I don’t know if I’m alone in saying this, but I’ve always wanted to see the Star Wars galaxy past the Skywalker saga. For years, the subject of astronomy has fascinated me. The way in which our galaxy is consistently is evolving, growing and developing itself. Astronomers are finding new things out about our galaxy every day. It is an ever growing and vast force that is shaping and redefining itself moment by moment each and every day. The very notion of how our galaxy is ever evolving begs the question about whether or not, we are truly alone in the universe? Surely the same question exists for the Star Wars galaxy as well. Surely there is more to the vast nature than smuggler, an iconic villain and a set of twins.
Enter The Mandalorian. While the franchise has aim to tell other stories, outside of the Skywalker Saga, they largely still pull from the saga’s roots. Rogue One was the prequel to where we find Princess Leia at in the beginning of A New Hope. The Clone Wars exist between episodes two and three. Even Solo gave backstory to the smuggler with a heart of gold. For their first live-action television show, The Mandalorian chronicles the journey of a bounty hunter (Pedro Pascal) who goes against an assignment and unwillingly becomes a guardian and outcast. The Mandalorian is evidence that Star Wars has more stories to tell outside of the Skywalkers. Even more past that, they have GOOD stories to tell outside of its source material.
Within its eight-episode run, The Mandalorian creates an environment through a strong protagonist, a powerful emotional core, epic action and subtle humor. Hiding your face as an actor is an incredibly hard job for them to convey. Having to rely more on body language than actual facial features and line delivery. That’s one of the many brilliant things that Mandalorian gives life to. Pascal is an absolute force through these eight episodes. Relying exclusively on body language and action – Pascal manages to create a sympathetic character that forges out his own beautiful tale in the Star Wars pantheons. Pascal feels like an icon in the making.
The structure of the show manages to bring us to many corners of the Star Wars galaxy. The Mandalorian manages to showcase ground zero for the universe following the events of Return of the Jedi. Through its very subtle and simplistic in its delivery. It allows hardcore fans and casual viewers alike better understand the mythology and how the universe transforms itself between the events of Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. The writing and direction behind the camera only add to the brilliance of this show. This first season alone boasts the ranks of Jon Favreau, also the series’ creator, Rick Famuyiwa, and Jojo Rabbit director, Taika Waititi – just to name a few. While its exchanging hands of many iconic directors and writers, there is a smooth transition between them all. Never feeling heavy handed with one episode from another. Rather allowing the smooth transition to have every episode, play a part within the show’s penultimate and, ultimately, finale episodes.
Of course, I feel like you can’t address this first season without talking about the outbreak star of “Baby Yoda”. With Baby Yoda, Favreau manages to bring even more depth to the Star Wars galaxy. Up until this point in the fandom, we know very little about the race in which Yoda comes from. With The Mandalorian, you get that background information. Baby Yoda also serves as the unexpected humanity of the show. Thanks to Attack of the Clones and The Empire Strikes Back, we’ve seen the depth of brutality that the mandalorians will go to in order to complete a job. With the ending to the first chapter, we’re met with this surprising element of humanity within our protagonist.
Overall, The Mandalorian: Season One, is a beautiful new chapter within the Star Wars galaxy. Led with grace and heart from Pedro Pascal and its behind the scenes crew, the team is able to capture the heart of the Star Wars fandom. Continuing in the tradition of breathtaking graphics and fight sequences, The Mandalorian is a refreshing chapter for hardcore devotees and new viewers alike. With the outbreak star of Baby Yoda, the show manages to deliver an unexpectedly imitate and sometimes heartbreaking tale. The humanity of Pascal and Baby Yoda are the heartbreak of the show. Prepare for a high octane, highly emotional and brilliantly crafted chapter of Star Wars mythos. The Mandalorian is worthy of the legacy, while also forging out its own iconic status in the process.
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