S3E8 Chapter 24 The Return
First Impressions:
I think that this doubles down on the last episode and continues to offer the most visually stunning and action packed episode of The Mandalorian across all seasons.
However, despite this having the best visuals, fights and being action packed - I felt it lacked any emotional pull or tension. I sat back after watching it a couple of times and said, "yeah, that's cool but I didn't feel moved emotionally - at all." It felt like it did far less than the last episode emotionally. It was too rushed to feel anything.
After the first viewing, I was super disappointed and underwhelmed. Probably because of the interview responses given by the cast and crew members this past week at SWC and online. I was expecting a major character death, but now I think they were talking about Paz during the last episode and got mixed up?
As far as Mando episodes go, visually I'd give it an 10/10, fighting wise a 9/10, for the story a 7/10, but only a 3/10 for how it was done with pacing and a lack of tension or emotional pull.
It was probably still one of my top 5 episodes of The Mandalorian ever, but a missed opportunity for so much cool stuff. And there was no lead into Ashoka what-so-ever?! That was SHOCKING.
Best Visuals:
The "Go Pro" style shots like this were awesome. I love seeing angles from their perspective.
The shots like this from inside the ships were great.
I loved the close-ups while the mandos were flying into battle.
Another beautiful shot of Din with the Ties hanging like bats.
Seeing the Imperial starship coming down as the mandos flew out was epic.
Moff Gideon being consumed by flames was quite the visual too!
As well as Grogu protecting Din and Bo.
The Mandalorian baptism scene and the lighting of the Great Forge also looked incredible.
Costumes:
The costumes were fantastic overall. I really like the leader of the remnant mandos like a mentioned last week.
Favorite Moments:
The fight scene brutality was much better. How many times can mando get wrecked by a flamethrower lol...? Him turning it onto another trooper was sick though!
The mandalorians jumping out of the Imperial ship into the Gauntlet ships was straight gangster. I love how rough the landings were.
Just straight up violently sliding up the ramp haha...
Din roasting again... I get that their suits are probably fire resistant, but goodness he's been cooked so many times.
The fight with the Praetorian Guards was interesting. In Book of Boba Fett, Paz puts up quite a fight with Din. Paz got whopped by these guys, then Din whoops on them pretty good... I know Grogu helped out, but it still seemed like they were taken out too easily. This was an opportunity for more tension and the possibility of Din being seriously injured or killed to sink into our minds, but I felt no tension or fear for him.
However, when Grogu got into the fight and the guards followed him, I was concerned for the first time that he might get wrecked.
The fight between Moff Gideon and Bo-Katan was great. Seeing her use the Darksaber was satisfying.
Seeing the Darksaber get crushed was a surprise for sure! An ancient weapon smashed in seconds...
Perhaps, we may even get to see Din get back to some legit bounty hunting for a while. With Grogu actually being worth his weight instead of just a liability. Would be great if they could actually write an appealing story about it though.
Seeing Din and Grogu's house on Nevarro reminded me of Obi-Wan Kenobi's house on Tatooine. Seeing the N1 parked out back is sweet.
This reminds me of the Season 1 planet Sorgan. All he needs is his lady friend.
Funny Moments:
I liked the Mouse Droids surrounding R5.
Terrible Moments:
How could they end like this? Straight Looney Tunes style... It makes it feel like a cartoony joke.
