Star Wars Celebration 2025 dropped quite a bit on us, from a brand new film set to open in Might 2027 to an animated collection that can observe Darth Maul within the felony underworld. Earlier than that, nevertheless, we’ve got extra Star Wars TV exhibits to get pleasure from, beginning with the anthology collection Tales of the Underworld.
After 2024’s Tales of the Empire made it clear this new format had been a win for each Disney Plus and Lucasfilm Animation, it was solely a matter of time earlier than these shorts explored extra of the galaxy far, distant’s seedy underworld. In any case, it has been constructed up over the many years, many fan-favorite characters belong to it, and The Guide of Boba Fett did not fairly ship on the promise of getting enjoyable with the mafia and different area criminals.
The six-episode anthology focuses on Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane — two fan favourite characters who confirmed up all through The Clone Wars (and later in The Dangerous Batch). Each of them have met their ends already (although Ventress did handle to cheat dying), however that does not cease Disney from telling attention-grabbing tales right here. Plus, the Star Wars timeline is very large, and with the Maul-centric present displaying us extra of the galaxy’s felony exercise beneath the reign of the Empire, the door is broad open for each Clone Wars veterans to hold round some time longer.
Under, you may discover a ranked record of all six episodes and our tackle every and all of them. Whereas Tales of the Underworld actually isn’t any Andor season 2, it is yet one more reminder of all the worth Lucasfilm Animation consistently provides to the ever-evolving sci-fi fantasy universe.
Gentle spoilers forward for all episodes of Tales of the Underworld and former Star Wars media.
6. ‘A Good Flip’
The penultimate episode of the bunch presents ruthless Duros bounty hunter Cad Bane simply as he is getting the dangle of the felony enterprise, earlier than his bounty hunter days. It comes after a playful introductory episode and jumps ahead in time to revisit each Bane (nonetheless utilizing the title Colby) and Niro after their paths in life have diverged. Colby is a gangster wannabe, and Niro has grow to be a lawman, leaving the ‘avenue rat’ life behind.
Contemplating this episode is (or needs to be) the pivotal second of Cad Bane’s complete arc on this miniseries, we’re unhappy to say it lacks a punch. The inciting incident occurs shortly and off-camera, and there simply is not a lot occurring earlier than the ultimate showdown that leads Colby down a path of hatred and evildoing.
It is attention-grabbing to see the 2 essential characters embrace totally different lives regardless of their shared background, and lack of the love and help of a household. It is typically mentioned Star Wars is all about redemption and empathy, however these tales additionally make the purpose that some persons are irredeemable, and Colby is the form of one who made the unsuitable (and straightforward) choice at each flip, even when he had an opportunity to show his life round.
5. ‘A Manner ahead’
The primary Ventress-centric episode begins with a long-awaited scene that adapts the ending of Dark Disciple, a canon novel that diehards thought had been ‘written off’ as non-canon when the previous Sith murderer was launched into The Dangerous Batch. The scene exhibits us precisely what occurred after her obvious dying. The darkish aspect of the Power is a pathway to many talents some contemplate to be unnatural, particularly after we’re speaking concerning the Witches of Dathomir and their magicka.
Quick-forward into the early days of the Empire, and Asajj has been given an enormous second likelihood… so long as she would not reunite together with her solely liked one: Quinlan Vos. Simple, proper? In any case, Order 66 has simply worn out the Jedi Order. Effectively, issues get arduous once more when a younger Jedi named Lyco causes a ruckus and the Empire targets the 2 Power wielders. The Jedi: Survivor (one of many finest Star Wars video games) vitality is thru the roof on this one, but it is not notably attention-grabbing or thrilling previous the prologue, and the transient duel with a brand new Inquisitor is not sufficient to make a long-lasting impression. We favored Asajj’s new yellow lightsaber, although.
4. ‘The Good Life’
The primary of Cad Bane’s episodes is refreshing from the get-go: We get to see the planet Duro lengthy earlier than the Clone Wars, following two mischievous orphans within the streets for some time earlier than they run right into a gangster who can change their lives. We have all seen this story earlier than: the promise of riches and energy, an ‘straightforward’ method out… Regardless of the mafia-era New York Metropolis-like setting, it is a acquainted Star Wars story, and spending a good period of time with Colby earlier than he selected a lifetime of crime was a superb name.
This primary chapter in Bane’s story is not exceptionally enjoyable or deep, although. It is precisely the type of factor that would’ve been a brief prologue or a small line of dialogue, and since we do not get to see a lot of Duro at its supposedly lowest time, shopping for into the entire “these children cannot escape poverty” angle is not as straightforward appropriately. It is much less of a tragedy and extra of a cautionary story, which is not an issue per se, however at roughly quarter-hour, ‘The Good Life’ takes a bit too lengthy to get going, squandering a lot of its potential within the course of.
3. ‘Associates’
‘Associates’ retains issues easy however is probably the most action-packed episode in Tales of the Underworld, giving this small assortment a much-needed jolt of vitality. The ethical of the story is easy: Do not belief of us who steal and kill for cash. Regardless of what the title of the anthology could recommend, Lucasfilm Animation is not glorifying mercenaries and bounty hunters right here… even when most of this episode is an superior, explosive heist scene.
The Imperial MacGuffin that Asajj, her new Jedi companion, and her ‘pal’ are after would not actually matter. What issues is how every thing performs out. For a strong jiffy, you’ve got obtained stormtroopers, large Imperial automobiles, and gunships inflicting chaos, all whereas the protagonists are attempting to outlive. They plan to steal an merchandise to achieve information of the Hidden Path, a secretive community that is shifting Power sensitives to security.
The perfect bit is Star Wars going full Lifeless Man’s Chest for a spell, with a implausible motion scene involving an enormous rolling chunk of surroundings and loads of acrobatics. The conclusion might’ve been extra tense for positive, however this one’s an amazing instance of how far Lucasfilm Animation has include its method and experience.
2. ‘One Good Deed’
The perfect factor about Tales of the Underworld is that each three-episode story arcs finish on excessive notes. ‘One Good Deed’ would not characteristic a variety of motion, however that is not why this story works. As Colby and Niro’s feud involves a head, the dramatic pressure and weight are higher felt, and long-time Lucasfilm Animation followers will recognize the unrestrained Western vibes on the forefront of this one.
The largest query going right into a Cad Bane-centric story arc that occurs fully within the pre-Clone Wars period of the galaxy was: Why ought to we care? We have seen him loads of instances through the years, and he died on the finish of The Guide of Boba Fett, so what can we acquire with this one?
It may be intriguing to see the place heroes and villains come, however provided that there is a area to inform their beforehand unseen tales. Lucasfilm delivers right here, with a shock conclusion that opens up a number of thrilling prospects and turns Cad Bane into a contemporary Star Wars legacy character. It positively wasn’t on our bingo card, however the shock works so nicely thematically and on a purely emotional degree that we should applaud it.
1. ‘One Warrior to One other’
Asajj Ventress’ story additionally will get an incredibly restrained third act, which sees her and the younger Jedi come throughout an ex-Separatist chief who cannot let go of a battle with no winners. Star Wars has circled such concepts earlier than with various levels of success, however the ‘no winners however Palpatine’ angle was price citing once more to offer Ventress yet one more push away from her previous life. It additionally works nice to take away the blindfolds from Lyco’s eyes, as he was too younger to grasp what all of the sudden occurred when the Jedi Order was worn out alongside the Separatists by a bigger, extra sinister power.
The setup can also be acquainted however efficient: A water battle on a backwater planet. There are small aliens much more vicious than the Ewoks, and an enormous misunderstanding. It shortly results in a enjoyable motion sequence involving speeders that is properly choreographed, and each the plot and emotional conclusion land their pictures. It is all peak Star Wars on a small scale, and a implausible reminder of how nicely this format works when there are clear targets in sight. After the frustration of Tales of the Empire, the Power is robust with this third anthology collection.
