Review: “The Mandalorian” Season 2, Episode 6 (Disney+ Series)

SPOILERS AHEAD...

We finally got an episode in Season 2 that “broke the mold” from the previous episodes we’ve seen this go-around. 

“Chapter 14: The Tragedy” shifted away from the typical “Shane” and “The Magnificent Seven” (read my review) western tropes (that found our hero traveling somewhere and getting roped into helping someone in need) and gave us something that moved the narrative forward. 

In Episode 5, Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) told Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) that he should take Baby Yoda (Grogu) to the ruins of an ancient temple that has a “strong connection to the Force” on the planet Tython. 

That’s what this episode is all about. Simple, short, and to the point. 

Mando is still strident in his quest to find a Jedi to train Grogu. At this point, every sentimental viewer on Earth is wondering why he’d want to leave The Child. 

This character is all about honor and sacrifice, so I’m sure the two will officially part ways at some point (either during a particular season, or at the end of the show’s run someday down the road). 

Anyhow, when the pair arrives at the ruins on Tython, Mando sets Grogu on the “seeing stone.” Initially, nothing happens, but soon thereafter Grogu reaches out in the Force and becomes enveloped in some sort of blue “Force field.”

We can assume this is something akin to E.T. using a Speak & Spell toy (along with other found hardware items) to “phone home” in Steven Spielberg's 1982 classic. 

About that same time, the iconic Slave I ship lands on Tython carrying Boba Fett (Temeura Morrison) and a “not-dead-after-all” Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen). 

The whole notion that Fett is tracking Din Djarin to get his armor back brings up a number of questions. Primarily, why didn’t he just take it from Cobb Vanth (Timothy Olyphant) prior to Mando’s return to Tatooine in the Season 2 premiere? Is he just constantly one step behind Djarin? Where has Fett been all these years? Did he stay on Tatooine after being eaten in the Sarlacc pit? Or has he traveled around? 

We may never know, but that’s okay. This is “Star Wars,” so jumps in logic aren’t necessarily an uncommon occurrence. 

Before long, a ship carrying Stormtroopers shows up. Then, a bit later, a second ship arrives. The appearance of the Empire (or whatever they’re calling themselves) is made possible by the tracking device Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) had planted on the Razor Crest in Chapter 12. 

The entire sequence of events features some cool shootouts and fighting between our heroes and the Stormtroopers. I thought all of it was a lot of fun. 

We also get to see Fett back in his armor. I’ve got to say, the overall effect looked like a middle-aged man’s futile effort at cosplay, but the character is one of my faves, so I was glad to see him back in action. 

Mando tries to grab Grogu from the “seeing stone” multiple times, but the blue “Force field” makes that task impossible. 

Eventually, a group of Dark Troopers fly down from Gideon’s cruiser and snatch Grogu (the blue “Force field” had come to an end) from the “seeing stone.” 

I’m not gonna lie, I was frustrated during this entire sequence. First of all, Mando removed his jet pack early in the episode when he first faced off with Fett and Shand (before the trio joined forces). 

Unfortunately, he never got it back, and the entire thing felt like a concocted plot device to keep Mando from rescuing Baby Yoda in a timely manner. 

Secondly, I was upset to see the Razor Crest blown to smithereens in the episode. I’m assuming he will end up with another ship at some point, but we’ve all gotten used to Mando’s “mobile home.”

It was cool to see Grogu choking and wielding Stormtroopers around his cell in the episode’s closing sequences. Not only is the little guy powerful, he’s a little bit evil. 

I’m not sure how I feel about  Mando employing Cara Dune (Gina Carano) to help him find Mayfeld (comedian Bill Burr) — the criminal who staged a “prison break” in the sixth episode of Season 1 (read my review). 

I know Mando wants to use Mayfeld’s skills to help break Grogu out of the Imperial cruiser (Mayfeld is also a former Imperial sharp shooter). I’d imagine this also means we’ll see more ragtag associates of the criminal in the next episode. 

I guess this is all part of the intertwined “mini-verse” that Jon Favreau is developing to guide “The Mandalorian” going forward. 

Overall, this was the most action-packed episode of the season, and introduced a number of interesting story elements going forward (including the Force-wielding power of Grogu and the origins of Boba Fett). 

Sadly, it also means that there are only two more episodes left this season. We’ll probably be left with a lot of burning questions after the season is concluded. 

Stay tuned for my review of “The Mandalorian” Season 1, Episode 7. 

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