Much like with Marvel’s divisive Phase Four, the third series of Star Wars’ The Mandalorian has been a bit ‘all over the place’ too.
Fortunately, the last two episodes of the season (The Spies and The Return) reigns it all together somewhat, after a rather messy and unbalanced run – out of character with the well-rounded and much-liked first two series. In fact, much akin to The Book of Boba Fett, which turned into The Mandalorian 2.5 by the end.
Instead of primarily being focused on the exploits Pedro Pascal’s bounty hunter Din ‘Mando’ Djarin and his pint-sized Jedi foundling ‘Baby Yoda’ Grogu, this time it’s arguably a Bo-Katan Kryse (Katee Sackhoff) story – as the former princess aims to reunite fractured factions of the once great Mandalorian race, as they look to take back their homeworld of Mand’alor.
And when this becomes the focus against a super-powered Moff Gideon and his rogue Imperial army in said final two episodes, this is undoubtedly where the series is at its best – and ends on a satisfying note.
The less that can be said for a woeful Episode Six: Guns for Hire, which shoe-horns in a guest cameo for Jack Black, the better. This is arguably the worst ever episode, which didn’t bode well for the finale.
But despite some intermittently choppy story-telling that at times took the focus off Djarin/Grogu – think Dr Pershing’s story arriving inexplicably out of nowhere dominating Chapter 19: The Convert with a narrative arc more befitting the Andor series – there’s more than enough excitement in the Chapter 24: The Return finale, that should help placate naysayers.
‘Mando’ tackling Imperial Commandos through deactivated shields as he tries to reach Gideon for the finale battle is a particular highlight.
There’s no denying this season doesn’t quite end on the same high notes as series one and two, but to give it benefit of the doubt, it does try to juggle multiple storylines that could just help make Season Four a more coherent spectacle in the long-run.
Particularly with Dave Filoni being tasked with producing a Star Wars movie that will bring all the TV series in The Mandalorian timeline/universe together as one.
This is the way...
Finale Rating: 4/5
Season 3 Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Gavin Miller
DISNEY+, OUT NOW
Season 3 Finale – Chapter 24: The Return (14+)
Cast: Pedro Pascal, Katee Sackhoff, Carl Weathers, Giancarlo Esposito, Emily Swallow, Koska Reeves, Simon Kassianides, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee & Tait Fletcher
Running Time: 41 Mins
Directors: Rick Famuyiwa