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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
“A Mandalorian and a Jedi? They’ll never see it coming!”
The fifth episode of Disney+‘s The Mandalorian Season 2 is titled “Chapter 13: The Jedi,” written and directed by executive producer Dave Filoni (Avatar: The Last Airbender, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars Resistance).
Spoilers ahead for those who have not yet seen this episode, last week’s episode, or previous episodes of the series. If you have not yet done so, get to that now, then return to this article when you can!
Fans of the animated Star Wars series on Cartoon Network and Disney (along with Disney+) can finally stop waiting as popular character Ahsoka Tano makes her live-action appearance. Played by Rosario Dawson, this Clone Wars veteran appears outside the city of Calodan on the planet Corvus as she requests for its people to be freed. However, Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto) and her lieutenant Lang (Michael Biehn) refuse to do this and would rather have her killed. Sent by Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackoff), Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) arrives on the planet with the Child just in time to be tasked with killing Ahsoka, but he instead forms an alliance with her due to his having a different goal in mind.
If it’s true that Dave Filoni will help expand the Disney+ side of the Star Wars universe, then I believe he’s going on the right track. Fans of Nickelodeon’s famous animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender will come to know that this isn’t just your typical episode of The Mandalorian. The current argument with The Mandalorian is its slow progress or even pointless plots in a good number of its episode, but if we look at Avatar‘s narrative formula, the journey will feel tedious but worth it in the long run. The Nickelodeon series followed Aang, the last living Airbender in the past century, as he trains to fight the Fire Lord, which occurs over the course of three seasons. In The Mandalorian, we have Moff Gideon appearing as the show’s primary antagonist. While he isn’t around much, he cannot underestimate his wicked prowess. What we need to do is continue to be patient and see the overall plot for what it is rather than scrutinizing each episode for what they have to provide. With that said, The Mandalorian needs to fortify its storytelling element and give us more memorable episodes such as this current one and Season One’s “The Prisoner”
The opening scene for “Chapter 13: The Jedi” should tell viewers what’s in store for the entire episode. Ahsoka is not an individual to be reckoned with and she means to do well for the minority. The episode paces well for its near-45 minute runtime, divided into three acts. We begin with Mando’s arrival on the planet, followed by his mutual affinity with Ahsoka, and ending with their attack on the magistrate and her soldiers. The result is a palatable plot valuable for its action sequences and its training of the Jedi way.
Much of the episode is dedicated to Ahsoka informing Mando of The Child (or Baby Yoda), whose name is now revealed to be Grogu. The foundling was raised in a Jedi temple in Coruscant but was hidden away when the Clone Wars started. Ahsoka explains that this event caused his memory to darken, feeling lost and alone in his Jedi path. She and Mando briefly train the Child with the powers of the Force. She states, “The Force is what gives him his powers. It is an energy field created by all living things. To wield, it takes a great deal of training and discipline.” Even if you haven’t seen the animated Star Wars series, this is a lesson taught to Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd, Hayden Christensen) in the live-action prequel trilogy.
In the training, Ahsoka suggests that Djarin establish a connection with Grogu, seeing that the Mandalorian and the Child have a strong attachment to each other. Although she initially is against the idea — because the Jedi are not allowed to succumb to emotions –, she allows the green being to choose his own path. Claiming she cannot train the Child, Ahsoka sends Mando and Grogu on their next mission to Tython, where there are “ancient ruins of a temple that has a strong connection to the Force.”
“Chapter 13: The Jedi” brings out the best of the series so far, with its cinematographic and musical score aspects at the forefront, and fan service to followers of the beloved franchise (as well as to those of Avatar: The Last Airbender). The episode’s fight between Ahsoka and Elsbeth mirrors ATLA‘s finale showcasing the battle between Katara and Azula; and of course, we cannot forget about the classic Wild Western trope of two men wielding guns, shown via Djarin and Lang. “Who shot first?” This is a popular moment in the original Star Wars trilogy regarding Han Solo and Greedo. The forest wasteland and village settings can be reminiscent of the dark, mature tone ATLA gives off throughout the series. Ahsoka’s introduction into the live-action Star Wars universe is awe-inspiring, and if you haven’t seen Dawson in the Sin City noir films or in the Marvel Netflix television series, just know she performed well in the role of the Jedi. The character’s appearance absolutely pops! In this episode, we learn more about not only the Child but the magistrate too. She helped the Empire build the Imperial Starfleet after her own people were killed in the Clone Wars. In the end, she supposedly gives Ahsoka the whereabouts of another Star Wars villain, the news of which we’ve known for several months now. Yes, Grand Admiral Thrawn. This antagonist’s live-action appearance has been teased since late-May/early-June, so let’s cross our fingers that we will see him as soon as later this season or sometime next year.
With three episodes left in Season 2, The Mandalorian manages to bring back the Jedi, which isn’t too prominent in a post-Original Trilogy world. As Ahsoka argues, “There aren’t many Jedi left.” This may be the first time we see them in television format, but it surely will not be the last! For its commendable story, lovely score, great cinematography, and diverse cast, how can this not win an Emmy Award for the upcoming season??
The Mandalorian Season 2 is now available to watch!
What do you think of this episode? Have you seen the show yet? Let us know! For more action, drama, and Disney+-related news and reviews follow The Cinema Spot on Twitter (@TheCinemaSpot) and Instagram (@thecinemaspot_).
Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
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