Episode 2 of The Mandalorian continues delivering a solid Star Wars experience, keeps nailing a nostalgic vibe, and proves that this franchise is not quite dead yet.

By Scuttle Gamez

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The Show:

This episode is the second of a planned 8-run series, and runs for about 30 minutes, compared to episode one’s 45.

This is a no spoiler review!

Our protagonist is still on the desert world where we had left him last. He has accomplished his mission, and now must return to his ship and blast off to space to turn in his bounty.

Enter the Jawas.

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We are only two episodes into the season, but so far it is very episodic in nature. Both episodes had a central conflict and goal, and for the most part it’s resolved by time the credits roll.

Overall, the pace and tone being set for The Mandalorian reminds me a lot of the old wandering westerns or samurai adventures that once inspired George Lucas in his initial creation of Star Wars. And, well, it works. But, now that we’re talking my opinions, let’s get into the good, the mixed, and the bad of this episode.

The Good:

Everything I loved about last episode is here and still feeling great. The Mandalorian is kept mysterious with no face reveal or name, and he personifies the idea of the wandering adventurer.

Jawas take center stage in this episode, and they’re freaking hilarious. Not in away that is overly goofy or silly though, but more so in a way that hearkens back to when we had first seen them in A New Hope.

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I think what I like most so far about The Mandalorian is how it is expanding on and showing us a side of Star Wars that we’ve not really seen before. It’s little things, like how the Mandalorian’s armor breaks and needs repairing and how we get to see the circuitry under the hard metal plates that I am referring to.

Until now, Star Wars has focused on the big characters and the big events of the universe. Don’t get me wrong, there are some big events at play here too, but the moment to moment is a lot closer in view that we normally get. We see our character living, and how hard just getting by can be. Things don’t go as planned time and time again, and not in the huge epic ways in which the films typically go with.

It’s refreshing, and this down to earth focus is exactly what the Star Wars franchise needed.

The Mixed:

I’m a bit confused as to the episode length this time around. As stated, episode one was about 45 minutes long and this episode was only 30. There are only 8 episodes this season. We’re a full fourth of the way through now, and not much has happened.

I like that the show’s creators are taking their time, but I’m worried that we have so little left to see and that episode length this time around was pretty short.

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The Bad:

Some of the props in this episode looked a bit off to me. Prosthetic movements were stiff at times, some of the creature effects seemed a little fake, and I feel like I’ve seen better from other shows in recent years.

On the other hand, some of the set pieces in this episode are amazing too. The Jawa Crawler Fortress and the Bounty Hunter’s ship are major standouts. They look awesome, and they perhaps make up for some of the other lesser bits perhaps.

The Verdict:

I’m seeing a few warning signs that have me concerned for the show going forward, but so far it’s been great. I love the world, the characters, and the general tone being delivered.

I’m very much looking forward to the next episode. I just hope it’s a bit longer this time though.