A bounty hunter makes his way through the outer reaches of the galaxy, far from the authority of the New Republic.
Directed by Dave Filoni The Mandalorian chapter one is excellent, it may not be a feature length film but this live action series is thankfully the next best thing. Created by Jon Favreau and with Disney and Lucas Film wallet he offers great production values, practical effects, hidden FX and a music score to match, it does not disappoint.
Actor Pedro Pascal expertly echoes Boba Fett injecting his own nuances and movements into this new lead character. The tone is perfect and feels like Star Wars should.
It is not just all new Uber characters and elements. It welcoming builds and expands George Lucas’ established universe. For example recycling/reusing established species and droids (including the Ewok’s Battle for Endor’s Blurrgs) to name but a few. Filoni also offers an IG bounty droid mirroring the IG-88 ESB character. You get to see a bounty droid in action.
With a job from Carl Weathers’ Greef Carga, Pascal’s Mandalorian tracks a target for a well-paying client (Werner Herzog) he freezes and shoots his way through the episode with The Man with No Name prowess. With the help of an indigenous character Kuill (voiced by Nick Nolte) and the bounty droid IG-11 our hero proves his honour durning a surprise reveal of a familiar unknown Star Wars species at the closing of the first episode.
Overall, aside from some iffy CGI it’s pretty much a TV Star Wars action adventure dream come true. Captures that Stars Wars magic.
Chapter 2: The Child
When Jawa’s strip Mando’s ship, he must undertake a dangerous task to retrieve an item to trade with little thieves to get them back.
Disney and Lucasfilm offer another quality episode echoing the serial tone of the Planet of the Apes TV, Star Trek, Flash Gordon series’ to name a few and a handful of Western films.
Nick Nolte is again memorable as his moody character Kuillas as he helps The Mandalorian mediate with a group of Jawas. There’s some great action scenes, Mando (brilliantly played by Pedro Pasca ) climbing a Jawa’s
Sandcrawler vehicle, killing and burning Jawas, fighting a Rhino-like creature harking back to Attack of the of Clones’ Reek. To top this episode off theres a bit of force ‘magic’ thrown in for good measure as Mado’s bounty gets to show off his skills.
Overall, director Rick Famuyiwa delivers an action packed standalone episode with the overarching thread still teasingly present.
Chapter 3: The Sin
The conflicted Mandalorian violates his bounty hunter code and goes on a rescue mission with grave consequences.
The Sin is another strong instalment as Mando grapples with handing over the baby of his last bounty. Director Deborah Chow’s offering oozes atmosphere of the fallen Empire and hints of the new Republics lack of reach and power to bring peace to the galaxy.
In the third episode Mando shoots, stabs, electrocutes, burns and explodes his way through Stormtroopers and bounty hunters like butter.
The sets and special effects here are first rate, the narrative is strong and the action comes thick and fast. It also spends time to explore the Mandalorian’s culture also beliefs and fans are treated to a great shootout in the closing act with help from his armoured friends.
Carl Weathers gets a little more screen time. More trilogy Star Wars sub-characters appear which is a joy for fans. Packed with nods, the Empires science devision hark back to Rogue One, IT-O Interrogator droid from New Hope, glimpse of an order 66-like purge and even a battle droid from the prequel films to name a few.
Overall, the series goes from strength to Mandalorian forged beskar armour strength, successfully expanding the Star Wars universe.
Chapter 4: Sanctuary
The Mandalorian teams up with an ex-soldier to protect a village from raiders.
The Sanctuary is a solid enough entry which in the closing doesn’t go they way the casual viewer may expect with The Mandalorian making another important choice.
However, it does fall short of expectations story wise feeling very much like a Star Trek episode/film, with Western themed plot that echoes of likes of The Three Amigos, Blazing Saddles, High Plains Drifter to name a few, in which the indigenous village population must learn to protect itself against the odds of a greater danger.
That said, Star Was fans will find it great to see an AT-ST walker included in the plot. This episode introduces a new and welcomed character, the action orientated soilder namely Gina Carano as Cara Dune. Pedro Pascal as The Mandalorian is on his usual perfectly cast form. It a shame they didn’t use an already established spieces as the raiders (although they are reminiscent of something from Ewoks).
With great effects, action setups and a little heart it’s good but excluding the main overarching story, this filler episode’s plot is slightly worn.
Chapter 5: The Gunslinger
A wannabe Bounty hunter requests Mandos help to bring in a nutritious assassin.
Chapter five is joy that returns Star Wars fans back Tatoonie and Mos eisley cantina as Mando travels across the dune sea to do a job to get credits to repair his ship.
Gunslinger is another great episode with loads of nods to the films, speeder bikes, Tusken Raiders, droids as far back as episode I and II, an EV droid from RotJ, Dew-backs of New Hope to name a few. Even the table where Han Solo killed Greedo appears and Beggars Canyon where Luke used to knock about gets a mention!
It’s a welcomed fan service episode that new comers and sci-fi fans would also appreciate with its great effects, sets, music, direction, action setup and shoot outs.
There’s an interesting tease in the closing that hints at a beloved villain saga character may well be returning.
All in all a return to Star Wars form.
Chapter 6: The Prisoner
A team of unsavoury characters plan a prison ship breakout with the help of Mando.
With double crosses and century guards part 6 is a standard prison break affair only its just what the Star Wars universe needs on screen (better the the brief breakout in Rogue One), echoing Predator and Batman in terms of weapons and action.
Directed by Rick Famuyiwa and written by Famuyiwa and Christopher Yost. The anti-hero group cast are great Mark Boone Junior is on subtle form, Natalia Tena is a little OTT but Clancy Brown and especially Bill Burr are on point.
The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) is more physical and the bounty hunter character’s morals are fleshed our a little more.
It’s a solid enough episode with icing on the cake being a squad of X-Wings turning up in the closing.
Chapter 7: The Reckoning
Kuill and Cara Dune team back up with Mando in a deal to take the heat off the child he protects.
Director Deborah Chow offers tension infused episode, tightly paced with plenty to enjoy. There’s creatures in the night attacking the group, more Ugnaught-isums from Nick Nolte’s voiced Kuill. Carl Weather gets more screen time and development. The Child’s healing powers are reenforced (connecting it to the recent Rise of Skywalker saga film).
More double crosses, action and tests of conscience. More Star Wars nuggets, familiar droids, more Blurrgs (from 1985’s television film Ewoks: The Battle for Endor) Stormtroopers, a tie fighter, Deathtroopers and Scout-troopers and their speeder-bikes, to name a few. Interestingly it pushes the benefits of the fallen Empire now that there is no order.
A welcomed darker instalment that ends on a dramatic cliffhanger.
Chapter 8: Redemption
Mando, IG-11, Dune and Karga must face off against Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) and a legion of Stormtroopers in one final battle to save the Child.
The season 1 finale is yet another fine instalment. You know you’re hooked and a series is doing something right when you get upset that Scout-troopers harming the Child and characters that make self-sacrifices bring a lump to your throat, namely IG11 and the fate of Kuiil.
We get more of Mando’s backstory through flashbacks as his parents hide him from a battle droid and get to see more Madalorians in action.
Baby Yoda, er, The Child gets to shine in this episode and the special effects used to bring him to life are impressive. Once again Gina Carano’s Cara Dune and Carl Weathers’ Greef Karga offer a solid backbone to the episode as Mando discovers the fate of the Madalorians as they try to escape via an underground river of lava.
Overall, a satisfying ending to a strong first season.
Season 2:
Chapter 9: The Marshal
The Mandalorian warrior sets out to reunite The Child with its kind finding himself back on the desert planet of Tatooine where he enters into an uneasy alliance with a small town.
More Star Wars nods, more action, it’s fanboy heaven which isn’t a a bad thing as Mando strikes a deal with the town Marshal, it’s people and the Tuskian Raiders to stop a sand dragon. It’s a monster of the week episode, with a High Plains Drifter Western feel.
With a moody dark opening it moves along at a brisk pace. But you can’t help feel that it would have made a better stand alone film. That said, it is what it is. And certainly is better than nothing, exceeding expectations in terms of a Star Wars TV series.
Timothy Olyphant is on his usual fine form as the Boba Fett amour wearing Marshal, oozing presence made for the screen. Incidentally, fellow Deadwood actor W. Earl Brown appears made up in an excellent extended cameo of Boba Fett golden braided proportions. John Leguizamo also appears in some unrecognisable brilliant cyclops-like make-up.
Mando (Din Djarin leaked name?) Pedro Pascal is staple great. Excellent sets, many of the effects are outstanding but like season one some are oddly a mixed bag. The weekly story finishes with a great series set up twist and an appearance connecting to the original trilogy.
Overall, a solid episode that keeps you pasted to the screen and more importantly wanting more.
Chapter 10: The Passenger
The Mandalorian must ferry a passenger with precious cargo of spawn on a risky journey.
A fun filler episode of sorts, that misses the opportunity to really expand the characters or connect the universe. Is the ice planet Mando crash-lands on Star Killer base, Hoth or Maldo Kreis from season one, episode one? Will we ever know? I’m sure Star Wars aficionados do. Yes there are more easter eggs, driods, locations, weapons, nods to other Stat Wars media. What we do learn is don’t mess with republic pilots, that The Child’s love of food knows no bounds and this isn’t a an episode for arachnophobes as Mando takes on a horde of different sized spider creatures. The set up in the cave is well staged and the effects are breathtaking especially durning the space chase with x-wings.
Overall, a visually exciting and pleasing episode but does little to move the storyline forward especially after the reveal of the season opener.
Chapter 11: The Heiress
After the pit stop previous episode when Mando crash lands again this time in a Trask Moon fishing port “The Heiress” is back to fine form as The Mandalorian braves high seas and meets new enemies and unexpected allies.
The Star Wars expanded universe seems to make perfect sense with Quarren squid-face and Admiral Ackbar’s Calamari species side by side, where else but by the sea.
Mando gets double crossed while searching for his people, The Child almost meets its demise and Battle Star Galactica’s Katee Sackhoff’s Bo-Katan makes her live-action debut.
Frog Lady is reunited with her Frog Man and Baby Yoda thankfully makes it up with her spawn.
Star of the show though are not the sharp shooting cool squid eating Mandalorians. It’s the fallen Empire’s Imperial officers. Moff Gideon appears briefly with stark orders. Actor Titus Welliver is simply off the chart as the Kamikaze-style captain. We are also served plenty of Stormtrooper target practice by returning director Bryce Dallas Howard.
It’s a jam-packed episode. While Trask may be a another new addition, (as if we need another new planet) this time it works logically. Staple and synonymous with the series fans are treated to Star Wars cruiser of Easter eggs, namely returning characters, reused props, other nods to the franchise and talk of the Jedi.
With all the action and adventure, this episode battles for pole position of Season 2’s best so far.
Chapter 12: The Siege
Directed by Carl Weathers, The Mandalorian and the child take a detour to Nevarro and unit with their allies Cara Dune and Greef Karga.
When Mandalorian agrees to help them destroy an imperial base we get and action packed episode and more clues to the Child’s purpose. Stormtroopers, escapes, speeder bikes and TIE fighters and a return of sorts of Moff Gideon.
Although slightly disjointed, it turns into something special. More connections to the Star Wars world that have now become expected.
Another great episode.
Chapter 13: The Jedi
On the forest-planet Corvus, making a deal, Mando and a Jedi confront Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth ruler of the city of Calodan.
Dave Filoni delivers a pivotal episode, we find out The Child’s name is Grogu and learn more about his history. It’s an Asian inspired instalment in terms of tone and setting. It bridges many of the Star Wars series’ and films, even mentioning Yoda.
Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) appears for the first time as a live characters and we find that she is in search of villain fan favourite, Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Lieutenant Lang Terminator and Aliens star Michael Biehn appears. The lowkey showdown between Mando and Lang is brilliant and understated. Hopefully somehow Lang can return and we can have the pleasure of Olyphant’s Marshal and Biehn on screen!?
Overall, a fantastic rounded episode.
Chapter 14: The Tragedy
Mando delivers The Child to a Jedi temple and after facing off with a legendary bounty hunter, he suffers a devastating blow.
At last… Boba Fett’s long
awaited return along with Slave 1!
The only thing that’s a little off is the abundance of flying Iron Man type Dark Troopers that the script call for. Which is surprising given its is directed by Robert Rodriguez (Predators, incidentally now a Disney owned property).
More Stromtroopers, more Mando, more Grogu action! There’s some bonding moments between our two heroes and story shifting moments, namely Grogu falling into enemy hands and the destruction of the Razor Crest, in addition former characters appear. Jango is mentioned, both his and Boba’s history is explored along with more call back to the saga.
Overall, a fast pace instalment, with plenty of surprises that sets up the reuniting of old allies and enemies.
Chapter 15: The Believer
In a bid to locate Grogu The Mandalorian goes up against the Empire again but enlists help from an old enemy and friends to complete the dangerous mission.
Chapter 15 of The Mandalorian, “The Believer,” is arguably the best directed and mostly flowing episode to-date as Mando and friends infiltrate an Imperial base.
Written and directed by Rick Famuyiwa,
we get all that Star Wars action stuff, skiff pirates in waves, tie fighters, sharp sniping, fist fights and more Stormtrooper shootouts. But more importantly we also are offered some great character moments, even Mando having to remove his helmet.
A tension filled sequence with an Imperial officer, wonderfully played by Richard Brake, is built up perfectly, putting Mayfeld and Mando in danger. However, Bill Burr steals the show as the imperial-turned-mercenary, offering a great arc.
But be warned, naturally with the big sets ups and focus on Mando and Mayfeld, both Fennec Shand and Fett get little screen time. In addition, Gina Carano’s Cara Dune is given little to do despite the previous episodes build up. Grogu gets an episode break and Moff Gideon appears briefly to set up the next episode.
Overall, one of the best executed episodes of season 2, thanks to Famuyiwa’s astute directing and writing.
Chapter 16: The Rescue
After Grogu, aka The Child is kidnapped Mando attempts to rescue the kid with some allies.
Director Peyton Reed offers a finely executed final episode of Season 2. Although many series favourites are missing, including Olyphant and Weathers. Cara Dune (Gina Carano), Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) and Koska Reeves (Sasha Banks) return with some excellent shootout action. There’s Star Destroyer worth of nods to the Star Wars Saga, especially Return of the Jedi, including a jibe about two Death Stars.
Fett (Temuera Morrison) and Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen) screen time is limited but stick around until an after credits scene (which should have simply been tagged on to the episode) as we return to Jabba’s palace on Tatooine, where Fett settles some old business with Bib Fortuna! This sets up Conan-like throne of The Book of Fett (series).
Although Gideon demise is slightly anticlimactic, Giancarlo Esposito offers plenty of acting chops to the proceedings.
With plenty of surprises, including the Dark Troopers, (thankfully less Iron-man-like this time around), the ending action mind blowing!
In his trusty X-Wing Luke Skywalker (a CGI tweaked Mark Hamill and double Max Lloyd-Jones) arrives in Vader Rogue One style kill mode, along with R2D2 to take Grogu under his Jedi wing. Excellent actor Pedro Pascal as Mando again it’s simply fantastic here, he gets to remove his helmet once again in an emotional and touching scene.
Did we need another made young CGI face probably not, as they could have kept Luke’s face hidden, but beggars can’t be choosers. Would we have preferred a Mando film with Pedro in the lead rather than a TV series, most likely yes. But these small screen outings are better than nothing.
Overall, thanks to understated Pedro Pascal Reed delivers a memorable outstanding episode. You’ll poop your pants like it’s 1983.
The Breathing Dead
The Mandalorian TV Series (2019-) Review
Posted: November 13, 2019 in FILM REVIEWS/COMMENTSTags: Boba Fett, chapter, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 4: Sanctuary, Chapter 5, chapter 6, chapter 7, chapter 8, Chapter One, Mandalorian Gunslinger, Mandalorian season 2 review, Redemption, review, scifi, season 2, star wars, The Child, The Gunslinger, The Mandalorian, The Prisoner, the reckoning., The Sin
Directed by Dave Filoni The Mandalorian chapter one is excellent, it may not be a feature length film but this live action series is thankfully the next best thing. Created by Jon Favreau and with Disney and Lucas Film wallet he offers great production values, practical effects, hidden FX and a music score to match, it does not disappoint.
Actor Pedro Pascal expertly echoes Boba Fett injecting his own nuances and movements into this new lead character. The tone is perfect and feels like Star Wars should.
It is not just all new Uber characters and elements. It welcoming builds and expands George Lucas’ established universe. For example recycling/reusing established species and droids (including the Ewok’s Battle for Endor’s Blurrgs) to name but a few. Filoni also offers an IG bounty droid mirroring the IG-88 ESB character. You get to see a bounty droid in action.
With a job from Carl Weathers’ Greef Carga, Pascal’s Mandalorian tracks a target for a well-paying client (Werner Herzog) he freezes and shoots his way through the episode with The Man with No Name prowess. With the help of an indigenous character Kuill (voiced by Nick Nolte) and the bounty droid IG-11 our hero proves his honour durning a surprise reveal of a familiar unknown Star Wars species at the closing of the first episode.
Overall, aside from some iffy CGI it’s pretty much a TV Star Wars action adventure dream come true. Captures that Stars Wars magic.
Chapter 2: The Child
When Jawa’s strip Mando’s ship, he must undertake a dangerous task to retrieve an item to trade with little thieves to get them back.
Disney and Lucasfilm offer another quality episode echoing the serial tone of the Planet of the Apes TV, Star Trek, Flash Gordon series’ to name a few and a handful of Western films.
Nick Nolte is again memorable as his moody character Kuillas as he helps The Mandalorian mediate with a group of Jawas. There’s some great action scenes, Mando (brilliantly played by Pedro Pasca ) climbing a Jawa’s
Sandcrawler vehicle, killing and burning Jawas, fighting a Rhino-like creature harking back to Attack of the of Clones’ Reek. To top this episode off theres a bit of force ‘magic’ thrown in for good measure as Mado’s bounty gets to show off his skills.
Overall, director Rick Famuyiwa delivers an action packed standalone episode with the overarching thread still teasingly present.
Chapter 3: The Sin
The conflicted Mandalorian violates his bounty hunter code and goes on a rescue mission with grave consequences.
The Sin is another strong instalment as Mando grapples with handing over the baby of his last bounty. Director Deborah Chow’s offering oozes atmosphere of the fallen Empire and hints of the new Republics lack of reach and power to bring peace to the galaxy.
In the third episode Mando shoots, stabs, electrocutes, burns and explodes his way through Stormtroopers and bounty hunters like butter.
The sets and special effects here are first rate, the narrative is strong and the action comes thick and fast. It also spends time to explore the Mandalorian’s culture also beliefs and fans are treated to a great shootout in the closing act with help from his armoured friends.
Carl Weathers gets a little more screen time. More trilogy Star Wars sub-characters appear which is a joy for fans. Packed with nods, the Empires science devision hark back to Rogue One, IT-O Interrogator droid from New Hope, glimpse of an order 66-like purge and even a battle droid from the prequel films to name a few.
Overall, the series goes from strength to Mandalorian forged beskar armour strength, successfully expanding the Star Wars universe.
Chapter 4: Sanctuary
The Mandalorian teams up with an ex-soldier to protect a village from raiders.
The Sanctuary is a solid enough entry which in the closing doesn’t go they way the casual viewer may expect with The Mandalorian making another important choice.
However, it does fall short of expectations story wise feeling very much like a Star Trek episode/film, with Western themed plot that echoes of likes of The Three Amigos, Blazing Saddles, High Plains Drifter to name a few, in which the indigenous village population must learn to protect itself against the odds of a greater danger.
That said, Star Was fans will find it great to see an AT-ST walker included in the plot. This episode introduces a new and welcomed character, the action orientated soilder namely Gina Carano as Cara Dune. Pedro Pascal as The Mandalorian is on his usual perfectly cast form. It a shame they didn’t use an already established spieces as the raiders (although they are reminiscent of something from Ewoks).
With great effects, action setups and a little heart it’s good but excluding the main overarching story, this filler episode’s plot is slightly worn.
Chapter 5: The Gunslinger
A wannabe Bounty hunter requests Mandos help to bring in a nutritious assassin.
Chapter five is joy that returns Star Wars fans back Tatoonie and Mos eisley cantina as Mando travels across the dune sea to do a job to get credits to repair his ship.
Gunslinger is another great episode with loads of nods to the films, speeder bikes, Tusken Raiders, droids as far back as episode I and II, an EV droid from RotJ, Dew-backs of New Hope to name a few. Even the table where Han Solo killed Greedo appears and Beggars Canyon where Luke used to knock about gets a mention!
It’s a welcomed fan service episode that new comers and sci-fi fans would also appreciate with its great effects, sets, music, direction, action setup and shoot outs.
There’s an interesting tease in the closing that hints at a beloved villain saga character may well be returning.
All in all a return to Star Wars form.
Chapter 6: The Prisoner
A team of unsavoury characters plan a prison ship breakout with the help of Mando.
With double crosses and century guards part 6 is a standard prison break affair only its just what the Star Wars universe needs on screen (better the the brief breakout in Rogue One), echoing Predator and Batman in terms of weapons and action.
Directed by Rick Famuyiwa and written by Famuyiwa and Christopher Yost. The anti-hero group cast are great Mark Boone Junior is on subtle form, Natalia Tena is a little OTT but Clancy Brown and especially Bill Burr are on point.
The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) is more physical and the bounty hunter character’s morals are fleshed our a little more.
It’s a solid enough episode with icing on the cake being a squad of X-Wings turning up in the closing.
Chapter 7: The Reckoning
Kuill and Cara Dune team back up with Mando in a deal to take the heat off the child he protects.
Director Deborah Chow offers tension infused episode, tightly paced with plenty to enjoy. There’s creatures in the night attacking the group, more Ugnaught-isums from Nick Nolte’s voiced Kuill. Carl Weather gets more screen time and development. The Child’s healing powers are reenforced (connecting it to the recent Rise of Skywalker saga film).
More double crosses, action and tests of conscience. More Star Wars nuggets, familiar droids, more Blurrgs (from 1985’s television film Ewoks: The Battle for Endor) Stormtroopers, a tie fighter, Deathtroopers and Scout-troopers and their speeder-bikes, to name a few. Interestingly it pushes the benefits of the fallen Empire now that there is no order.
A welcomed darker instalment that ends on a dramatic cliffhanger.
Chapter 8: Redemption
Mando, IG-11, Dune and Karga must face off against Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) and a legion of Stormtroopers in one final battle to save the Child.
The season 1 finale is yet another fine instalment. You know you’re hooked and a series is doing something right when you get upset that Scout-troopers harming the Child and characters that make self-sacrifices bring a lump to your throat, namely IG11 and the fate of Kuiil.
We get more of Mando’s backstory through flashbacks as his parents hide him from a battle droid and get to see more Madalorians in action.
Baby Yoda, er, The Child gets to shine in this episode and the special effects used to bring him to life are impressive. Once again Gina Carano’s Cara Dune and Carl Weathers’ Greef Karga offer a solid backbone to the episode as Mando discovers the fate of the Madalorians as they try to escape via an underground river of lava.
Overall, a satisfying ending to a strong first season.
Season 2:
Chapter 9: The Marshal
The Mandalorian warrior sets out to reunite The Child with its kind finding himself back on the desert planet of Tatooine where he enters into an uneasy alliance with a small town.
More Star Wars nods, more action, it’s fanboy heaven which isn’t a a bad thing as Mando strikes a deal with the town Marshal, it’s people and the Tuskian Raiders to stop a sand dragon. It’s a monster of the week episode, with a High Plains Drifter Western feel.
With a moody dark opening it moves along at a brisk pace. But you can’t help feel that it would have made a better stand alone film. That said, it is what it is. And certainly is better than nothing, exceeding expectations in terms of a Star Wars TV series.
Timothy Olyphant is on his usual fine form as the Boba Fett amour wearing Marshal, oozing presence made for the screen. Incidentally, fellow Deadwood actor W. Earl Brown appears made up in an excellent extended cameo of Boba Fett golden braided proportions. John Leguizamo also appears in some unrecognisable brilliant cyclops-like make-up.
Mando (Din Djarin leaked name?) Pedro Pascal is staple great. Excellent sets, many of the effects are outstanding but like season one some are oddly a mixed bag. The weekly story finishes with a great series set up twist and an appearance connecting to the original trilogy.
Overall, a solid episode that keeps you pasted to the screen and more importantly wanting more.
Chapter 10: The Passenger
The Mandalorian must ferry a passenger with precious cargo of spawn on a risky journey.
A fun filler episode of sorts, that misses the opportunity to really expand the characters or connect the universe. Is the ice planet Mando crash-lands on Star Killer base, Hoth or Maldo Kreis from season one, episode one? Will we ever know? I’m sure Star Wars aficionados do. Yes there are more easter eggs, driods, locations, weapons, nods to other Stat Wars media. What we do learn is don’t mess with republic pilots, that The Child’s love of food knows no bounds and this isn’t a an episode for arachnophobes as Mando takes on a horde of different sized spider creatures. The set up in the cave is well staged and the effects are breathtaking especially durning the space chase with x-wings.
Overall, a visually exciting and pleasing episode but does little to move the storyline forward especially after the reveal of the season opener.
Chapter 11: The Heiress
After the pit stop previous episode when Mando crash lands again this time in a Trask Moon fishing port “The Heiress” is back to fine form as The Mandalorian braves high seas and meets new enemies and unexpected allies.
The Star Wars expanded universe seems to make perfect sense with Quarren squid-face and Admiral Ackbar’s Calamari species side by side, where else but by the sea.
Mando gets double crossed while searching for his people, The Child almost meets its demise and Battle Star Galactica’s Katee Sackhoff’s Bo-Katan makes her live-action debut.
Frog Lady is reunited with her Frog Man and Baby Yoda thankfully makes it up with her spawn.
Star of the show though are not the sharp shooting cool squid eating Mandalorians. It’s the fallen Empire’s Imperial officers. Moff Gideon appears briefly with stark orders. Actor Titus Welliver is simply off the chart as the Kamikaze-style captain. We are also served plenty of Stormtrooper target practice by returning director Bryce Dallas Howard.
It’s a jam-packed episode. While Trask may be a another new addition, (as if we need another new planet) this time it works logically. Staple and synonymous with the series fans are treated to Star Wars cruiser of Easter eggs, namely returning characters, reused props, other nods to the franchise and talk of the Jedi.
With all the action and adventure, this episode battles for pole position of Season 2’s best so far.
Chapter 12: The Siege
Directed by Carl Weathers, The Mandalorian and the child take a detour to Nevarro and unit with their allies Cara Dune and Greef Karga.
When Mandalorian agrees to help them destroy an imperial base we get and action packed episode and more clues to the Child’s purpose. Stormtroopers, escapes, speeder bikes and TIE fighters and a return of sorts of Moff Gideon.
Although slightly disjointed, it turns into something special. More connections to the Star Wars world that have now become expected.
Another great episode.
Chapter 13: The Jedi
On the forest-planet Corvus, making a deal, Mando and a Jedi confront Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth ruler of the city of Calodan.
Dave Filoni delivers a pivotal episode, we find out The Child’s name is Grogu and learn more about his history. It’s an Asian inspired instalment in terms of tone and setting. It bridges many of the Star Wars series’ and films, even mentioning Yoda.
Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) appears for the first time as a live characters and we find that she is in search of villain fan favourite, Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Lieutenant Lang Terminator and Aliens star Michael Biehn appears. The lowkey showdown between Mando and Lang is brilliant and understated. Hopefully somehow Lang can return and we can have the pleasure of Olyphant’s Marshal and Biehn on screen!?
Overall, a fantastic rounded episode.
Chapter 14: The Tragedy
Mando delivers The Child to a Jedi temple and after facing off with a legendary bounty hunter, he suffers a devastating blow.
At last… Boba Fett’s long
awaited return along with Slave 1!
The only thing that’s a little off is the abundance of flying Iron Man type Dark Troopers that the script call for. Which is surprising given its is directed by Robert Rodriguez (Predators, incidentally now a Disney owned property).
More Stromtroopers, more Mando, more Grogu action! There’s some bonding moments between our two heroes and story shifting moments, namely Grogu falling into enemy hands and the destruction of the Razor Crest, in addition former characters appear. Jango is mentioned, both his and Boba’s history is explored along with more call back to the saga.
Overall, a fast pace instalment, with plenty of surprises that sets up the reuniting of old allies and enemies.
Chapter 15: The Believer
In a bid to locate Grogu The Mandalorian goes up against the Empire again but enlists help from an old enemy and friends to complete the dangerous mission.
Chapter 15 of The Mandalorian, “The Believer,” is arguably the best directed and mostly flowing episode to-date as Mando and friends infiltrate an Imperial base.
Written and directed by Rick Famuyiwa,
we get all that Star Wars action stuff, skiff pirates in waves, tie fighters, sharp sniping, fist fights and more Stormtrooper shootouts. But more importantly we also are offered some great character moments, even Mando having to remove his helmet.
A tension filled sequence with an Imperial officer, wonderfully played by Richard Brake, is built up perfectly, putting Mayfeld and Mando in danger. However, Bill Burr steals the show as the imperial-turned-mercenary, offering a great arc.
But be warned, naturally with the big sets ups and focus on Mando and Mayfeld, both Fennec Shand and Fett get little screen time. In addition, Gina Carano’s Cara Dune is given little to do despite the previous episodes build up. Grogu gets an episode break and Moff Gideon appears briefly to set up the next episode.
Overall, one of the best executed episodes of season 2, thanks to Famuyiwa’s astute directing and writing.
Chapter 16: The Rescue
After Grogu, aka The Child is kidnapped Mando attempts to rescue the kid with some allies.
Director Peyton Reed offers a finely executed final episode of Season 2. Although many series favourites are missing, including Olyphant and Weathers. Cara Dune (Gina Carano), Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) and Koska Reeves (Sasha Banks) return with some excellent shootout action. There’s Star Destroyer worth of nods to the Star Wars Saga, especially Return of the Jedi, including a jibe about two Death Stars.
Fett (Temuera Morrison) and Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen) screen time is limited but stick around until an after credits scene (which should have simply been tagged on to the episode) as we return to Jabba’s palace on Tatooine, where Fett settles some old business with Bib Fortuna! This sets up Conan-like throne of The Book of Fett (series).
Although Gideon demise is slightly anticlimactic, Giancarlo Esposito offers plenty of acting chops to the proceedings.
With plenty of surprises, including the Dark Troopers, (thankfully less Iron-man-like this time around), the ending action mind blowing!
In his trusty X-Wing Luke Skywalker (a CGI tweaked Mark Hamill and double Max Lloyd-Jones) arrives in Vader Rogue One style kill mode, along with R2D2 to take Grogu under his Jedi wing. Excellent actor Pedro Pascal as Mando again it’s simply fantastic here, he gets to remove his helmet once again in an emotional and touching scene.
Did we need another made young CGI face probably not, as they could have kept Luke’s face hidden, but beggars can’t be choosers. Would we have preferred a Mando film with Pedro in the lead rather than a TV series, most likely yes. But these small screen outings are better than nothing.
Overall, thanks to understated Pedro Pascal Reed delivers a memorable outstanding episode. You’ll poop your pants like it’s 1983.
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