The Mandalorian, Season 2

Episodes 1 & 2 Review

The Mandalorian is flying high this second season. So far, nods to Return Of The Jedi; (the Sarlacc-like creature; to Alien, (the pods in the caverns); and Lord Of The Rings (the arachnid fun fest) and even it appears, The Quarren (Pirates Of The Caribbean Davey Jones) , have made this new season into a synaptic wonder-wheel of recognition: Not to exclude“The Captain” of the ship in “The Heiress (who to my view in posture and demeanor channels his best Grand Moff Tarkin ( Peter Cushing in “A New Hope”.)

The second episode of the season continues to be more viscous than Bantha milk, triggering internal rifts among the faithful,. 

As clear as the Manadalorian’s task may be (returning the child to his kind, of course) , these new episodes, present further obstacles, twist and turns.

And we gratefully have the child (“Baby Yoda”) - who’s not been largely more than a cute plot-driven auricular affectation - finally display some individual  characteristics.

His all-consuming hunger piqued more tension than ticklish concerns over table manners; gulping down live eggs, ( which I imagined was an intent to save the race, should the guarded eggs not survive ) thereby revealing “BY’s” rescue by unscathed regurgitation ? Or might this interstellar snack be predatory larvae to transmute the unsuspecting diner?

These nagging queries were never realized, as it’s clear there’s little this green bulbous sack cloth cannot ingest. Apparently not only is the force strong with this one , but so too, his micro-biome.

The Mandalore is eager to meet kindred souls (at least in comparable bespoke armor). When customs don’t exactly jell, he’s taken aback by what amounts to violating the signature of a true Mandalore in removing their armor. This political dissent opens up a wellspring of possibilities yet to be fully addressed , much less resolved, (as it is here ,in this dimension).

This new brigade concludes that the Mandalore is a member of “The Watch” ; leaving us to wonder how high his helmeted eyebrows were raised. 

Just as the agreed upon mission looms , leaving the vagaries and potential conflicts of “The Watch” lingering,  a narrative bombshell awaits; highlighted by the most portentous turn and gaze in the galaxy by” Baby Yoda”-following Bo-Katan reveal  that the Mandalore’s path may lead to restoring the“ ancient order.”

And get that kid a new hover carriage!