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. 

Previous post: Review: “The Mandalorian” Season 2, Episode 5 

Review: “The Mandalorian” Season 2, Episode 5 (Disney+ Series)

SPOILERS AHEAD... 

“Star Wars” geeks had been anticipating this episode for 10 months. 

The fifth episode of “The Mandalorian” Season 2 is titled “Chapter 13: The Jedi” and viewers saw animated fave Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) featured for the first time in a live-action property (other than the character’s voice being heard in “Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker”). 

For a lot of fans of “The Mandalorian,” this was the first time they've seen Ahsoka Tano. The character originated in the “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” film, was subsequently featured in the “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” animated series, and appeared in several episodes of the “Star Wars Rebels” animated series. 

(The character has also appeared in other properties, such as books and games.)

For those who experienced the character in the animated series, Rosario Dawson seems like perfect casting. Her look embodies the Ahsoka Tano character.

A couple episodes ago, the character’s appearance was teased when Bo-Katon told Din Djarin to find the Jedi on the forest planet Corvus. 

We figured Mando and The Child would meet Tano, but we didn’t quite know what form that meeting would take. 

The opening moments of Chapter 13 find Tano brandishing her two white lightsabers on Corvus (the part of the planet she is on looks charred and desolate). She is fighting visored scout guards from a gated village. 

Not long after, Mando and The Child land on Corvus. The pair eventually meets up with a village magistrate named Morgan Elsbeth (Diane Lee Inosanto) who offers a Beskar spear to Mando if he kills Ahsoka Tano. 

The Jedi are the ancient enemies of Mandalore. Mando has no intention of killing Tano, but feels like the proposition is an opportunity to expedite his search for the Jedi. 

With coordinates in hand, Djarin sets out with The Child to find Tano. When he does come across her, we glean a number of interesting details about The Child's origins. 

We learn that Baby Yoda is actually named Grogu. Some fans on the interwebs didn’t like the name. I’m not sure what they were looking for in this instance. 

We also learn that he was raised at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. He was trained by many Jedi Masters over the years and was hidden at the end of the Clone Wars.

Someone took Grogu from the Jedi Temple. That’s where his memory went dark. 

I know what you’re thinking. Why hasn’t an infant-like creature matured more in the intervening years? 

I’ve read that Grogu (it’s odd not calling him “Baby Yoda”) is 50 years old. For comparison’s sake, Yoda was 900 years old when he died in “Return of the Jedi.” So, the idea that he is still a toddler shouldn’t surprise any of us. 

I’ll be interested to see if Grogu is eventually trained to become a Jedi. It might be more intriguing if he was trained to be a Mandalorian — imagine the tiny set of armor and helmet he would wear! 

Tano tests Grogu’s skills, but ultimately says she can’t train him. She senses fear in the little critter, and his attachment to Mando makes him vulnerable. 

“Better to let his abilities fade,” Tano tells Djarin. 

Mando tells Tano about his meeting with Morgan Elsbeth. As a result, the Jedi and the Mandalorian strike a bargain. He’ll help her deal with the magistrate in exchange for seeing to it that Grogu gets proper training. 

What follows are some entertaining action sequences as Tano and Djarin take on the nefarious forces running the village. 

I should mention that actor Michael Biehn (Kyle Reese in “Terminator”) plays the gunfighter in charge of the village’s security. I haven’t seen him in anything for a number of years, and it was nice to have him in the “Star Wars” universe.

We learn at the end of all the excitement in the village that Morgan Elsbeth served Grand Admiral Thrawn (someone Tano is trying to find). 

Grand Admiral Thrawn first appeared in the novel “Star Wars: Heir to the Empire” in 1991. I remember reading the entire “Thrawn Trilogy” back then, and thought the character was really interesting. He is the creation of sci-fi writer Timothy Zahn. 

Thrawn has appeared in a number of SW properties over the years, including the “Star Wars Rebels” animated series. 

I watched all of “Star Wars Rebels” episodes (read my review) a couple years ago, and was excited to see the character in action. 

How that character might be incorporated into “The Mandalorian” is anyone’s guess at this point. 

Some fans aren’t terribly excited about the idea of tying this series into the “Star Wars Rebels” and “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” animated series. 

Dave Filoni wrote and directed “The Jedi” episode. Filoni was a supervising director on “The Clone Wars“ and served as executive producer and as a supervising director on “Rebels.”

The idea that he might infuse more elements from those two series into “The Mandalorian” seems likely. I think fans are wondering just how closely they’ll be tied together. 

In the closing moments of Chapter 13, Tano tells Mando to take Grogu to the planet Tython. She says they’ll find the ancient ruins of a temple that has a “strong connection to the Force.”

Tython was apparently the original homeworld of the Je’daii Order — the predecessor to the Jedi Order. This is according to a Lucasfilm novel published during what has been dubbed the “Legends” era of content (not considered “canon” anymore). 

I’m not sure what any of it means exactly. 

Part of me is wondering if the appearance of Ahsoka Tano — along with the mention of Grand Admiral Thrawn — is a teaser for a potential live-action series focusing on Tano. If so, that could be really interesting. 

We’ll see how it all plays out. With only three episodes left in this season of “The Mandalorian,” I’m going to be interested to see what questions are left for the third season. 

Stay tuned for my review of “The Mandalorian” Season 2, Episode 6. 

Previous post: Review: “The Mandalorian” Season 2, Episode 4 

Review: “The Mandalorian” Season 2, Episode 4 (Disney+ Series)

SPOILERS AHEAD... “hold tight”... 

Our hero — the Mandalorian named Din Djarin — visits some old friends (so he can repair his ship) in the fourth episode of Season 2 titled “Chapter 12: The Siege.” 

Mando and Baby Yoda head to Nevarro to see if they can find a competent mechanic to fix the Razor Crest. The episode starts off with a nice bit where Mando is trying to instruct The Child as he (she?) makes a repair in a tight space: 

As the Crest descends on Nevarro, Cara Dune (Gina Carano) and Greef Karga (Carl Weathers) are there to greet them. 

Much of the narrative in Season 1 took place on Nevarro, and the planet has undergone quite a transformation in the time since Mando was there last. 

Dune serves as the marshal; Karga is magistrate. Both have cleaned the place up. There is even a school: 

I’ve mentioned in my recent reviews of “The Mandalorian” that Mando constantly finds himself roped into helping people with problems — sometimes those missions seems like more trouble than they’re worth. 

In some instances, our hero gets involved because he has been painted into a corner. Other times he helps due to a sense of duty and honor. Sometimes he does it for the money. 

He is sort of like the character “Paladin” on the 1950s western series “Have Gun — Will Travel” — a character traveling from place to place, helping those in need. 

We all know a “western pastiche” is on full display in “The Mandalorian.” The question is whether a “mission of the week” format offers the dynamism the show needs long-term. So far, so good. 

Dune and Karga need Djarin’s help taking down an Imperial base on the other side of the planet (where Moff Gideon procured his troops from at the end of Season 1). The base operates with a skeleton crew, and hasn’t yet been abandoned. 

The assault on the base is entertaining. The blue Mythrol (Horatio Sanz) — who appeared in the very first episode of “The Mandalorian” — makes a return appearance (as a bookkeeper for Karga) and provides some comic relief on the mission. 

The best “easter egg” (if you can call it that) is the inadvertent appearance of one of the crew members in the background at the 18:54 mark of the episode: 

A number of fans had fun with this appearance (Bridget and I got a good chuckle out of it), and one fan even mocked up a Kenner action figure called “Jeans Guy” based on the goof: 

I really enjoyed this week's #TheMandalorian episode.#starwars #StarWarsfanart pic.twitter.com/SqGR1izmFp

— 🦃 Bryan Ward 🍁 (@bryaneward) November 21, 2020

As our heroes move about the base, we learn the mission serves a strategic purpose for the overall story arc of the second season. 

They stumble upon lifeless humanoids floating in blue liquid, and discover that blood transfusion experiments were taking place (having something to do with Midi-chlorian count). Baby Yoda was part of these experiments (before he was rescued by Mando in the first season). 

We still don't know what these tests are for, or if they tie into any other "Star Wars" lore. (Some have speculated these have something to do with Supreme Leader Snoke.)

I thought “The Siege” was an entertaining episode. You can’t go wrong with gun battles and Stormtrooper chases in an Imperial base, and this episode served up a healthy dose of both. 

We also get to see speeder bikes back in action: 

It was fun to watch Razor Crest go toe-to-toe with some Imperial TIE Fighters: 

At the end of the episode, we learn a tracking beacon has been planted on the Razor Crest. We also see Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) with a couple rows of  what appear to be Dark Troopers (listening to the “Audio Description” track on the episode describes them as such): 

The directorial duties in this episode were handled wonderfully by Carl Weathers. I hope we’ll see him at the helm again the future. Series creator Jon Favreau once again handled writing duties. 

Some of my friends have suggested that episodes of “The Mandalorian” are too short. They believe the stories need a bit more weight. 

I get that sentiment. I think the overall goal is to craft each chapter like it is part of an old “Saturday Matinee Serial” from yesteryear. That style lends itself to smaller vignettes. That said, I understand the desire to have more depth. 

I’m excited to see where things go from here. 

Stay tuned for my review of “The Mandalorian” Season 2, Episode 5. 

Previous post: Book Review: Hauty's “Savage Road” Offers Thrills and Chills 

Book Review: Hauty’s “Savage Road” Offers Thrills and Chills

This might be the most challenging “spoiler-free” review I have ever written. 

Here’s the scoop... 

Chris Hauty’s upcoming novel, “Savage Road,” (set to be published Jan. 5, 2021) is a direct sequel to his 2020 thriller “Deep State” — a novel I wrote had a “stunning twist” that “left me speechless.” 

As a result of Hauty’s plot-bending twist, I wasn’t quite sure how to approach the review of his latest book. I certainly won’t spoil anything for readers unfamiliar with his work. 

Hauty — an accomplished screenwriter — approaches his novels in a fashion similar to the best serialized TV series on outlets like Netflix and HBO. But instead of the dramatic narrative building season-by-season, the narrative builds book-by-book. 

Metaphorically speaking, if “Deep State” is Season 1 in Hauty’s bibliography, then “Savage Road” is Season 2. 

As a result, I’d highly recommend readers check out “Deep State” first (it is one of the best thrillers I’ve read in recent years). 

“Savage Road” brings back plucky protagonist Hayley Chill. Not only does the character have one of the coolest names in fiction, she has also proven herself to be a stone-cold covert operator in Hauty’s universe. 

It’s a positive to see female protagonists coming to the fore in this genre. A couple years ago I reviewed K.J. Howe’s two Thea Paris thrillers — “The Freedom Broker” and “Skyjack” — and wrote “it’s refreshing when a writer creates something different.” 

Chill’s meteoric rise from humble White House intern to chief of staff for one of the president’s key advisors is being orchestrated by forces beyond her control — the “deeper state” organization known as Publius. 

In “Savage Road,” Chill finds herself rolling around like a pinball as she bounces between duties for political guru Kyle Rodgers and covert operations for the “deeper state.”

If that weren’t enough, Chill also faces a pair of existential crisis points in the novel — the possibility of a serious romantic relationship (something beyond her typical “one night stand”) and unearthed revelations about her deceased father. 

The meat of the plot centers around a series of mysterious cyberattacks impacting life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in the United States. 

The cyberattacks definitely give “Savage Road” a sense of verisimilitude in today’s geopolitical world. In that regard, Hauty’s latest serves as a nice companion piece to the 2020 thriller “Total Power” by Kyle Mills (read my review). 

“Knives and guns are for dunces,” writes Hauty. “Information is the weapon of the twenty-first century. Truth can be split, like the atom, and weaponized.”

(I know I'm not technically supposed to quote an advance reader copy, but Hauty’s words epitomize the approach he takes to this thriller, and the world we live in today.) 

At the center of it all is Hayley Chill. The juxtaposition of character — bred from humble roots in Appalachia, but navigating the white-collar corridors of Washington D.C. — makes for compelling drama. 

We saw this at play in “Deep State” when Chill (plucked from the Army Infantry) interacted with her fellow White House interns — most of her peers coming from wealthy, Ivy-League-educated stock. 

Hauty shows in “Savage Road” he isn’t content to let his protagonist merely serve as a vessel to move the story forward. He also avoids texturing Chill by using pat “info dumps.”

Hauty’s style is more nuanced. He reveals Chill’s backstory piece by piece, revealing layers as if she is a matryoshka doll. 

I enjoy this method of character development.

Speaking of compelling characters, I liked Chill’s fellow “deeper state” operative Lt. April Wu, a West Point grad who works at U.S. Cyber Command. Chill and Wu play well off of each other in the novel. 

I also appreciate that Hauty crafts his books with a unique writing style. 

In my review of “Deep State,” I pointed out that Hauty uses a “third person, present tense” voice. It's something I’ve seen in a number of YA novels, but not typically in this brand of thriller. 

It definitely gives his novels an original flavor. The style used is commonly employed in screenwriting (a profession Hauty knows all too well). 

Hauty discusses his cinematic inspiration for Hayley Chill — along with how he uses pieces of un-filmed screenplays in his novels — during this terrific interview on The Crew Reviews podcast: 

Like “Deep State,” Hauty’s latest novel offers its share of twists (he really knows how to keep your interest piqued as the pages flip by). One in particular left me with “relentless questions” in the hours after I finished “Savage Road.” 

That’s why Hauty is one of the genre’s best new writers. Just when you think you have things figured out, he makes one more twist of the screw. 

After I completed reading the advance copy of “Savage Road,” I perused the “Acknowledgments” section. 

Hauty dedicated a paragraph in this section to “book bloggers” and “superfans.” I follow many of the fine folks mentioned in the passage, and was stunned to find myself listed among them: 

As a self-proclaimed “book nerd,” it means so much when authors take a moment to recognize fans. I was not expecting that at all. I’m truly honored. 

“Savage Road” will be released by Emily Bestler Books/Atria Books on Jan. 5, 2021. Pre-order your copy here. 

You can learn more about Chris Hauty and his novels “Deep State” and “Savage Road” at www.chrishauty.com. 

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

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!

Previous post: Review: “The Mandalorian” Season 2, Episode 2