The Mandalorian: Season 1, Episode 1 “Chapter 1” [Series Premiere] – Recap, Review (with Spoilers)

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While the Star Wars movies may divide fans, believe the hype when it comes to The Mandalorian.

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Created By		Jon Favreau
Directed By		Dave Filoni
Written By		Jon Favreau
Air Date (Disney+)		11/12/2019
Genre(s)		Sci-Fi, Adventure
Introduced This Episode
The Mandalorian	Pedro Pascal
Greef Karga	Carl Weathers
The Client	Werner Herzog
Dr. Pershing	Omid Abtahi
Kuiil	Nick Nolte
IG-11	Taika Waititi

Plot Overview

A Mandalorian, who family was eviscerated, now lives only to make money by taking on bounties. Which he does the old school way meaning no droids, a lot of pre-empire tech, and solo. But, as his guild leader, Greef Karga, introduces to him a person we just know as “The Client,” who has storm troopers protecting him, it seems The Mandalorian might have one of his most challenging quests in a while. Especially since the person who has partnered with the client, Dr. Pershing, wants the bounty brought back alive.

Which, by the way, isn’t difficult nor impossible, it just means a more careful touch. But, with no sooner than landing on the plant requiring the assistance of Kuiil to navigate the terrain, and then a droid named IG-11 to get to the bounty, so comes the question of what is this 50-year-old being that had such a massive amount of mercenaries protecting it?

The answer, something which is of the same species as the legendary Yoda.

Collected Quote(s) or .Gifs

Review

Highlights

It’s In The Star Wars Universe, But Not Sucking At The Teet Of The Skywalker Clan

I don’t know about you, but the Star Wars films, while epics, show their age. Not in terms of technology, for heaven knows you can see where the budget went, but in terms of story? The fact the “new” trilogy has mirrored so much of what we saw in the originals made back in the 70s, it has slightly taken away from the enjoyment. Add in directors and writers with different visions who are living out their fanfic dreams, we were given quite a mess.

However, the way Favreau handles the franchise makes you wonder what would have happened if he, rather than J.J, Abrams, was given Star Wars: The Force Awakens. For in a half-hour, he grabs your attention with a new character disconnected from known universes or big-time characters and expands the universe.

Addressing The Mysteries Of A Fan Favorite

Assuming you don’t frequent the books and animated shows, you may wonder why Yoda is one of a kind? Why is he the only of his kind, who seem so powerful, to participate in the Jedi council? Well, with the introduction of this child-like being that has traits of Yoda’s, we might get some answers. The kind which George Lucas has avoided for decades.

It Pushes The Idea Star Wars Has Life Outside Of The Cinema

While some long-time franchises, like Charlie’s Angels, seem like they belong in a time capsule now, rather than reintroduced to a new generation, it seems all Star Wars needed was a live-action adaptation for the small screen. Pushing you to wonder, after the many X-Men films, will they take the path of The Mandalorian and go to TV to recover the reputation of it’s larger unvierse’s name?

 

Overall

Met Expectations

It honestly exceeded my expectations. This had quality action, a basic but easy story to get into, and between Kuiil and baby Yoda, people you hope are reoccurring since they actually draw you in. That is, as opposed to the films which rely heavily on the original trilogy, almost to the point that, if you didn’t know Disney/ Lucasarts were behind them, you’d consider them a rip off of epic proportions.

Continue To Watch?

Absolutely! Though I’ve never considered myself someone that into sci-fi, I think like most people who say they aren’t into something, at least when it comes to media, it’s about finding that one production. For me, The Mandalorian might be that show that makes it so the original Star Wars trilogy isn’t an exception, but the introduction which preceded me coming to admit I’m a real fan of the sci-fi genre.

First Impression: Optimistic

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