Grogu’s back! …plus, the Mandalorian
Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) has lost his way. Travelling with Grogu and wielding the Dark Sabre, he realizes the only way to purify his mistake of removing his helmet is to bath in the Living Waters of Mandalor…which may no longer exist. As Din Djarin seeks redemption, but a darkness is brewing. Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) still has plans for the Mandalorians.
The Mandalorian—Season 3 is a sci-fi Star Wars action-adventure series. The show was released from March 1, 2023 to April 19, 2023 on Disney+.
Growing up on Star Wars, The Mandalorian has been a treat. It not only presents a long-form of the movies, but an expansion of characters and stories from other Star Wars films and series. While The Mandalorian has ups and downs, the series is still fun. Due to aspects of the plot, a ******spoiler alert****** exists.
Meesa thinkin’ yoosa in trouble!
The season starts out on a bit of a rocky note in that you had to watch The Book of Boba Fett to follow the plotlines. While fans of Star Wars probably didn’t miss The Book of Boba Fett, not everyone saw it…and even fans kind of found the series a slog. You had to know how Grogu redemption. It feels like the last few episodes of Boba Fett could have just been slid into The Mandalorian.
The season itself is strong with a few missed opportunities. With the tight seasons of today and only eight episodes to tell a story (combined with a big gap between seasons), it feels like shows have to make the most of each episodes. Episodes like “Guns for Hire” which is a fine stand-alone, feels like wasted opportunities for more plot building stories. If there were twelve episodes, it wouldn’t be as much of an issue.
The core of the series still is the relationship between Grogu and Djarin which continues to develop. Though he has always had the Lone Wolf and Cub vibe, this season makes it official with Djarin officially taking Grogu as his son and Mandalorian-in-training. It didn’t really feel like it needed to be official, but it was a nice cherry on top of the season.
Hey…you look familiar
The show benefits from an increasingly strong supporting cast (both human and non-human). Pedro Pascal was rumored to potentially be leaving the series due to his busy schedule which helped amplify the season finale since it added a hint of potential death. Katee Sackhoff as Bo-Katan expands her role and the season is almost as much about her redemption as Djarin. Carl Weathers and Amy Sedaris are good series regulars (Weathers also directed “The Foundling”), and Giancarlo Esposito is a good bad guy. The show has being developed Katy M. O’Brian (as Elia Kane) as a secondary villain and also given a bigger part to Paul Sun-Hyung. In addition, the characters have guest stars like Jack Black, Lizzo, Tim Meadows, and Christopher Lloyd. Jar-Jar Binks’ portrayer Ahmed Best also gets redemption by playing Kelleran Beq who saved Grogu from the Jedi Temple slaughter.
What’s next for The Mandalorian?
One of the best things about the series is the opportunity to expand existing characters. I like the continued returns to IG-88’s comparative model IG-11, and it is good to see a return of R5-D2 (though they don’t decide to make him Skippy the Jedi Droid from Star Wars Tales…which would have enraged fans). I like appearances by Ugnaughts, Anzellans, Mon Calimari, and Quarren as well…it helps Star Wars feel even more like a “world”. In addition it also further cemented Star Wars Rebels into canon with the appearance of Zeb Orrelios.
Star Wars is expanding and expanding for good or bad. Star Wars fans will never be kind (and I always have to think about the lack of Star Wars to remind myself how lucky we are now). The Mandalorian continues to be one of the best expansions and one of the most fun Disney+ series. With three seasons in and no indications that the series is ending anytime soon, it is nice to have stability. I look forward to seeing the further adventures of Djarin and Grogu.
The Mandalorian—Season 3 Complete Episode Guide
“Chapter 17: The Apostate”
3.1 Chapter 17: The Apostate Release Date: 03/01/23
Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) must find and explore Mandalor to bathe in the Living Waters if he hopes to restore his honor among his people. Travelling to Nevarro with Grogu, Djarin meets with Greef Karga (Carl Weathers) in the hopes of restoring IG-11. Djarin learns IG-11’s memory circuit has been destroyed but finding a new one might be a challenge. A trip to Kalevala, Djarin gets a warning from Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff).
“Chapter 18: The Mines of Mandalore”
3.2 Chapter 18: The Mines of Mandalore Release Date: 03/08/23
Djarin visits Peli Motto (Amy Sedaris) and learns bad news about IG-11…but finds a new companion in R5-D4. Travelling to Mandalor, Djarin finds what dangers still lurk on the planet forcing Grogu to go on a rescue mission with an unlikely hero.
“Chapter 19: The Convert”
3.3 Chapter 19: The Convert Release Date: 03/15/23
Bo-Katan and Djarin return from Mandalor to find Kalevala under attack. A former Empire scientist named Dr. Penn Pershing (Omid Abtahi) tries to adjust to his new life among the New Republic…but finds his past coming back to haunt him in the form of Elia Kane (Katy M. O’Brian).
“Chapter 20: The Foundling”
3.4 Chapter 20: The Foundling Release Date: 03/15/23
Djarin and Bo-Katan go with a rescue party after a stolen foundling as Grogu learns what it takes to become a Mandalorian…but while also remembering the fall of the Jedi temple on Coruscant and the Jedi Kelleran Beq (Ahmed Best) who saved him. Bo finds herself drawn into the Mandalorians and questioning the Mythosaur she saw in the Living Waters.
“Chapter 21: The Pirate”
3.5 Chapter 21: The Pirate Release Date: 03/29/23
Nevarro comes under the attack of Gorian Shard (Nonso Anozie) and his pirates after the assault on his men. Sending a call for help, Carson Teva (Paul Sun-Hyung) is contacted for help…but it could be too late. Teva seeks help from the Mandalorians, and it could mean that the Mandalorians won’t run anymore. Bo-Katan is tasked with a new assignment by the Armorer (Emily Swallow). A discovery in space could mean danger for the Mandalorian.
“Chapter 22: Guns for Hire”
3.6 Chapter 22: Guns for Hire Release Date: 04/05/23
An attempt to bring her people into the Mandalorian fold, Bo-Katan, Djarin, and Grogu go to Plazir-15 where her fleet is based. When they are recruited by the Duchess of Plazir-15 (Lizzo) and Captain Bombardier (Jack Black) to stop potential rogue droids in their affluent society, Bo-Katan and Djarin find themselves pulled into a mystery…Bo-Katan might find her people, but they might not welcome her.
“Chapter 23: The Spies”
3.7 Chapter 23: The Spies Release Date: 04/12/23
Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) and his shadow council of Imperial agents plot their next move. The exiled Mandalorians return to Nevarro with weapons and men but forging a new allegiance could be difficult. IG-12 could be a new direction for Grogu but problems for Djarin. The Mandalorians return to Mandalor to try to reclaim their planet…but fate could intervene.
“Chapter 24: The Return”
3.8 Chapter 24: The Return Release Date: 04/19/23
The war for Mandalor is on, and Moff Gideon has revealed his plans. As Bo-Katan fights to remain free, Djarin is prisoner of Gideon. The Mandalorians must unite in the final battle, and it could change their worlds forever.
Related Links:
The Mandalorian—Season 1 Review and Complete Episode Guide
