'The Mandalorian' mid-season review: A classic story filled with familiar elements steeped gloriously in 'Star Wars' flavors
Receiving stellar reviews across the board, the first 'Star Wars' live-action TV series, 'The Mandalorian,' is four episodes into its eight-episode run.
While much of the series remains as shrouded in mystery as the Mandalorian's face, there's a lot to be said on what the show has accomplished so far, and what we can expect in the four episodes still to come.
'The Mandalorian' is, simply put, good television. It leaves aside morality tales of good and evil, or complex metaphors for examinations of the human condition (not that there's anything wrong with any of those) in favor of a simple story.
The story — a bounty hunter dealing with the dangerous life that's brought about by his strict adherence to the Mandalorian code of honor.
The kinds of stories we've seen so far aren't anything new — the frequently mentioned lone samurai/gunslinger influences are plain to see, and the only thing that's really groundbreaking about 'The Mandalorian' is how GOOD a show it is.
Fans have compared the quality of storytelling to the original trilogy, but what most fans either forget or try to ignore about them is just how much of a fluke they were.
The original script for 'A New Hope' was extraordinarily different from what we ended up with. The biggest plot twist in history (the reveal of Luke's parentage) wasn't even a thing that was planned when the first movie came out.
Iconic costumes and props were made from recycled trash and all in all, no one had any idea what 'Star Wars' would become.
'The Mandalorian' is the complete opposite of this. Rarely, if ever, does a show know exactly what it is and what makes it work right off the bat.
Everything about the experience of watching 'The Mandalorian' is carefully curated, from the lack of information about each episode and its weekly release schedule to the combination of the music, the breathtaking visuals, and the writing to create an aesthetic that draws the viewer into a truly mythic story.
Pedro Pascal's performance as the titular Mandalorian is a microcosm of the apparent guiding principles of the show itself — every move he makes and every word he says is deliberate and calculated for full effect.
Nothing is done that does not serve the story being told. It's a testament to Pascal on the level of personality he conveys with a character whose face is never seen.
Without ever explicitly having to state it, the Mandalorian conveys that he adheres to his sense of honor, admires strength in others, and approaches challenges as if each one will define who he is — something that appears to be at least partly literal in Mandalorian culture.
As has been pointed out, 'The Mandalorian' is at its heart a fantasy story, but one that's seeped in flavoring that is gloriously 'Star Wars'.
The sets, the futuristic technology that somehow still appears old fashioned and jury-rigged, the various alien species on display and the lore all display love and appreciation for what makes 'Star Wars' work that neither the prequels nor the sequels have ever quite captured.
The elusive 'Star Wars' formula has finally been taken, brewed, and carefully released for 'Star Wars' fans everywhere to enjoy at their leisure.
How well 'The Mandalorian' sticks the landing is crucial, and could mean the difference between a show that defines the 'Star Wars' franchise for generations, and one that's merely a fun marathon watch for May 4 celebrations.
The journey of 'The Mandalorian' has been so enjoyable that it's easy to forget how difficult it is to tell where the show is going. Where is the Mandalorian going to go with his charge; the internet sensation that is Baby Yoda?
What will he do with his life, now that he's been forced to leave the Bounty Hunter's Guild behind? Separated from both his tribe and the job he's perfect for, who is he anymore?
With eight episodes planned for the first season, it's not hard to believe that Jon Favreau's plan for the remaining four episodes are as perfectly planned as each episode is.
The fandom is eagerly awaiting the stories to come — although not, it must be said, as much as the poor fans forced to wait a few months before Disney+ releases in their country. The next episode of 'The Mandalorian' airs on December 6 on Disney+.