The Mandalorian experiments with different formats in the three latest episodes.
If the first three episodes of The Mandalorian served as an opening act then the following three see it settling into a rhythm and giving us an insight into what the series may be going forward.
Across these episodes, we see Mando plunged into different scenarios before riding off into the sunset at the end. The style is somewhat evocative the TV versions of The Fugitive or The Incredible Hulk, with our main character stumbling across a dilemma of the week and helping a cast of supporting characters while learning a little bit about himself along the way. It’s a bold choice in today’s TV landscape where serialisation is the norm. By the same token though it also reflects the old action/adventure shows to which Star Wars has always owed a debt.
Chapter 4: The Sanctuary sees Mando protecting a village from raiders who have somehow acquired an AT-ST from the defeated Empire. This allows for some spectacular action and director Bryce Dallas Howard manages to make the Imperial Walker truly intimidating with horror-inspired shots as it stalks our hero’s by night. The episode also gives us the closest thing to a potential love interest we have yet seen and teases the possibility of Mando hanging up his armour. Of course, we don’t really expect this to happen but the sensitive way it is handled serves to deepen his character. Less successful is the introduction of Cara Dune, a former rebel soldier played by MMA fighter Gina Carano. The character acquits herself well in the action sequences but isn’t given enough time to define herself as a person. The Mandalorian is certainly building itself a diverse supporting cast but some more time to get to know them would be appreciated.
Chapter 5: The Gunslinger returns us to Tatooine and has Mando revisiting some of the most beloved locales from A New Hope. The Mos Eisley Cantina is present and correct but seems to have lapsed on its no droids policy. We also see the docking bay that once held the Millennium Falcon! The settings are perfect for a rush of nostalgia but the story also delivers. In the first episode not to be written by Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni gives us perhaps the most western-inspired story yet. We have betrayals and shoot outs while also getting a greater insight into the Bounty Hunters Guild. It’s a fun episode that only nudges the ongoing story forward a smidge but at this point in the series, I’m ok with that.
Chapter 6: The Prisoner is the longest episode yet and it benefits from the extra running time. The set up is simple, Mando and a gang of cutthroats have to liberate a prisoner from a new republic transport. Yet the execution is interesting. For the first half of the episode, we get all the tropes of a heist movie. We meet the gang, we go over the plan then we see it play out. What lets this down is the supporting characters who range from over the top (Natalia Tena’s Twilek) to completely wasted (Clancy Brown as a huge bruiser who has very little to do). Fortunately, things take a dramatic turn in the second half of the episode that sees Mando hunting down his former allies in sequences that seem inspired by slasher movies as much as sci-fi. It all culminates in a space battle that sees the return of fan favourite vehicles from the wider Star Wars saga. It is the strongest episode of the three, perhaps because the extra length allows us to get to know the cast before the action inevitably commences.
It’s difficult to say at this stage where The Mandolorian will go with its final two episodes. The conventional modern TV would suggest a return to the overarching plot and the return of some of the characters we saw earlier in the season. Perhaps a showdown with the Bounty Hunter’s Guild or even the remnants of the Empire? Given that the series is six episodes old and half was pretty much a movie while the others were stand alone’s, how Favreau will end the season is anyone’s guess but I remain excited to find out.
More Mandalorian - Episodes 4 - 6
Name: The Mandalorian
Description: The travels of a lone bounty hunter in the outer reaches of the galaxy, far from the authority of the New Republic.
Jim King is a lifelong geek who enjoys talking about anything and everything out of the ordinary. He co-hosts a Star Trek podcast and is pretty good at Street Fighter 2.
