I’ve had a good feeling about The Mandalorian since we got to see some images released at Star Wars Celebration. Star Wars fans have been waiting ages for a live-action series. It’s something George Lucas and his team kicked around, and thank the Maker for Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, and Disney Plus!
WARNING: This post contains SPOILERS! I have spoken.
A Mandalorian walks into a cantina
I’ve seen the first two episodes and I’m already obsessed with this show. The drama is set after the destruction of the second Death Star and the Battle of Jakku. The Mandalorian is a bounty hunter roaming around the Outer Rim on planets that have the Star Wars used-universe vibe. There are familiar aliens, including a Kowakian monkey-lizard, Stormtroopers, people frozen in carbonite, and dark and dank cantinas filled with mysterious types. The whole thing feels very Western, kind of like Solo. No Jedis or Sith drama yet.
We don’t know much about the Mandalorian. I read that Pablo Pascal revealed his character’s name is Dyn Jarren. He has flashbacks to chaotic scenes in his childhood, and I’m guessing that’s why he’s sort of a moody loner. Mandalore was subject to lots of turbulence from civil war, gangs and the Empire. Not sure what state it’s in currently, but there is an enclave of Mandalorians, including Supernatural’s Emily Swallow as The Armorer, hanging out in a foundry where Mando brings his earnings and gets a new piece of armor. He’s told that his prize will help many. So mysterious!!!
Enter the sidekicks
Mando’s next job takes him to Arvala-7 where he meets Kuiil who has one of the best catchphrases in Star Wars: I have spoken. It’s seriously already on t-shirts. The Ugnaught trains Mando on how to ride these big lizard things so that he can rid Arvala-7 of some bad guys who have got the Mando’s mark. Just as he’s ready to pounce, IG-11 makes his appearance and starts blasting. Seems the droid is seeking the same bounty even though he and Mando are working for the same team.
Every good Star Wars update needs a good droid (see Chopper, BB-8, K2-S0, L7), and IG-11 shows promise. He seems pretty literal but not in a C-3P0 know-it-all way. He’s got some cool fighting moves and he’s voiced by Taika Waitit. BTW, Mando hates Droids as much as a Mos Eisley barkeep.
And then I died
The final moments of the first episode includes a reveal that is now one of my favorite things every in Star Wars….
A BABY YODA!!!!!
This little guy – mind you he’s 50 years old – is the cutest thing ever. (Sorry, Porgs!) and the internet has been going crazy over him. Where is my Pop, Funko???? Must. Have. Baby. Yoda merch. This is a seriously big deal because we don’t know much about Yoda’s origins or even his species.
In the second episode, Mando’s trying to get out of the Tatooine-like Arvala-7, and has to wrestle a giant space rhino in order to make a deal with some Jawas. And we learn Baby Yoda (who doesn’t seem to have a name yet) is a Force wielder and possess badass powers along with ultimate adorableness.
Dream team
The series is written by Jon Favreau (Jungle Book, Avengers) and includes Dave Filoni, the genius behind Clone Wars and Rebels, among the directors. So much nerd power in that duo!
I love the tone and cinematography. They’ve used practical models and puppets in creating the series, which makes it look so classic Star Wars, and there’s still plenty of effects and action. I’ve also loved the roster of guests (Horatio Sanz, Emily Swallow, Nick Nolte),
My one issue: the episodes are only about 40 minutes!!! So unfair. And they’re only released once a week on Fridays. But as Yoda says, “Patience you must have.”
Want to see the latest Star Wars merch? Check out this post for some of the new toys, clothes and accessories from The Mandalorian and Last Skywalker!
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Robin Cabana loves to nerd out about Star Wars, Doctor Who, Game of Thrones, Disney and so much more. She has a pug named Penny and lives in New Jersey. 