#(granted there's so. much.to look at this episode but a lot more often i'm unhealthily trying to spot how fake the set is

[meandmyechoes]

as much as i’m annoyed with this week’s mando episode (and the last, and the one before that), i’m repeating to myself that i should take my own advice and see how the excessive quests pay off later. Buying R5 led to the Covert moving to Nevarro and fighting a torture droid gave Din an excuse to give up the darksaber. Maybe Bo and Din working so well together this time would lead to them co-Mand’aloring. Maybe the nonsense will pay off, yet why am i so impatient unlike with Andor?

It’s not just about the lack of a three-act structure, or even an overall ending in sight. Was there enough production details to glue me to that screen? passionate acting or speeches that reign free in my mind?

With every andor arc there end goal is established first and foremost. Season 2′s finale set up two main ones: 1. Grogu 2. Darksaber. The first one is resolved way too quickly and the second one, after so many convolutions, is sent off with three sentences. With the sacrifice of his helmeted identity, in exchange if unwillingly, is the authority to lead all Mandalorians. I think season three is a good time for a show to diver deeper into its protagoinst, maybe give them an existential crisis. I expected the season to explore the different Mandalorian factions and gave a resolution to it, as a backdrop to Din’s personal debate on faith - and maybe even stay focused on it. Have a few debates and politics about neutraility or militarism. Maybe even farm a little if there’s only orcs and mythical fish left on that planet now! Andor-level environmental storytelling might’ve been what a season focused on the Mandalorian system needs.

It’s definitely NOT as if EVERY Star Wars show needs to be Andor - one would argue that’s why S3E3 felt out of place. This season can’t seem to grasp its genre. It was an episodic adventure with a clan of two and that’s what people expect when you return them to status quo prematurely.