Annlyel explores the best episodes from The Mandalorian‘s stellar debut season
The Mandalorian‘s first season is complete. It’s a bittersweet thought knowing that we won’t be getting any more adventures with Mando and Baby Yoda anytime soon but it’s also heartening knowing that this live-action series has become everything I could have wanted…and more.
Now, with the series’ first season behind us, it’s time to rank all eight episodes. Which episode will become my least favorite and which episodes reign supreme? Let’s find out.
8. Chapter 6: The Prisoner
The Mandalorian has a great story with plenty of great moments but The Prisoner is the only episode that annoys me…just so slightly. Not that the episode is poorly constructed, or directed, or scored musically, but it’s the one episode with characters that I wasn’t particularly fond of.
Ex-girlfriend Xi’an has a bit of an aggravating personality that nags on the senses throughout the episode. She’s got skills though. And the extraction team’s muscle, Burg, is just a grunting, very annoying character whose defeat by Mando’s hand makes me very happy. Besides them though, it’s a very entertaining episode with some of the best visuals in the entire series so far.
7. Chapter 4: Sanctuary
Fun but not as grave or serious as the other episodes in the series, Sanctuary introduces The Mandalorian to Cara Dune and solidifies Baby Yoda’s inclusion in the series as we learn he will never be safe without Mando to protect him.
This episode is still very enjoyable but it can be borderline corny at times.
6. Chapter One
As soon as I heard the tracking fob’s beep and saw the gloved hand of The Mandalorian I was in love with this show. The series started with a bang, a bang that would not fizzle out. Nearly two months later, I can write this post with a smile on my face, knowing that Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni delivered us a truly fun addition to the Star Wars universe.
Chapter One was just our first step into a larger world. A world that I am grateful that Disney has given us.
5. Chapter Five: The Gunslinger
I’m not quite sure why people didn’t like this episode because I freaking LOVE this episode. The Mandalorian‘s visit to Tatooine didn’t seem forced or strange. Jon Favreau perfectly placed him on the iconic Star Wars planet in a way that I absolutely loved. I loved how the Mos Eisley Cantina was used in the show. Seeing the Tusken Raiders in a different light was pretty spectacular. And Peli was such a fun character. She was funny and she was also someone who wasn’t afraid of anybody. Just my type of gal. I really, really enjoy this episode
4. Chapter Seven: The Reckoning
The fact that this episode sits at #4 on this list is one of the best things ever because this episode is amazing and there are still three episodes better than it. Suspenseful, funny, informative, and with one of the best action sequences in the series, The Reckoning shines.
3. Chapter Eight: Redemption
What a finale! Beginning with one of the funniest sequences in the entire franchise, delivering plenty of eye-widening, grin-inducing teases for season 2 and ending with THAT surprise, The Mandalorian solidified itself as one of the greatest things to happen to Star Wars.
2. Chapter Three: The Sin
If you want to see The Mandalorian at his most shell this will be your favorite episode. Being the series’ gravest feeling episode, The Sin compiles the epicness of the entire season into one episode in a truly thrilling way. The music, the directing, the emotions, everything about this episode screams perfection.
1. Chapter Two: The Child
Over the course of the last two months, I think I’ve seen The Child at least eight times, which is clearly the most I’ve watched of any of the episodes. Episode two hits my happy buttons in so many ways. The brief but riveting confrontation between The Mandalorian and the Trandoshan bounty hunters. Baby Yoda trying to heal The Mandalorian. Mando’s run-in with the Jawas. (Love that part!) Kuill’s collaboration. Mando nearly scorching the Jawas in angry retaliation. “Suga!” The Mandalorian‘s near-death experience when facing the Mudhorn only to be saved by his new green friend. Oh my goodness, this episode has it all.
It’s in every sense of the word fantastic and easily my favorite episode of the series, hands down.
Eight wonderful episodes, two remarkable main characters, one incredible season.
I have spoken.
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Annlyel James is a prolific Staff Writer for Future of the Force. She is passionate about Star Wars and Marvel but loves a wide variety of movie genres. Aside from her role with Future of the Force she also writes for her own blog: annlyelonline. Follow her on Twitter @annlyeljames where she channels the Force frequently!
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Author
Hello everyone. My name is Annlyel James. I’m a young woman who loves movies of all genres (specifically ‘Star Wars’ and Marvel movies.) I am also a Senior Correspondent for The Future of the Force.
