Article by Luke Rogotzke
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| (L-R): The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) and Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison) in Lucasfilm's THE MANDALORIAN, season two, exclusively on Disney+. © 2020 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved. |
After building on episode upon episode, the Mandalorian takes a dramatic halt and goes on a side-quest to fulfill its ordered eight episodes. Not that that’s a bad thing, it’s just a little disappointing for the penultimate episode of the season. Despite Bill Burr’s denial of an appearance in this season, he returns as Migs Mayfeld, rival bounty hunter of the Mandalorian.
SPOILERS!!!
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| Shydopp pirates in Lucasfilm's THE MANDALORIAN, season two, exclusively on Disney+. © 2020 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved. |
In order to find Moff Gideon’s ship, where Grogu is currently being held, Mando recruits Mayfeld, a former stormtrooper who should know how to find him. Mayfeld agrees despite no promises of a better situation for him. The team travels to a jungle planet where an Imperial data port exists.
With a DNA-scanner, wanted criminals Fennec Shand, Boba Fett, and Cara Dune are unable to hijack an Imperial Juggernaut. Mando, out of love for the Child, agrees to dress up as a stormtrooper. While no one sees his face, he still removes his Mandalorian helmet in front of others, straining the Code.
Transporting a load of highly explosive material, Mayfeld and Mando are an appealing target to pirates. Several skiffs carrying alien marauders attack the Juggernaut. With Mayfeld driving, Mando single-handedly takes on the pirates, fighting them with fists and kicks. The duo get in sight of the Imperial base when the pirates reveal many thermal detonators. Surprisingly, Imperial TIE fighters arrive on the scene, annihilating the skiffs with precise shooting. The Imperial holdout cheers as Mando and Mayfeld arrive.
Mayfeld prepares to hack into the data port when he notices his former commanding officer, Valin Hess. With the operation at risk, Mando hacks into the data port, removing his helmet for a facial scan. Hess offers to buy a drink for Mando and Mayfeld, who he doesn’t appear to recognize, in response to their transport being the sole survivor. Hess begins talking about why the Empire is better than the New Republic, willing to sacrifice for the greater good. He brings up Operation: Cinder, a mass genocide commanded post mortem by the Emperor. Mayfeld left the Empire after Operation: Cinder. This scene shows him trying his best to restrain himself, but he suddenly blasts Hess. Mayfeld and Mando begin shooting their way out, Mayfeld saying that they had to die because they had seen Mando’s face. Cara and Fennec snipe the gunners so the Slave I can swoop in and pick the duo up. Mayfeld shoots the explosives as they escape, destroying the base.
With Mayfeld’s actions at the base, Cara allows him to walk free. The scene shifts to Moff Gideon’s cruiser, where Mando sends him a message identical to Moff Gideon’s speech from season one. Moff Gideon looks on, slightly nervous.
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| Stormtrooper and Shoretroopers in Lucasfilm's THE MANDALORIAN, season two, exclusively on Disney+. © 2020 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved. |
WRAP UP!!!
This episode has great development, not only for Mando but also for Mayfeld. This is also the first episode of the series to not include Baby Yoda. I need my weekly dose of Grogu! I think I would have appreciated this episode more if it were anywhere else in the season, but it just froze all the momentum of the season. However, I know that the final episode has been set up to be awesome.
RATING: 7.75/10
Until next time, may the Force be with you.
