The Mandalorian

[JohnC]

9 minutes ago, And said:

What if 

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Grogu is a Knight of Ren?!?

 

Spoiler

He looks a little short for a stormtrooper Knight of Ren

 

[gospvg]

Binged season 2 over two days and loved it, easily better than the last two Star Wars trilogies.

[And]

41 minutes ago, JohnC said:

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He looks a little short for a stormtrooper Knight of Ren

 

Spoiler

Well he could have been there at the end of rise of skywalker. He’d have been out of shot though as he’s only knee high. 

 

[FiveFootNinja]

Wow, really enjoyed that finale. And it crowns off what has been all round a fantastic season throughout. Mando is making a habit of strong endings!

 

Beyond some of what has been mentioned already, I also really liked...

Spoiler

That they nailed the hierarchy of Jedi. They are supposed to be the absolute elite warriors, mystically gifted, highly effective and dangerous, however we have seen that diluted/confused sometimes across various plot arcs and stories. In this we have come to know that Din, Bo, Fennec, Cara, etc... are well trained, highly competent warriors. Yet when Mando comes up against one Dark Trooper the struggle is plain to see, and a whole platoon of them is just game over for them all on their own. Then Luke turns up full force powers and lightsaber at the ready and decimates them all single handedly while our hero's basically just watch on in awe. I just thought it really put things into a nice perspective, the Jedi are rare, powerful, and almost divine.

 

Oh and also...

Spoiler

Force crushing a Dark Trooper like a coke can before throwing it in the recycling. 

 

One thing I would say is...

Spoiler

While not terrible, I really don't like these servicable but not quite good enough CGI faces. It definitely hit uncanny valley for me and in some ways I think it took me out of the moment a bit. Certainly I was nowhere near the tears some people have spoken about (that's all good by the way), and it sort of speed bumped the Mando/Grogu goodbye a bit for me.

 

Personally I would have much preferred them to leave his hood up and let his face be partly shadowed to help sell the effect as with the X-Wing, glove and green saber we all know who it is (exactly as I thought in Rogue One they should never have made Grand Moff Tarkin turn round, the reflection of him looked fantastic and it would have been better left like that).

 

Just my opinion and in no way did it spoil how much I enjoyed it.

 

It's definitely feeling like they are looking at MCUing this, with Favreau and Filoni playing the Kevin Feige role. I am all in for that personally, these boys know how to make Star Wars great again.

 

Also for those questioning a third season...

Spoiler

It is my understanding this is all green lit and underway. I think the Book of Boba is another additional series (possibly the remnants of the Boba film they were going to make after Solo?)

 

Personally I think Mando has plenty of shelf life. The Child arc may be finished, but we now have a much more rounded Din (who can now actually take his helmet off and give Pedro a chance to flex those excellent acting muscles as we have seen) and there is the whole issue of the Dark Saber, Mand'alor title and future freedom of Mandalore itself. And with Bo, Reeves, etc... if anything I can see the next series becoming even more pure "Mandalorian" and lean heavily into the link with Rebels, etc... I would put money on Sabine making an appearance for example.

 

What a bloody great time (finally) it is to be a Star Wars fan.

[Stanley]

Just incredible, heart breaking and brilliant, and awesome, and amazing. 
 

Spoiler

I loved the bit with Luke just effortlessly wafting away those dark troopers and the very last one using <shudder> Vader grip. It was great because we have been shown what an utterly rock hard bastard Mando is, and how he struggled, heroically, to take down just one on his own (that punch relentlessly to the face from it though ) and Luke just.. not even a bead of sweat. Easily the greatest scene in Star Wars since Luke/Vader in Jedi. 

 

[Stanley]

3 hours ago, drmick said:

My attention was clearly at a different point of the screen at the end, but did the Dark Troopers make any attempt to attack? It seemed like they just froze waiting to be killed.

Spoiler

To me that was the point, there was no fight, they were completely overcome and basically deactivated once within Luke’s mindfield - anything they tried was utterly pointless and taking them  out was trivial, a mere inconvenience, even to the point with the last one it felt like he couldn’t even be bothered using his saber relying on force grip instead. 

 

[Glasgowchivas]

Saw someone point out that 

Spoiler

Fortuna’s staff

Is the same as the original Kenner figure. Nice touch, shows how the showrunners are completely in touch with the fanbase and source materials.

[drmick]

27 minutes ago, Stanley said:

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To me that was the point, there was no fight, they were completely overcome and basically deactivated once within Luke’s mindfield - anything they tried was utterly pointless and taking them  out was trivial, a mere inconvenience, even to the point with the last one it felt like he couldn’t even be bothered using his saber relying on force grip instead. 

 

 

They could try shooting all at the same time at least!

[Stanley]

Just now, drmick said:

 

They could try shooting all at the same time at least!

Spoiler

They couldn’t because they were being suppressed and completely overpowered, a full on assault just wasn’t possible for them. 

 

[englishbob]

A great end to Series 2 after a bit of an iffy start. The first 3 episodes fell into the A-Team mode, moving from place to place, helping out people in trouble, and it was almost as if they had forgotten the story arc of Series 1. 

 

It wasn't until the Carl Weathers episode that the gears fully engaged again and it was full on brilliant to the finish. It managed to outdo a lot of the film material with ease.

 

There is no need for a Mandaoiran Series 3, the ending here was perfect. Don't do a "Cracker" Series 3.

[Vemsie]

It was enjoyable but I didn't like this nearly as much as some of you. The show has always been as deep as a puddle, but my biggest problem with current SW is that it makes a vast universe seem incredibly small. It's as if there are only seven important figures in that entire universe. 

 

I loved how TLJ told us that a nobody can be a hero, but all the great things that film set-up were retconned in the disappointing RoS and now we constantly get bombarded by nostalgia pandering and fan service. They could have had a cool new Jedi or Sith react to Grogu's Force call, but of course it had to be 

Spoiler

Luke

 

I'm kinda done with that. Give me something truly fresh.

[Girth Certificate]

9 hours ago, Hanzo the Razor said:

The amount of Slave 1 porn in these last few episodes is insane!

I love the big smiley face on the back

[Twinbee]

I absolutely loved that final episode (and the whole flipping series), but also think people’s criticisms around fan service and tying everything together are very valid. 
 

Right now I’m just very happy we get god-tier action telly that happens to be in the Star Wars universe. Merry Christmas!

[Twinbee]

Also, one thing I thought was a master stroke of suspending the reveal towards the end:

 

Spoiler

Showing the initial troopers getting messed up by the jedi over grainy black and white security cameras, so you think it’s probably Ahsoka.

 

[Retroid]

That was great! 

 

Spoiler

Expected the final fight to be a gritty cull of all the characters except Grogu and Mando - but instead got a powerful reminder of the Star Wars hierarchy and a spin-off. 

 

Now we know the power of a Jedi - it'd be amazing to see Mando steal back Grogu (perhaps Grogu gets imprisoned because of his hinted at dark side) and face that unrelenting force. Season 3 has a lot of potential!

 

It does need Grogu though Imo.

 

[Sabreman]

 

Spoiler

Fan service be damned, I at least got the Luke that the new trilogy failed to deliver. To me a Jedi Master is like your max-levelled RPG character that one-shots the final boss.

 

[Anne Summers]

Spoiler

This was absolutely awesome. Best TV moment for years. But...

 

They didn't have to show Luke's face. None of the characters present have seen Luke or (judging by how , in the sequel trilogy, knowledge of the events of the original trilogy seems poor among inhabitants of the Star Wars universe) probably even have a clue who he is. Keeping his face partially covered would have avoided having to use the slightly shaky CG which was the only slight let-down. And of course we the audience would have been left in no doubt who he was meant to be.

Never mind. I'm sure it will be retroactively altered in 10 years time (along with Leia in Rogue Squadron) when CG is good enough to be completed indistinguishable from reality. 

 

[Monkeyboy]

Loved it. Can't say I cried though (I wonder if Richard E. Grant watched it??). You guys are nuts!  

 

Still, a hundred times better than the new trilogy.

 

[Hamus]

16 hours ago, Vemsie said:

It was enjoyable but I didn't like this nearly as much as some of you. The show has always been as deep as a puddle, but my biggest problem with current SW is that it makes a vast universe seem incredibly small. It's as if there are only seven important figures in that entire universe. 

 

I loved how TLJ told us that a nobody can be a hero, but all the great things that film set-up were retconned in the disappointing RoS and now we constantly get bombarded by nostalgia pandering and fan service. They could have had a cool new Jedi or Sith react to Grogu's Force call, but of course it had to be 

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Luke

 

I'm kinda done with that. Give me something truly fresh.

 

So they introduce this amazing Mandolorian character who's kickass, and new Yoda kid.

Who could well be set up to be an awesome new Jedi.

Which is a long set up and not puddle deep. Both things you've cried for.

It's very fresh - a mercenary killer who won't show his face, and he spins it all around because of a child.

 

This is a massive sell to parents too, don't underestimate that. It works, it pulls strings and it has depth I imagine you cannot fathom.

Once you have kids you get it. It's there. Mando understands that.

 

Star Wars has always been about family. This series took two wholly separate and different souls and crashed them together to form a family.

Which, heartbreakingly, then ended.

Yet it managed that, without someone saying I'm your father/cousin/nephew/clone/all the Jedi/sith/etc.

 

To make a family from two such juxtaposed characters, is far beyond what Star Wars has ever achieved before.

 

It's masterful, and bookending it with the *that bit * which many of us wanted for 30+ years is the absolute best way to close it off...and push it forward.

[Ste_S]

Spoiler

I know Luke is getting all the headlines from this episode, but for me Mando taking off his helmet (and the significance of that) to say goodbye to Grogu is one of the best Star Wars moments.

 

[Boothjan]

I'm watching it again. 

 

Yeah, it's fan lore to the max but... I'm a fan so inject it into my veins. 

 

Spoiler

I've been saying for ages that Star Wars needs to move away from the Skywalker saga, and whilst I still hold that viewpoint, it shows that with good writing and execution, theres still material there to entertain. Luke's appearance was just perfectly executed - THAT is how you 'do' Star Wars. 

 

Favreau and Filoni have nailed this series IMO, they've managed to get blood out of a stone in many ways. I really enjoyed the sequel trilogy but I do understand and respect the viewpoint that they're flawed and a disappointed many people. I think this is several tiers above any of those films.

[Boothjan]

Important to point out that even without the final 5 minutes, it's a ridiculously good episode from the very start.

[Vemsie]

58 minutes ago, Hamus said:

 

So they introduce this amazing Mandolorian character who's kickass, and new Yoda kid.

Who could well be set up to be an awesome new Jedi.

Which is a long set up and not puddle deep. Both things you've cried for.

 

It has lots of lore but the plot isn't particularly deep nor is there much character development. It's basically structured like a videogame with a new quest each week. And sure, it has new characters - that look a lot like old characters - but in the end we still get these ties to the OT again and again and I'm so bored of that. Looking at these recently announced series, do we really need an Obi-Wan series or a Lando one or one focused around that guy from Rogue One? Or Boba Fett?

I don't. I would love to see SW set 10.000 years in the future or something. Explore completely new frontiers. Basically what Rian Johnson wanted to do, but which might not happen anymore because of a nasty, very vocal part of the fandom that is now constantly being pandered to.

 

I mean, I don't hate it. I mostly enjoyed it. But I also want SW to move on.

 

Just my opinion, I know I'm in the minority here.

[Jammy]

 

 

[Hamus]

11 hours ago, Hamus said:

 

So they introduce this amazing Mandolorian character who's kickass, and new Yoda kid.

Who could well be set up to be an awesome new Jedi.

Which is a long set up and not puddle deep. Both things you've cried for.

It's very fresh - a mercenary killer who won't show his face, and he spins it all around because of a child.

 

This is a massive sell to parents too, don't underestimate that. It works, it pulls strings and it has depth I imagine you cannot fathom.

Once you have kids you get it. It's there. Mando understands that.

 

Star Wars has always been about family. This series took two wholly separate and different souls and crashed them together to form a family.

Which, heartbreakingly, then ended.

Yet it managed that, without someone saying I'm your father/cousin/nephew/clone/all the Jedi/sith/etc.

 

To make a family from two such juxtaposed characters, is far beyond what Star Wars has ever achieved before.

 

It's masterful, and bookending it with the Luke many of us wanted for 30+ years is the absolute best way to close it off...and push it forward.

 

9 hours ago, Vemsie said:

I mean, I don't hate it. I mostly enjoyed it. But I also want SW to move on.

 

Move on would indicate not in this time period. This rich time period. Which is a lot easier to play with. Do you want something old Republic or maybe something like the prequels? I suspect you were pleased with those, then

 

Literally.

 

This isn't the series you're looking for.

[Hamus]

To note. You can talk all you want about Rhianna Johnstone, he decided to push Fin out of the way, turned Poe into an absolute idiot who's penchant for getting his resistance colleagues slaughtered was only bettered by a leadership coup.

He then was kept on/promoted because he was a good pilot? Awful.

He became the Joey Barton of Star Wars.

 

Whatever RJ was trying to do he sidelined characters, including Luke, making them idiots or back seat drivers. His character development with Rey was to not develop her at all, except for some topless scenes with KR who'd been down the gym a bit more.

 

The crowning glory was the Holdo manoeuvre, that was beautiful, and yet the leap of faith where by you've got intelligent AI, ships that can jump through hyperspace - and you can't programme a computer to point the ship at another ship and hit "Go fast". Ridiculous.

 

I see little to redeem RJ except what JJA did with ROS. Then again he was handed a potato he no doubt expected to be roasted, instead it wasn't even par boiled. So he whacked the entire Sunday roast in the microwave and out came ROS.

 

The end.

[Hanzo the Razor]

16 hours ago, Twinbee said:

Also, one thing I thought was a master stroke of suspending the reveal towards the end:

 

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Showing the initial troopers getting messed up by the jedi over grainy black and white security cameras, so you think it’s probably Ahsoka.

 

 

The whole assault reminded me of Anakin's slaughter of the Separatists in Revenge of the Sith. It was a lot more controlled than Anakin's rage filled assault but Luke even used a couple of the same lightsabre moves. Watching it on the black and monitors also reminded me of when Yoda and Obi-wan look at the security footage of Anakin's attack on the Jedi temple.

 

The idea of showing how big a difference just one Jedi appearing on the scene can make also calls back to the beginning of TPM. The Nemoidian's thought that a couple of shittey Battle Droids would be able to kill two Jedi. Luke took apart what amounted to a squad of super hard bastard Battle Droids without so much as looking up from his paper.

[joemul]

Am I the only one who thought the choreography was a bit rubbish?

 

good episode overall though. 

[Uncle Mike]

I can't imagine why TLJ haters get a bad rep when the worst insults they can think of is to imply the director is a woman.

[makkuwata]

I highly recommend dipping into @RealJohnGlover's reply feed every so often. The man speaks his mind.