As much as I hate to say “I told you so,” last week, I did predict that it would be at least another week before we got a look at Ahsoka Tano, and that is clearly the case. This episode is a couple of things: a potentially frustrating side-quest, a clearer look at what a Cara Dune (and maybe Greef Carga?) spinoff might look like, and another sign that the various pieces of the show are all set for a collision course. Let’s jump to lightspeed.
1. Delay
I understand the frustration of the folks who feel like this series has too many side-quests and not enough plot-driving. I think that is a valid concern, however, I think that to keep the series in line with the Western genre that it is so clearly emulating, that is just going to be how it is. Perhaps this makes me a Star Wars apologist, but if you want to look at straight plot with no nuance or space to breathe, watch The Rise of Skywalker. And even for an episode that doesn’t really press the plot forward, there is a lot of crucial information about Moff Gideon and the remnants of the Empire that will be important going forward.
The Imperial base on Nevarro is not what it initially seems, and is a research facility as well as a military headquarters. We get a holo recording of Dr. Pershing that somewhat explains what is going on in that base, which is, essentially, that the Empire was collecting samples of the Child’s blood to use to increase ‘m-levels’ in the blood of others. We can only presume this means ‘midichlorian’ levels, and seems like a pretty dumb, but also pretty Imperial move.
Between this and the tracking device planted on the Razor Crest, all signs are pointing to another run-in with Moff Gideon down the road, if not next week. And since Bo-Katan was looking for Gideon, it seems likely that we haven’t seen the last of that sect of Mandalorians this season either.
2. The second Marshal
I don’t believe it is coincidence that Cobb Vanth was called ‘the Marshal’ in Chapter 9, and now Cara Dune is given the same title here. This, again, reinforces the Western motif, and allows Mando to ‘set up’ safe areas around the galaxy for both himself and the people of those systems. This, again, is similar to a show like Wagon Train, where the protagonist would help local authorities straighten our their towns before moving on.
But this episode also shows what a Cara Dune-focused spinoff, which has been rumored for some time, may look like. There’s no reason to attempt to make The Mandalorian Redux with Dune as the lead, so there needs to be something a little different there. Instead of it being Wagon Train, it would instead be Bonanza!, focused on one place at a time. Cara and Greef Carga are in the process of making Nevarro a safe place, and that could certainly work as a spinoff.
3. I need to stop watching the recaps
The recap for this episode spoiled both the return of Horatio Sanz’s Mythrol and Omid Abtahi’s Dr. Pershing, both of whom are welcome returns to the world of The Mandalorian. The casting on this show has been praised by me in the past, and so it is nice to see those fun characters return.
This episode was, perhaps, the least visually stunning of any in the series, which may be easy to pin on episode director Carl Weathers, though I don’t really see how you can make this episode keep up with some of the other settings we’ve seen. Weathers balances some truly classic Star Wars images (like the under-shot of the Star Destroyer) with a little more comedy, courtesy of Sanz, and some straight up action, no doubt influenced by his long career in action films. The episode, while slight, plotwise, never felt like it was struggling or hampered by Weathers who, while having directed a fair amount of television, has never approached a production this large before.
4. “She’s gonna blow!”
I love the small references that this show sprinkles in that only the most obsessive Star Wars fans will pick up on. This episode had (I think) Mythrol say “She’s gonna blow!” which, of course, reminded me of poor Grizz Frix. Fare thee well, Grizz.
Continued below5. New Republic, New Empire
As my friend August pointed out on Twitter, it’s amazing to watch the New Republic pilots go from heroes of the Rebellion to, essentially, traffic cops as the New Republic settles. You get the sense that the average Imperial’s life was pretty mundane pre-Battle of Endor, and now that is the reality for New Republic folks. I’m interested as to why Captain Teva is interested in the Razor Crest again, after letting Mando escape two weeks ago. Maybe he got shit from his captain, who is too old for this shit, and has to follow through in order to save face.
The dynamic between the First Order and the Republic could’ve been really interesting in the sequel trilogy, but since J.J. Abrams had no interest in doing something like that, and so subverted that new status quo into the exact same one as the old status quo. This is the first real sense we’re getting, on screen, of a time where the Empire was on the run. I hope it last a little bit longer.
