Chapter 21: The Pirate

This week we received an overall great episode that got the ball rolling on the future for Bo Karan and the rest of the Mandalorians. I'm glad to see that the events of episode 3 are also coming back to actually play a significant role in the story. My sole complaint, as evidenced by the title, is that this season's cinematography has been subpar at best. Greig Fraser, the cinematographer for the first two seasons was also responsible for projects like Rogue One, Dune, and The Batman, all of which were incredibly visually stunning works. With his absence, season 3 feels more like a cartoon than anything else. Seeing Mandalorians fight in the broad daylight with no particle effects outside of blaster sparks just takes me completely out of the story. It makes it obvious that this is shot on a set and takes me out of the immersion of what is otherwise a good story. The shots inside of the pirate ship are front lit, which eliminates any feeling that we're bunkered down with the pirates. It's definitely a nitpick, but I feel the difference in quality is extremely noticeable and should not be glossed over just for the fact that we're getting good Star Wars content.

I still like the mandalorian. But the magics is disappearing. The "villians" are fake as f. They look like a blend between the first season of star Trek aliens and the muppets. The other mandolorians act and move more and more like the power rangers. I get the feeling they got some cossplayers to fill the gaps in actors and costumes.

The action scenes are badass. The story is from time to time intriguing.

The culture of the mandalorians is fascinating.

I hope the story keeps evolving. I'm glad that the pirates are gone now.

It raises the question were are the mandalorians in the last movies?

The pirates invade Navarro and Greef Karga seeks help.

This is an enjoyable action focused episode with some very strong visuals.

There is plenty of spectacle to enjoy in this one as we see the Mandalorians in full effect and for a worthy cause. Some of the aerial battles are particularly slick and involve a great mix of imagery, music and sound effects.

I think the back and forth discussions about certain aspects of the episode's plot move at a frustrating pace when you consider what is meant to be happening on Navarro. Also, when you consider the the overarching narrative, Djin and Bo have done very little since season 3 started (other than a few side missions).

It does end with a bit of hope for what might happen next and there is a massive hint about the return of a certain character, which hopefully will be positive, and that a twist might be on the cards. I wonder if it's what I'm thinking.

This whole season has just been odd, there really hasn't been an episode yet that's been able to capture the charm of the first two seasons nor the quality. This has been a season full of inconsistency, confusion, messiness, and contrivances. The dialogue and acting is bad, the visuals are inconsistent, the writing is all over the place and everything has just sort of gone downhill. The poor execution of the various plots and is making this season very underwhelming. It's crazy because season's 1 & 2 (Season 1 especially) were so cool and had this gritty western feel to them giving the show it's charm, now it's been lost with all of this messy Marvel slapstick humor style writing. I don't know man I just feel like things are rapidly going downhill...

For the longest time the mandalorian has been a very episodic series. With an overarching plot for the season as a whole in the background.

However with the advent of its third season it has shifted to a more connected plot. Episode five titled. The Pirate it's the payoff of 4 episodes of build up. Whilst also building up for the next half of the season, it has given us the most action packed episode thus far whist also focusing on smaller characters throughout the episode. As it's only halfway through that we see the Mandalorians really take centre stage.

***SPOILERS***

The episode follows an group of pirates decimate Greef Karga's planet Nevarro. He is forced lead his people into the lava flats for safety as they wait for help to arrive from to Republic. However due to their world not being a member of the republic, help doesn't look likely to arrive. Greef sends word to Captain Teva to send urgent military aid. And although Teva is eager to help the people of Nevarro he is prevented by the New Republic bureaucracy. And the "redeemed" Imperial Officer Kane. Despite this Teva tracks down the Mandalorian covert. Pleading for them to help instead. After some deliberation and the support of Paz Visula they agree to liberate Nevarro. This is the most exciting point in the episode. As we get a small but full on battle featuring the entire covert taking on the pirate corvette in the skies and the troops on the ground.

The episode ends with our heros being rewarded with settlement on Nevarro, this time not being in the sewers but instead wide open pastures.

And with the promise that mandalore will be retaken.