When hearing about a live-action TV-show spin-off for Star Wars I kind of ignored it and moved on with my life. Everything that has been entered into the Star Wars universe as of late has been nothing short of trash. Rogue One anyone?
Within hours of the release of the first episode of The Mandalorian, I noticed a change.
Good feedback started flooding through my inbox and on my social media timelines. For what is now a very toxic fanbase it was nice to see such positive remarks for this new series. I bit the bullet, gave the first episode a watch and after that, I was hooked!
The Mandalorian Complete Series Review
Chapter 1 Review
Instantly injecting us into the Star Wars universe the show introduces us to our main character. Reminicest of Boba Fett our bounty hunter (Pedro Pascal) puts in one stellar performance. The fact that we never see his face at all throughout the episode shows you the acting quality needed to portray emotion and Pascal has it in spades.
Packed full of stormtroopers, droids, and ships we are on the hunt after our next bounty. With humor dotted throughout and versatility in Pascal’s approach, this show manages to have the Star Wars feel on a TV budget. The practical effects and the CGI almost seamlessly blend together to immerse us into this world we all know and love.
Whilst the tone jumps from serious to comedy very quickly in the first episode it’s hard to pick fault. This western-style approach with bar-fights and bounty makes for some compelling viewing.
Throw in supporting cast members such as Carl Weathers, Nick Nolte and even The Mandalorian director himself Wener Herzog shows up for a scene. The episode ends with an absolute galaxy-shattering reveal of one of the Star Wars universe much-loved characters. It’s a must-watch for that scene alone!
Chapter 2 Review
After going on the hunt for a well-paying bounty the Mandalorian instead chooses to protect the figure he was tasked to kill. The pair embark on an adventure together and with a now broken ship. The task of returning home becomes an uphill battle.
In this episode, we are introduced to the Jawas. Whilst other films and shows are heavily focused on nostalgia to sell tickets The Mandalorian seamlessly integrates them into the plot. Nothing feels forced to please fans, it’s the universe we know and love and nothing is thrown in our face for impact. During this episode, the Jawas have torn apart the Mandalorian’s ship and in return, they want an egg.
An egg garden by a creature that looks like a rhino on steroids. It’s in this very scene that my love of Star Wars returns. It has been a feeling long missing for many, many years! This particular battle was done with such care, attention and the inclusion of The Mandalorian’s new sidekick, it just makes it all the sweeter.
The short-run time of each episode leaves us always wanting more. It’s not too long and there’s enough structure for each episode so that it never feels rushed. It’s a perfect balance and all is well in the balance of the force once more.
Chapter 3 Review
As the Mandalorian delivers his bounty he battles with his conscience as the very ‘enemy’ he just delivered saved his life.
Chapter 3 now dwells into the depth of the story. The Mandalorian way of life and a peek behind the curtain of this secret religious style cult. In this much longer episode you’d think once the bounty was delivered that would be it, shows over. But the show continues as things aren’t all the same after he’s turned his back on the creature that was handed over to a client (possibly to be killed) and the Mandalorian looked the other way.
A the Mandalorian battles his own inner demons, we see a rescue mission put into place. Everything about this show is full throttle and it’s incredible to see this story come together piece by piece.
It’s so refreshing to see a Star Wars story done right and with just enough fan service to keep even the diehard fans hooked for more. The show is getting better and better with each episode and I’m eager to see chapter 4!
Chapter 4 Review
Chapter 4 in our The Mandalorian complete series review sees our protagonist and his new travel buddy go on the run. They both escape to a remote planet in hiding. It is here where the Mandalorian runs into Cara Dune (Gina Carano), a former trooper for the Galactic Rebellion.
Chapter 4 is brimming with heart and humour. In what is easily the funniest episode of the show so far (mostly down to our little travel buddy) the runtime flies by! In this episode we also get to see a walker for the first time. Seemingly a walker with more improved mobility than those of old but still, very cool to see!
Chapter 5 Review
After the events of Chapter 4 our Mandalorian is back on the run again. After sustaining damage to his ship the Mandalorian seeks to get it fixed.
With our Mandalorian now protecting his former bounty he doesn’t hesitate in leaving it alone on the ship whilst he goes and hunts for more work. Parenting skills at their finest!
Named The Gunslinger Chapter 5 has us encountering droids and sand people but the main portion of the episode is a stand-off with a sniper. Sadly this is what brings the episode down a notch compared to the previous. After an incredible opening involving a shootout it’s a slow burn thereafter.
The tension within the episode however is amplified to levels not previously seen before.
Chapter 6 Review
The longest episode so far as The Mandalorian episode titled ‘The Prisoner’ sees The Mandalorian attempt a heist. With the addition of Bill Burr aside the supporting cast in this one are rather tame indeed. The episode brings us no closer to knowing who The Mandalorian is or the purpose of his new travel buddy.
The Mandalorian just like my The Mandalorian series review is following a very repetitive format. The Madalorian arrives on a planet, abandons his travel buddy by leaving it with someone. Kicks butt, then returns and flies off. We’re no closer to finding out, well, just about anything!
Episodes 4, 5 and 6 have all taken a different tone than the first three. Whilst all still solid episodes in my opinion it does feel a little drawn out and much like filler at this point. Here’s hoping future chapters cut beneath these very well stitched layers.
Chapter 7 Review
In Chapter 7 the Mandalorian is called back to Navarro for one last job. A job that in return will clear him from exile, but nothing is ever that simple.
Gina Carano returns in this episode as the Mandalorian recruits her to help him in this mission. The mission being to kill an imperial who has taken over the land and puts the entire guild at risk. These simple storylines allow the universe to evolve so naturally. But this particular episode goes deeper than the others before it.
The plot progression in Chapter 7 is far more advanced than that of its predecessors. It seems returning back to the scene of the crime allows full development of the story. It’s never overloaded we’re fed pieces at a time that all link together beautifully like a jigsaw.
Whilst being called back to the planet he fled seems a little fishy to me. It feels as thou a trap is afoot. I’m nervously of the edge of my seat in fear of the Mandalorian and Baby Yoda. It’s in this episode where Baby Yoda also explores his powers just that little bit more. It feels as thou something big is building up for the Season 1 finale.
Chapter 8 Finale Review
Director Taika Waititi is at the helm of this series finale and from the introductory comedic relief you can definitely tell. A hilarious introduction with two biker scouts starts this episode off on a high.
Our Mandalorian and Cara (Gina Carano) are pinned down by Stormtroopers and are under attach. They hatch a plan to escape. It’s in this episode after all the ones before it that we finally learn the name of The Mandalorian. It’s crazy that even such a simple drop of information such as this comes as such breaking news. That’s down to the sheer quality of this series thus far.
The extended episode (46 mins) gives us the whole backstory of our lead Mandalorian. It’s not forced or oversold. A simple flashback sequence of events as to how a young boy was adopted into the creed of the Mandalorians.
Packed full of epic fight scenes and Baby Yoda delivering one of the most epic scenes so far in the series to tease a Season 2 I can’t wait. This episode was the strongest yet and I only hope and pray the quality of these incredible episodes continues as we roll into our Season 2 The Mandalorian Series Review.
That’s all for The Mandalorian Series Review. Stay tuned for our season 2 review!
