In 2019, the sequel trilogy was ending, with The Rise of Skywalker set to release in December that year. But 2019 also was the year Disney+ launched. At least in the US. Which meant the rest of the world couldn’t legally watch the Star Wars series that launched with it. The Mandalorian proved to be a huge success with its first season, so that when Disney+ launched at the end of March 2020 in the UK (a very great point of time for it to have done so), I found myself enjoying it, too.

Of course, it was helped in popularity by one of its central characters. The child, who would be named Baby Yoda by the fans, was effectively a juggernaut of merchandising. A cute alien kid who doesn’t have a voice captured the attention of even those who had never seen Star Wars. Got them watching to see the antics of the child, who was mostly a background element to all the action going on. Yet still had some rather great scenes when it came to helping his new family.

All episodes of the first season build to a great ending, showing the quick bond that forms between Djarin and the child as they help rescue each other from danger. Shows why he would risk everything to save said child, including that he sees the situation the child faces in his own past. And then how, once away from where the child was being kept, he cannot keep running and cannot hide. Which is why he takes up the offer given.

Across the season, there’s some great characters and great interactions had. The Ugnaught, Kuiil, became another popular character from his line of “I have spoken.” But more than that, he had a lot of heart, helping Djarin multiple times. Greef Karga was Guild Master on Nevarro, looking out for what was best for his community. Who would do anything to stop the Imperials intruding on his planet. But has a change of heart on how to do that when helped through the power of love. Uh… the child Force-healing him.

And then there’s Moff Gideon. Who only appears in the finale of the season, but who makes an impact with that entrance. His appearance is also what begins the change from the small scale adventures with his knowledge of Mandalorian history. Knowing who Din Djarin is, and namedropping the devastation event that was the Night of a Thousand Tears. From that point on, and Djarin’s new mission to find the Jedi to return the child, I felt the second season would have a greater focus on the two factions.

And sure enough, that was the case. Mostly regarding the Mandalorians. While the format of the season seemed stuck in repeat, with Djarin arriving on a planet, needing to take on a job before getting information that would move him on, there was still a lot to enjoy with each episode. They all offered a distinct location with a different task. Interacting with different people.

What was delivered regarding the Mandalorians introduced Bo Katan to live action. Where she is hunting for Gideon to reclaim the darksaber. That they remove their helmets introduces us to the fact Djarin is part of a sect of Mandalorians who are looked down upon by most other Mandalorians. But that disdain can be put aside as long as they are working for a common cause. Which plays a larger role in the third season.

Naturally, considering Bo Katan was brought to live action, the Jedi she knows had to as well. And so Ahsoka is introduced, and provides the name for the child. Grogu. But she will not train him. The way she speaks shows that memories of Anakin still haunt her. Besides, she has a more important task on her mind. Tracking down Thrawn, as it seems he is still in contact with the Nightsister Morgan Elsbeth despite being in another galaxy.

The finale brings many of the elements that have been seen across the season together. Boba Fett enters the fray again, taking up his armour to help Djarin. Grogu is now in the hands of Gideon. And again, people of opposite sides comes together when the crew Djarin is building recruit an ex-Imperial who Djarin had captured the previous season. And as it turns out, Mayfeld is right. In desperate times, people will break their code if it gets them what they want.

Of course, that moment of Djarin removing his helmet in front of others this episode makes the impact of him doing it during the goodbye to Grogu lose a bit of its impact. After all, if he’s already done it, doing it again doesn’t make much difference. Yes, he’s doing it then to help him reclaim Grogu, but the circumstance of effectively being forced to do it are much different to when he is fully in control.

Aside from that, the finale is a great one. Gideon is cruel in his manipulation. Avoiding the bridge, knowing Bo Katan will be heading for it. Forcing Djarin into a fight, thus denying Bo Katan’s right to the darksaber. And damn if Luke Skywalker fighting through a cruiser of dark troopers isn’t exciting. The goodbye with Grogu is still a sweet one, too. There’s the right amount of emotion to it to make being the ending scene the best choice. Or it would be, had things gone differently regarding events of the series.

See, The Book of Boba Fett exists. Its existence was revealed in the post credits scene of the final episode of season two. Well, that’s great. A series focused on Boba Fett, with the scene effectively setting him up as being crime lord of Tatooine. But then part of it becomes a season 2.5 of The Mandalorian, reuniting Djarin and Grogu far too quickly in my eyes. Said reunion also doesn’t get referenced at all in season three’s previously on segments.

That doesn’t mean I don’t find The Book of Boba Fett interesting. Or at least most of what it provides. The segments in the past, that explore Boba’s changing stance on the world from spending time with the Tuskens, are very interesting to see. Showing why he tries to build a criminal empire built on respect rather than following in the footsteps of Jabba and Bib Fortuna. The look into Tusken culture is such a lovely watch, too.

In the present, Boba’s running of Tatooine alongside Fennec has issues. These issues provide some great fights, with tensions building across the episodes. The dreams of the past also fit into that building of tension, along with why Fennec is following Boba in the running of this criminal enterprise. It is fun how Boba acquires the allies that help in the final fight, showing that respect goes a long way to getting the best help.

Which also includes Din Djarin. His episodes feel very misplaced in a different series. But they are nice to see what he has been doing since leaving Grogu in the care of Luke Skywalker. I feel it would have been better for season three of The Mandalorian to be The Book of Boba Fett’s first six episodes, along with the first two of the proper season three. Especially considering the focus change in the proper season three that gets its start here.

Naturally, those first two episodes of the third season would need to be changed to not include Grogu, allowing for the first episode of this hypothetical season four to be where he returns to help with the battle of Mos Espa. Speaking of that final battle, I do love it. Grogu gets some great scenes during it, and Boba Fett riding a rancor in battle is such a crazy time.

Only one part do I not like. There has been no rivalry shown between Boba Fett and Cad Bane, making for the final showdown between the two feel empty beyond the fact they are enemies on the battlefield. Without any previous history between the two, why is it important? It’s basically Cad Bane v Cobb Vanth from the previous episode. Just more close quarters. Sure, it feels like they have a history with each other from their interactions, but it would mean a lot more as a final showdown had we seen it.

Season three of The Mandalorian obviously sees a time jump. There has to be for so many Mandalorians of the Watch to now be gathered at their new home. It’s a fine first action scene, seeing the Mandalorians fight off a creature of the water. Though considering how outmatched they were, I have to wonder what result would have come from the fight if Djarin hadn’t arrived with his souped up N-1 starfighter to blast it apart.

The rest of the opening two episodes build things up to a return to Mandalore. Visiting familiar places to get a droid that could scan Mandalore for toxins. And also informing Bo-Katan of his quest. Bo-Katan has lost everything since losing out on claiming the darksaber, now moping in her castle having pretty much given up on her quest. But she is still willing to give help when it is needed most, and comes to gain a spiritual awakening that renews the fight in her.

The third episode of this season is an interesting one, as sandwiched between a journey to the Mandalorian covert is the start of a deeper look at the New Republic. From the perspective of Doctor Pershing, who was part of the Imperial Remnant that wanted Grogu for cloning purposes. It shows Pershing as a lot more human than we’ve seen him previously, as he navigates life in the Amnesty Program. It’s also tragic what happens to him as he falls victim to one Imperial he trusted.

Not former. As Elia Kane, as she names herself, is a spy within the New Republic. Trusted by them. This is just one part of the failing of the New Republic that The Mandalorian shows across the rest of its episodes. There’s still good within the system, as we see with the officer who’s had contact with Djarin before doing his best to help. But on the other side, the series shows just how organised the Imperial Remnants are. And how the spies are aiding in downplaying that threat.

Then come the final episodes and the retaking of Mandalore. And I enjoy what it delivers. The end of Gideon and his plans. Mandalorian action in the air. Djarin and Grogu fighting together at last. As someone who has been invested in the Mandalorian culture from the first Republic Commando novel, it’s so lovely to see it start flourishing on Mandalore once again. Kind of feels sad that we likely won’t see more of the rebuilding with this series. As, from the movie, the focus of The Mandalorian is back solely on clan Din.

Speaking of the movie, The Mandalorian and Grogu looks to be furthering the growth of Grogu. Seeing him become a more independent fighter. And I am going to enjoy seeing that action. Along with Zeb having a larger role than his cameo in this third season. Then, once the movie has released, who knows what will happen in this era next. Aside from the obvious action against Thrawn, having seen his return in Ahsoka. The second season of which I’m also interested in seeing.

Images Taken From:
The Mandalorian S1.02 | Disney+
The Mandalorian S2.03 | Disney+
The Book of Boba Fett S1.02 | Disney+
The Book of Boba Fett S1.06 | Disney+
The Mandalorian S3.03 | Disney+