That sensation does not persist, alas. With last year’s ambitious and brooding Andor, Disney demonstrated Star Wars could be a vehicle for sophisticated storytelling. Not every entry in the franchise has to be as deep and dark as Tony Gilroy’s prequel to Rogue One. Still, having traversed the murky morality of that show, it’s a comedown returning to the black-and-white universe of the Mandalorian.
The other issue is that a romp set among the infinity of the galaxy is running out of road. Seasons one and two were all about unlocking the mystery of Grogu and his Force powers. Yet, with that puzzle solved with the appearance of Luke Skywalker, Mando and Baby Yoda have hit a narrative impasse.
Favreau seems aware of this. There’s a scene early in the new episode where Mando’s old pal Greef Karga (Carl Weathers) offers the anti-hero a tract at the edge of the town of which he is mayor. His advice is that Din should put his feet up and advises him to “live off the fat of the land”.
Mando is tempted. Sadly, he must press on with his mission to restore the honour he lost when he removed his helmet (all the deadly sins rolled into one for Mandalorians). There is also the small matter of zero-gravity pirates arriving on Karga’s planet of Navarro and throwing their weight around.
“Small” is the word, too. Our biscuit-tin champion takes to the skies and easily outfoxes the brigands – before setting off for the home system of his tribe, where he reconnects with warrior Bo-Katan (Katee Sackhoff). Another subplot concerns the rebuilding of IG-11, an old android friend of Mando last seen in the first season finale sacrificing himself to save Grogu. That’s a lot of rambling for a sub-40-minute episode. Oh for the no-frills capering of previous seasons.
The Mandalorian may yet find its space boots. After all, Din and Grogu remain one of the most compelling double acts on TV (the best sequence in the opening instalment features Baby Yoda twirling around on a swivel chair). The new series undoubtedly represents an improvement over meandering spin-off, The Book of Boba Fett. But Andor has shown what Star Wars can become with sufficient ambition. In that context and, for all its positive qualities, the once gleamingly exciting Mandalorian is in danger of losing its shine.
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