Max Nocerino 
The Mandalorian kicks into high gear this week with Din Djarin’s covert taking on Pirate Lord Gorian Shard! Read our review.
One of the best things about Jon Favreau is that he never stays down for long. Even when he (rarely) has a hiccup in his storytelling, he manages to resurrect it and remind us that The Mandalorian is a true Star Wars gem.
THE PIRATE
The last episode of The Mandalorian was quite disappointing for me. I felt it lacked significance and almost was like filler. While I loved seeing that the Mandalorian coven planet was full of dangerous dinosaur-like creatures, it wasn’t a story I wanted to see. Rescuing a Foundling from a Raptor nest. However, this episode was much more significant and showed the Mandalorians’ growth as a people. Greef Karga’s town is once again besieged by pirates on Navarro led by Gorian Shard. An alien who looks like a seaweed substitute version of Davy Jones from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
He wants revenge for what happened in this season’s premiere episode. And he cruelly bombards the main town while the townspeople run for their lives into the lava flats. Karga calls for help and his distress message reaches an outpost of the New Republic.
A FAMILIAR FACE
The New Republic pilot who champions the cause is the individual from last season. Carson Teva, the X-Wing pilot who gave Din Djarin a break. He wants to help Nevarro. But the bureaucracy of this new government does not prioritize Nevarro. It smells very much of the last episode, where we have seen that this seemingly new-enlightened government is no better than the Empire and is largely similar in how it does things. The woman who betrayed Dr. Pershing is also present at this base. And she has something evil planned. We know she holds something against Pershing, and I very much think she is still working for the Empire. We also get to see a Lasat at the New Republic who may or may not be Zeb from Star Wars Rebels. Seeing him in live-action is pretty cool and ties the series’ together well (if true).
WAR ON NEVARRO
For years, fans have been dying to see more of the Mandalorians in action. And we are finally granted our wish. Seeing the full coven fight the pirates on Nevarro was exhilarating. And even though much of what happened was predictable, I very much like Din’s plan of bait and switch and decoying. The Mandalorians are truly a force to be reckoned with and they are not only fighting to help Karga, but they are also fighting for a new home.
VERDICT
Well, it looks very much like another familiar face will soon rear his ugly head. And I anticipate a world-shattering showdown is arriving. I like where all the pieces are being primed. And I very much wonder what the Armorer has planned for the future of Mandalore and how the Empire may try to regain some footholds in the galaxy. Well done. Excellent. It gets an A
The Mandalorian Season 3 is now streaming on Disney Plus.
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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!
