Thursday, November 19, 2020

Review: “The Mandalorian” Season 2, Episode 3 (Disney+ Series)


SPOILERS AHEAD... “It’s gonna be a bumpy ride.”

The third episode of the second season of “The Mandalorian” is titled “Chapter 11: The Heiress” — and it was an entertaining episode. 

“The Heiress” finds Mando (Pedro Pascal), The Child, and Frog Lady (Misty Rosas) in a limping Razor Crest traveling to the Earth-like moon Trask (that orbits the gas giant Kol Iben). 


For all those who were concerned about the fate of Frog Lady's “yet to be fertilized” eggs, the amphibious mother is reunited with Frog Man (John Cameron) shortly after Mando’s ship crash lands in a harbor (the AT-AT-based crane that rescues the Razor Crest is pretty neat). 


In exchange for Frog Lady’s transport, Frog Man suggests Mando can find more information about nearby Mandalorians at a local inn that is known for its intergalactic version of “seafood chowder.”  


A Quarren tells Mando that he can take him to meet other Mandalorians, just “a few hours’ sail.”

It was fun to see a planet largely comprised of Quarren and Mon Calamari — species introduced in “Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi.”


Both species have been featured in the “Star Wars: Clone Wars” animated series, along with other SW properties over the years. 

One of my favorite plot points involving the Mon Calamari is found in Kevin J. Anderson’s terrific “Jedi Academy Trilogy” of books. Admiral Ackbar (a Mon Calamari) had his homeworld targeted by Imperial Admiral Natasi Daala. 

Anyhow, the Quarren takes Mando and Baby Yoda on a fishing boat to find the other Mandalorians. 

But in the inimitable words of Admiral Akbar many moons ago, “it’s a trap!”


The Quarren have nefarious goals in mind, meaning our heroes are in trouble. The entire sequence involving Baby Yoda’s pram getting swatted into the mouth of a Mamacore sea creature was well crafted. 

Mando and The Child are rescued on the boat by a trio of Mandalorians. 


One of the Mandalorians is Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff). Bo-Katan is a character with an interesting backstory. She has been featured in previous “Star Wars” properties — including “Star Wars: Clone Wars” and “Star Wars: Rebels.”  

She refers to Mando as a “Child of the Watch,” which is apparently a “cult of religious zealots” (meaning we still have a lot to learn about Din Djarin).  


In both animated series, Bo-Katan was voiced by Sackhoff. It is neat to see her take on the role in a live action series. There are a lot of interesting possibilities for future episodes involving the character. 

I should mention that this episode was directed by Bryce Dallas Howard. She previously directed the fourth episode of the first season titled “The Sanctuary” (read my review). 


I’ve enjoyed both episodes of “The Mandalorian” helmed by Howard. Like her father before her, she seems to have a natural feel for the “Star Wars” universe and the wares crafted by George Lucas (read my review of “Solo: A Star Wars Story”). She’s becoming a solid director. 

It was nice to see our hero interacting with other Mandalorians again. Bo-Katan’s trio convinces Mando to help them rob an Imperial freighter full of weapons — in exchange for information on the Jedi. 


This has pretty much become de rigueur for our protagonist. The lengths Mando goes to in order to return Baby Yoda is pretty impressive. 

Bo-Katan tells Mando to go to the city of Calodan on the forest planet of Corvus. There he will find Ahsoka Tano. 


Ahsoka Tano’s journey was largely the focus of the “Star Wars: Clone Wars” animated series (she also appeared in “Star Wars: Rebels”). She was Anakin Skywalker’s Padawan learner in the events that took place between “Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones” and “Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.”

I’m currently on the third season of “Clone Wars,” so I have a bit to go before I learn what path the character ultimately chooses in that series. 


How that character is integrated into “The Mandalorian” is yet to be seen, but I’m intrigued to see Rosario Dawson’s performance in the role. 

I enjoyed seeing actor Titus Welliver play the captain of the Imperial freighter. He is terrific on the Amazon Prime series “Bosch,” and I think he has a style that works well in “Star Wars.” Unfortunately, the character meets his end in this episode. 


Overall, I thought this was a solid episode of “The Mandalorian.” After last week’s “side trip,” this chapter moved the overall narrative forward (at least a little). 

I’m curious to see if Mando’s journey with The Child will lead to larger things. Thus far, the overall arc of the series has had a smaller focus. While things might stay that way (which would be fine), it could be kind of cool to see some epic clash between Mandalorians, Jedi, and remnants of the Empire. 


Stay tuned for my review of “The Mandalorian” Season 2, Episode 4!

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