As we edge ever closer to the season finale of The Mandalorian it’s becoming apparent that the back half of this season has really upped the ante. We shift focus back to the quest at hand and knowing full well that a certain villainous ominous character is looming.
Spoilers ahead if you have not seen the episode.
Despite Mando’s (Pedro Pascal) best efforts he is once again searching for a Jedi who can help train Grogu in the ways of the Force. They travel to Tython and he places Grogu atop the ‘Seeing Stone’ amidst the Jedi temple ruins, as per Ahsoka Tano’s instructions. Just as Grogu manages to conjure a connection to the Force, Slave-1 shows up and out steps Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison) and Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen).
Boba requests the return of his armour and in doing so he will swear allegiance to Mando and the protection of the Child. But their parlay is interrupted by the arrival of two drop-ships worth of Imperial Stormtroopers. The threesome battle the troops only to have Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) deploy his Dark Troopers to snatch Grogu and blow up the Razor Crest.
‘The Tragedy’ as this episode is titled on initial impression might imply the death of a character. And while we may have been spared the demise of a living breathing being, the annihilation of the Razor Crest was pretty damn heartbreaking. After all the trials, tribulations and having it repaired so many times, there’s no denying seeing it blown to smithereens was upsetting. Sure the kidnapping of Grogu was also distressing but we kinda know the kid is going to be somewhat safe since Moff Gideon needs him for more experimenting purposes.
Speaking of Gideon, it was also interesting to see how aware he is of Grogu’s powers. He didn’t seem entirely surprised of how strong the kid could be, as well as how tired he gets after too much use of the Force. What will be interesting to see is if he has any intentions of turning the little Jedi to the Dark Side or if they will use him solely for experimentation.
The other surprising reveal was the return of Fennec Shan and Boba Fett and the two of them teaming up. Initially we thought they might get the upper hand on Mando but after some simple negotiating a deal is struck that sees Mando gain two new allies. At the end of the episode Mando returns to Nevarro to see Cara Dune (Gina Carrano) a newly minted New Republic Marshall, to seek her assistance. He wants her to spring Mayfield (Bill Burr) to help him get the kid back. So it looks like Mando is recruiting his own gang of misfits for his next move on Gideon.
This episode, directed by Robert Rodriguez, is particularly heavy on action and light on plot. The upside being we get to see Boba Fett showcase how good a warrior he is, as he completely wrecks dozens of Stormtroopers using his Tusken Raider gaffi stick and gun. Once donning his beaten armour the troopers turn tail to escape but he takes out both drop ships with a blast of his rocket.
The fighting and action sequences are again pretty top notch here. But sadly they don’t really make up for the thin story. There is some emotional heart to this episode though as Mando tries to bond with Grogu, testing his Force powers and visibly being upset at the prospect of potentially having to part ways with his little charge. But Mando’s word is also his bond and he will clearly stop at nothing to get him back. With only two more episodes to go in Season 2 the show could quite possibly leave us on a cliffhanger of sizable proportions.
THREE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The Mandalorian is currently streaming Friday nights 7:00pm AEDST on Disney+
