The Mandalorian Mid-Season Review
Episode 5 debuts today. As promised a few weeks ago, when I recapped the premiere, here are my thoughts on the first half of the first season of “The Mandalorian.”
Full spoilers for Episodes 1 through 4 follow.
Something Old, Something New
Whatever I was expecting from this show, this isn’t quite it. That’s not a bad thing. In fact, maybe it’s the best thing, as I’m so rarely surprised anymore when watching new things, especially things tied to existing IP. Sure, there are shootouts, and creatures, and Jawas (so many Jawas?), and useless Storm Troopers. There are cool Mandalorian gadgets, as we’ve seen before from the titular hero’s Madalorian-adjacent predecessors. There’s scum and villainy in a backwater cantina, on a planet as nameless as our bad-ass protagonist (in two cantinas on two nameless planets actually). There are double crosses, and Kowakian monkey-lizards, and even an AT-ST, piloted by some (literally) dog faced raiders, who got a deal at an Empire Surplus Store I guess.
Speaking of surprise born of what we know, how about Bryce Dallas Howard — director of Episode 4 — making a “Chicken Walker” scary for the very first time.
I think her time on the sets of two Jurassic World movies may have been an influence.
I loved it.
Tell me you didn’t say “Oh Shit!” when that mechanized monster emerged from the woods… and we already knew the AT-ST was in play!
We’ve seen Mandalorians before in Star Wars. Not the Fetts, but rather the substantial coverage of them in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and “Star Wars Rebels.” We understand the highlights of a warrior culture grappling with their past while charting a new future. The internal strife between war and peace. Choosing the wrong side, allying with The Empire, and paying the price. The unyielding devotion to doing things “their way.” But we hadn’t seen the religious fervor with which they adhere to the core tenets of their personal life. The Beskar armor as an extension of their personality, the importance of earning a signet, the rules governing how and why they wear it.
Just as importantly, while they’re telling us more about these unique and intimidating warriors, they show us why they’re a force to be reckoned with, even if they’ve fallen into disrepair as a nation.
Seeing the organized chaos of a team of jetpack clad Mandalorians flying in to deliver some pain is a “jump off your couch and fist pump” moment. Star Wars has always thrived on this, so it’s great to see the show live up to expectations; spectacle is a necessity for the franchise that literally defined the term “blockbuster.”
Double crosses, droids that make you laugh, creatures, freaks, lasers, and The Force. We’ve seen a little of all of it so far, in only four of eight half hour-ish episodes. It’s the new ways that they’ve been combined and deployed that makes this feel so fresh. It’s masterful television.
What’s It All Mean Basil?
I’ll confess I’m not too sure yet. Again, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, but I have to say it’s fairly unprecedented in my personal viewing experience to see something so light on a “main” story. Sure there’s the hero’s journey aspect unfolding, as Mando tries to elevate from respected bounty hunter to True Mandalorian. There’s the Lone Wolf and Cub parallel that’s screaming in our face. Beyond all that, there has to be something “more” it’s all building towards.
I think?
The central relationship being cultivated between Mando and The Child has obviously fixed itself to the center of this web, but there has to be at least one step further. And I think we have at least a small idea about it, as it has been in plain sight all along, but kept at arm’s length thus far: just who exactly wants The Child so badly?
That is certainly a compelling question. It’s one we’ve had since The Client hired Mando, even if it wasn’t the first question on our minds. Certainly the secretive nature of the job, the amount of resources poured into the hunt, and the presence of the mysterious Dr. Pershing, indicate that this question must be answered eventually.
It’s a question that bubbled up again at the end of Episode 1, though it may have been lost for you (as it was me) amidst the million other questions that that final scene posed.
Now, I’m good with a little side quest or three on the way to the critical path, but with precisely 50% of the season in our rear view mirror, isn’t it time to get past the appetizers and into the main course?
I won’t knock Favreau and Filoni too much yet, because thus far they’ve delivered an excellent product. I just feel as if I’m filling up a little on the free bread sticks and I want my steak. I can smell the steak wafting from the kitchen though…
The Child
OK enough with the so-called “analysis.” We’re here for Baby Yoda.
Look at that face. He’s captured all of our adoration. Let us count the ways.
Love At First Sight
Are you freaking kidding me!? Come on. That’s the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen. This little guy melted the heart of a ruthless killer (though he hasn’t displayed wanton cruelty yet, so maybe he had a heart already. Consider the foundlings) and caused him to break his agreement with a fellow guild member (RIP IG-11).
Then he made him throw his entire career — and maybe his life — away to keep him safe.
Not to mention jeopardizing the entire Mandalorian Enclave, who had remained a secret until Mando and The Child needed saving.
That was disgustingly adorable
Seriously? He’s waddling along on his tiny, 50 year old, infant legs after a desert frog. He’s never gonna catch it.
OH
He ate it in one bite? Fantastic. Good job little guy.
He’s One With The Force, The Force Is With Him
OH HE’S GOT THE FORCE! OK!
So The Child is the main character of this show now. Show me the lie. I mean he’s got work to do. He lifted that mudhorn, allowing that slouch Mondu, or whatever his name was, to kill it. Saved his sorry ass. Lifting huge creatures with The Force when you’re an infant 50 year old is hard work. Nap time.
Suspect Parenting
Stealthy
Eye on the prize
So close
Foiled!… or was he?
Play the long game, you must.
Sipping the T̶e̶a̶ Broth
If you weren’t sold at this point. If you have a heart of stone. If you don’t know how to love anymore, I defy you to remain unconvinced by The Child sipping bone broth while Cara Dune and Mando duke it out.
Top 5 Star Wars moment of the whole series. I will fight you if you think otherwise (I don’t actually want to fight you).
Stray Thoughts
- This show looks great. Limited, but effective, use of CGI. Real props. Some of the sets still look too much like sets, but the budget is being maximized. My main concern coming in was this show looking cheap/bad. So far, so good.
- The array of weapons shown so far is great, in particular Mando’s. The return of the Boba Fett disintegrator/taser on steroids from The Holiday Special might make up for that travesty of a movie.
- Props to director Deborah Chow for Episode 3: The Sin. I didn’t know I needed a fifteen minute adrenaline rush, triggered by a glorious fusion of John Wick: Chapter 2 and Star Wars, but that’s exactly what the second half of that episode was. Incredible tension. Tremendous framing and cinematography. Also, flying Mandalorian heavy with a minigun? Pure bliss.
- Fight choreography has really picked up. The shootout at the end of Episode 1 was strong, but the sequences indoors and outdoors in E3, and the hand to hand battle between Mando and Cara Dune, are taking it to the next level. Great way to utilize Gina Carano’s skills. Also satisfies my mantra for action shows/movies/games: show me something I haven’t seen before. I’ve never watched an MMA fighter beat up a Mandalorian before
Verdict
This show is damn good. Really. I was always gonna be in for this show; I’m an unabashed fanboy for Star Wars. But there’s a big difference between guaranteeing my eyes at the start and getting me to count down to the next episode coming out weekly. This show is living up to, and in fact exceeding, expectations. Season so far gets a — 9/10 — .
Check back at the end of the season.
If you enjoyed this, read more from me here at The Spinchoon, and follow us on Twitter @TheSpinchoon & @AlessandroB1187. My most recent reviews were on Season 2 of Amazon’s Jack Ryan, and my first Retro Review: Mass Effect. We post three times weekly, on Sports, TV, Video Games, Movies, and more. We have a movie and beer podcast too: Flix & a Six.
