This episode has re-solidified the quality that we have come to expect from The Mandalorian. I hope the remaining episodes continue to be as dynamic as this one.
After a bit of getting off on the wrong foot on shaky ground, The Mandalorian has found its equilibrium again and presents a two-pronged story with the B-story showcasing a surprise character blast from the past.
THE COVERT
The episode resumes right where it left off with Mando and Bo-Katan near the Living Waters. I was NOT disappointed that the two didn’t fight another monster. And I was hoping for a change of pace because the first two episodes of the season were a little slow. Mando and Bo-Katan are quickly attacked by TIE Interceptors on the way back to Bo’s planet. And we get a bit of dogfighting fun for a few minutes. It seems generic and pointless to have the Imperial Remnant come at them for no reason.
But hey, this is Star Wars and I very much enjoyed seeing the N-1 and Bo’s ship maneuver so smoothly in the hands of talented pilots. Why the TIEs are attacking is anyone’s guess. But it may be to get rid of Bo-Katan as a wave of TIE bombers destroys her Palace of Solitude. Outnumbered, the two leave with Mando promising a place for Bo to go to escape.
SURPRISE TWIST
Then the episode completely shifts gear and we get the first-person view of a vindicated Dr. Pershing! Dr. Pershing appeared in the very first season of The Mandalorian as the mysterious scientist who is doing some sort of experiment for the Empire on Grogu (then only known as Baby Yoda). The New Republic has agreed to put him in their Amnesty Program. Therefore forgiving his war crimes. The New Republic agrees that he was coerced to perform his nefarious deeds and hopes to rehabilitate him into the new government. Everything should just be Meiloorun keen, right? Well, not quite. The New Republic tries to make it clear that they are much more benevolent than the predecessor government. Yet Pershing is no longer allowed to pursue his work in cloning and genetic engineering under the New Republic. They forbid such research.
ETHICAL CLONING?
Pershing is frustrated because he feels cloning could provide replacement organs for ailing individuals. And the audience is left wondering why the government would be so tactless as to ban important research that can help others. Additionally, Pershing is put in a dead-end desk job (VERY much like Syril from Andor) and must speak with a cold, emotionless droid every day or week to answer some wellness questions. Like if he is angry, wants to hurt the other Amnesty people, or even hurt the new government. This treatment plan seems benign, but it really is just covering up that the New Republic really is no better than the Empire and tries to disguise its enforcement with cold and insincere politeness. You could say the New Republic and the Empire are two sides of the same coin
CHARACTERS
I like Dr. Pershing. He kind of reminds me of the kindly bespectacled doctor from a Power Rangers: Time Force movie. Except that his specialty is cloning while that doctor was in robotics. Anyways, he is nebbishy and shy and reminds me a lot of myself as he struggles to open up to his peers. And feels unsure of his place in the universe. Through his eyes, we get to see Coruscant post-Empire. Which is no different than Andor’s peri-Empire and further reinforces my point that while the government has changed hands, the motives and methods have not changed all too much.
Pershing becomes friends with another Amnesty programmer who suspiciously was actually on Moff Gideon’s ship around the same time as Pershing! This woman is very masculine in appearance and I quickly ruled her out as a love interest early on. But aside from that, I never really trusted her. Something was fishy about her eagerness to help Pershing break the rules and continue his research. Pershing is pitifully naive, but his heart is in the right place and he wants to help people. Yet his type of help is NOT appreciated by the pseudo-benevolent order.
VERDICT
Anyone who doubted John Favreau, I can safely say they are eating crow now. This episode has re-solidified the quality that we have come to expect from The Mandalorian and I hope the remaining episodes continue to be as dynamic as this one. I am also on the edge of my seat to learn Dr. Pershing’s fate and why this mysterious new “friend” has it in for him. I also want to see what is next for Mando and how Bo-Katan will possibly become his latest partner. And I would have liked to see a little more Grogu stuff (as he took a backseat in this episode), but seeing Coruscant in its sparkly, glowy glory made up for it tenfold. I am quite pleased and very titillated. Solid A!
The Mandalorian Season 3 is now streaming on Disney Plus.
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Author
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!
