Okay, okay. Stop me if you heard this one!
So, a Mandalorian walks into a bar…
As clearly the whole world knows by now, Disney Plus or Disney+, depending on who you ask and where you search, launched on Nov 12th, after a bit of waiting, high expectations, and shockingly low cost. So far, the platform is delivering in a big way.
One of the first original contributions comes to us from Jon Favreau. Yeah, that Favreau. Created, written, and produced by him.
So anyway, a Mando walks into a bar…
We see a blue alien individual (Horatio Sanz) in a bar being somewhat harassed or maybe robbed by a group of ne’er do wells.
True to it’s space western stylized sense, when it looks like the recipient of whatever bad thing was coming his way, the doors open and here comes a someone familiar look. That helmet, the armor, we aren’t sure who this Mando is yet, but it’s clear he’s not there for the drink special. Or the galactic nachos.
We quickly come to see a glimpse that Mandalorians probably aren’t to be messed with, as that group is quickly and efficiently dispatched. A sense of relief comes over the creature we saw just moments prior fearing for his life. Then, he quickly realizes HE is the bounty, and we get out first real line from this Mandalorian.
While the bounty tries to cut a deal, our Mandalorian smoothly touches his blaster and ominously warns “I can take you in warm, or I can take you in cold”.
That set the tone for me, I leaned back and said “oh damn”. It wasn’t a threat, it wasn’t brooding. It was just matter of fact.
As his prisoner is secured, he’s transported back to claim his reward. During this sequence, we get introduced to some new faces, and we see some familiar cruisers and speeders, though it’s still difficult to tell where in the timeline this falls. As a speeder driver (Brian Posehn) pulls up in a speeder “hoopty”, I still don’t get a good sense of timeline based on technology. As someone who is not full on smart when it comes to the canon of the Star Wars realms, at this point I can’t tell if it’s 1000 years before the Battle of Endor or 10 minutes after. (Editor’s Note: The Mandalorian apparently takes place between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens)
After handing off his prisoner, he moves on to the next job mentally and starts looking for more bounties to collect. He needS bounties to make money, but, it doesn’t look like business is booming. Then, he gets a bit of an offer he can’t refuse.
It’s clear by the way it’s setup, and when he goes to the deal…that this isn’t just a regular bounty. The payoff is very solid, the people offering it are, well…you’ll see, but a Mando gotta eat!
He gets basic info, everything about this deal should have been a red flag. He basically gets a tracking device, and told the subject’s age so it “shouldn’t be that hard to find” for a Mandalorian. They want them alive, but if the bounty comes back cold there is still a half bounty. So that’s damned intriguing.
At the same time, as a side note…Bitch please, you’re going to send me off with a wonky GPS and relative age? This better be the payoff of the, well, whatever really long time standard is that they use in Star Wars.
Before heading off on the mission, the Mandalorian heads off to get some upgrade to his armor. I’m guessing eventually we will see piece by piece being built or upgraded, I really like this. It shows such development and the struggles he went through even financially just to kind of keep hunting and take care of himself.
During this sequence as our blacksmith works the Beskar Steel, we get a series of flashbacks while the equipment is being forged that gives us some much needed back story into this specific mercenary. With a quick upgrade and some history, it’s back on mission.
Our mercenary heads towards his waypoint, as he touches down we do get to see that this Mandalorian isn’t a complete and total invincible being, he’s introduced the hard way to some of the wildlife of the area, and gets a bit of assistance from a stranger that seems to know quite a bit about Mandalorians.
This stranger guides him a bit and gives a little training as well, our stranger acts as a bit of a historical narrator at parts to tell us a couple things and let’s us know that people have been coming to get this target for years, and there has been no peace because everyone seems to want this target.
After our quick historical lesson wraps, they approach the area where the bounty is secured, our stranger kind of says “yeah, you have fun with all that” and goes about his day. As our Mandalorian does reconnaissance he sees a Bounty Droid (Similar to IG-88 from The Empire Strikes Back) approaching and realizes, he’s about to lose his bounty if that Droid gets to the target before him.
As for the droid (voiced by Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi), holy shit, I loved it. So efficient in movement and operations. A very unique and stellar combat style. Reminded me movement and fight wise kind of how Tick Tock operates in Return to Oz (also available on Disney+!).
The droid and Mando start taking on massive amounts of fire from people within the area. The compound is heavily guarded, so it makes me want to know even more who the hell is this bounty. This many people, the players involved, the money, the stories from the stranger, and now two hired guns taking on 2739 people…who could this bounty be?
The Droid and Mandalorian go hard, just a stellar shootout. That whole scene was just a blast. Okay it was a bunch of blasts if you want to be punny.
As they gain the upper hand and head toward their target, they look confused. The tracker points them to a object that opens. As it opens, it’s quickly revealed that you need to watch this now and see what kind of creature it is…because I’m not going to tell you.
Trust when I say it makes a lot of other things make sense, and it definitely left me going “awww maaaaaaaan” but simply because there isn’t a second episode yet, and they can’t just leave me like that!
I’ll just sum it all up. I am not a big Star Wars fan, really not a fan of western type films as a whole but this is a stellar initial offering with a fantastic cast, familiar faces, nostalgia, Easter eggs, and the list could keep going.
Honestly, this alone was worth $6.99, and I still have a month’s worth of content left to view on the app!
What did you think? What is still to come? The doors are wide open there is a whole galaxy far far away to explore now! Until next time, I’m the Pandalorian
THE MANDALORIAN: EPISODE 2
We ended our first episode with the shocking and out of nowhere appearance of Baby Yoda.
I waited days before I said a word about that sweet little 50 year old baby. I’ll tangent about Baby Yoda in the end, but what a cliffhanger.
Also, I will forever refer to Baby Yoda as Baby Yoda.
The 2nd episode kicks off with a funky futuristic spaghetti western sound as The Mandalorian strolls through that rocky valley while Baby Yoda is floating along taking in literally everything.
Cruisin’ down the valley in Baby Yoda’s 64 (year old vintage bassinet…
yes it’s a long way for a Eazy E ref)
It’s not long after the “awwwws” begin over seeing Baby Yoda that the mood quickly changes, Mando’s walking around minding his business. Just looking like a proud young dad taking his Baby Yoda our for an after dinner stroll, and what happens?
Ugh, these two just show up and decide they need to catch Mando’s hands.
The Mandalorian trains for Black Friday
Baby Yoda watches closely and seems to understand that he now has a protector.
After dispatching these two, and one that got dangerously close to my sweet little angel Baby Yoda…even without facial expressions, our Mando seems to emote that he knows that now everyone is coming for this child as he sees a tracker on the ground.
These weren’t just random dudes swooping in, they were there for that bounty.
My guess, the same cats that hired Mando are spreading some more upfront money out to increase their odds, they don’t care who gets The Child, they just want The Child. I’m sure there are a few other players too, a lot of noise over 50 years for no one else to be curious.
Long story short, shit just got real.
To this point there is no real backstory to Baby Yoda, but they make several points in filming to start giving us all the most adorable glimpses into “The Child”, as the episode is so aptly titled.
Continuing on, the next day doesn’t start well. As they near The Mandalorian’s ship, it’s obvious Jawas are completely stripping it out.
Mando instantly goes into battle mode. He’s livid, and rightfully so. He pursues as the Jawas flee in a kind of throwback stagecoach or train robbery type scene.
As The Mandalorian pursues, we get more of an idea of what he his physically capable of, but also he shows us a continued pattern of being a bit more impulsive than deliberate. that impulse keeps kicking his ass.
I’m saying he’s a little hot headed. (Baby Yoda is watching this too!) The Jawas successfully evade as a result of that impulsiveness and either underestimating his opponent or overestimating his own abilities.
The Mandalorian reunites with Kuiil (Mr. “I Have Spoken”, aka Nick Nolte).
In a bit of comic relief, the camera cuts to Baby Yoda just being a goofy 50 year old toddler. After some conversation Kuiil offers to take the Mandalorian to the Jawas to trade for his parts.
Basically, he gets sent on a side mission to get his parts back, but gives the most American line possible in this episode when he says “weapons are part of my religion”.
During this side mission, there is a creature that’s getting the upper hand on our Mando, but, a strange force comes into play…and Baby Yoda finally goes down for a nap.
As a parent, Mando is going to have to learn to nap when Baby Yoda naps.
Lullaby…and goodnight, use the force while he fights?
I am underselling that scene extremely hard, you really need to watch it. A lot happens in this scene and after a few viewings I like it more each time. It’s important.
The Mandalorian ultimately completes the side mission, and at first I thought the payoff for that whole scene after he returned was really ridiculous, even gross…then I realized, the payoff was the actual fight prior. So good.
After getting his parts back and reuniting again with Kuiil, there is a montage where the ship is repaired. Kuiil refuses any reward or payment and thanks The Mandalorian for returning peace to his valley. He peaces out as only he can.
Mando fires up the engines, Baby Yoda dreams about frog legs (probably) and we all wait anxiously for the next episode!
Coming to a close around ten minutes lighter than the first episode, this one flies by but I learned a lot without many words being said. The episode requires more than one viewing.
As for Baby Yoda. Listen. The Child has thus far only been really referred to as “The Child” in writing from what I’ve seen. So far no one knows what or who Baby Yoda is exactly but there shouldn’t be any issue with someone using “Baby Yoda” or “Yiddle” or “Yodi” or whatever else.
Let people have things. Baby Yoda is pure joy and love at this point. In a world that’s missing a lot of both of those things, we really shouldn’t become divisive over a nickname we assign. ‘Nuff said.
Until we meet again, The Pandalorian is going to make some repairs and work on some montages, let me know what you thought and what you call Baby Yoda!
(P.S. I think Baby Yoda is a clone and is indeed literally Baby Yoda to be honest.)
THE MANDALORIAN: EPISODE 3
Last week we left off with Mando making the needed repairs to his ship after the Jawa Incident.
Mando and Baby Yoda taking in the stars and other various celestial wonders is how we begin this episode, as young Yoda starts to interrupt Papa Mando’s business call.
We are quickly reminded that while damned adorable, Baby Yoda is still a bounty. Hologram Chubbs Peterson appears and joyfully encourages Mando to bring the bounty back to collect.
Mando begins to understand his ship is not childproof, and as the ship speeds forward we cut to Mando and Baby Yoda walking (and floating) along. The attention to detail on Baby Yoda is unreal. The ear movements, the little hairs and how the light reflects off of them, it’s just all so well done.
I hope that baby doesn’t sunburn
It’s important to note as well through this series so far that the way characters such as Baby Yoda can convey so much without saying a word is amazing. Even more so with Mando. On more than one occasion you can see his thoughts and feelings through a helmet, I don’t know how they do it, but I applaud them.
As they continue their journey, Baby Yoda seems to understand more and more he’s a deliverable item and Baby Yoda is not happy about it.
Mando makes his way in and we see the Storm Troopers start leading Mando and Baby Yoda.
Honestly, this face made me more sad than any ASPCA commercial
Mando urges a trooper to take it easy with the Hoverbassinet, and he just gets a shitty “YOU TAKE IT EASY” reply. Bitch, let him see you on these streets. Talking real reckless to a guy you don’t even know but whose reputation precedes him.
If you haven’t watched and want to, please stop now. Because listen. It’s about to get heartbreaking.
He hands over Baby Yoda. Excuse me you son of a bitch?! You traded that sweet angel baby for an ice cream maker full of steel. As Baby Yoda floats off with the Doctor, he clearly emotes back and “baby talks” words that I dare not write.
Mando does inquire after handing over Baby Yoda as to the plans for the child and basically is reminded to mind his business. So he does, he takes his ice cream maker to the Mercenary HQ (I guess?) and is like many of us who have ever had a hobby that’s taken over our lives…he dumps all the reward into upgrades. So he treats himself to a new suit of armor.
I want a full compliment of armor, with sprinkles. Save some for the foundlings.
Other Mandalorians approach and initially take exception to all the steel. We on Earth call these people “haters”. Our blacksmith gives a calm speech to deescalate things after a small pissing contest erupts, they all chill out and we proceed with the armor build.
*clank clank clank*
You know what that means! Another flashback montage! After yet another glimpse into his past, the armor is completed and a shiny new Mando comes stuntin’ into the bar again to see real life Chubbs Peterson.
Stainless steel around children? Hope you like constantly polishing, Mando
Chubbs then confirms that basically everyone in the bar had a tracker like I thought, and he begins to brag on his finders fee as Mando requests his next gig.
Mando again inquires as to what the plans are with the child, Chubbs encourages him to get messed up and just kind of forget about it as we see Mando’s next bounty is likely directly related to Ackbar.
Mando begins to fire up the thrusters and as he reaches for the shifter knob, he notices that it was removed again because his ship is STILL not childproofed.
At this point I’m literally shaking my head and calling Mando a bitch unless he goes back and gets Baby Yoda. I am absolutely livid in real life that this poor child was left alone with them.
Again, helmet emoting occurs and we realize he can’t leave Baby Yoda. He knows something clearly is not right, and he also knows basically everyone has a tracker so WTFFFF?
Staging what essentially is a walk through the park siege on the facility, Mando gains entry, kills damn near everyone on site, and retrieves a sedated Baby Yoda from a table as the doc swears he had been trying to help and was the only reason Baby Yoda is alive.
As Mando leaves with the child, he is met by troopers who are quickly and easily dispatched with the upgrades in his weapons.
As any warrior knows after enough operations, if an advance is going too smooth, it’s likely a trap…as Mando emerges from the facility with ease, every tracker and town begins to go off.
Shit.
As Mando gets closer to his ship with Baby Yoda in his arms, it’s very obvious the numbers game is not in his favor, and Chubbs is right there trying to talk Mando into surrendering.
At this point, even if you give up the child and throw your hands up, your odds of survival don’t really go up. So, he did what any of us would say we would do…and just goes full on *pew pew pew*
Blasters blast, Mando essentially highjacks a stagecoach, pew pew pew everywhere, and Mando is pinned down hard. He has a lot of heavy hitters surrounding him, and hasn’t made too many friends along the way.
Baby Yoda is drowsy as hell but he knows Mando is really going out of his way to protect him, as Mando disintegrates several adversaries (how cool is that rifle?) in his path.
Just as I thought they were going to completely ruin the scene by having Baby Yoda fully come to and use the force again…as Chubbs tells Mando that they are basically going to kill him, take the kid, and scrap whatever they can off of him for cash, it’s not looking good. Walls are quickly closing in.
Time slows down, Baby Yoda and Mando seem to say their goodbye to each other because clearly this is it for Mando…and OMFGGGG Mandalorians swoop in. So many, all the squad shows up just wrecking everything!
THIS IS THE WAY!
His fellow Mandalorians encourage his escape with the child, and he departs. Chubbs is waiting aboard the ship as a final line of defense, he’s quickly put down but we see the finders fee from earlier in his pocket saved his life from a point blank blaster shot.
Mando takes off, as he ascends to cruising altitude a fellow Mandalorian flies alongside with his jetpack, salutes, and Mando foreshadows a bit by saying “I gotta get one of those”
As the show inevitable ends just when it seemed to really get going (damn they are good at making you want more!), Mando removes the shifter knob and hands it to Baby Yoda. Awwww!
I have zero idea where this all will lead next week, but he’s made a lot of enemies…and seemingly also has a lot of Mandalorians beside him.
What all do they know? Why did they come? How did they know he needed help? How dope is it that Mando gets new armor and still retains Baby Yoda( even though I’m still mad!)
I expect a major story telling chapter next week, so many questions but not a single bit of disappointment!
As someone who knows a lot of people who are truly and often extremely dedicated Star Ware fans, it’s amazing to see the various levels of joys from those who are just starting into Star Wars, to those who have known it their entire lives.
This series just keeps delivering!
Until Chapter 4, I’m The Pandalorian and I’ll continue searching the Galaxy for Baby Yoda toys!
THE MANDALORIAN: EPISODE 4
Welcome back to a galaxy far, far away!
Last week we ended on an adrenaline fueled note as Mando in his Gucci Armor and Baby Yoda got bailed out by a calvary of fellow Mandalorians.
After shittin’ and gettin’, they do a quick turn and burn as they head off to literally ANYWHERE but where they are currently.
Not a single space diaper changed yet…
Chapter 4 opens to a tranquil underwater view, there are a few fish and other various aquatic creatures swimming freely, enjoying what seems to be a nice day, and then suddenly a villager swoops in, and scoops up a basket full of the bluest fish this side of Chernobyl…or Springfield.
We then see a glimpse of a serene village. People working about, children playing…and much like the fish moments prior, just minding their own business, suddenly that serenity is taken.
Booming noise in the distances is approaching, suddenly red lasers dart across the landscape.
These laser blasts aren’t coming from ground level, they are coming from above. Too frequent and not accurate enough to be from a sniper, so where are they coming from?
A mother rushes through the blasts with total disregard for her own safety to get to her child who was joyfully playing moments prior.
As she gets her child, they quickly take cover with a basket in the water, hiding from what appear to be big ugly ass Space Orcs™ or something.
Something is wrong with your dog
Typical pillage and plunder scene, take all the resources and bounce. Mother and her child survive and quickly realize as the smoke begins to clear that the village is pretty much gone. Moms is PISSED.
We cut to Mando and Baby Yoda just cruising. Baby Yoda gonna Baby Yoda and is just hitting every button and switch.
Mando seems to find an isolated location to hide out for a couple months, as the heat is no doubt definitely on. As the ship approaches its landing zone, we realize they are flying over the village that was attacked.
The previously and likely still livid mother looks up and sees the ship while everyone figuratively and literally pick up the pieces.
After landing, Mando decides he needs to go do some recon, he implores Baby Yoda to stay put in the ship and to not touch anything. As Mando walks out, he sees Baby Yoda right beside him. He tells him to come on, and they begin to walk. It’s adorable.
They enter a bar, everyone seems to be wary of almost everyone. Server approaches, Mando orders Baby Yoda some bone broth while inquiring as to who one particular person was in the bar.
Even after a large tip, there isn’t much known about this stranger.
Look lady, I’m just here with my 50 year old baby for some bone broth
After the server goes to get the broth, the mysterious person is now gone. Mando gives the server more money to watch Baby Yoda and he goes after the stranger.
After a very sloppy tracking, the stranger gets the drop on Mando. She is obviously not just some random person, this cat has some serious claws.
She holds her own extremely well against Mando, and their quick fight comes to a draw as both have blasters drawn and pointed at the other, cut to Baby Yoda just watching the show and sipping his bone broth.
but that’s none of Baby Yoda’s business…
We will come to learn this is Cara Dune, former Shock Trooper and current total badass. No beef between Mando and Cara but she basically says she is laying low, thought Mando was after her so that’s why she came in hot, and they need to move along now.
Mando respects her gangsta and goes to leave. About this time, a couple of villagers show up and try to hire Mando. He turns down their small offering, but then realizes the village is in an isolated area and they could hang out there.
He accepts the offering from the villagers and takes it to hire Cara to assist. Classic small western town needing a hired gun type scenario.
As they get to the village, everyone is overjoyed by their presence. The village is mostly restored to previous condition, Baby Yoda sees a bunch of kids playing, and clearly wants to join.
Baby Yoda starts every story with “Y’all ain’t gonna believe this shit”
Mando meets the mother from the earlier attack, he almost blows her kid’s head off because hes jumpy.
Mother and Mando catch up a bit as Mando decides the daughter can play with Baby Yoda. Least he could do after trying to murder her for like half a second.
We get a glimpse into the culture and tradition of Mandalorians through his brief storytelling after her questions. Basically he takes his helmet off routinely, but, he never does it in front of anyone else, and no one has seen his face since he was a child.
Mother is very accepting, she’s the most non-judgmental character maybe ever created. She leaves food behind so Mando can eat at his leisure (this also works best with me).
Mando and Cara go scouting, they discover a massive AT-ST print and the collateral damage they bring. They tell the village they have to bounce,
Mother is all like “I ain’t goin”, as they choose to stand their ground, and you know what we need now? A montage. A narrated montage!
Okay, a couple of you are extremely overacting the dumb villager part…
Yup, they convince Mando and Cara to train them to do what a bunch of Ewoks did with damn near no notice. Somehow Mother can shoot like a pro. Everyone else is okayish with sticks.
Mando and Cara go into the Space Orc™ camp and start snapping necks, ass kicking ensues. EXPLOSION! Suddenly as Mando and Cara hope the plan is going to work, a very menacing pair of massive red “eyes” comes into view, its the AT-ST and it’s just here for murder.
They lead it to the village to hopefully spring a trap they worked on. We see the children and Baby Yoda just out in the open pretty much for some reason. There was no continuity of operations considered. They were just either going to win or die.
Your insurance is just going to say it’s an act of gods
AT-ST begins firing shots from a distance. There are several small ponds in the path and it seems fine to just sit there and pop off shots.
Space Orcs™ advance on the village, the villagers show they aren’t the most proficient but hold their own. Cara gets the pulse rifle and tries to draw the AT-ST towards the trap. Space Orcs™ advance more and suddenly Mother declares it is now or never. They hold off the Space Orcs™, Cara draws the AT-ST into the trap, and victory is assured.
We move forward a bit to the restored village, Baby Yoda and the children are playing and having a good time. Cara asks about taking the helmet off, basically if he takes it off in front of someone, he can’t put it back on. Cara pretty much calls him an idiot, Mother is over there being a “hot widow” and throwing herself at Mando, and he’s like…“nah, I’ma just be a bounty hunter. Also, can I get a go plate?”
Yeah, you can shoot, but I need more than that in a relationship
Mando decides it would be best if Baby Yoda was left with the village, they can raise him and he seems happy. Mando declines the offer to stay as he makes plans to leave Baby Yoda behind in their care. As this occurs, we see a tracker…and soon we see Baby Yoda in his sights for a very long time. It built way too much tension for me, it’s like a Galactic Zapruder film for a second.
*BOOM*
A gunshot permeates the air and destroys the peace that was noted moments ago, prior to the shot we see Baby Yoda in crosshairs, and then we see Cara Dune. Thank Baby Yoda for her because she got the drop on that bounty hunter that tried to snipe Baby Yoda.
Honestly, what a shit bounty hunter. He could have dropped Mando AND Baby Yoda if he wouldn’t have been tentative. At least one of them. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want anything to happen to them but when you have the shot, you take the shot.
Mando now knows for sure, the child is not safe anywhere, and in turn he can not leave sweet Baby Yoda in the care of the village. As it would destroy any chance of peace they have.
As Mando and Baby Yoda ride off, leaving the village behind after a tearful goodbye…we can only wonder what Chapter 5 will bring!
I expected the pace of this to be a bit slow, and it was. It did allow for a solid introduction to Cara Dune without an overwhelming origin story. The episode definitely delivered, and was definitely designed to fill in several blanks we’ve all had here and there, those “gee whiz” kind of questions.
Now, we just need to answer one question! Why can’t Disney get Baby Yoda merch on shelves before May of 2020?!?!
Until next time, I’m The Pandalorian and it’s time for a cup of bone broth.
THE MANDALORIAN: EPISODE 5
Chapter 5 picks up where we left off, Mando lookin for love in all the wrong places.
Wait, no it doesn’t…coming in hot, a dog fight is how this chapter starts off! After the slower storytelling and character building episode of last week, I am hoping to see a bit more action and see more Mandalorian goodness.
Is the damn ship made out of Beskar too?
With a bandit on their 6, Mando and Baby Yoda desperately try to evade capture, or perhaps even death. The bogey giving chase comes across the air and tells Mando to hand over the child, and if he does, then maybe he will let Mando live.
A series of blasts charge towards them during this one sided conversation and from the looks of things, Mando’s Ship is taking a lot of battle damage as this bogey is focusing on Mando’s port thruster like a wrestler attacking an opponent’s weak knee.
The thruster is clearly failing after taking a fairly direct hit, Bogey sets up for what appears to be a kill shot. Bogey’s weapons are hot and locked on. Mando’s ship sighted dead center.
Bogey says “I can bring you in warm, or I can bring you in cold”. Mando pulls a classic move pulled from the playbooks of Iron Eagle and Top Gun.
This is from Iron Eagle, just let me have this okay? It deserves the obscure reference!
Not sure exactly what he did with the jump cuts but, basically came full stop, thought Bogey would just fly over, but, there is a brief collision, Bogey flies past and quickly becomes one with the stars when Mando says “That’s my line” and pops off one hell of a kill shot.
The ship is in bad shape. Mando and Baby Yoda are a little frazzled. Mando takes a moment to evaluate things and reset, they begin to approach Mos Eisley and are vectored in.
Upon landing Mando puts a passed out Baby Yoda down for a nap, and then a few repair droids rush over to the ship, Mando quickly pops off a shot and tells the on site mechanic to not let the droids near his ship.
After evaluating the ship, the mechanic basically tells him all his shit is busted and it’s a miracle he landed. He offers a few hundred credits for repairs and promises more funds.
As Mando heads off to go wherever he is going, we now see the Mechanic (Played by Amy Sedaris, of Strangers with Candy fame!) and the droids again, this time she is playing cards with the droids…doors on the ship open, she grabs her gun and warns who or whatever is in the ship to stay where they are.
Baby Yoda comes out looking like me in 1987 on the sleepy eyed hunt for Saturday morning cartoons and a bowl of cereal.
The Mechanic realizes sweet angel Baby Yoda isn’t a threat and begins baby talking him while offering up food (she demands a droid goes to get food). She also devises a scheme to charge Mando more for making her watch Baby Yoda. Baby Yoda seems indifferent, she said food. Where is it?
As Mando approaches his destination, we learn storm troopers are definitely not welcome at this Cantina.
THE DAMN SIGN SAYS NO SOLICITING
Mando walks into yet another Cantina and well…it happens to be the same Cantina where Han shot first.
Mando tells a droid he is looking for work, and after no luck, a young bounty hunter chimes in. Well, turns out he’s Cosplay Han Solo and I don’t think he’s had much luck with his bounty.
He basically offers the bounty to Mando if he helps him catch Fennec Shand, Cosplay Han Solo needs the capture to get into the Guild. The kid is very ego driven. Long story short, Mando sends him on a mission for speeder bikes and supplies and says meet him at the ship in thirty.
Mando makes his way back to the hangar and realizes Baby Yoda is not there, in a momentary “I turned around for one second” parental panic attack, Mando frantically looks for Baby Yoda.
Baby Yoda and the mechanic are both passed out cold. Quickly startled to, she reads Mando the riot act on parenting.
Cosplay Han Solo shows up with bikes, they head out to ride like the wind across the dunes, and the mechanic and Baby Yoda sit back and wait. Not gonna lie, kind of want a Speeder.
“Mechanic Mom is making stove top stuffing instead of potatoes, we get this bounty and get back in time for supper okay?”
As they ride across the desert, they stop for a moment as Tusken Raiders are visible in the distance. Cosplay Han Solo talks mad shit and is all tough through his binoculars.
Basically saying the Raiders better stay out of their way. Mando asks Cosplay Han Solo to tell them himself, as Cosplay Han Solo realizes two raiders are adjacent to him.
Mando steps in and negotiates passage, at the cost of Cosplay Han Solo’s binoculars. Fair trade I’d say.
Mando and Cosplay Han Solo speed further ahead, once again stopping as they see something in the distance. Mando begins mentoring Cosplay Han Solo at this point.
Cosplay Han Solo is still…well, excited. As Mando goes to investigate, he discovers what looks like a dead bounty hunter.
Mere seconds later and in a split second reaction, Mando’s Beskar takes a glancing shot of a sniper round. Mando flees. We see a sniper sighting in the rifle again, and as Mando gets to the peak of a ridge, another sniper round hits his Beskar.
Mando and Cosplay Han Solo decided to wait until dark to progress towards the target. Sniper has the high ground so they are at a major disadvantage. Night falls, they prepare to advance.
Basically the plan is to get on speeders, haul all the ass towards the ridge where the sniper is camped at, and the traditional shock and awe type campaign.
As they speed forward, Mando fires off a flash charge and disables the Sniper’s view. In this moment we know 100% that the sniper is Fennec Shand, their bounty (even if it was pretty obvious).
Fennec pics up her rifle and begins firing off seemingly random shots as they bob and weave through the sand on their speeders.
Gathering herself after a few seconds, Fennec places a round in the engine of Mando’s speeder. Gorgeous shot.
Imagine a .50 Cal disabling a diesel truck’s engine block, kinda like that.
Mando’s speeder is now disabled, Cosplay Han Solo advances. Another flare, and then Fennec fires another round that appears to hit Mando center mass, dropping him with ease!
Fennec sets up a kill shot on Mando, and as she sets her sights, from behind we hear Cosplay Han Solo’s voice break the night air. “Not so fast Fennec”.
He’s very proud of himself, but that pride and accomplishment is short lived as Fennec retrieves a blade, knocks the blaster from, Cosplay Han Solo’s hand, and just starts using her SHIELD Training to just decimate Cosplay Han Solo. I’ll give the kid this, he can take a solid beating.
As Fennec seems to get the final upper hand and prepares to remove Cosplay Han Solo from Guild and life contention, Mando appears and says “good distraction”.
Now, we don’t know for sure, but I am fairly certain that Mando’s entire plan came to fruition. He made a little speech about the modified rifle and how the Beskar was fine.
He wanted to draw her fire because he knew she would try for center mass or a head shot, those areas are protected. Almost any other open area would be survivable if they took a single shot.
Cosplay Han Solo tries to find his balls in the sand, Mando has Fennec cuff herself, and he sends Cosplay Han Solo to go find the blaster that Fennec knocked out of his hand.
Fennec and Cosplay Han Solo are left to catch up as Mando heads off to go find a way to transport all three of them back, since they are down a speeder and now have an extra person, also, it is a very long walk back.
Fennec tries to get into Cosplay Han Solo’s head, basically wants him to flip on Mando.
Fennec offers her help to take out Mando. She stands up after she gets him to understand that handing over Mando would make him a legend.
As Cosplay Han Solo moves closer, she extends her cuffs. In what I can only describe as Cosplay Han Solo shot first, he just pops one off in Fennec. She gone!
Cosplay Han Solo tells her as she perishes that if he took her binders off, he’d be dead. He’s moving forward with her idea of capturing and turning over Mando (cold or warm I am guessing) to the guild.
Mando returns to the Hangar, he knows something is up. Droids duck, and Cosplay Han Solo is heard.
“Took you long enough” he says, he emerges from the shadows holding the mechanic and Baby Yoda.
I’m writing as I watch this episode for the first time. I just called Cosplay Han Solo a song of a bitch, and he just ordered Mando to drop his gear and raise his arms. Mando has too many cool gadgets to just get swerved by this lame. I mean, this dude is essentially the coolest dude at a high school in the middle of nowhere with a student body of 30.
Typical cosplayer I guess, really thinking he’s something but no one really knows who he is, but damn he kind of looks the part!
I digress, Cosplay Han Solo sends the mechanic over to put the shackles on Mando. He’s giving the whole “you’re a guild traitor” speech and all that jazz.
As the mechanic approaches, she sees a flash charge in Mando’s hand, she tells him he is smarter than he looks, he pulls the whole Batman smoke bomb/Ninja Vanish trick with the flair, shows up on Cosplay Han Solo’s side, oh shit…he’s still holding Baby Yoda. Mando fires off a shot, and down goes Cosplay Han Solo. Finally. That dude was useless.
OH HAY GUYZ
Baby Yoda appears moments later and has made adorable noises throughout. We may get speech soon with how the noises seem to be progressing and more vocally responsive.
Regardless, Baby Yoda is still undefeated in cuteness.
Mando and Mechanic settle up, say their goodbyes, and off Mando and Baby Yoda go into the night.
Just before credits, we see a caped figure approaching Fennec’s body…and credits. Damn it all. I’m guessing to be continued!
I’m kind of indifferent to this episode, really was more of a filler type episode. Fan service everywhere and I’m sure I missed a ton of stuff. This just felt more like his car broke down after he should have taken that left at Albequerque, and he had time and people to kill until the parts came in. I could have used a lot more Fennec and a lot less Cosplay Han Solo.
Here’s to next week, and until then, I’m The Pandalorian and I’m hoping next week we get back to more of that Chapter 3 type action!
THE MANDALORIAN: EPISODE 6
Chapter 6 just, well, it’s different.
The Razor Crest comes in for a landing to start the episode. Mando walks off and is greeted by a man named Ran. Ran seems surprised Mando reached out, knows that the block is hot, but has a mission lined up and assures Mando that there are no questions asked. We get the impression of an honor among thieves type situation, as Mando is told he is always welcome.
Long story short, this mission is to go get someone who seems to have been kidnapped. Only, it’s a lot more than that. Its more than Mando bargained for and he wasn’t kidnapped as we will find, but he doesn’t have much choice.
Mando’s ship is the whole reason he was welcome back in, and now we find that he has to share that ship on this mission with three other people and a droid. Sounds awful.
I can literally hear this picture
The first member on this fantastic voyage is a guy with weird holsters. Mayfeld. A brilliant character that is essentially Bill Burr being Bill Burr. Mayfeld does further introductions. There is the Devaronian Burg, the droid Zero, and a female Twi’lek named Xi’an.
She’s going to make sexy murder to you
As they begin towards their mission, Zero starts getting some garbled hologram traffic from Hologram Chubbs Peterson.
Back to the mission, it starts devolving in the Razor Crest into a bit of a pissing contest, they all want to buck Mando.
Burg has already Road House quoted and thought Mando would be bigger, and yeah the pissing contest gets physical after they imply firmly Mando should take his bucket off.
Mando holds his own, but in the chaos, a door opens and Baby Yoda is there. So now this weird Gilligan’s Island crew knows that Mando has a “pet”, they don’t seem to smart on the fact that the entire galaxy is after Mando and the kid, whatever.
I don’t think it’s from this episode but it’s so cute
Back to the story! They finally reach their destination, a New Republic prisoner transport. Obviously this is far more than Mando signed up for initially but it’s too late to turn back. They board the ship and are met with a lot of resistance. It was fun watching Mando just kind of destroy any and everything.
As they murder their way to the control room to free the prisoner they are after, they discover a single person on the shift. Mando was assured it was solely droids and no one would be hurt. The rest of the crew could give a shit. The New Republic soldier standing before them now produces a beacon signal. If he pushes it, the Calvary is coming and its basically a blow the whole place to hell no questions asked kind of button.
A comical standoff takes places as guns point in seemingly all directions and no one can really figure out the next move, until Xi’an uses a throwing blade to incapacitate the soldier…but he hit the button. Countdown is own. They gotta make tracks.
They get to their prisoner, it’s Xi’an’s brother. He’s just a shithead and honestly, a useless character. No added value or backstory, he’s just here. I guess he’s the shit and people respect him. Hell, I thought he’d be bigger.
I’ll save you some time. It turns to double crossing. Mando gets locked in a cell, bro is still trying to escape, Chubbs holograms are coming in, Baby Yoda is bored and starts playing unsolicited hide and seek with Zero, countdown to destruction is on. It’s all just a mess honestly.
Unrelated but tis the season
Okay, to slow it back down. Mando has defeated the rest of the crew and returns to Ran with Xi’an’s brother. Ran asks where everyone else is, Mando reminds him that he doesn’t ask questions. He gets paid and goes to fly off into the night.
Ran and Xi’an’s bro both look tentative, and soon after we learn why. As the Razor Crest lifts up and heads out, Ran gives the order to kill Mando. About then a fighter jet begins to rise from a platform behind them, and it looks bad ass. The guns on this thing would make the Razor Crest into dust in seconds.
Are you shitting me? After all that and you’re just going to drop him? *beep* *beep* *beep*
Whats that? Oh, just that beacon. So in the last 20 mins Mando covered a lot of ground and now it is go time for that beacon. As Mando prepares to jump into hyper space, three X-Wing Fighters appear from hyper. They also see that ship that is about to be launched.
BOOM!
The X-Wings just absolutely demolish it and them all, as Mando and Baby Yoda swerve around them and head off into the sunset. Baby Yoda rides shotgun as Mando hands him the shifter ball.
This episode, well…I don’t know how I felt about it. It’s definitely different in many ways, and I don’t know if that is entirely good. At times I got a bit of a David Goyer vibe, especially when he was surrounded with the other mission crew and he is the outsider.
Oh well, it is what it is. Still a solid episode, and a lot more action! So, as we head to two more episodes, we have a lot of ground to cover and he’s still pissing people off along the way!
Until next time, I’m The Pandaloriany in a flyover state far, far away.
THE MANDALORIAN: EPISODE 7
Chapter 7, two episodes to go. This and 8. Oh that harsh reality, the query internally as to “what do I do when it’s gone”. I don’t know…I don’t know.
This chapter is titled “The Reckoning” and that does not bode well for our friend in Beskar and partner in crime. Mando has upset a lot of people in the short time we have known him. You can’t help but feel it’s all gotta come to a close at some point, he can’t run forever…can he?
Remember last episode when Hologram Chubbs Peterson popped up? Well, a less garbled version comes through and with it comes an offer to return. Come back, use Baby Yoda, double cross and kill the client, and everyone wipes the slate clean and goes about their various ways.
Baby Yoda is passed the hell out, so Mando seems to contemplate for a second or two, and then we see Cara Dune electrically tethered to an opponent and they are full on fighting. Basically pitfighting. She wins, duh.
My only move would be to spin around them and tie them up
Mando is there to try to hire her. He can trust her, if he’s going to do this he is building his own crew. Cara is very reluctant. Then, Mando explains it would be taking on a former Imperial warlord, and before he can even finish his sentence Cara is like “you know what, yeah lets do it”.
Mando, Baby Yoda, and Cara on the Razor Crest and he’s explaining more of things. In an instant, as a parent I noticed it was quiet. Suddenly the ship pitches way off course. Baby Yoda is at the helm having a great time. Mando levels it all off and they realize, they need someone to watch Baby Yoda. Who will Mando trust?
I’ve seen worse pilots tbh
None other than Mr. I Have Spoken himself. Kuiil has been busy in his sparetime. He reprogrammed IG-11 to be a servant and protector instead of hunter. Mando is very wary. Lots of campfire talk essentially, goes nowhere…Mando still doesn’t trust a bot. Again, not much choice at the moment.
In the next scene Mando and Cara are clearly flirting as they arm wrestle. Cara seems to be gaining the advantage, and so Baby Yoda force chokes the shit out of her. Seriously. They had to break Baby Yoda’s concentration and explain she was a friend.
More dialogue about and by Kuiil but it really doesn’t serve much purpose. I liked it a lot better when he was a man of few words.
So Mando has his crew, heads back to meet with Chubbs Peterson. It’s essentially a basic hit. They would bait and switch with the child, client usually has four guards, once he gets close, drop everyone and scatter.
Chubbs has a few guards/crew with him, but it doesn’t seem like they will be much of a factor in this mission. Chubbs then suggests Cara stays behind to guard the ship and she’s ride or die so she is definitely not sitting back. Chubbs then meets Baby Yoda and basically falls in love.
On a Beskar steel horse I ride
So, the crew is all sitting around a campfire and just hanging out as you do. Talking about the mission, spit roasting something you caught or killed, and then a galactic pterodactyl swoops in and poisons you. Every time. That is why I quit going camping tbh
So, Chubbs gets poisoned by the pterodactyl. It is spreading quick. They are in the middle of nowhere, ill-prepared, and try as Cara may…she doesn’t have what she needs to help him. The poison continues to spread, not much to do but pray at this point. Then, Baby Yoda waddles over. Chubbs declares that its going to eat him, but, Yoda puts his hand out and uses the force to completely and totally heal Chubbs. WTFFFFFFFFFF
While it was hinted at pretty early on, holy hell it was cool to see it at work. Anyway, Chubbs is feeling better, his crew and Mando’s crew head towards their waypoint. Out of nowhere Chubbs spins and drops two of his own crew, and assures Cara and Mando that after yesterday, he sees things differently.
They come up with a plan where they basically show up with the empty bassinet, walk in and do the hit. Meanwhile Kuiil is making tracks back to the Razor Crest with orders to turn on the ground defenses as soon as they are on-board.
My captors left all my gear on me…
Kuiil begins riding back with Baby Yoda, Chubbs and Cara are on either side of Mando escorting him in cuffs as a prisoner. They make their way closer and eventually in…and notice a lot more than just four guards as they thought they would have. There are storm troopers all over.
As they meet the client, it’s just that creepy rich old man kinda talk.just dragging it all out for theatrics.
Yes, I’d love a La Croix
He soon gets a holo-call from Moff Gideon. Upon taking it he is asked if they brought the child. The client tells Moff they have, Moff tells them to check again and just all hell breaks loose.
Death Troopers are outside just waiting. More storm troopers are deployed to the scene. They are pinned down hard. Mando in a panic radios to Kuiil and tells him to make tracks and get his ass to the ship now. A pair of biker scouts hear the transmission and take off…what the hell. Why are troopers suddenly proficient and efficient?
Pinned down so hard, are more Mandalorians coming? IG-11? He’s got some tactical weapon we haven’t seen yet, right? Oh well hell, a TIE Fighter descends and lands, Moff is here and he says that Mando and crew have no idea what they have and he wants it.
Oh boy…
Mando makes contact with Kuiil, it’s getting very hectic. I’m extremely anxious. The ramp lowers on the Razors Crest, Moff says the child means more to him than we will ever know…then we see Kuiil is down. Frantic radio traffic, no answer from a lifeless Kuiil.
Baby Yoda is shown on the ground, out cold or possibly worse. No way of knowing at this point. A biker scout swoops in, picks up Baby Yoda and…to be continued.
Saddest thing ever
Yup, a cliffhanger as we head to the season finale. A lot at stake. They are pinned down, and honestly unless there is an external person or power we haven’t quite considered, it’s bad for Mando and crew. If I was Moff I’d just light the place completely up, I’ve got the kid. I’d make an example out of everyone else.
I guess we will find out next week, Happy Holidays to you and yours, and I’ll be a nervous wreck over Christmas worrying about Baby Yoda!
THE MANDALORIAN: EPISODE 8 (SEASON FINALE)
I mean, seriously?
How could they leave us hanging over the holidays worrying about sweet Baby Yoda at the end of Chapter 7?!?
Good news, as our season finale begins, they waste zero time letting us know Baby Yoda is alive, and, well-ish?
Immediately, two Biker Scouts haul ass to where our squad is in a standoff. Meanwhile Gideon is out here giving a weird soliloquy of sorts. As they radio in, we quickly realize via radio traffic that Gideon is nuts and just slaughtering anyone in his way, or who may slightly annoy him.
Yeah, HQ, we’ll just standby, punch babies, and await further instructions
The two biker scouts settle in as the Primary Scout punches Baby Yoda in a little satchel that they are carrying our favorite baby in. Excuse me? Baby Yoda growls loudly and another hit is coming! You got one more time to punch that Baby Yoda damn it!
The Primary and Secondary scout begin to banter a bit. It’s like any real patrol or if you have a long time partner for night shifts. It’s just done so well, all while driving the point home that Gideon is batshit and wants Baby Yoda.
So, as you may know by now and I did not initially but now it’s painfully obvious to me… Primary Scout is none other than Jason Sudeikis and the Secondary is Adam Pally. The first viewing I just loved the scene so much and it accomplished a lot in a short time.
Scout Pally really wants to see Baby Yoda, after going back and forth, Scout Sudeikis gives in. Pally basically pokes Baby Yoda and he gets bit, punches Baby Yoda (SON OF A BITCH), and then…IG-11 shows up. Long story short, Pally and Sudeikis probably won’t have future cameos.
As we cut back to a tense stand off, our heroes try to formulate some form of plan. We see storm troopers EVERYWHERE. Oh and they have a big ass cannon they are setting up.
Weirdest line dance scene I’ve ever seen
The plan for now is to try and escape through the sewer, Gideon hears the ruckus and is calm as a cucumber while explaining that he can tell by the sound that they are in a panic. Gideon has done his homework, he starts dropping everyone’s name…to include Mando’s name! Mando’s name is Din Djaren!
Mando begins essentially explaining his origin to Chubbs Peterson, we see the rest of the flashback we saw pieces of when he would visit the Armorer.
Long story short, town under siege by the damn droids (now we know why he hates droids), a family, much like others is on the run, mom and dad stash Young Din (also his rap name) in a cellar because apparently that is where you’re safest from giant murder droids.
Commotion outside, it’s implied parents are dead, a massive murder droid opens the cellar door and takes aim. It’s ove…oh wait, blasts from nowhere.
Murder droid down, Mandalorians swoop in just like before! History is repeating itself it seems! Young Din is secure, a Mandalorian flies off via a jet pack with Young Din in his arms. A foundling, and as we know now, would soon begin his training.
Okay, back to the current SNAFU, our heroes are still working on their next move, Mando wraps up his story and we realize that Gideon’s own arrogance has cost him his prize.
Those two biker scouts had Baby Yoda. All Gideon needs to do is be approachable in order to receive information that Scout Sudeikis has Baby Yoda. Level the building, kill our heroes, and go do whatever weird shit he is gonna do with Baby Yoda.
Anyways, Cara says to call Kuiil on the radio again. Nothing. Suddenly over the comm line garbled gibberish comes across the air.
Sounds like…Baby Yoda speaking gibberish. BECAUSE IT IS! IG-11 is on the radio and provides a SITREP that Kuiil is deceased, but Baby Yoda is secure.
Dual wielding nursing murder machine!
IG-11 with Baby Yoda on a Speeder Bike is heading towards our heroes, however there are a ton of storm troopers in the way. IG-11 DGAF, just starts pew pew pew’ng all over the place, all while strategically adjusting to keep Baby Yoda safe.
Baby Yoda is loving it. (me too!)
Weeeeeeeeeeee
IG-11 is such a badass, seriously. I mean holy shit, IG-11 just swoops in and changes the whole game. Taking out a massive portion of troopers along the way, I would legit give 75% of the body count to IG-11.
Still pinned down but gaining some ground, death troopers and storm troopers come for Cara, Mando has the big ass cannon and it just WRECKING the whole scenery. Mando isn’t cool with his body count being outdone by a droid (probably). As Mando fires shot after shot with this canon that Stallone or Schwarzenegger in their prime would have envied…Gideon has his eye on Mando, begins to calmly get into position to take a shot. Mando is oblivious that Gideon is approaching.
As Gideon fires a shot, we see Mando struck in the back and stumbles. He recovers, turns towards Gideon and looks to be getting ready to Swiss Cheese Gideon.
Gideon notes this, changes his aim to the nearby power source for the cannon. A single blaster shot hits true and a massive explosion occurs, Mando flies through the air and crashes hard. The rest of the crew has their “oh shit!” moment and realize they need to get Mando to cover.
Cara Dune (Gina Carano is so good in the role, seriously) is a boss as always and just kind of picks up and drags Mando and all that heavy ass steel to safety. She begins to assess his injuries as Gideon gives orders to “burn them out”.
Cara is my favorite Disney Princess
Honestly, seems like that should have just been step one, but no, this again illustrates Gideon’s arrogance. He wanted a show. He wanted stories told. Just burning a place to the ground is so basic in villainy I guess.
Mando tells them to go, he believes he is hurt too bad and wishes for a warriors death. Cara reassures him he just got his bell rung, but as she touches the back of his helmet after he stops her from removing it, we realize the injuries are grave as we see blood all over her hand.
IG-11 is tasked by Chubbs Peterson to help remove a grate to aid their escape (that was a Young Din lyric). A damn flame thrower trooper shows up and just starts roasting the place. Eventually the fire trooper makes its way inside and takes aim at Baby Yoda.
Baby Yoda raises those sweet little arms and suddenly we see a massive fireball heading their way, Baby Yoda not only resists its advance, but returns it with what I call a “bitch be gone” flip of the wrist, and in turn takes out the fire trooper in spectacular fashion.
Baby Yoda on the body count board now!
IG-11 collects Baby Yoda, passes Baby Yoda to Cara and says that it will stay with Mando. Cara makes IG-11 promise to bring Mando, IG-11 makes that promise.
Mando tells IG-11 to go ahead and kill him because he’d rather go that way and he thinks he is still a target for this bounty droid. IG-11 assures him he is no longer a threat to him and is a nurse droid. Basically IG-11 was on some #NotAllDroids stuff.
IG-11 goes to remove Mando’s helmet to assess damage, blaster is pulled, Mando said hell to the no, reminds IG-11 not a living person has seen his face since he took the creed, and IG-11 reminds Mando that it’s not a living thing. The helmet is removed, we get our first glimpse of Mando’s face.
Usually you have to pay extra for that…
He’s badly injured. Long story short, IG-11 sprays him with some medical miracle-gro, makes a joke about him being brain damaged now, and they go to reunite with the rest of the crew that escapes to the sewer.
Cara, Baby Yoda, and Chubbs are cautiously making their way through the sewers. Noises are heard behind them, they go on alert slightly. Suddenly they hear familiar clanking, it’s IG-11…AND MANDO!
While clearly feeling it, seems you can’t keep a good Mando down. Mando isn’t entirely sure where they are, but not as a result of injuries, just because he’s never gone this way before. We see that even though mobile, Mando requires a two person walking assist.
Chubbs tries to formulate a plan to get out but Mando insists they must find the other Mandalorians so they can have a safe escort. He’s right, even with the very top tier skills of Mando and Cara, even with Chubbs being a regulator himself…even with Baby Yoda, because you have to remember that Baby Yoda goes night night after using the force.
Mando stops the crew, says he can walk now. IG-11 announces the Miracle-Gro infusion is working, and what the hell words to I search on Amazon to get some of that spray? My dude Mando…just minutes ago was like “well, it was a good run, but I’m dying and stuff so I’ma kill me as many as I can while y’all run” and now he’s playing the equivalent of Jordan’s Flu Game. (Maybe it wasn’t a spray…maybe it was Michael’s Secret Stuff!)
Okay I digress and I will not apologize for the Space Jam reference.
You have to change the diaper
Mando realizes they’re near the Armorer and the safety in numbers. As Mando enters, he sees a massive pile of Mandalorian Armor. You can tell he is deeply pained and highly, and dare I say righteously pissed as he kneels before the pile. Cara urges them to leave, and I don’t blame her. Mando declines and assumes this was part of something that Chubbs knew about. Mando is LIVID.
Suddenly, the Armorer appears. She reveals, well…they revealed themselves. While it’s truly unknown the fate of all those Mandalorians, we have hope that many escape. Basically it seems like they realized Imperial Troops were coming in so the block was hot AF, and the key to their survival may be hiding in plain sight. At least that’s my take.
The Armorer asks to see Baby Yoda, she says this sweet baby looks helpless. Mando informs her that Baby Yoda saved his ass earlier as we saw the first use of the force. The Armorer reveals she knows tales of these powers.
She references a Mandalore the Great and Jedi. Mando queries if Baby Yoda is an enemy. She tells him that Jedi as a whole were basically the enemy, it kind of varied from individual and that Baby Yoda is not the enemy, but a foundling!
The Armorer point blank tells Mando that Baby Yoda is in his care. Mando is actively in a state of confusion, and I can see how with the day’s events.
Still recovering from brain damage, fatigue, probably dehydration, lack of Flintstones Chewables, and god knows what else…and she’s talking about taking the baby back to space sorcerers he didn’t know existed until about thirty seconds ago (because apparently no one remembers the Jedi anymore?).
The Armorer seems to be working as she speaks, she reminds Mando again that he is Baby Yoda’s “father” per the creed until Baby Yoda is of age for training or reunited with its family.
This is the way. She finishes her work and it’s his signet that she declared he earned in an earlier episode, she also said that now Mando and Baby Yoda are a clan of two!
No longer a one man Wolfpack…
Troopers are approaching, Armorer begins ordering IG-11 around and places it on security detail. Cara gets Baby Yoda and Mando gets a jet pack.
What?!? Oh hell yeah, Mando gets a jet pack! Off camera IG-11 lays waste to some troopers who approached. Armorer tells Mando to restock his gear, and tells IG-11 to carry the jet pack until Mando is well enough to wear it.
The crew heads off as the Armorer sits in wait. Troopers appear and using her tools she just beats the ever loving hell out of them. Is the Armorer safe, or are more Troopers coming? Well, I guess we won’t get that answer today!
Our heroes look to escape on a ferry down a lava river, what could go wrong? As they get towards the exit of this bizarre tunnel of love, Mando detects many storm troopers waiting to ambush them. IG-11 tells them all that he basically has to ensure Baby Yoda’s safety and the only way to do it would be to self destruct.
Mando seems to have a change of heart and tells IG-11 that they need it. Slowly approaching the point of no return, IG-11 drops off the jet pack and keeps arguing he’s gotta self destruct. IG-11 continues to explain its gonna boom, tells Mando not to be sad, IG-11 insists again and just walks it’s ass out the boat into the lava.
I love this scene even if it goes a little long. It drives home the parallels between Mando and IG-11. They are very similar at the end of the day, and while Mando has his creed, IG-11 has it’s protocol. For IG-11 this is the way.
Thanks for everything IG-11 *pours out some oil*
IG-11 walks out to about twenty drawn weapons and we see a port open in its chest, a bomb appears and moments later IG-11 went out like a gangster…the path is safe.
Until…punk ass Gideon come swooping in on that Tie Fighter and lets off some shots. Missing our crew, Cara informs them that their blasters are useless. Chubbs encourages Baby Yoda to do the magic hand thing, Baby Yoda just smiles and waves.
Rap Game Baby Magic Hand
Gideon comes back for a second wave, Mando straps on the jet pack! The pack fires up, Mando patiently waits as Gideon approaches, Mando rockets up and over, while firing a grappling hook type device, locks on to the ship and pulls himself on the top!
Gideon tries to shake him, but it’s not happening. Suddenly Mando places a charge on the Tie Fighter, Gideon exclaims “NO!” As Mando is seen free falling away and then there is an explosion that sends the Tie Fighter to the ground!
Mando recovers, jet pack fires up, and we see him make a decent jet pack landing, not bad for a first go after the day he’s had.
Chubbs tells Mando it was impressive and his guild rates have gone up. Cara and Chubbs basically want to stay where they are, Baby Yoda comes and gives Mando-dad a leg hug, and As Mando reaches down to pick up his child, he informs them he has more pressing matters at hand.
They give their form of farewells and much like when Young Din was saved, Mando takes off with Baby Yoda in his arms.
Awwwwwwwww
As Mando returns to his ship, he pays respect and buries Kuiil. Kuiil made a massive sacrifice and was such a key piece to a lot of this. No IG-11 Nurse without Kuiil and we know IG-11’s impacts and sacrifice. Such a massive hero in all this saga, I have spoken.
Mando is back in the ship, puts Baby Yoda in a seat, and they take off for parts unknown. Cara and Chubbs walk towards the sunset, and a tie fighter is salvaged by Jawa.
That’s it, such a great episoHMYGAWD, suddenly a familiar sound, then we see an intense reddish orange glow, it seems Gideon is cutting himself out of the Tie Fighter!
Then more than just a glow, the Darksaber emerges! It’s cutting the escape from the downed fighter! Gideon highly PISSED. This definitely isn’t over, but, for now we will have to wait until fall!
An absolutely incredible finale, I’ve watched it five times now and it never gets old and flies by every time.
Gideon’s known for three things: Being a dick, getting executed, and having a Darksaber apparently
Thanks so much for tuning in and then reading over these past couple of months, turns out I may be a Star Wars fan after all! Jon Favreau and all involved did such an amazing job. This series so far did so much. Great story, action galore, references everywhere. It made me feel, and it made me believe.
Bring on season two, and bring on the damn merch! Until next season, I’m The Pandalorian and this is the way! I have spoken!
Don’t forget to follow me everywhere @crunkpanda (@thecrunkpanda on Twitter!)
Very well written, Brother Panda! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.