Ryan Shoots First: The Mandalorian (S3 Ep7) “Chapter 23: The Spies”

I can’t believe we are already on the penultimate episode of this season of Mando. And you KNOW how I feel about Penultimate episodes, and this one delivered. Action, action, action and my wallet was crying as they introduced new design after new design. Luckily Hasbro is slow to release anything current, so I have plenty of time to prepare. But this episode set up a barnburner of a finale next week and ended on a cliffhanger.

With the Mando fleet all together following Bo taking the Darsaber last week, we see them set off on their mission to retake Mandalore. You may be shocked to find out though it does not go as they thought and there are surprises galore on the surface of their former home world. It was cool seeing all the different Mando factions interact. Bo is perfectly positioned to lead this rag-tag group as she has been a diplomat, she has been a royal, and she knows all the ins and outs and how to govern, but she has also been a warrior and knows the tradition and folly of her people’s history. They are reminiscent of many nomadic tribes of the past that were scattered each with their costumes and doxology but if someone great enough could bring them together they could leave their mark on history. 

I have enjoyed the focus on Bo this season and her progression as someone we have been following for years through Clone Wars and Rebels. I know some have been saying it has sidelined Din but that has always been the case. It’s a running gag that for someone living in the Star Wars he knows very little about the Star Wars. Plot just happens around him and he is just a simple man quite literally just trying to make his way in the galaxy and protect his son. It’s funny to think this but when you go back and watch the first episode you see how gradually Din has changed as a character, the loaner gun for hire who only cared about the mission now is an integral part of a clan, thinking of others and letting his code of honor guide him. Kids will do that to ya. 

We had some big announcements from Star Wars Celebration and one of the biggest is that all these series, Mando, Book of Boba, and Ahsoka are all leading to one big feature film that will likely see our heroes battle the Imperial Remnant led by Thrawn. That is so dope and they timed this episode perfectly cause it started to put that end goal into view as we wrap up and head into Ahsoka later this summer. 

Observations

• Does it rain on Coruscant?
• They couldn’t find a smaller less conspicuous droid? 
• YES new trooper design!
• Thrawn??? Hux??? Project Necromancer??? So much going on here. 
• Oh that’s badass every time the Mando-painted cruiser came on my screen I giggled 
• I love how Grogu rides in Bo’s lap
• They built Grogu a mech. Hell yea. 
• This is terrific 
• I have a feeling they’re going to return to a mess in orbit 
• The dude who used a B2 Battle droid head for shoulder armor is TOUGH
• Din just hyping up his girl here
• Grogu flexing his Jedi skills 
• I’m not sure Paz is gonna fit in that hole
• Damn, Hasbro and Hot Toys are drooling at all these new trooper designs