Slowly but surely, the Star Wars franchise is making a surprise comeback on Disney+. After the last films and The Book of Boba Fett – not to mention Obi-Wan Kenobi – somewhat failed to live up to fans’ expectations, shows like Andor are reigniting the spark the franchise so desperately needed. This brings us back to the original Disney+ Star Wars show, which made enjoying a galaxy far, far away cool again: The Mandalorian Season 3.
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With its mix of classic western plot structures and trademark Star Wars setpieces, The Mandalorian has been one of Disney Plus’ biggest hits since day one. With a third season on the horizon – and arriving sooner than anyone would’ve thought – let’s see what are some of the things we are looking forward to when Din Djarin returns!
1. A New Plot Dynamic
Season 2’s finale put in jeopardy the typical structure of the series we’ve all known for two seasons. The most obvious difference is that The Mandalorian Season 3 might be the first one where Grogu (aka Baby Yoda) will not be a part of the main cast. This might sound like a minor change, but it could also add some unforeseen complications for the show as a whole.
It seems fair to assume that Season 3 will have a more serialized structure than its predecessors. The Mandalorian was never a truly episodic show, but the new season might be moving away a bit from the whole “adventure of the week” format seen in previous seasons.
If they decide to add a more sequential structure to the series, it could mean that Season 3 could eventually become the Mandalorian “movie” fans have always wanted since Boba Fett made his debut in Episode V.
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2. More Mandalore
Considering last season’s ending, this one is a given. Something fans have always wanted to see in live-action is Mandalore, the home planet of the Mandalorians. Now that Din and some other Mandalorians are heading to the ruins of their planet, it would be the perfect chance for the show to expand on the Mandalorian myths and customs.
Ironically, we’ve only seen a fraction of the Mandalorian mythos in The Mandalorian. However, it seems like Mando’s adventure in Mandalore won’t be an easy one, as he’s more or less the planet’s ruler by virtue of his wielding the Darksaber.
His possession of the Darksaber has also formed an uneasy alliance between Mando and Bo-Katan Kryze. Even though it’s clear that Din doesn’t want the saber – or to become Mandalore’s monarch – he can’t just give the Darksaber to Bo-Katan and be done with it.
This uncomfortable partnership between Mando and the rest of the Mandalorians would certainly make for some gripping moments in The Mandalorian Season 3. Din has always seemed like a man that has things under control – most of the time – but seeing him arriving on an entire planet filled with characters who keep their cool just as much as he does will certainly put his instincts to the test.
3. Moff Gideon Strikes Back
We know that Moff Gideon’s role will be much more significant in the upcoming season – but there’s always a reason to be excited when Giancarlo Esposito shows up on the screen. The Breaking Bad actor has become one of Star Wars’ most memorable villains, and his return in Season 3 could spell terrible news for the Mandalorians.
Following his defeat at the hands of Din, and witnessing first-hand the Jedi powers of Luke Skywalker, the previous Darksaber owner will not be too happy about how things turned out the last time he and Mando crossed paths.
Gideon’s servitude to the Empire and his steeled sense of duty are some of the reasons why fans love his character so much. Add to that that Esposito is one of the best guys in the industry when it comes to crafting a compelling villain, and you got the perfect recipe for a threatening antagonist.
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4. Some Context for the Sequels
Ask any Star Wars fan what they think of the Sequel Trilogy, and chances are that you’ll get a negative response. A trilogy that was meant to reunite fans for a celebration of all the things that made Star Wars such a beloved franchise turned instead into one of the most divisive pieces of media in entertainment history.
One of the main factors that contributed to its negative reputation is its lack of context. Some meaningful moments, like Emperor Palpatine coming back from the grave, were seemingly glanced over. With Season 3 of The Mandalorian, and some valuable hints provided by Giancarlo Esposito, we might be looking at some context for these confusing Sequel moments.
For starters, the Empire is set to make a sort of comeback this season. Could we finally see the Emperor’s cloning process in the show? Additionally, we know that this season will feature some other connections to the Sequel Trilogy, like the droidsmith Babu Frik making a cameo appearance.
Considering just how great of a show The Mandalorian has been so far, I wouldn’t be too surprised if this is the moment that finally “fixes” some of the most glaring flaws with Disney’s Star Wars trilogy.
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5. Space Action
While The Mandalorian has never been light in action scenes, there’s a distinct lack of spaceship battles in this space drama that might be a bit concerning for some fans. No worries, though: the first trailer for The Mandalorian Season 3 has all but confirmed that space dogfighting will finally have its time to shine this season.
There’s also the fact that we’ll get to see Mando’s new ship in action. After the destruction of the beloved Razor Crest, the Mandalorian now rides a fancy N-1 starfighter, much like the one that Anakin Skywalker piloted in Episode I.
With a faster, more manoeuvrable ship under his command, it would seem clear that Mando is ready for some space action. Even though the show has never been too explicit with its bombastic space setpieces, the third season of The Mandalorian might change that for the better.
When not involved in some complex Mandalorian plot for power, or investigating what the Death Watch has to do with his childhood, seeing Mando blowing up stuff in space will offer fans the classic Star Wars action that they were always hoping to see in a show like this.
With a release date of February 2023, we’re very close to witnessing the next chapter in the epic Star Wars saga. Let’s just hope it keeps some of Andor’s powerful storytelling as a bonus!
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6. Grogu’s Training
At the end of season two, fans everywhere were shocked when Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) saved the day aboard his X-Wing. However, the Jedi Master had plans for Grogu, who fans have affectionately nicknamed “Baby Yoda.” Luke intends to train Grogu in the Jedi ways, taking him away from Mando and effectively ending their journey together.
Grogu’s popularity ensures that he will return in The Mandalorian season 3. What we still don’t know is if he will play a role in Din’s adventures anymore. Here’s hoping that we’ll get a glimpse of Grogu’s training in the next season.
7. Mandalore and the Darksaber
With the defeat of Moff Gideon, Din is now the righteous owner of the fabled Darksaber. This black lightsaber has a complex history in the new Star Wars canon, and its owner is usually seen as a force to be reckoned with.
Season 3 of The Mandalorian seems to be preparing for a Mandalore storyline, where Din, Bo-Katan, and Koska Reeves set out to liberate their ancestral home. Things don’t end there, however, as Din, being the owner of the Darksaber, would technically be on his way to becoming the Mandalore, the leader of the Mandalorians.
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8. Leadership issues
As we know, the Mando we’ve seen throughout the series is a drifter, going from place to place and solving problems wherever he goes. It would be hard to picture a season of The Mandalorian where Din does nothing and just sits on a throne; it just wouldn’t fit his character so far.
The same can’t be said of Bo-Katan, who already has some experience leading Mandalorians. That said, she might have to fight Din for control of the Darksaber due to the weapon’s tradition of having to be won in combat.
9. More Ahsoka
The Mandalorian has been a great starting point for Disney+’s live-action Star Wars universe, introducing many characters that are set to get their own shows later on. One of those characters is Ahsoka Tano: a Jedi first introduced in 2008’s Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Ahsoka is poised to get her own Disney+ early next year, and that could mean that we could have multiple Star Wars shows having crossovers in the future. There’s another fan-favourite character that’s getting his own show later this year, and his relationship with Mando is certainly something interesting for the third season to explore.
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10. Boba Fett
A fan-favourite since his introduction in The Empire Strikes Back, Boba Fett is the original badass bounty hunter. Ever since his reunion with Din Djarin in episode six of The Mandalorian’s second season, fans have been excited for the possibility of the two bounty hunters working together again.
With The Book of Boba Fett now on Disney+, the two bounty hunters will have simultaneous shows on the streaming network. That said, another crossover between the two couldn’t hurt anybody, and we expect to see more kickass scenes between the two trigger-happy hunters in the future.
The Mandalorian Season 1 Recap & Review
The Mandalorian Chapter 1 & 2
The mighty Galactic Empire may have fallen, but remnants of it still exist. It’s just the sort of environment for bounty hunters to thrive in, with their motivations remaining their own and their loyalty only temporarily being claimed by the highest bidder. For one particular bounty hunter – the mysterious figure known only as The Mandalorian – his services are now hired by a client who appears to be linked to the old Empire. Little is known of his latest target, and details are scarce, yet it’s been active for fifty years, and The Mandalorian isn’t the only one looking for it.
As The Mandalorian braves the wasteland of Arvala-7, battling the target’s protectors and other inhabitants while making new allies along the way, he discovers the shocking truth about his quarry. Will the nature of his latest assignment proves to be too much to handle? And will The Mandalorian’s own tragic past influence if – or how – he completes the job at all?
There are two ways of looking at this: either this is finally the return to Star Wars greatness that fans have been waiting for, or it’s a rather humdrum show that’s been massively overhyped. There doesn’t seem to be much middle ground here.
However, for this particular Star Wars fan, it’s more a case of the former. Yes, the criticisms out there are fair; the first episode seems to waste time by focusing on The Mandolorian learning to ride a Blurgg, and some story elements seem a bit too convenient (or inconvenient) just for the sake of drama. But for those who are looking for a solid adventure in the style of A New Hope, and which can be appreciated by both lore-loving fans and newcomers alike, it’s one of the most timely shows out there right now.
On the surface, the story is perfectly straightforward and it’s enjoyable watching it play out, especially given the mysterious Mandalorian’s seemingly morally-ambiguous character. One minute he’s getting into gunfights with an air of calm coolness, the next he’s being dragged behind speeding vehicles like an unlucky Indiana Jones. Sure, there’s a story here and it becomes more intricate as it goes, but the show never loses sight of how too much exposition can get in the way sometimes. It moves at a fair pace, and it’s incredibly entertaining without ever getting bogged down.
Meanwhile, for those obsessed with Star Wars lore and have a head full of canon and trivia, there’s plenty more going on than meets the eye. Some things, like mentions of Life Day and the mythosaur, are simple references which drift by to let the fans know that this is 100% pure Star Wars down to its core and happily accepts the bad with the good. Other things, from the most seemingly insignificant costume insignia to the deeper meaning behind the currency The Mandalorian receives for his job, can speak volumes to those in the know. And with Clone Wars and Rebels producer/creator Dave Filoni’s involvement, it’s practically a guarantee of Star Wars authenticity.
Early mentions of The Mandalorian being influenced by classic Westerns and figures like Eastwood’s Man With No Name are an understatement, with plenty of callbacks to that particular trilogy everywhere. It’s a good thing too, because what worked then still works now. And, much like those Westerns and Star Wars were inspired by Kurosawa films like The Hidden Fortress, it appears that the Mandalorian may also owe a debt to the legendary Lone Wolf and Cub.
But all that’s for purists who care about the details.
The simple, most important fact is that – when stripped of the various layers to it – what you’ve ultimately got is an intriguing, touching and funny adventure. The Mandalorian totally commits to being a part of the massive Star Wars universe without any apologies or uncertainty. That makes it an easy watch that breezes on by, while still being completely fascinating.
The Mandalorian Chapter 3: The Sin
Having successfully acquired his latest bounty, all that The Mandalorian needs to do is drop the child off with those who hired him… and get paid. However, the whole adventure has left a bad taste in The Mandalorian’s mouth. As if the distasteful nature of the payment itself wasn’t already an insult to his people, the knowledge that other bounty hunters were issued the same assignment is a reminder of the cutthroat nature of the job. And then there’s the child itself. Why would somebody put a bounty on an infant – even a Force-sensitive one that’s fifty years old – and what possible fate may await it?
As The Mandalorian continues to rise through the hierarchy amongst the remnants of his struggling people, he must also face his own conscience and forge a new destiny. Whatever decisions he comes to will shape his future, ultimately bringing him into conflict with forces he can’t begin to imagine… and altering the lives of all those around him.
Let’s face it, it doesn’t matter if you haven’t seen this show yet because it’s probable that you’re already aware of the “twist” regarding the identity of The Mandalorian’s bounty. It’s been all over social media and the news, spoilers be damned; hell, even wrestler Chris Jericho made reference to it on the latest live AEW TV show. So, with that said… sure. It’s a Baby Yoda. Why not?
Whether it’s a clone, Yoda’s biological child, or even just one of the little green runt’s species, it’s been dubbed Baby Yoda by everyone and that’s fine. And yes, the little sprout is absolutely adorable. So much so, in fact, that we’d hate to see any harm come to it
With that out of the way, it’s worth pointing out that, as cute as Baby Yoda is, being adorable isn’t the sole motivation for what happens in the episode. In fact, it’s unlikely the cute factor played any part whatsoever in swaying The Mandalorian’s emotions at all, because he’s got bigger issues.
While hardcore Star Wars fans know the rich history of Mandalorian culture and how it relates to the main character (and his people), his actions and choices throughout this episode logically stem from clearly-defined reasons. Well, except the cryptic ones. After all, there’s still lots about him that we need to know. But there’s enough here to sufficiently explain things for now. And while at times this episode may seem a bit thin and obvious in terms of story, the plot progression works wonders and it’s perfectly paced.
But like with most things Mandalorian, it’s the actions that count (even when they’re pacifists). To balance the story out, there’s plenty of action once things kick in to high gear. While it’s become evident that The Mandalorian isn’t as highly skilled as we may have assumed, he’s still got the edge over many and is at his best when he’s overwhelmed in a stand-off. We’ve been waiting to see him go toe-to-toe with old Imperials since the trailers for this series dropped, and that’s good for an appetizer… but it’s nowhere near as rewarding as the final battle here, one which points to even greater things coming soon.
Again, it’s solidly directed and acted, and is an all-round top-quality production that looks and sounds as fantastic as it’s supposed to. It owes plenty to the various movies, shows and genres which have inspired it, and it’s a fitting tribute to classics of yesteryear while still feeling fresh. The show carries itself with an air of confidence that seems earned, even if a lot of it is false bravado… much like the main character himself. To that end, it never overplays its hand in a desperate bid to be cool, nor does it rely too heavily on the built-in Star Wars gimmickry even though that would be the easiest way to go.
Is it going to please everyone? Probably not, and someone will always find fault – especially with anything Star Wars. No, it’s not necessarily like we imagined it was going to be; instead, it’s better than that and feels somehow right.
The Mandalorian Chapter 4: Sanctuary
On the run from bounty hunters and desperate to avoid any trouble, The Mandalorian heads for the sparsely-populated backwater planet of Sorgan. There he encounters a former Rebel shock trooper called Cara Dune, who became a mercenary before hiding out. After she urges The Mandalorian to stay out of her way and move on, he decides to leave… until some local farmers try to hire his services in protecting them from raiders.
Seeing this job as an opportunity to solve several problems at once, The Mandalorian takes the job. Not only will it provide The Mandalorian and his young charge with a place of safety, but he can also make peace with Dune while aiding the farmers. However, the job proves to be tougher than he imagined – both physically and emotionally. Can The Mandalorian truly find sanctuary amongst these people, or is trouble always destined to follow him?
Damn! Just when you think that Baby Yoda can’t get any more adorable, he gets even cuter. Forget about how powerful he is with the Force; at this rate, by the end of the season, he’ll be able to overpower enemies just with a cuddly smile.
It seems that even The Mandalorian himself isn’t immune to his charms, because in this episode he decides that dragging the kid into every battle isn’t a sensible plan anymore. Actually, it makes perfect sense and shows the essence of The Mandalorian’s personality and thought processes. But as for the episode itself, it’s a mixed bag that offers far more positives than negatives, which is a good thing.
However, those bad points do need to be addressed quickly.
The story itself will be familiar with anybody who’s seen their fair share of Westerns of Samurai films: a helpless village gets terrorised, the villagers hire a mercenary to protect them, the mercenary teaches them to fight back while learning a lesson about themselves in the process. You don’t have to have seen The Magnificent Seven – even watching The Three Amigos, Blazing Saddles, or even an episode of The A-Team will give you the same story. There’s nothing new here, but that’s okay. Instead, basically this all boils down to how well the story is told. In this case, it’s… solid. Not great, but certainly not bad.
It’s hard to fully embrace this episode as a winner though. While some moments are handled with genuine care, such as learning more about The Mandalorian and Cara Dune’s personal history, the lack of depth to the villagers in general (as well as the bandits) makes the whole adventure feel somewhat pointless. It’s hard to cheer on our heroes if we don’t see any reason to care about what they’re fighting for. Sure, the village is nice and the people living there seem decent (except for a pair of Dumb and Dumber numbskulls); but seeing some random furniture get tossed around lightly by faceless goons doesn’t give viewers anything to connect with or a reason to sympathise. It’s Star Trek: Insurrection all over again.
For an episode that’s about The Mandalorian connecting with people, it’s sad that there are only two new characters we can connect with ourselves. Meanwhile, the directing and pacing of the episode seem a little off at times and the action scenes are handled no differently from the exposition ones. Where’s the energy?
Oh, and then there’s the other thing. Thanks for the spoiler, LEGO.
Fans of various franchises lately have been noticing spoiler details about upcoming movies and shows based on the designs of tie-in LEGO sets. I saw one such LEGO set for The Mandalorian recently, which revealed this episode’s big surprise well in advance. It wasn’t much of a spoiler, and I would have realised it in the first few moments of the show anyway just from being a lifelong Star Wars fan, but still… Seeing it revealed, exactly as it looked in the LEGO set, kind of ruined the moment for me. It wasn’t the worst thing, but it does point to how it can happen and seemed like just another problem with what, for the most part, was a solid episode.
On the positive side, it’s still a thoroughly entertaining episode with just enough action and plenty of character work to please any fan. Plus, hopefully, Sanctuary will end the debate about the lack of strong women – or any women, for that matter – in The Mandalorian. Here, Gina Carano’s Cara Dune debuts and she’s every bit the powerhouse she should be. Yet it’s her wry humour and attitude which work the most, and her return can’t come fast enough. Carano is still evolving as an actress, and while her physicality is still her strongest attribute she sells each line well and gets better all the time. Julia Jones as Omera is a far more polished performer, making every moment of screen time count, and you can tell that there’s a lot more going on with the character than is revealed.
But at the end of the day, this is still The Mandalorian’s show and nobody outshines him. Well, except for Baby Yoda, of course. And they’re both in great form here, delivering even more moments for fans to enjoy in a solid – if somewhat underwhelming – episode. The Force is definitely still strong with this show.
The Mandalorian Chapter 5: The Gunslinger
In Chapter 5 of The Mandalorian, after a deep-space dogfight with a rival bounty hunter, The Mandalorian’s ship The Razor Crest is damaged. Desperately needing a place where he can repair it, he lands at a repair facility at the Mos Eisley spaceport on the desert planet of Tatooine only to learn that he lacks enough money to pay for the repairs. Now seeking a new job to make some quick money, he joins forces with an inexperienced young bounty hunter called Toro Calican.
The Mandalorian soon learns that, like the Jundland Wastes, the Dune Sea is not be travelled lightly as they pursue their prey: Fennec Shand, a highly-trained mercenary who knows she’s being hunted. But in this tense game of cat-and-mouse, who will win? And with The Mandalorian and his young charge being chased by bounty hunters too, who can he trust in a wretched hive of scum and villainy?
For some, this latest episode will represent the most classic Star Wars-style episode of The Mandalorian to date: full of classic imagery and references that have been a part of the franchise since the very start, it feels like a hybrid extension of the original trilogy. Meanwhile, for others this will be a rather dull, by-the-numbers exercise in straightforward storytelling: it offers no real shocks, the characters are exactly what they seem to be with little depth, and there’s only a minor amount of action.
Both are right, balancing it out into a strangely average episode. But… what is an average episode of The Mandalorian like, exactly?
Well, it turns out that average is still pretty damn good. The guest stars may not quite get the chance to shine as brightly as they should, especially the under-utilised Ming-Na Wen but, across the board, it’s an impressive display of top-notch casting. The story may not be the most creative, but it’s still a well-paced tale that looks good, plays out smoothly, and fits with the overall narrative. And while there isn’t quite enough development with The Mandalorian himself, at least they eased up on the Baby Yoda cuteness so as to not wear out his welcome.
Of course, the real drawcard for this episode has to be Tatooine itself, and a welcome return for fans to Mos Eisley and its classic cantina. Even more than before, the impact of the fall of the Empire (and in this case Jabba the Hutt’s criminal underworld, too) is apparent and a lot has changed since we were here last: the Pit Droids are funnier, and practically redeem themselves here even with their usual dreaded light slapstick routine; the scum and villainy isn’t quite as obvious, and the lack of fascist stormtrooper activity makes a huge change; and the no-droids policy in the bar seems to have been done away with, thankfully.
Plus, throw in a fascinating scene with the Tusken Raiders that puts them in a new, and strangely sympathetic, light and you’ve got a lot to add to the lore of the entire series. At the very least, it’s interesting to see The Mandalorian thinking his way around problems instead of blasting through them. At most, it also puts their earlier on-screen moments into perspective, instantly elevating them from the position of being “like animals” to one of the more intriguing species in the franchise. That this should come from Dave Filoni should be of no surprise to anyone familiar with Star Wars stories in recent years.
Lastly, there’s a fascinating final scene in Chapter 5 of The Mandalorian. The impact of it will only be known in time, but if it’s what it appears to be then viewers could be in for one crazy ride.
So, is all of that enough to fill the gaps in this episode? Not exactly. While this show continues to look good and play out smoothly, if you’re not a hardcore Star Wars fan then you’re not likely to get much from all the small details going on here and the episode is… average. A good average, and there’s certainly nothing to complain about, but average nonetheless. It’s breezy and entertaining, but it may take a while for The Mandalorian Chapter 5: The Gunslinger to simmer and become truly appreciated.
The Mandalorian Chapter 6: The Prisoner
Still looking to make some money while keeping his young ward safe, the Mandalorian takes a job offered to him by an old friend, Ran. However, when he learns that the job is to break a prisoner out of a New Republic transport ship he’s reluctant to accept it. Things get worse when he has to surrender control of his ship to one of the other mercenaries hired to be a part of the “rescue” team, while another is a Twi’lek woman whom he once had a relationship with.
With an uneasy alliance with the mercenaries in place, and with the risk of becoming an enemy of the New Republic becoming greater all the time, the pressure is on for the job to go smoothly. But there’s no honour amongst the thieves and assassins, and the truth about the Mandalorian’s recent actions will come back to haunt him as he confronts enemies both old and new…
At this stage, some may be wondering if the story of The Mandalorian is truly progressing or if the excitement has finally worn off revealing the show’s average nature. So let’s get something straight here:
This is a fun, fantastic episode.
Is it great? No, not really. The story itself is a pretty by-the-numbers heist. There’s nothing massively original going on in that department and, on the surface, it’s another filler episode until we return to the bigger picture. But even if it is filler, it’s still an enjoyable adventure which looks great and flows smoothly even despite being a “bottle” show. More demanding fans may be clamouring for something more intricate, but this is still Star Wars. As such, it works best telling simpler stories that are told well.
And when it comes to the execution, this episode nails it. The fight scenes, while brief, go from zero to a hundred in the blink of an eye; the casting is excellent again, with enough fan-favourite cult legends (Lex Luthor, one of HP’s Order of the Phoenix, and an IT Crowd star?!) to satisfy plenty of viewers and they’re all in great form; a few Easter eggs and in-jokes for the hardcore fans; possibly the most image-defining visuals of the Mandalorian himself (in a glorious moment reminiscent of Alien), Baby Yoda, and even the Razor Crest, to date; and, most importantly, it captures the real vibe of the Star Wars universe.
It’s that last fact in particular that really sells this episode.
It’s completely believable that this story can happen and that these characters exist well within the greater tale. Once more, it isn’t just that things look right, but they feel right too. It’s a valid point that the polish may be wearing off on The Mandalorian as being a shiny new show, but then we’re still not quite sure as to exactly what kind of show this is anyway. Is it meant to be an in-depth tale? If so, how is it meant to be told? Remember, a weekly Star Wars show is exploring new territory… and at a time when recent movies have told us there’s too much Star Wars out there, it seems almost contradictory. That this show is doing what some of the latest movies have failed to and connect with audiences, that’s an achievement in itself.
Getting back to the episode, it’s easy to judge it as a throwaway stand-alone instalment… albeit a highly entertaining one. But there’s more to it than just action, some jokes about stormtrooper’s lousy aim, more baby Yoda cuteness and a solid heist story; there’s more of the Mandalorian’s backstory and his culture to unpack here, with some purposefully cryptic – and possibly contradictory – information being revealed, raising suspicions as to the true identity of the character. It may not be the most lore-heavy episode, but there’s also a lot being said between the lines.
Yes, this episode can be dismissed as nothingness. But if you’re a fan of Star Wars and this show so far, it should bring a smile to your face even if you’re getting used to the luxury of weekly adventures from a galaxy far, far away. Will it play a part in a bigger picture? Possibly… but would it be so bad even if it doesn’t? For now, enjoy it for what it is: an entertaining adventure.
The Mandalorian Chapter 7: The Reckoning
The time has come and the Mandalorian can no longer keep hiding from the Guild and its top man, Greef Karga. However, things have changed dramatically on Nevarro as a result of his earlier actions, and the remnants of the dying Empire have lashed out and taken control of Karga’s town and old grudges must be put aside. Karga is desperate to recruit the Mandalorian’s help to overthrow the Imperials and assassinate the mysterious Client, and the Mandalorian’s code of honour demands that he helps.
Expecting a trap, the Mandalorian recruits the aid of his most recent allies before taking the job. But their alliance is an easily-fractured one, and working alongside Greef Karga and his men is more perilous than they had imagined. Can the Mandalorian continue to keep the Child safe, despite such overwhelming odds? And who can really be trusted, when the scars of betrayal and hatred run so deep?
So, if you’re one of those folks who are disappointed by the latest Star Wars film, The Rise of Skywalker, or simply want to get an extra Star Wars fix this week, then this is perfect for you.
More than that, but rarely has an “I told you so” moment felt so deserved as the one this episode delivers, practically slapping the face of viewers who’d assumed the show had become complacent. Seeing the threads of this story arc be pulled together so effectively, showing how those previous stand-alone episodes were important… damn, it feels good.
Just seeing the Mandalorian pull his rag-tag team together is an incredibly rewarding experience, something many fans have been waiting for since the very beginning. Mando’s team is the epitome of a motley crew, bickering and untrusting because of their incredibly unique backgrounds, and the character interaction is superb and feels genuine. If this episode had been about that alone, it would already have been great; instead, that’s just the beginning and it goes further, getting even better as the plot rolls out and races towards its cliffhanger.
There are so many amazing moments, big and small, at work here that it’s almost impossible to know where to begin or what to single out. It’s incredibly easy to become emotionally invested in this episode, and by the end it’s likely that you’ll be left awestruck and desperate for the next episode. Perhaps one of the most touching, heartfelt, and at times darkly hilarious moments must be the story-within-a-story of the return of IG-11 – told by Kuiil the Ugnaut. The amount of compassion on display here is impressive, and other films and shows could learn a lot from it.
The acting is solid, and this time out Gina Carano puts in a great performance as Cara Dune in particular. She shines both in the action department and in terms of measured acting, more so than her first appearance. Since it’s often mostly just her and Carl Weathers whose faces appear on screen properly, while Mando is constantly masked and other characters are puppets or CGI, you’d be forgiven for thinking think that the acting is secondary here; however, from voicework, body language and more it’s easy to get a sense of how every character is feeling. It’s impressive stuff.
There’s enough action here to please those who need that adrenaline boost, although for the most part this is about building the story with tension (and occasionally humour). Clues are dropped regarding the mystery surrounding the Child, while this episode again conveys the state of the galaxy following the Empire’s defeat at Endor. It’s some impressive world-building, and helps to sell the big picture. On top of that, this is one of the most striking episodes to date on a visual level and the editing is perfectly paced.
Oh, and Baby Yoda continues to be the cutest thing in the galaxy since… Darth Vader? Make your own mind up on that one.
So, is this the perfect episode? Pretty much. Any faults are so nit-pickingly minor as to be practically unnoticeable, or at least unimportant. Not only does it set up what could be an incredible season finale, but it delivers it with true style. It’s an early reward for viewers, and is Star Wars done right; in other words, it’s everything fans could want and more, without sacrificing its own identity or original creativity. If you miss this, then you’re missing out.
Season 1 Finale
Everything has gone wrong for the Mandalorian. Trapped alongside mercenary Cara Dune and the bounty hunter boss Greef Karga, he’s pinned down by the evil Moff Gideon – a man who brought death and destruction to all Mandalorians. Worse, his ally Kuiil has been killed, and the young child he’s been protecting is now in the hands of former Imperial troopers. There’s no hope of escape, and no reinforcements coming to his aid… or so it seems.
With the odds stacked so heavily against him, old enemies become new allies in this final, desperate battle for survival. As more of the Mandalorian’s history is slowly revealed and the recent history of his people is explained, it becomes increasingly clear just what he’s now fighting for. But can he survive against such overwhelming odds? And what will this mean for all of those around him?
This is how to do Star Wars properly.
After the tragic and shocking cliffhanger last week, the start of this final episode jarringly switches gears… by offering viewers the funniest Star Wars scene ever. Proving that the franchise isn’t so stiff that it can’t beat parodies like Spaceballs, the COPS-style TROOPS and College Humor’s underrated Troopers at their own comedy game, the conversation between a hapless pair of scout troopers is played so broadly it’s almost unforgivable. ALMOST. However, thanks to some smart writing and the slick comedy direction of Taika Waititi, it’s the funniest thing in Star Wars since Tag and Bink and it’s just what this rollercoaster of an episode needed.
Of course, that’s just to lure the audience in before the sucker punch. Suddenly, the bantha poodoo gets real and audiences are soon treated to a combination of Rio Bravo and The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Battle lines are drawn, the stakes keep going up, plans quickly go wrong and our heroes need to adapt, explosions and shocking revelations punctuate each scene, and sacrifices have to be made. While it’s not the most complex of episodes in terms of storytelling, the no-nonsense style flows smoothly and it delivers on just about every key moment in the most riveting ways possible. They even throw in a couple of additional mini-cliffhangers, reminiscent of some of the best old serial plays, and end it all with a boss battle.
Plus, Baby Yoda is amazing here! Oh, and Mando takes his helmet off and we learn his real name. Like anybody cares… because Baby Yoda is so damn awesome in this!
This episode is the culmination of everything the show has been working towards since the start, and the dividends are huge. Every moment of redemption or enlightenment feels earned, and there’s barely a wasted moment of screentime. The action sequences are phenomenal but, more importantly, it’s the personal moments which make it truly memorable. It’s Star Wars done right. Beyond the story itself, references abound and there’s something for everyone – from the casual viewers to the most in-depth, canon-loving fans.
There’s plenty of groundwork laid for the next season too. But smartly, it successfully wraps up everything that needed to be done for this one first (without giving away too much), which was important. It allows this to be a good jumping on/off point, although I doubt anybody will be bailing on it after this ending – which gives fans almost everything they could have possibly wanted and more. And for anyone who missed out on The Clone Wars or Rebels, it’s time to give them a look!
Some will argue that The Mandalorian’s characters have been barely more than one-dimensional, and there’s some truth in that; however, the same can be said for many of the best SW characters in general, and it’s played to their advantage. For example, we’ve never really needed to know more about Han Solo (sorry, Solo) to know that we like him – he’s a good-hearted lovable rogue, and that’s plenty. The same is true here. While every new detail about them is helpful to flesh them out, it doesn’t change the fact that they’re simply likeable. Cara Dune kicks ass, and hates Imperials with good reason; Mando’s own grudges are clearly defined and explained; Even IG-11 wins over fans.
It isn’t the dumbing-down of character motivations; it’s playing to the core strengths that they can connect with the viewers, and Mando and his team are exciting to watch throughout. It also means that when sacrifices are made, or when a legacy or mantle is passed on, it means something. It’s impressive, despite appearing deceptively simple.
If there’s one let-down, it’s Moff Gideon. While there’s plenty said about him to let us know just what kind of a person he is, there’s still a whole lot more ground to cover. However, it isn’t too much of a stretch to say that he could be the best thing since Grand Admiral Thrawn, and next season should help expand his position. He has the potential to be a gamechanger, if The Mandalorian’s Dave Filoni, Christopher Yost and Jon Favreau play this right. But here, there isn’t quite enough of Gideon.
So, season 1 of The Mandalorian ends on an even higher note than it began. It’s the perfect finale to what’s been one of the best TV shows of the year, and once again proves that there’s still life in the Star Wars franchise when it’s done right. With the groundwork now having been laid, there’s no reason it shouldn’t continue to win over fans and critics alike as it continues…
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The Mandalorian Season 2 Recap & Review
Welcome back, Mando! We’ve missed you! It hasn’t been that long since The Mandalorian left our screens, but it feels like forever and a lot of things have changed. It’s only fitting that now, at a time when we really do need a new hope, that Star Wars would once again gift us with something special.
The Mandalorian Chapter 9: The Marshal Offers A Big Surprise
Determined to return the Child to its people, the Mandalorian desperately searches the galaxy looking for others of his kind to aid him. After a tense encounter with criminal Gor Koresh, he learns that there may be another Mandalorian on the remote desert planet of Tatooine. However, the details are vague and the Tatooine town of Mos Pelgo is rumoured to have been destroyed.
Travelling to the location of Mos Pelgo to uncover the truth, the Mandalorian discovers a small settlement presided over by a Marshal wearing distinctive Mandalorian armour – the same armour worn by the galaxy’s most fearsome bounty hunter, a man who fell into a sarlacc pit.
But who is the Marshal, and whose side is he on? With the small town under threat from a fearsome krayt dragon, the Mandalorian finds himself once again being called upon to help those most in need, leading to an unexpected alliance…
While elements of this episode may feel a little too much like the first season’s early battle against the mudhorn, the execution of this is far smoother and the scale is far greater, deliberately showing how far this series (and the Mandalorian himself) have come.
This episode wastes no time in delivering exactly what viewers want to see: mass quantities of Baby Yoda cuteness, an awesome fight scene for Mando, familiar faces, and some locations and visuals that are a treat. Before you know it there are the returning pit droids to chuckle at too, Tusken Raiders, and tons of canonical lore to excite viewers while the story unfolds simply and efficiently.
Oh, and there’s… that thing. You know what I’m talking about. One of the most requested Star Wars appearances ever. Of course, it’s here because this series knows what the fans want and therefore gets it out of the way fast.
Sort of. Because this episode likes to play games with the audience too.
Hands up, anyone who got Jodo Kast vibes.
The real trick here is that each little moment in the episode adds up, layering levels of goodness on top of each other in unexpected ways. Just when you think you’ve seen something cool and your mind starts processing what it may mean to the bigger picture, something else is added which raises the presentation higher. It’s a smart storytelling style that never lets up for an instant. Of course, it also serves to distract from what’s a mostly hollow plot, but when the progression is this entertaining it’s hard to truly complain.
Once again the Tusken Raiders are shown in a more favourable light, casting an even-greater question mark over Anakin’s slaughter of them years ago and reminding us that they’re more than just “animals”. It’s little moments like that which continue to expand our understanding of the Star Wars universe, while the Marshal reminds us of the power vacuum that was left after the Empire fell. It’s solid world-building.
As for the krayt dragon, it’s a powerhouse hybrid of a Dune sandworm and a Starship Troopers blister bug, which is everything anybody could have asked for.
The Mandalorian understands its audience. As always the production looks spectacular, the music is immersive and grand, and the acting, in particular, is top-notch. The Mandalorian is a show at the top of its game and confident in itself enough to understand its fans and play to their expectations.
If this episode had been mid-season it could have easily been regarded as a filler, given the relatively low stakes, but, instead, it serves as a great jump-start for the new season just to get things rolling.
Once again the Force is strong with The Mandalorian and it seems incapable of doing almost anything wrong. There are complaints to be found if you want to look for them, but it’s much easier to just enjoy the ride.
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The Mandalorian Chapter 10: The Passenger
Having slain the krayt dragon that was terrorising the inhabitants of Mos Pelgo, the Mandalorian and the Child make their way back to Mos Eisley.
Their journey back is not without incident though, as they’re attacked by bandits looking for a quick score. While the Mandalorian considers his journey an initial waste of time, upon returning to Mos Eisley he learns that someone else may have information on where the other Mandalorians have relocated to. All he has to do is one simple job:
Transport a passenger to a nearby planet.
However, there’s always a catch. He can only travel at sub-light speeds, because his passenger – known only as The Frog Lady – is a mother transporting her spawned eggs to her husband and they must be kept safe at all times.
The Mandalorian and his precious cargo face increasingly dangerous odds, as patrols of New Republic X-Wings in the area search for criminals, and their only safe haven may not be as safe as first appeared. How far will a parent go to protect their child? The Mandalorian is about to find out…
The Mandalorian Chapter 10: The Passenger… is a good episode. And that’s a bad thing.
That’s because this series, The Mandalorian, more often than not, has been great.
Good… good is fine, but great is better. In other words, by the show’s own lofty standards it’s a disappointment. The thing is, on many shows being good would be just fine, and this episode certainly has some fantastic moments which will entertain fans. Unfortunately, despite everything going on, it feels like an early-season filler episode that (apparently) doesn’t do much to advance the overall plot.
Directed by Marvel’s Ant-Man director Peyton Reed, the action starts right from the beginning with a quick reminder of how protective Mando is of Baby Yoda. Anybody or anything threatening its life is instant bantha poodoo. It’s a fun set-piece, but one that seems forced and only there to pad out the running time. It does successfully set up the theme of protective parenting though, and if there’s one thing that holds this episode’s story together it’s that.
The Frog Lady, protecting her spawn, is sadly one of the more blatant MacGuffins to be used in the show and the whole mission seems to have little bearing on anything.
Of course, Mando being used for taxi duty leads to them being rumbled by the local X-Wing pilots and a crash landing, because… well, something has to happen in this episode. Also, it’s shocking to see Baby Yoda developing quite a taste for Frog Lady’s eggs and it goes from cute to disturbingly psychotic pretty quickly.
Is it a warning of darker things to come, or a misguided attempt at comedy? It’s hard to
