the mandalorian season 2 spoiler free episode reviews
EP1
EP1
EP1
If you thought Mando was cool in season one, buckle up. This time around he’s as cold-blooded as vintage Eastwood. Episode one of season two starts with a bang and is pure unadulterated bliss from start to finish, each shot and fan-service moment a feast for the eyes. The show blazes its own visually spectacular and unfettered path due to smartly not treading too closely to the more set-in-stone corners of Star Wars canon. While the first episode is set in a familiar location, it is presented from a fresh angle. Side characters we knew little of because the movies treated their existence as a cameo have new life breathed into them. You’ll never look at a Tusken Raider the same. But don’t be mistaken into thinking the show is only for Star Wars wonks. Fans of science fiction in general will find plenty here to enjoy. The writing is sharp, direction is crisp, and the costume/set design is as good as anything you’ll see on tv. The show has a blockbuster movie sensibility borne from the who’s who of world class talent producing and directing (on top of the bulletproof Disney machine). I’m really having to dig to find an aspect of the second season debut that isn’t superlative. For the briefest of moments I did have a prequel trilogy flashback when we are introduced to a group of four-legged creatures seemingly tailor-made to sell toys. But then again so isn’t baby Yoda? Somewhere, George Lucas is smiling.
EP2
EP1
EP1
The Mandalorian is funny now, too? Episode two begins with a laugh out loud sequence that also serves to illustrate how Mando is cunningly efficient in dealing with the nefarious denizens of the show universe. Jon Favreau, we freakin love you. As I covered in my S1 review, Mando could avoid a lot of hijinx and constant mortal danger if he could just stop being so dang nice to strangers. He’s literally the nicest bounty hunter in the universe. All joking aside, episode two is just as well thought out and fun as the first. If there is any criticism to be levied it would be in the direction of the lean 37 minute runtime. It feels like a blink of an eye compared to the first episode. There is also little character development for Mando or Baby Yoda. As enjoyable as it was to watch, you can theoretically not watch this episode and it wouldn’t affect your understanding of the season two narrative. That’s unfortunate considering we only get ten episodes.
EP3
EP1
EP3
We discussed The Mandalorian on the latest episode of Quality Control (see our IGTV) and I was the only one of three on the QC team to heap effusive praise on the show. For this reason, I made a promise to approach the upcoming episode (this one) with a level head. My opinion is unwavering and unchanged. The Mandalorian is by far my favorite show currently streaming or airing on broadcast tv and it isn’t close. Maybe if Game of Thrones or Stranger Things were “in season” I’d have to put more thought into that declaration. The Mandalorian is already a phenomenon but Disney has a real chance to create something enduringly special if they stick the landing of introducing Jedi into the show. Episode three continues with the trend of incorporating scenes and shots that are obvious allegorical nods to traditional Westerns. It works almost effortlessly well and the swashbuckling nature of Mando creates lots of opportunities to play with the western trope. Can’t say much here without spoiling the episode but this is the first time we get some real oomph and movement to the story and more clearly defined motivations for characters we know and those introduced in this episode. Final thought: the runtime of episodes one, two are three are 51, 41 and 35 minutes, respectively. What gives?
EP4
EP4
EP3
I’m legitimately curious as to whom at Disney had the genius idea to introduce a baby yoda. Has that person come forward? Favreau, maybe? Whoever it was is a Made man or woman. I’m inclined to make this point as episode four, written by Favreau, begins with an extended baby yoda sequence that is everything the world needs right now. He’s just good old fashioned practically created innocent fun. It makes him even more interesting when you consider that he is also inarguably the most powerful character on the show. Episode four has as extended action sequence that swallows up the entire middle section. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why as the entire show gives off just enough of that old school Star Wars vibe, but the sequence feels ripped right from the original trilogy in tone and conception. Not in a “look it’s stuff from the movies” type of way but in a manner that reminds us of why we became Star Wars fans in the first place. That we are in 2020 getting a show that captures OG trilogy Star Wars sensibilities without rehashing the same story beats is worth celebrating. Looking at you, Force Awakens. Episode four does that annoying and now expected thing where we only get proper development of the overarching story in the final minutes. If there is anything about The Mandalorian to be pinpointed as a weakness, it is that much of what we see episode to episode, while thrilling and a blast to watch, barely moves the plot forward. Hopefully as we transition into the second half of the season we get more story stakes to chew on in each episode.
EP5
EP4
EP5
Seemingly small moments can have large impacts. This episode is full of them. Episode five feels dream-like in that it is almost entirely comprised of elements within the Star Wars universe that up until now existed only in our imaginations (or Clone Wars/Rebels). For fans who grew up with the Star Wars property it really has to be experienced to fully understand. What a treat. I won’t spoil anything but what I will tell you is that in a year packed to the hilt (pun intended) with challenges for us all, it was nice to just sit back and enjoy what the show runners have blessed us with. It feels larger than just another episode. Make sure you have a distraction-free environment in which to watch. If this week’s episode review seems shorter than usual, it’s because I want the whole thing to be a surprise for you. Enjoy. We'll get down to the nitty-gritty with the spoiler review at season's end.
EP6
EP4
EP5
I would be thoughtless in not acknowledging both the 100-year pandemic and economic recession rivaling the Great Depression tearing through the US at the time of this writing…but what a time to be alive for Star Wars wonks and sci-fi junkies. If you’re anything like me you were expecting a letdown after the nerdgasm of last week’s episode. Not so. This episode feels like it was torn from a numbered Star Wars movie. Did you think we’d ever get to say that about a tv show set in the Star Wars universe? I’m floored by what The Mandalorian is doing with the property. Dave Filoni is giving us what we thought we’d get from JJ Abrams and Rian Johnson. Dear Miss Kathleen Kennedy, I know you read these reaction round-ups every week - hire Favreau and Filoni to guide the New Republic movies. Flavor Fav and The Filonius One have built up so much goodwill over the past year and specifically the past 2 weeks that the response to such an announcement would be overwhelmingly positive. Can we talk about how committed a father Mando has become to Grogu? They are really leaning into that aspect of Din Djarin and it’s creating a level of sympathy you wouldn’t expect. It almost makes you forget that Din is a guild-certified bounty hunter feared across the galaxy for his excellency in literal executions.
EP7
EP7
EP7
Bill Burr is a top ten favorite comedian of mine for a number of reasons, the least of which is the fact we are both native Bostonians. Chapter seven of The Mandalorian is the Bill Burr show. Apparently he and “Flavor Fav” Jon Favreau are good friends. How else do you explain placing a Burr showcase into an episode with such high expectations? Immediately after finishing the episode I felt dissatisfaction setting in. I expected the penultimate chapter of this amazing season of pulpy television to create real story and character movement heading into the finale. Instead, the episode focuses almost entirely on the admittedly surprising/compelling development of Bill Burr’s Mayfield. While my position has softened on repeat viewing and I now understand better the greatness of the individual episode, I am obligated to share how I felt the first time around. The show has a lot of ground to make up in the final episode. Here’s hoping they stick the landing.
EP8
EP7
EP7
Star Wars fan-fiction has rightfully come to be associated with delusional amateurishness. It’s not written with any expectation of showing up on screen so why not go all-in and lean into the best parts of the Star Wars universe? It’s what I would do. The Mandalorian feels like Favreau scoured the internet for the best fanfic ideas and then he Favreau’d the hell out of them to give us The Mandalorian. This final episode of season two and most of the overall series represent the stories we thought could only exist in our imaginations. As much as we love and adore everything Star Wars, the prequel and sequel trilogies always felt out of touch and more concerned with the whims of JJ Abrams and Rian Johnson than that of us, the fans. Star Wars is, after all, a business. George Lucas has admitted that selling toys is significant to the planning stages of cooking up new Star Wars tales. There will always be lots of cooks in the Star Wars kitchen and considerations that go light years beyond fan-service. The Mandalorian has changed things. Forever. There’s no going back. We now expect Star Wars to give us what we want and for it to do so with the same A+ production values associated with the franchise. Finally, the writing and plotting has caught up to the VFX. You just scored a touchdown and the ball is back in your hands, Disney. Don’t fumble.