Will The Mandalorian escape the curse of the Star Wars Fandom?
The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) lives by his code. When he takes an assignment from Greef Carga (Carl Weathers) for a mysterious assignment from an unnamed client (Werner Herzog), he finds his code challenged. Now on the run with a young child, the Mandalorian must find a way to save the baby and it could mean risking everything!
The Mandalorian—Season 1 is a live action Star Wars TV series. The series was one of the premiere launch titles of Disney+. Created by Jon Favreau, it was released to positive reviews and helped boost subscriptions to the service. The series received Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (Half-Hour) (“The Reckoning”), Outstanding Musical Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) (“Redemption”), Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Program (Half-Hour) (“The Mandalorian”), Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Drama Series, Limited Series or Movie, Outstanding Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animation (“The Mandalorian”), Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animation (“The Child”), and Outstanding Special Visual Effects (“The Child”) with nominations for Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series (Giancarlo Esposito), Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Taika Waititi), Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes (“The Sin”), Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series (“Sanctuary”), Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Limited Series, Movie or Special (“The Prisoner”).
Love my Dewback!
I was on the fence on Disney+ but when I saw the trailer for The Mandalorian, I knew that I didn’t have a choice…I had to see the series. I can’t necessarily say that The Mandalorian necessitates a subscription to Disney+, but it definitely adds a lot of value to the service.
Falling after Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, the story is pretty basic. It borrows from a lot of stories and genres. In many ways, it primarily feels like a mash-up between Lone Wolf and Cub, Akira Kurosawa, and the Man With No Name Trilogy from Sergio Leone. The “on the run” format of the show permits stand-alone episodes and bigger plots. I also like how through the course of the season, the show is able to add a “family” to the Mandalorian’s quest. It is a good sign for the future.
Ok…how can you hate it?
The cast is also good. Pedro Pascal has one of the most difficult jobs. Not only does he have to appease the rabid fan base, but he has to do it hidden behind a mask. Like Boba Fett, the character must be an enigma but also “too cool”. The Mandalorian is intentionally monotone in many ways, but it makes it more interesting to “see” his emotion ooze out behind this wall.
The series has a lot of guest-stars and great characters to back the Mandalorian. Carl Weathers fortunately returns after the first episode since he is a fan favorite and appears like he could be a regular. Casting Werner Herzog also adds clout to the series because his work is highly respected and he has an oddity to him. I do like Gina Carano in the show and find her character interesting with room to explore but I am also willing to sever Carano due to anti-Semitic and transphobic remarks (among other things) that became more evident after this season was released (leading her to be let go after Season 2)…and if we could get some more Amy Sedaris in her Ellen Ripley-esque costume, it would be fun. Giancarlo Esposito was great in Breaking Bad and it is good to see him bring this cool and collected evilness to the Star Wars Universe
…Oh hell yes I’m back for season 2
The movie not only borrows plots aspects from The Man With No Name trilogy but he also borrows from the visuals while fully rooting it in the Star Wars world. The movie plays out as a science-fiction Western. Just like with Star Wars, there is a ton of potential for different locations as the series continues. I also commend the show for not simply adding new aliens every time they need aliens. The series utilizes a lot of those characters (or at least their races) which is fun if you grew up with the toys…and of course “Baby Yoda” became an internet sensation.
With so much disagreement and discord surrounding Star Wars and fandom, The Mandalorian represents the best of Star Wars…a community coming together behind a series. I haven’t heard of anyone disliking The Mandalorian so if you have any interest in Star Wars, the series is probably for you. With only eight episodes and more questions and mysteries raised, The Mandalorian leaves you aching for more!
The Mandalorian—Season 1 Complete Episode Guide:
“Chapter 1”
1.1 Chapter 1: The Mandalorian Release Date: 11/12/19
Working to collect bounties, a Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) turns his bounty over to Greef Carga (Carl Weathers). When he receives another assignment from a client (Werner Herzog), the Mandalorian finds himself on a mission to collect the bounty on an unknown target. The Mandalorian and IG-11 find themselves in battle with raiders holding the bounty…but the Mandalorian might find more than he ever expected.
“Chapter 2: The Child”
1.2 Chapter 2: The Child Release Date: 11/15/19
Saddled with the alien child, the Mandalorian finds himself stranded on the planet by a group of Jawas. The Mandalorian finds himself teamed with an Ugnaut named Kuiil (Nick Nolte) and is forced into a deal to get the parts of his ship he needs to leave…which could lead him to see why his client wants the child so badly.
“Chapter 3: The Sin”
1.3 Chapter 3: The Sin Release Date: 11/22/19
The Mandalorian has delivered the bounty to the client and has the supplies needed to repair his damaged armor. The fate of the child hangs heavy over the Mandalorion, and the Mandalorian must make a choice about his path.
“Chapter 4: Sanctuary”
1.4 Chapter 4: Sanctuary Release Date: 11/29/19
With the Guild bounty hunters after him, the Mandalorian lands on Sorgan to hide with the child. The Mandalorian finds himself and a mercenary named Cara Dune (Gina Carano) recruited by a village to stop raiders…the possibility of a future without fighting.
“Chapter 5: The Gunslinger”
1.5 Chapter 5: The Gunslinger Release Date: 12/06/19
Seeking repairs for his ship on Tatooine, the Mandalorian leaves his ship with Peli Motto (Amy Sedaris) to repair and watch the child while he teams with a rookie bounty hunter named Toro Calican (Jake Cannavale) who has taken an assignment to take down a Hutt mercenary named Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen) in the hopes joining the Guild
“Chapter 6: The Prisoner”
1.6 Chapter 6: The Prisoner Release Date: 12/13/19
The Mandalorian finds himself reteamed with one of his old groups. Ran (Mark Boone Junior), Mayfeld (Bill Burr), Xi’an (Natalia Tena), and Burg (Clancy Brown) have a mission on a First Order prison ship…but the Mandalorian finds that even the most untrustworthy can still surprise him.
“Chapter 7: The Reckoning”
1.7 Chapter 7: The Reckoning Release Date: 12/18/19
The Mandalorian has the opportunity to make peace with the Guild and protect the child. It means making a deal with Greef Carga and going after the client. Recruiting Kuiil and Cara Dune, the Mandalorian finds he might have to learn to trust a rebuilt IG-11 if he wants to keep the child safe. When the deal goes south and Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) arrives, the end could be near!
“Chapter 8: Redemption”
1.8 Chapter 8: Redemption Release Date: 12/27/19
Din Jarron has been named by Moff Gideon and finds himself pinned down with Cara Dune and Greef Carga. With the child in danger, IG-11’s programming could be the chance at saving them all…but the Mandalorian might not survive to see it.
Related Links:
The Mandalorian—Season 2 Review and Complete Episode Guide
The Mandalorian—Season 3 Review and Complete Episode Guide
The Book of Boba Fett (2021) Review and Complete Episode Guide
