Ryan Shoots First: The Mandalorian (S3 Ep5) “Chapter 21: The Pirate”
Ok, if you remember I wasn’t crazy about last week’s episode of Mando. Well this week “The Pirate” got me right back as we have a classic Star Wars tale of wandering warriors saving a town of innocent people from bandits. Only with standard Star Wars flare. We got some camp, plenty of aliens and a bunch of Mando Ass kicking.
This was a fun episode with so many classic hallmarks. X-Wings, dogfights, all the stuff we love. We also got some more insight into the New Republic which is a side plot that’s been progressing throughout the season as well as an update on Moff Gideon, complete with a twist at the very end of the episode. Many have been saying it’s been taking a while for the season to settle in and reveal its arch but this week pushed a lot of threads further and also gave some twists to dig in deeper as we pass the midway point of the season.
I found myself multiple times during the episode just amazed we get this. That I’m watching ships fly around, seeing X-Wing pilots hang out at a bar, seeing fleets of Mandos using all their kit. It’s crazy to think just how spoiled we are with all the Star Wars content and even more is coming this year with Ahsoka which will be massive. Celebration is next week as well and rumor is we will get some announcements about actual movies coming in the next few years. Despite a fandom that can always be a lot to deal with, we are eating well right now as Star Wars fans. The Bad Batch finale was great today as well.
Nearly every arch, the Mando Convert, Bo’s redemption, Moff Gideon and the New Republic stuff all got time and progression. A fantastic episode wrapped into a nice 44 minute runtime. The way Mando manages to cram so much into its short episode lengths is sometimes a work of art. The Pirate did more than get the season back on track it ticked all those boxes any Star Wars fan would love to see on screen. Plus a MASSIVE Easter egg/ Character reveal that came out of nowhere but made me so happy.
Observations
- Meanwhile in Nevarro
- That little dip move from Carl Weathers. We love him here.
- I’m digging this music
- Uhhhhhhh, what? Huh? No frickin way!
- I think we take for granted how great it is to see a X-Wing on screen again.
- I don’t know if any Mando has ever walked better than Bo.
- We’re about to see a fricking Mando battalion battle.
- That poor archway
- I’m loving these Mando designs.
- Was cool to see the Armorer get a moment.
- I love those little guys
- Armorer stirring stuff up between Din and Bo
- What is this!!! I thought it was gonna be a Thrawn reveal for a minute.
