Review: “The Mandalorian” Season 1, Episode 3 (Disney+ Series)

SPOILERS AHEAD

The third episode of the Disney+ series “The Mandalorian” (Chapter 3: The Sin) might be its best. 

This time out we find the Mando (with ship fully repaired) headed back to the volcanic planet that seems to be a de facto home for bounty hunters in the galaxy... with “Baby Yoda” in tow. 

A CRISIS OF CONSCIENCE

Despite some unspoken reservations, the Mandalorian turns the creature over to the client (Werner Herzog) and Dr. Pershing (Omid Abtahi). In return, he gets a container full of Beskar steel bricks (“the richest reward this parsec has ever seen”). 

Werner Herzog is effectively creepy as the client (someone I assume is a former member of the Empire). At one point during the exchange with the Mandalorian he says, “such a large bounty for such a small package.”

WHISTLING BIRDS 

The Mando takes his reward to the Mandalorian enclave and has most of it made into a new suit of armor (a full cuirass). Part of the reward will go to help fund Foundlings, and another part is made into a weapon called “Whistling Birds” (“Use them sparingly, for they are rare,” says the armorer). 

Some of the other Mandalorians lurking in the underground enclave confront the Mando. This entire sequence is where we hear the term “This is the way” for the first time. 

Much like the phrase “I have spoken” (uttered by the Ugnaught Kuiil), “This is the way” is sort of a mantra used by the Mandalorians — a phrase heard throughout the rest of the episode that emphasizes the belief system at the core of the Mandalorian code.

Outfitted in a shiny new suit of armor, the Mandalorian meets with Greef Karga (where he gets a new “bounty puck” for a Mon Calamari nobleman’s son). Our protagonist is all too happy to get off the planet and away from thinking about “Baby Yoda.” 

RESCUE MISSION

But when the Mando returns to the Razor Crest, he sees a knob “Baby Yoda” removed from a control lever. In that moment, he makes his decision, leaves the ship, and sets out to rescue the infant. 

This is the moment where our hero eschews the rules guiding bounty hunters in the galaxy, shifts to a more honorable path, and walks the “Way of the Mandalore” (making him both hunter and prey).  

It goes back to the conversation the Mando had with the armorer in the first half of the episode. The armorer — trying to decide what the full suit should look like — suggests they use the Mudhorn (the creature our protagonist defeated in Chapter 2) as his signet. 

The Mando says, “I can’t accept. It wasn’t a noble kill. I was helped by an enemy.”

The armorer replies, “Why would an enemy help you in battle?”

The Mando replies, “It did not know it was my enemy.” 

“Baby Yoda” helped the Mandalorian in the fight against the Mudhorn. Despite that fact, the Mando turned him over for reward (which was stipulated by the Guild Code). 

A HERO’S JOURNEY

It’s a classic dilemma faced in a hero’s journey. 

This is the sort of mythology “Star Wars” is built on. What’s fascinating about “The Mandalorian” series (thus far) is how the hero’s journey plays out in a story where the Force and Jedis aren’t at the center of things. 

I honestly think that’s part of the reason “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” is preferred by so many fans of the saga. 

EPISODE DIRECTION

Chapter 3 of “The Mandalorian” was directed by Deborah Chow. Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy announced that she’ll be the sole director fo the upcoming Disney+ series focused on Obi-Wan Kenobi (which will star Ewan McGregor).

After watching the third episode, I can tell why they decided to give her full reign of directing duties on the Kenobi series. 

The last half of the third episode features various shootouts and confrontations as the Mando retrieves — and makes his escape with — “Baby Yoda.” 

You feel the tension as the Mando (like a lone gunfighter in westerns of yore) works his way out of the city with the kid. There is something inherently satisfying as the final shootout on a city street plays out. 

I’ll be interested to she what she is able to with the Obi-Wan Kenobi series. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

“The Mandalorian” continues to surprise me. At first I had reservations about the length of each episode (around 30 minutes apiece), but I’m liking where the series is going so far. 

Stay tuned for my review of ”The Mandalorian” Season 1, Episode 4!

Previous post: My Epic Review of “Frozen II”