***This review contains heavy spoilers through Chapter 21 of The Mandalorian***
Just when you think The Mandalorian is slowing down, falling into side mission purgatory, losing some of its lustre, whatever you think had been happening over the past two episodes, along comes an episode like “The Pirate” to reassure you that Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni have it all figured out. Never, ever doubt these two, folks.
Before we get into the all-important conversations and discussions which occurred throughout the episode and could have MAJOR implications on the future of the series and of the entire Star Wars universe, I need to once again sing the praises of the action sequences – or rather, the long action sequence that takes up the bulk of the episode on Nevarro.
After lamenting the fact that we were being deprived of great dogfight action a mere two weeks ago, we got treated to a fantastic extended air battle as part of the main setpiece in Chapter 21. Watching Bo-Katan and Din Djarin whizz through the skies of Nevarro, decimating Gorian Shand’s sorry excuse for a fleet was exhilarating, leading to some hair-raising pieces of action along with some absolutely incredible shots. The POV shots from the cockpits or the wings of the ships as they scream through the flames and smoke were top-tier air shots, and Gorian Shand’s ship’s explosion was an incredible bit of filmmaking and CGI work.
I had speculated following the premiere that Gorian Shand would return to play a bigger role, but did not necessarily expect to see him meet his demise this quickly upon his return. However, given the larger story which is about to develop, I think it makes sense and is smart not to draw out his presence (which can’t be said for that one pesky pirate who made a real business decision at the end of the fight). I’m a little surprised it took this long for Gorian Shand to take out his revenge on Nevarro, but for the sake of the series’ storytelling I’m willing to let it slide.
On the ground level, it was really awesome to see several Mandalorians in full combat mode against the troop of pirates who set up in Nevarro’s streets. We’ve seen Mandalorians in combat before, but it has been mostly in nighttime or against creatures like in the season premiere, so getting full daylight action against other combatants was really great. Watching them in full advance-and-cover mode (they must have studied the Heat shootout and De Niro/Kilmer’s escape) was very well-constructed action, and again having the scene mostly shot (with a couple of exceptions) from the POV of the Mandalorian fighters was a really solid decision and kept us geographically situated throughout the battle. Those who have followed Talking Films for a while know I love talking about the importance of keeping the geography in an action sequence, and both on the ground and in the air we know exactly where we are.
I also love when someone brings a knife to a gunfight – or in this case, a hammer and pliers to a gunfight. The Armorer showing up in the pirate garrison with her tools and absolutely destroying the pirates stationed there was maybe not the coolest moment of the episode, but definitely one of the “F**k yeah” moments of the episode (and there were about 15 of them total). The Armorer’s more important role in the episode will be discussed later.
The MVP of this episode has to be Greef Karga’s magnificent white beard. Carl Weathers, who actually directed the previous episode, was featured through much of the episode, putting his fantastic facial hair front and centre. The High Magistrate of Nevarro had his “Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi” moment calling for Carson Teva’s help (more on him later), before doing his Moses impression leading his people into the desert and then gifting the Mandalorian covert a plot of land on Nevarro where they could settle.
I do see the Mandalorians accepting this offer of land, but in true Dwight Schrute style, I see them using it as more of a temporary workspace than an office, especially with the Armorer’s declaration that they will once again inhabit Mandalore at the end of the episode.
That discussion the Armorer has with Bo-Katan and the subsequent reveal to the audience – and Mandalorian covert – near the end of the episode was kind of abrupt but I think it makes sense. I wonder if the Armorer has been testing Bo-Katan this whole time, and Paz Viszla’s rousing endorsement of her pre-Nevarro battle (I want that guy’s pre-game speech notes) was probably a big needle-mover for her. Even asking her to remove her helmet in the Armory after the battle may have been a test to see if she’d whip the helmet right off or if she’d hesitate with a “…you sure, bro?”
The Armorer seems to be fully on board with my theory that Bo-Katan is the right one to unite all Mandalorians after having seen the Mythosaur, but also offers a better expansion on why she is the best choice. She tells Bo-Katan, and then the covert, that she is right because “She has lived in both worlds” – presumably meaning the helmet-only cult as well as the non-helmeted Mandalorian life, which is actually super smart. Paz Vizsla, while undisputedly a great motivator (seriously, get that guy doing CBS pre-game montage voiceovers), is probably too far to one side of the Mandalorian belief spectrum, and someone like Boba Fett probably too far to the opposite. Someone who has converted to the covert is probably the best possible choice as they understand both ways of living.
I do think it’s interesting that the Armorer straight up told Bo-Katan “you’ve seen a Mythosaur and this is huge news and partly why you’ll lead and unite us” but left that part out of the press release to the rest of the covert. If it is in fact such a big deal, why not tell them? I’m sure there would be some doubters if Bo-Katan announced to everyone she had seen one, but the Armorer is kind of the voice of authority in the group, so if she were to inform them, I bet there would be fewer. However, I think in this case, “seeing is believing” might be the best approach with the whole Mythosaur business.
Uniting the Mandalorians appears to be the big thing that’s next up on Bo-Katan’s schedule – I wonder if she’ll be bringing Din and Grogu along for the ride. I think if she asks, they (Din specifically) would say yes since she’s helped him out a handful of times. He would be especially helpful for the more cult-believing side of Mandalorians, but could perhaps speak to the opposite side as well having had his helmet off and felt some of the more emotional side of being alive.
I can’t help but wonder if Din Djarin feels a bit perplexed by the whole helmet / no helmet deal; I mean he just was basically outcast and banished from the covert until he bathed in the waters of Mandalore, just for having his helmet off. Meanwhile Bo-Katan, recently welcomed into the covert after openly being a skeptic of it, is allowed, nay ordered, to walk through the Mandalorians with her helmet removed. Without knowledge of the Mythosaur, at face value this seems a bit abrupt and kind of rude, but I wonder if he’ll be super forgiving once the Mythosaur comes to light for everyone.
The other massive reveal came as a sort of epilogue to the episode, where Carson Teva found the answer to a question I had asked earlier in the season: Where is Moff Gideon? Although he didn’t really answer it, since we still don’t know where he is, but now we know where he isn’t, and that’s in the hands of the New Republic authorities and on his way to trial.
First off, it’s outstanding to see Carson Teva, played by Canadian actor Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, back in action and taking on a major role in this episode and in the season. I have a feeling he was going to be a major character in the presumably-cancelled Rangers of the New Republic series, which I’m guessing was dumped following the release of the Cara Dune actress from her duties, so dovetailing his character and his story into this season actually ended up making a ton of sense. Lee brings a gravitas and maturity to the character who in another actor’s hands might be more of a cookie cutter type of nothing performance.
After basically being responsible for saving all of the citizens of Nevarro thanks to uncovering the location of the covert and alerting Din Djarin to their situation, Teva is cruising through the galaxy and stumbles upon a transport ship blown all to hell, crew still inside but very much dead. And who else was on the ship? Moff Gideon, nowhere to be found.
What Teva did find was Beskar steel embedded into the ship, leading Teva to the conclusion that Mandalorians were responsible for freeing Moff Gideon. Now, there are some potential groups behind this, one being a non-Mandalorian group of Imperials framing the Mandalorians for freeing Moff Gideon. Another potential group could be a group who Moff Gideon rallied to his side when he was in possession of the Darksaber – which we’ve seen disappointingly little of this season, by the way.
One theory I’ve seen in places like Cinemablend is that we’ll be introduced to the live action version of the Imperial Super Commandos, a group of Mandalorians from the animated Star Wars: Rebels series. I have no doubt that there could be a group of Mandalorians loyal to the Empire, especially since much of the Mandalorian history revolves around conflict with the Jedi of old, so there would likely have been several factions jumping at the opportunity to help with Order 66 and eliminate the Jedi back at the end of the Clone Wars.
Either way, if we’re in for some Mandalorian vs. Mandalorian battle sequences, I’m pretty sure that would be the quickest way for thousands of nerdgasms worldwide. The Bad Batch has opened up Clone vs Stormtrooper action, which is as close as we’ve come so far, but seeing it in full live action format would be something else entirely.
This season of The Mandalorian is opening the doors up to letting us in to the New Republic, something the sequel trilogy basically completely neglected to do, but perhaps we are seeing the seeds of why there would be a First Order standing up to some controversial New Republic ways.
Seeing Tim Meadows as a New Republic Officer was kind of hilarious? He has popped up in small but memorable roles in The Office and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and continues on the Filoni-Favreau trend of casting comedians in supporting parts of the series. I hope we get to see more of him moving forward, because he really delivered a strong character in a short scene.
With three episodes left in the season, and many questions left unanswered, I know Favreau and Filoni have more twists and turns in store for us before the season finale. Which surprising new character or actor will we be introduced to? Who is Moff Gideon actually hiding out with? Will Ahsoka Tano make a return to help her old Mandalorian friend Bo-Katan? When will we get more Order 66 flashbacks, and who will be helping Ahmed Best out?
With Bryce Dallas Howard next up in the director’s chair, I think it’s safe to escalate our expectations for Chapter 22. Her first two go-arounds as director (Chapter 4 and season two’s Chapter 11, Bo-Katan’s live-action introduction) were huge hits with the audience, and I think it’s well within reason to expect this next episode to reach another high point in season three.
It certainly seems like the series is once again poised for a late-season peak, but given how the last couple of episodes have played out, it seems like a big ask. But what have we learned about Favreau and Filoni? Don’t ever doubt them.
Chapter 21 of The Mandalorian streams exclusively on Disney+ on Wednesday, March 29.
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