After knocking it out of the park last week with "The Jedi" and the first appearance of Ahsoka Tano, The Mandalorian returned this week for one hell of an action packed episode. There is a lot to break down for this episode regarding surprising returns, mysteries solved, and how the last two episodes of the season will play out. To start, let's get right into the most exciting part of the episode in my opinion. WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!
1) BOBA FETT RETURNS...AND KICKS A WHOLE LOT OF ASS
As Mando and Grogu arrive on Tython and get to the top of the mountain, Grogu enters a meditative state that has a Force shield around him. Just as this gets underway, a familiar ship lands nearby: Slave I. This is, of course the ship that belongs to Boba Fett, inherited from his father Jango Fett. The show finally confirms that Boba Fett himself was the figure seen at the end of episode one of this season. Fett tells Mando that he is here for his armor that Mando obtained from Cobb Vanth in the premiere. After tense negotiations, Fett agrees to see the safety of Grogu in exchange for the armor. This negotiation is interrupted by several shuttles of Stormtroopers, and we get to see Boba Fett in action for the first time in nearly thirty seven years. The results of this do not disappoint and this scene is one of the best in the Star Wars canon if you ask me.
I cannot tell you how satisfying it was to see Fett back in action. One of the most badass characters in all of Star Wars, given an unceremonious ending in the Original Trilogy. His return and escape from the sarlacc pit being teased over many years, it's great to see executive producers Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni embrace Fett's character on the show. Seeing him in action and kicking ass is even better, as I hope the rumors of a Boba Fett spinoff series are true. While Fett's return dominated most of the episode, another character's return actually solved a mystery that has been around since episode five of the series...
2) SEASON ONE MYTERY SOLVED
When Boba Fett meets up with Mando, he is accompanied by Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen), the mercenary and assassin whom Mando crossed paths with in Chapter 5 "The Gunslinger". She was supposedly killed on Tatooine before a mysterious figure stood over her body in the episode's closing moments. While many, including myself, theorized at the time that this mysterious figure was Boba Fett, this episode confirms that it was. Fett saved Shand by giving her some sort of machinery in her stomach area (don't even get me started on how she eats or anything like that), and has been assisting him in hunting down his Mandalorian armor.
It was great to see Wen back in the role, as her character was one of the fan-favorites in the first season and was really the first possible tie the show had to Fett himself. Her sharp shooting skills coming in handy against a barrage of Stormtroopers and complimenting both Mando and Fett very well in battle. And by the looks of the ending of this episode, it seems we will be seeing much more of her and Fett for at least another week...
3) ASSEMBLING A TEAM TO SAVE GROGU
You didn't think I would forget about little old Grogu did you? So after Grogu mediated and called out to whomever through the Force, he passed out. This led to Moff Gideon calling in the Dark Troopers teased at the end of last week's episode to take him. While Fett gave chase in Slave I, Mando ordered him to stand down since he did not want Grogu hurt. Fett tells Mando that he and Shand are in his debt until Grogu is safe, and Mando needs transportation regardless after the Razor Crest was destroyed in the battle with only the Beskar staff he obtained from Ahsoka Tano surviving the blast. Later, Mando heads back to Nevarro to recruit old ally Cara Dune (Gina Carano) to get Grogu back. Mando inquires the location of Mayfeld (Bill Burr), who can track Gideon's ship. It appears we may be getting an Avengers-style team up next week to save Grogu from the clutches of Moff Gideon.
Meanwhile, Gideon meets Grogu in his cell where Grogu is using the Force to throw two Stormtroopers across the room, even Force choking them a few times. Gideon is impressed, but notes that his use of the Force makes him sleepy. Gideon also shows Grogu the Darksaber in his possession before stunning Grogu and slapping some cuffs on him. Gideon orders for Dr. Pershing to know that they have their donor, traveling towards him through hyperspace. This of course calls back to using Grogu for his blood which has a high M-count for the experiments the Empire have been conducting. A few things to break down here. First off, I wonder if any Jedi heard Grogu's calls (if he called out to anyone) when he was on Tython. Will there be a surprise character appearing next week to help Mando and his team save Grogu? Will Ahsoka Tano return after hearing the call? Anything can happen at this point I beleive. I think we will also see a lot of battles with the Dark Troopers in the next two episodes, as they seem to be Moff Gideon's strongest defense against our heroes. With it being teased that Gideon will continue on the show past this season, I also wonder how this story gets wrapped up in the finale in two weeks.
I also want to give a shout-out to director Robert Rodriguez, whose past history in action films were definitely on display this week. What did you think of this week's episode? Were you excited about Boba Fett's official return to Star Wars canon? How do you see the rest of the season playing out with Grogu captured by Moff Gideon? Sound off in the comments below and look for my Chapter 17 recap next week!
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