Review | The Mandalorian: Chapter 14 ‘The Tragedy’

Max unpacks the hotly-anticipated fourteenth chapter of The Mandalorian

Even though this episode was perhaps the shortest in Mandalorian history; it delivered an amazing story that can be seen as a true turning point for the season. At 30 minutes; it’s disappointing it had to end as 30 minutes is akin to a regular TV episode and this is no regular show.

When I first saw the title “The Tragedy“, I immediately had a premonition that something would happen to Grogu or Baby Yoda. Mando and his young ward, get to Tython and we see just how much Mando loves this kid. He wants to do right by him and deliver him to the Jedi, but it’s obvious that he will miss him.

They get to the seeing stone with minimal problem, and Mando puts Grogu on it. Nothing happens at first, but then Grogu puts up a bluish-white (presumably) Force field and does not respond to anything Mando says as he is in a force trance. This serial continues to push the boundaries of the Force, and aside from Force lightning; I’ve never seen visual manifestations of the Force (or at least this eye-catching).

A Force Barrier is a strange Force power because it doesn’t seem to be used as much when it could’ve come in handy to any Force user at any time. I have to assume that because Baby Yoda’s midi-chlorian count is so high that he has access to powers that other Jedi are not powerful enough to wield. Then Slave-1 shows up … That’s right. It just flies down and an armorless Boba Fett demands that Mando hand over his armor. Mando doesn’t think Boba is Mandalorian and therefore privy to the armor, but Boba is insistent. He has brought Fennec Shand seemingly back from the dead, to serve as his sniper.

Fennec appeared in Chapter 5 and was presumed dead; left to decompose in the sands of Tatooine, but she survived, and it would appear it is thanks to heavy cybernetics in her abdomen. Boba is bald and scarred and reminds me of his old friend Dengar in looks of appearance. Temura Morrison‘s accent is more pronounced than ever and he even echoes a variation of a line Jango (his father) said in Attack of the Clones. “I’m just a simple man trying to make my way in the galaxy.” Then the Imperials arrive and the countryside is crawling with Stormtroopers. Fennec shows just how much of a better shot she is than any Stormtrooper and Boba is a brutal badass whose Gaffi stick cleaves into the plastoid armor as if it was paper.

I’m not 100% happy with the sophistication of Boba’s armor; it looks cheap and like a Halloween costume; but once Fett puts it on, his badass percentage goes from 95% up to 1000%. Stormtroopers are just a joke and the only way they can be effective is when there are tons of them to wear an enemy down. Moff Gideon arrives and it would seem this episode is just people arriving at a fight, yet the writing is just so good; I don’t care!

Grogu unfortunately is captured and let’s just say, Mando might need to call a space uber. Yikes. Boba and Fennec become unsuspecting allies and they need to rescue the Child. Much like last season, Mando is gathering allies for a big confrontation and while the formula is the same; the action and the plot twists carry it along nicely.

Verdict:

I originally didn’t want Boba shoehorned into this series; but now, I am 100% on board. I wouldn’t even mind if he gets his own series. Aside from the cheapness of Boba’s armor and the very crummy hyperspace tunnel, this episode was extremely well written and entertaining. As usual, I can’t wait for next week. Solid A, and congratulations to Robert Rodriguez’s directorial debut. I did not expect anybody new to be helming this show and it’s always great to see a fresh face.

The Mandalorian is streaming exclusively on Disney+ NOW!

Max Nocerino

Max Nocerino is a regular Staff Writer for The Future of the Force. He is a passionate Star Wars fan and loves the literature of the galaxy far, far away. Follow him on Twitter where he shares his love of the Force frequently!