Chapter 18: The Mines of Mandalore

This episode was certainly a step up from the first episode! This one added a lot more lore, knowledge and we begin to see the potential of this season!

As someone who has watched The Clone wars and are a big fan of this show, i really apreciate the layers of information given and shown to us! Could not help but feel a bit nostalgic! Mandalore becomes a world you invest yourselves in, especially when the best arcs in Clone wars, occured on Mandalore! You are left wanting to know more!

The show looks as good as always with some intense and creative action sequences! It is clear they are warming up for something bigger, since we have ssen most of the trailer already!

The end left me excited to see the next episode! Something the previous one lacked!

Sorry for being dramatic, but this show is incredibly frustrating. It's well cast. Well directed. Good VFX and design...

But favreau's writing and show running is bringing the whole show down. Not only does this broadly negate the entire plot of episode one of this season (which is bad when you only have 8 episodes total) but it also fails at actually telling a good cohesive story on its own.

Much like the last episode, none of the events here build on each other. One thing, then another, then another...but none of it happens because of what has just happened. The resulting story feels unmotivated, lacking tension despite there being action

The characters are very dry as well

Better than episode 1 but not nearly as good as season 1.

I was rather disappointed with the fan service-laden first episode of this season. In hindsight I understand how it served to set the stage for this masterpiece by reintroducing a certain familiar character.

We're once again treated to a lot of fan service and easter eggs, but this time it all feels very plot-relevant and had me on the edge of my seat for the better part of 40 minutes. Which felt a lot longer to me, almost as if a feature film plot had been condensed into this brief runtime.

PS: I loved the new addition to Din's party who goes all the way back to A New Hope. Here's to hoping he'll be a permanent addition from here on in.

With a few changes this could have been a brilliant 2nd episode. I'll talk about what I liked first, all of the stuff with Mando teaching grogu about the workings of the ship and different things about being a Mandalorian was adorable and the highlight of the episode for me. The director Rachel Morrison is mainly a cinematographer most notably known for black panther, and it shows. The episode mostly takes place in this underground ruin area and it all looks wonderful. However... much like the previous episode it suffers from some mediocre writing and action scenes. But I believe the biggest issue was bo-katan, now I love the character, but the Mandalorian gets a couple things off about her. Firstly, she would be way older, we're talking late 50's at the earliest, and while she is an awesome Mandalorian I doubt she would be able to block too many electric spear thrusts or roll under too many giant mechanical behemoths. Secondly, there is one part where she is implied to want to kill Mando, but then when she sees it's grogu she risks her life to save him, twice! Nice writing guys! Lastly, why does she not believe in any of that weird mysticism surrounding mandalore, when she met obi-wan, Ahsoka, and maul multiple times! She would be one of the first people to believe in it!

I hope I don't sound too negative in this review, there were plenty of things I really enjoyed, I just think that with some better writing and fight choreography, as well as some reworked character consistencies, it could of been something really special.

7.5/10 definitely an improvement over last episode.

Din and Grogu visit Mandalore.

This is a good episode with some excellent visual spectacle.

I enjoyed this episode, mainly for the great cinematography, action scenes, and beautiful art design that bring more of the Star Wars universe to life. Plus there is a healthy focus on Grogu, which is always good.

There is a distinct middle third of the story that is full of intriguing exploration and creepy moments and this for me is the strongest part. The final third feels a bit repetitive in certain moments and makes the plot feel a bit stretched to me.

The fan service is great as always, especially the use of the R5 droid and Jawas.