have emerged from a willingness to revisit the prequel era, transforming once-derided corners into compelling stories.

Showrunner Dave Filoni follows this tradition with the Tales series, an animated anthology that explores different characters from the Star Wars franchise. Season one, Tales of the Jedi (2022), delivered an insightful exploration of fan-favourites Ahsoka Tano and Count Dooku and this new season goes in the opposite direction by revealing even more hidden layers within the Empire’s reign.

Like its predecessor, Tales of the Empire offers six episodes of animated shorts, but with a darker twist. Set in the era of the Galactic Empire, the show delves into the world of villains, exploring the motivations and complexities that shape these dark actions. Star Wars has a knack for creating compelling antagonists, and Tales of the Empire is a testament to that, following the journeys of Nightsister Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto), and former Jedi-turned-Inquisitor Barriss Offee (Meredith Salenger).

Each episode, running around 15 minutes, unfolds significant choices for both characters. Familiar Sith figures, including General Grievous (Matthew Russell Wood), Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen), and Darth Vader, make appearances, grounding these character arcs within the broader Star Wars lore. The episodes reveal pivotal turns, particularly for Barriss Offee.

Of the two, Barriss Offee’s storyline intrigues the most, offering a nuanced look at her journey from a dutiful Jedi Padawan to a conflicted follower of the dark side. Offee, who made her debut in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002), then played by actress Nalini Krishan, had a notable friendship with Ahsoka Tano in The Clone Wars series (“The Wrong Jedi” episode that marked Salenger’s debut in the role) that eventually led to a soured relationship. 

Tales of the Empire addresses this transformation, revealing her disillusionment with the Jedi’s teachings and her view that they have fueled the conflict they oppose. This makes her neither purely dark nor light but a lost soul whose desperation led her to the Inquisitorius. However, the inclusion of Darth Vader’s short cameo feels like a missed opportunity. As Offee’s dark side master, a deeper exploration of their relationship could have added further layers to her descent.

Meredith Salenger’s voice acting adds depth to Offee’s character, injecting lightness and sadness at appropriate moments, making her sympathetic without absolving her of her darker choices. The combination of emotional storytelling and dynamic, well-animated action sequences effectively captures the destruction and disillusionment wrought by the Empire, offering a sobering glimpse into its darker side.

While Tales of the Empire provides valuable insight into Offee’s story, the brevity of her arc leaves viewers wanting more. With only three 15-minute episodes and jarring time jumps from the rise of the Galactic Empire to the time of the New Republic, her journey feels rushed at times.

Morgan Elsbeth’s story, while captivating, doesn’t offer the same revelations as Barriss Offee’s arc. Her appearances in The Mandalorian and Ahsoka, also played in live-action by Inosanto, already sketched the broad strokes of her character – a ruthless survivor driven by a deep need for power. Nevertheless, the episodes offer a more nuanced look at her character, serving to flesh out her motivations and provide a few treats for hardcore Star Wars fans, including cameos by General Grievous and Grand Admiral Thrawn.

The first short revisits Elsbeth’s early years during the Clone Wars, revealing how the massacre of the Nightsisters on Dathomir by General Grievous fueled her bitterness and drive for revenge. The following episodes chart her journey within the Empire, highlighting her mentorship under Grand Admiral Thrawn and contextualising her later role in the Ahsoka series. Diana Lee Inosanto’s portrayal captures Elsbeth’s complexity, balancing her vulnerability and pain with fierce determination.

Seeing Elsbeth in her younger years offers a fresh perspective on her character, expanding her beyond a one-dimensional villain. Her journey is portrayed with depth, demonstrating how her path from survivor to antagonist is rooted in her painful past and drive for power. This context deepens her character, though it does not absolve her of her later actions, painting a more complete picture of Elsbeth’s journey in the Star Wars universe.

Unlike the standalone stories in the Star Wars universe (such as Star Wars: Visions), Tales of the Empire assumes a dedicated audience. It delves deep into Star Wars lore, with minimal hand-holding for newcomers. This approach is both its strength and its potential weakness. If you’re a die-hard fan, it’s a feast of character insight and intriguing connections to broader events. If you’re not immersed in the Star Wars universe, the short episodes and reliance on existing knowledge might create a barrier. 

Where Tales of the Empire shines brightly is in its exploration of pivotal, unseen moments. We witness the turning points that shaped these characters, adding richness and context to their choices in other Star Wars stories. The show skillfully balances action with quieter introspection, proving that even in just 15 minutes, Star Wars can deliver both spectacle and emotional beats. 

All in all, the takeaway is clear: Tales of the Empire is a love letter to fans, a series that revels in the quiet corners of its sprawling universe. For those seeking a deeper dive into the saga’s villains and lore, it offers a compelling, if not entirely satisfying, journey into the shadows of the Empire.

All episodes of Tales of the Empire will stream on Disney+ on 4 May.