The latest episode of The Mandalorian on Disney Plus sees the return of some familiar faces from season one as well as some action scenes incredibly reminiscent of the original trilogy.
The remainder of this review will be split up into spoiler and non-spoiler sections, so be sure to stop reading before the spoiler warning if you do not want major reveals ruined for you, and there are a few in this episode.
Non-Spoiler Review
The episode launches with yet another side quest for our main hero, this time with returning allies from the first season.
The Razor Crest is in need of some major repairs following the events of the second season so far, and there are only a few people that Mando trusts with his ship, leading him to some familiar locations and faces.
While waiting for the repairs he is sent on another mission against familiar enemies, joined by his returning friends.
Baby Yoda, or The Child, is once again sidelined for almost the entire episode, only making short appearances at the beginning and end of the episode, allowing for some unrestrained action to take place in his absence.
The episode also features little of Djarin in action, instead refocusing on side characters without ever taking away from the action.
While this episode is yet another detour into a side quest for our main bounty hunter, it is the one most related to the main quest yet this season. Through the mission, we learn vital information about the backstory behind some of the key mysteries of the series that will surely play out in future episodes.
On this mission are some action sequences that are extremely reminiscent of iconic sequences from the original trilogy, recreated on Nevarro to great effect by the new team.
While being another side journey, this episode sets up for what is sure to be one of the biggest reveals of the season, while asking more questions that have yet to be answered about the main and recurring cast of characters.
Spoiler Warning
When Mando needs further repairs following his adventures with Frog Lady, he returns to Nevarro, where he is now greeted by his old allies Cara Dune and Greef Karga.
It is revealed that the two have permanently set themselves up on the planet, remaking it in the absence of the bounty hunting ring that fell in the last season.
Nevarro is on the edge of becoming a regional trade center, with Greef doing the paperwork and Cara serving as Marshal. The only problem is a still-operating base run by a remnant of the Empire, which they enlist Mando to help take out in exchange for his repairs.
The Child is left in a classroom for his own safety and the mission begins.
The reunited team makes quick work of entering the base and quickly finds their way to the central lava pit.
Once there, they set the base for destruction, with the lava slowly boiling up the pit as they begin to make their exit. They are encountered by growing numbers of Stormtroopers and officers, none of whom pose a major threat to the team as they make their escape.
On their way out, they encounter a science lab filled with dead bodies being preserved for study, as well as a recording with hints at their origins.
This was apparently a location where The Child's blood was used for experimentation, resulting in the deaths of all of the subjects. The exact purpose of the study was not specified, but speculation points to Moff Gideon attempting to transfer Baby Yoda's force powers into another person, potentially himself eventually.
This revelation makes Mando leave the group to quickly rescue The Child from any forces trying to capture him while he is alone.
Many scenes inside the base are visually similar to the Death Star in the first Star Wars film, with battles that echo similar ones fought by Luke, Han Solo, and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
After The Mandalorian leaves, the rest of his team is left to escape on their own, using an Empire transport. They are then pursued by Stormtroopers on speeder bikes in a scene that calls back to the iconic speeder battle on Endor from Return of the Jedi.
Once they are disposed of, a set of Tie Fighters swoops in, in a reminder of the Death Star trench battle, only this time taking place on land. The Razor Crest then flies in at the last second a la the Millennium Falcon and takes the remaining enemies out.
With this, The Mandalorian and The Child return to their main mission from the last episode, finding Ahsoka Tano, but that is not where the episode ends. We linger on Nevarro to learn more about happenings beyond the main duo in the Galaxy.
The New Republic pilots from earlier in the season return, having followed Mando here, and speak to both Greef and Cara about him.
One of their conversations with Cara Dune is of the most importance, talking about her history as a Rebellion soldier, and the personal losses she had when her home planet Alderaan was destroyed. He attempts to re-recruit her into the battel, leaving her with a Republic badge and leaving open questions about her future in the series.
The episode then ends with the reveal that Moff Gideon and his allies have placed a tracker on the Razor Crest and are making moves to attain The Child for further experimentation.
This episode saw one of the best diversions so far this season, bringing some great action as well as contributing to the overall arc of the season. While short on Baby Yoda, it makes up for it with an abundance of original trilogy references and new developments that set up for further excitement in the future.
What did you think of the latest episode of The Mandalorian? Did you notice the crew member that somehow got left in the final episode? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.
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