So, I think it’s safe to say we have been a little disappointed when it comes to the newer Star Wars films, I remember seeing the score Rotten Tomatoes gave the Rise of Skywalker. Yikes. The multiple directors made the sequel trilogy seemed disjointed and people like me happened to doze off in the cinema.
Who knew a little, green, egg-eating child could restore hope (A New Hope, I should say) in Star Wars.
Jon Favreau’s creation ‘The Mandalorian’ was a saving grace for the Star Wars universe. The stoic main character Din Django (also known as Mando, played by Pedro Pascal) has found himself stuck with cute yet mischievous, Grogu ( or Baby Yoda as fans like to call him). And against all odds, this pairing seems to work.
The first season came out in November 2019 and had fans, including me, addicted. So when it was announced a season 2 would follow fans were elated.
Now, a series of major spoilers will be jumping out at any moment, so my recommendation is to turn back if you haven’t seen this season. Unless you love spoilers, like me, then go ahead.
Season 2 is based on the Mandalorian finding Baby Yoda’s ‘people’ this is a premise that continues from the end of season 1. Each episode (Or Chapters, as they’re called on Disney+) includes a story where Mando ends up helping side characters in turn for information.
The directors (Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Bryce Dallas Howard, Rick Famuyiwa, Carl Weathers, Peyton Reed, and Robert Rodriguez. Yes I know there’s a lot) must have taken initiative from the first season and given the people what they wanted. Baby Yoda.
The sheer amount of bonding scenes in season 2 between Mando and his green, little adopted child is enough to make a grown man cry. These moments of intimacy allowed the audience to become slowly more attached to Baby Yoda.
This admiration for Baby Yoda, later named Grogu, is needed so that when he later gets stolen from Mando, in chapter 14, fans can understand his desperation to get him back.
I think the reason why The Mandalorian has gained so much popularity over the past few months is the perfect addition of old characters from the originals and TV series ‘Clone Wars’. Boba Fett (Temursa Morrison) and Ashoka (Rosario Dawson) added the excitement and flair I was looking for in season 2. Whilst, movies like the sequels only intend on making new plots and new characters, The Mandlarian looks into what the fans have been asking for, then delivers.
I’m not the only person who seems to think that season 2 Mandlarian is as good as it gets. Critic Liz Shannon Millar wrote ‘The Mandalorian is at its boldest and most fascinating.’ And I have to say I completely agree.
The season ended with Grogu being handed off to fellow Jedi. Luke Skywalker. This sad moment seems to allow fans to believe that there wouldn’t be any more Mandalorian seasons. However, if there’s any chance for Disney to profit from something the they’ll go ahead do it.
So did it live up to season one? Yes, yes, and yes. Season 2 exceeded my expectations and has me craving for more. My stuffed Grogu toy is a constant reminder of how devoted I am to The Mandlorian and I can only hope the Kenobi series follows in it’s footsteps.
