Chapter 17: The Apostate

The episode is short and sort of "MEH". I don't really have strong feelings either way about it, though it is nice to see the characters that I enjoy again, and the plot will pick up phase in later episodes. I'd like to discuss one thing though.

What angered me, is the structure that Disney+ pushes onto us. Why should anyone be expected to watch every other SW series in order to understand the continuity of this one? Now, I did see the Book of Boba Fett but I expected at the very least a short plot update for the people who haven't. If you finish Mandalorian Season 2 and go on to season 3, you will be lost. At the end of Season 2 Grogu goes off to be trained a Jedy and suddenly at season 3 they are together again and somehow, Din Jarin has a new fighter? Not even an attempt to sum up what has happened before. As stated, I personally have seen the Boba Fett series, but I am appalled by this precedence. What is the point of keeping track of seasons if they do not tie onto one another?

I was so looking forward to beginning a new chapter of the Mandalorian. Especially after the spectacular end to Season 2.

This episode doesn't feel the same. It is more like Disney or Marvel fluff than the last two seasons. The actors say their lines woodenly and there are strange pauses as if they're being over-directed.

The action scenes are filler and serve no purpose. How does some random story about a group of pirates further the main story at all? This episode could have easily been replaced by a 5-minute recap from Boba Fett.

Mr. Favreau, are you ok? Blink once for yes and two for if you need a trip to the dispensary.

It's scary how many poor projects Disney has put out in the last couple of years. I was scared that this new season would follow in the other projects' footsteps, but it doesn't. Once Mando's leitmotif starts playing I'm reminded why I love this show so much. Is it not insane how Göransson has created a score that rivals John Williams'?

30 minutes for an episode is way too short. The action scenes are spectacular and the humor is alright but the episode loses a few points due to it being too short. What can we really walk away with after this episode? A few things happen but I wish we got to see more. It's almost like there's not much story to tell so they have to keep making short filler episodes like these to have enough material for an eight-episode-long season.

I don't mind any time we get to spend in this world with these characters, but maybe I expect more from one of the biggest entertainment companies in the world. The usage of Grogu is clever and somewhat cute, but I perhaps wish the show was a tad more serious at times. Still great though.

A solid and enjoyable intro to Season 3 of The Mandalorian. The runtime left much to be desired, but alas. I didn't realize how much I missed watching The Mandalorian.

The story beats were good, no complaints there. The thing I am most excited for this season is definitely Mandalore; I am excited to see if Din Djarin leads some kind of revolt, or if there's even anything to take back. It seems that the lore of Mandalore will be further explored in the next few episodes.

I think it was a missed opportunity to have Baby Yoda come back so soon though. I wanted to see more of Mando without him. That's one of the only complaints I have.

Overall, I'm excited that The Mandalorian is back, and next week can't come fast enough.

8.5/10.

This isn't bad but maybe not as good as the first two seasons, still quite enjoyed it though. For this episode to make any sense whatsoever from the end of season 2 you really need to watch The Book of Boba Fett, at least episodes 5,6 and 7 some of which should really have just been tacked onto the end of season 2 of The Mandalorian. I hadn't watched this initially and really didn't know what was going on in this episode as it begins poles apart from the last episode of season 2 and doesn't really seem to make a lot of sense. Still pretty good though and worth a watch I think. Hopefully season 3 will improve and get back up to the standards set in the first two seasons.