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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.
Disney+‘s The Mandalorian Season 2 finale is titled “Chapter 16: The Rescue,” written series creator Jon Favreau and directed by Peyton Reed.
Some spoilers ahead for those who have not yet seen this 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!
Some familiar faces join together in this second season finale of the hit Emmy-winning Star Wars live-action television series, and it is more than Twitter discourse has revealed it to be. This Peyton Reed-directed episode of The Mandalorian begins with Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen), and Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison) as they track down Dr. Pershing (Omid Abtahi). The trio (along with Cara Dune) manage to take down Pershing’s shuttle co-pilots (one of whom played by Thomas E. Sullivan), then ask Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) and Koska Reeves (Sasha Banks/ Mercedes Varnado) to help aid in the Child Grogu’s rescue aboard Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito)’s Imperial Lightcruiser.
We get major character development as all roads from the past two seasons lead to this finale. Bo-Katan chases after Gideon’s Darksaber, which was first introduced in the series since the final scene in the first season finale. Meanwhile, Mando embarks on an overwhelming mission that requires more than just his mere involvement. The Lightcruiser’s Darktroopers do not have humans inside their suits, but rather droids. As Mando insists on going his own path to rescue the Child Grogu — whose blood is being used by Gideon for experimentation — the women veer into a different path during the mission, leading to some a passing grade in the Bechdel Test about their guns. Additionally, Bo-Katan and Reeves do not get along with Boba Fett at first due to their conflicting beliefs in the Mandalorian way, with Fett having been made a “clone” by his “donor” father, Jango.
Gideon isn’t as tough a villain as the others on the Dark Side and in the Empire (i.e. Darth Vader, the Emperor, etc.). When Din Djarin defeats him and takes back the Child, he returns to his women allies holding the Darksaber in his right hand. Gideon is aware of the history that the weapon has gone through and how Bo-Katan will need to win it in combat. He is sure is smart…or so it seems. The Jedi individual that Grogu contacts in Chapter 14 is revealed: Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) flies into the Lightcruiser in his X-Wing Starfighter, joined by R2-D2. Skywalker slices his way past the Darktroopers and to the good guys with ease in a Rogue One fashion, and at this point, it seems Star Wars is recycling elements instead of coming up with something original.
Sometimes, it’s cute to parallel what we’ve seen in the past, but other times we need something new to think about. Skywalker’s guest arrival pushes Mando into the background, preventing him from having too emotional of a (temporary?) separation from Grogu. For what it is, this moment is great writing. Mando unmasks himself so Grogu can see the figure who served as his parental guardian, and in these past sixteen episodes, he’s questioned his own belief system about never revealing his face to others.
The episode’s music and action sequences are great. Hats off to Ludwig Göransson for the splendid score! From the introductory scene of the episode, what enters our ears is just magnificent. Hopefully, he wins another Emmy for this season. Mando’s fight with the Darktroopers and Gideon is one for the books. He probably hasn’t known his limit until now.
The Mandalorian Season 2 finale is a great way to end an arc but relies too much on paying service to the fans more than anything else. Boba Fett and Fennec Shand return to Jabba the Hutt’s palace in Tatooine to take his throne, teasing The Book of Boba Fett, set to release in December of next year. The CGI on Skywalker is awkward, but he does give us one lesson: “Talent without training is nothing.” Perhaps this series can learn something from itself. The Mandalorian has so much potential, many stories to explore, and many talented writers and directors. However, it needs hone the craft of storytelling to avoid just giving long-time fans filler episodes.
Some Easter Eggs I found and took note of, but probably should be taken with a grain of salt:
- Thomas E. Sullivan makes a small appearance as a co-pilot in Pershing’s shuttle. He and Fennec Shand actress Ming-Na Wen both appeared in the final season of Marvel‘s Agents of SHIELD earlier this year.
- When Pershing tells the team about the Imperial Lightcruiser, Bo-Katan tells everyone, “Let him speak.” This is a running gag in the comedy television series, Community. What exactly was the purpose of this line? What is it doing there? It probably doesn’t mean anything, but it’s nice to point out.
What do you think of this season finale? Have you seen the series yet? Let us know! For more action, drama, and Star Wars-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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