Jon Crunch: Review: “The Mandalorian” Season 1, Episode 2 (Disney+ Series)

SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

The second episode of the Disney+ original series “The Mandalorian” debuted a few days ago. The episode — dubbed “Chapter 2: The Child” — comes in at a svelte 32 minutes and 55 seconds (that includes the end credits).

This is one of the often talked about aspects of the series — the fact that the episodes are shorter than most dramas on television today.

I mentioned this in my review of the first episode. The fact is that taking a “less is more” approach might not be a bad idea (at least for the first season).

BABY YODA IS THE BEST!

“The Child” is a fun little episode. When the film rolls and we see the “Mando” in the early moments of Chapter 2, he and “Baby Yoda” (yes, we all know it isn’t actually Yoda since that character dies in “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” — and this show takes place roughly 25 years after “Jedi”) are working their way across the desert planet toward the Razor Crest.

They run into three Trandoshans — the type of creature Bossk the bounty hunter is in “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.” Do any of you who grew up with “Star Wars” (in the 70s and 80s) remember sending off Kenner “proofs of purchase” to get the Bossk figure for free?? I do!

“I CAN’T ABIDE THOSE JAWAS. DISGUSTING CREATURES.” — C3P0

When the Mandalorian and “Baby Yoda” arrive at the ship, it is in the process of being stripped by Jawas.

The Jawas rank as my favorite of the various “Star Wars” creatures (sorry Ewoks!).

For my second grade Halloween costume, my mom and dad made me a Jawa cloak out of a rough, brown burlap, stitched in a sheer black material inside the hood to cover my face, and used a pair of Zany Zappers (minus the lens) to give me “glowing eyes.”

For those who weren’t around in that era, Zany Zappers were sunglasses with red lightbulbs behind the lenses. They were powered by a 9-volt batter (connected via cord) that you could run down your shirt, through your sleeve, and activate via push button.

Anyhow, the Mandalorian takes out of couple of a Jawa scavengers with his forked rifle, but the rest of the crew makes a getaway in their Sandcrawler.

The Mando pursues in a scene that feels like it owes a life debt to the tank scene in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.”

FAIR TRADE AGREEMENT

Suffice it to say, the pesky Jawas prove to be a fairly cunning foe, and the Mandalorian walks away empty-handed. The parts are gone. That means the Mando and his asset are essentially stranded on the desert planet.

The Mandalorian seeks the help of Kuiil (who proved a useful ally in Chapter 1). The resourceful Ugnaught suggests a trade to help the Mando get the stripped ship parts and supplies back from the Jawas.

“The Jawas steal,” says Kuiil, “they don’t destroy.”

The Jawas ask for the Beskar armor and “Baby Yoda” during the barter, but the Mando is unwilling to part with his armor or the adorable creature.

The Jawas (in Jawaese) say, “We will require The Egg. Bring us The Egg.”

They all ride in the Sandcrawler to a cave in the desert. The cave is the source of a Mudhorn egg — guarded by a very protective Mudhorn (a furry rhinoceros-like creature).

The Mando has to do battle with the Mudhorn to secure the egg. This leads to a messy fight outside the cave. We see “Baby Yoda” (who is floating alongside in his carriage) use force-wielding skills to help save the Mandalorian from the charging beast.

With the egg secured, the Mando and “Baby Yoda” return to the impatient Jawas (who summarily cut open the egg and start consuming the yellow yolk). Ewww.

Our protagonist gets his parts back, and Kuiil helps him put the Razor Crest back together.

SATURDAY SERIALS

Anyone who has ever read the history of “Star Wars: A New Hope” know that creator George Lucas was attempting to channel the spirit of the “Saturday serials” he grew up with, like “Flash Gordon.”

So far, Jon Favreau’s “The Mandalorian” seems to be operating in that spirit. The second episode has little in the way of dialogue between characters, but the tone and feel are reminiscent of those short episodic serials that were prolific in bygone Hollywood era.

Speaking of Favreau, he Tweeted this concept art of “Baby Yoda” this week:

Take my money, please. Where are the toys? The plushies? The Funko Pops?

I’m fascinated by “The Mandalorian” thus far — looking forward to seeing where Disney+ takes the story.

While the first two episodes might not be the sort of meaty dramas viewers are used to from the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime, there is something inherently satisfying about “The Mandalorian.”

MUSICAL SCORE

I also want to make mention of the show’s score by composer Ludwig Göransson. While it might not have all the atmospheric glory of a John Williams “Star Wars” soundtrack, it does a solid job setting the tone for the show.

There is a moment in Chapter 2 (the sunrise scene at the 5:22 mark) where the score feels particularly epic in scope as the music swells.