SPOILERS AHEAD... I have spoken.
The second episode of the second season of “The Mandalorian” is titled “Chapter 10: The Passenger” — this episode has sparked varying views online since it debuted last week.
Some people loved it. Others hated it.
I’ve been chewing on the seemingly “bipolar” reactions to the episode.
Personally speaking, I loved it. I’ve viewed it three times since it dropped on Disney+ Nov. 6th.
The recurring argument against the episode is that it didn’t move the narrative forward. True enough. I can’t argue with that.
That is a trait periodically exhibited by this series. Sometimes “side journeys” are entertaining; sometimes they can be frustrating. But, looking back at the first season, you start to see how some of those standalone episodes fit into the overall narrative.
As I said, I really enjoyed watching “The Passenger.”
I liked the episode’s pacing. Things kept moving — from Mando’s tussle with robbers on Tatooine in the opening moments through all the excitement transporting a “Frog Lady” (who apparently knows where a Mandalorian covert is) to an Earth-like moon called Trask.
I mentioned in my review of the previous episode (read my review) that I appreciated that the filmmakers didn’t overdo the cute “Baby Yoda” moments.
Lovers of the little green alien will be happy that The Child is back in full force in Chapter 10.
The little guy’s appetite gets him in trouble in this episode.
The “Frog Lady” (played by Misty Rosas and voiced by Dee Bradley Baker) has a canister of her eggs in tow. Baby Yoda likes popping them into his mouth like popcorn — a big “no no” since the frog is traveling to have her eggs fertilized by the equinox (to keep her line from ending).
The sensitive nature of the eggs means Mando has to travel at sublight (a jump into hyperspace will kill her spawn).
“Moving fast is the only thing keeping me safe,” Mando implores.
The slow travel means Baby Yoda has time to sneak some eggs, and it also means the Razor Crest is noticed by a pair of patrolling X-wing starfighters.
Series writer/director Dave Filoni returns as X-wing pilot Trapper Wolf. That character’s last appearance was in the sixth episode of the first season. He is paired up with pilot Carson Teva (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee).
Mando is a wanted man after his exploits on a New Republic prison ship during the first season.
And as this episode rumbles along, we see more connections to “The Prisoner” episode (read my review) bubbling to the surface (including an interesting reappearance by the RA-7 protocol droid that Mando shot during that episode).
I kind of like watching the writers “layer on” elements from previous episodes. Given time, the strategy should add more depth to the series (and, hopefully, give meaning to these sorts of standalone/filler episodes).
This episode was again written by series creator Jon Favreau and was directed by Peyton Reed. Reed helmed both of the “Ant-Man” movies for Marvel — which I loved (read my review of “Ant-Man and the Wasp”). I thought he did a terrific job directing an episode that felt fresh and fun (I hope we see more of him in the “Star Wars” Universe).
Anyhow, running afoul of a couple of New Republic starfighters wasn’t something Mando had on the agenda, and an entertaining chase sequence results in our hero’s crash landing on an ice planet.
For me, the aerial chase hearkened back to “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back.” It’s possible my love of that movie (and the sequences on Hoth) influenced my fondness for this episode.
There’s something about snowy planets and wounded starships that adds intrigue to “Star Wars” stories.
I’d also argue that Chapter 10 felt fairly “unpredictable.”
“The Mandalorian” isn’t a series necessarily known for surprises and hairpin twists. Considering that fact, I appreciated some of the more suspenseful elements in “The Passenger.”
Most of the tense moments involve a confrontation with a six-legged Krykna spider on the ice planet.
To me, many elements in this episode epitomized the best that “Star Wars” has to offer. I think that’s why I liked it so much.
I know some disagree, and some people wanted to have some of the questions posed in Chapter 9 answered in this episode (including the appearance of Boba Fett at the end of the season premiere).
I just get the sense that things are going to develop slowly in “The Mandalorian.” Filler episodes like this are part of the rich world building the show’s creators are trying to layer in.
I’m happy to be patient on this journey...
Stay tuned for my review of “The Mandalorian” Season 2, Episode 3!
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