Ryan Shoots First: The Mandalorian (S3 Ep1) “Chapter 17: The Apostate”
Mando is back!!! I have really enjoyed all of the Star Wars series but something about The Mandalorian feels like a step above. It’s easily the highest-profile Star Wars content right now and having it back is an exciting time.
This week we saw Mando begin his redemption arc after he took his helmet off last season. If you didn’t happen to catch The Book of Boba Fett there may be some things you missed out on. Essentially Mando got kicked out of the club for taking his helmet off and now he needs to return to Mandalore but there is one big problem. Most believe it was wiped out by the Empire in the Purge. So that is where this season starts with him on the trail to return home. You probably noticed as well in all the marketing and trailers that a certain small companion is back with Mando. This may confuse you as well cause in the end of Season 2 famously Grogu went off with Luke. Well, once again in Boba Fett they were reunited as Grogu was given the choice by Luke to stay with him or return to Din. Much has been made in the lead-up since then about those story beats happening in another show but it’s not what we are here for today. So with you, all caught up let’s get down to this episode. It feels like riding a bike. Mando as a show has developed a cadence, style and tone that it really has nailed down and this episode fits right in. We have jetpacks, one-liners, some funny moments, and some cool action. It all looks fantastic, it is odd how with all the collective knowledge at Lucasfilm none of the other shows maybe saved for Andor have matched the quality looks-wise when it comes to Mando. Specifically, those shows that use the volume. Perhaps it just comes down to budget and time as Obi-Wan seemed to be short on both of those form a production standpoint.
If you have been a fan of seasons 1 and 2 this will feel like a natural extension, like a warm hug from an old friend. I would be lying if I didn’t have a smile on my face the whole time and was making notes of all the little things I want to check up on once the episode is over. But with Pirates, droid mechanics, swamp things, giant alligators and dogfights this episode managed to cram a lot into a short run time so as premieres go it is safe to say we are off and running!
Observations
- So many mandos!!
- Little Lake Placid action here
- I love that it did a death roll
- Bet you don’t care I took off my helmet now
- That’s a pretty good view Grogus got
- Purrgil!!!
- Nevarro is thriving!
- The cape droids are a heck of a flex
- Belters? Where my Expanse fans at?
- He’s a good dude to have around
- I suppose we can forgive Mando for not knowing how Droids work, he’s mainly steered clear of them.
- Clutch protocol droid
- Give them a spinoff like Garbage Pickers or something
- I was howling… can any of us blame Grogu
- Pizza the Hutt?
- Disney Star Wars def has some top tier thrones
