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Post by Newan on Mar 22, 2023 20:35:46 GMT -5
Yeah I agree with you Kenobi, this is one of the best episodes. I think this is one Dave Filoni wrote or had a major part in at least. I do believe he’s instrumental in the next episode as well. I mean you can kind of tell, you only get those cameos and huge prequel payoffs when he’s directly involved.
This episode had the right combination of character development and adventure. Reminds me a lot of the Kryat dragon episode although imo that’s still the best episode in the show. This one could be top 3 though and it’s only 30 mins long.
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Post by Newan on Mar 22, 2023 20:41:35 GMT -5
I also agree that the season is a little all over the place, I think this is a writers/ directing problem. Honestly this show does have some great writers and directors but it seems like they all have a different vision for this time period meaning not just this show but also BoBF. Dave Filoni writing/ directing episodes feel very different from say Deborah Chow writing or Bryce Dallas Howard directing. Favreau might be letting people have too much free reign with their time on the season.
I do 100% expect Boba and Fennec to show up in the next couple episodes. Possibly Vanth. I kind of hope they keep Luke, Ahsoka and Mayfield out of it. Although idk we do know Mando goes to Coruscant at some point so I am expecting maybe an OT cameo somewhere. Might be someone unexpected though.
We need more Gideon, but I’m still expecting Thrawn to cameo as well. It will probably just be a hologram or post credits thing though that will get the fandom real excited.
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Post by Newan on Mar 22, 2023 20:43:11 GMT -5
Honestly I could see Gideon being saved for season 4 and that would be ok if they really want to focus the plot on him there, it just means this season will really just be setup and not have much identity.
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Post by Newan on Mar 22, 2023 20:46:32 GMT -5
So I’ve always had the theory the Armorer was a Maul loyalist. Her helmet just screams Darth Maul… and it got me thinking it could actually be a way to bring him into the show and not be super shoehorned given the lore there.
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Post by Kenbo on Mar 23, 2023 18:01:31 GMT -5
Yeah I agree with you Kenobi, this is one of the best episodes. I think this is one Dave Filoni wrote or had a major part in at least. I do believe he’s instrumental in the next episode as well. I mean you can kind of tell, you only get those cameos and huge prequel payoffs when he’s directly involved. This episode had the right combination of character development and adventure. Reminds me a lot of the Kryat dragon episode although imo that’s still the best episode in the show. This one could be top 3 though and it’s only 30 mins long. Oh sorry I meant best episode of season 3. Honestly I would not put any of the season 3 episodes so far above the first two season episodes lol. Idk I really feel like 3 has dipped in quality. Honestly I could see Gideon being saved for season 4 and that would be ok if they really want to focus the plot on him there, it just means this season will really just be setup and not have much identity. He's in this season for sure, I believe the actor has talked about what Gideon's up to in season 3 in interviews. The dialogue lines about him escaping last episode are likely there to set up his return |
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Post by Echani on Mar 24, 2023 1:27:34 GMT -5
LOVED this episode, incredible. 9/10 because they did this weird x thing with their arms as a "congratulations" for saving the kid near the end of the episode, made them all look kind of "special" lol. It doesn't seem a lot of the mandalorians have beskar armor, but yet Bo gets a piece like that, and so does Grogu? You guys think the Mandalorian in blue was jealous the Mando saved his kid and bested him in a duel earlier on? I think so lol. Felt like a real Mandalorian episode, and I've been enjoying the last few still but this so far is my favorite.
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Post by Maverick-Jedi-Valen on Mar 27, 2023 5:38:25 GMT -5
Easily the worst episode in this show. Acting scripting, pacing, all rubbish. Can't believe how overlong some of those scenes dragged out for (i.e the drinking one by the housing complex). Started so well with Din and Bo, but then it just goes into some unengaging side plot about how poor the NR is (making some much unwelcome ST connections). I think overall I really dislike it as it just reminds on how poor a job Disney has done in building a post ROTJ world. It would've been nice to see the NR be a fairly half decent/competent government. Would certainly make a nice change from the overly bureaucratic and corrupt old Republic and the evil Empire. Instead we just have to make it another write off regime that'll get blown up in years time all because Disney was frothing for another rebels vs empire narrative. I understand just adapting some or most of the EU would've seemed a bit of a creative cop out, but I'd rather have that than any of this... It's weird how many scenes this show has that feel just a little bit too long. I'm always thinking "okay... and cut... now cut" but they keep going lol. For example: The biker scout clowns in the season 1 finale That scene with Grogu in the Razor Crest's maintenance hatch trying to rewire something Grogu in the Nevarro school stealing that kid's macarons I guess they are usually "comedic" bits that go on for too long but the one with Pershing talking to the amnesty guys was not even a bit. They need to edit this stuff down it always takes me out of it. But yeah this basically has to be the worst episode of the show doesn't it? I guess just because of what a departure from the show's core it is. Yeah season 3 is definitely going to be something else. I can see more episodes where Mando takes a backseat and they dive into another character. If the BOBF episodes were supposed to be part of this season then they already had that one with Luke. I've noticed how they linger on scenes that never needed to be lingered on. Ironic, given how George's favourite part of filmmaking is the editing lol Anyway viewership is down... Again omegalul. Not gonna lie I like seeing Disney take these Ls. I think there's been a consistent decline in views since BOBF which idk how but that one somehow edged out Mando season 2 views by like 2% D+ is apparently also losing them billions. Deserved and get fucked lmao. Idk how there was any metric where D+ was more successful than other streaming platforms. I really think it is one of the worst streaming services, they literally have no content if you're not a Disney adult. However I'm actually predicting Mando will see a spike in views at some point this season. People are saying they didn't market it well like a lot of people didn't even know the show started. But they teased another "Luke Skywalker level event" which might bring people back. Man I hope it's not Han or Leia but it probably will be one or both. Or I guess a lot of people are just done with Star Wars. I think Disney has been hemorrhaging Star Wars fans for a while now. Many checked out after BOBF and OWK and I think most normal people find Andor and Bad Batch boring and don't watch them. They might not tune in for Mando. It's possible the two year break really hurt the show and they lost their momentum. Gina firing also led to many people boycotting though that might not be a large enough number to matter. Possibly even the casuals that just like baby Yoda are over him now... I know I am. Kinda embarrassing to see Disney desperately trying to keep milking Grogu if people are over it lol. They will likely need a new phenomenon to bring people back I'm not sure about the spike. People may have made up their minds and are now running out of enthusiasm. The season just didn't star with the bang people wanted. Plus they kind of had the big story arc end in series 2 and then undid it in BOBF, making it feel somewhat pointless |
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Post by Newan on Mar 27, 2023 9:00:59 GMT -5
I think this weeks episode will have cameos and probably advance the plot properly. Idk half ways through and not much has happened, again I think this is just an issue of too many writers and creative minds trying to do their own thing with the time they have every season.
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Post by Kenbo on Mar 27, 2023 16:48:26 GMT -5
I think this weeks episode will have cameos and probably advance the plot properly. Idk half ways through and not much has happened, again I think this is just an issue of too many writers and creative minds trying to do their own thing with the time they have every season. I believe the last two seasons had different writers on certain episodes but season 3 has Favreau as the writer for all of them. I'm thinking we'll see Boba in episode 5. And/or Gideon. Perhaps the imperials are not the finale villains like previous two seasons and instead they do stuff on Mandalore. I could see the Mythosaur being the finale plot point. Actually I think there will be some big Mandalorian vs Imperial battle on Mandalore. The rumored praetorian guards I think were said to be on Mandalore. |
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Post by Kenbo on Mar 29, 2023 9:29:00 GMT -5
Oh yeah I forgot about those pirates. I knew after the first episode they would be back for a filler episode I guess it was time for that. Zeb was so random. At first I thought it was just some Lasat but Steve Blum voiced him and was in the credits as Zeb though strangely his last name Orellios wasn't used
Seems like they're splicing in a bunch of stuff that would've been in the Rangers show. Probably would've been something like Top Gun with Adelphi base as their main hub location
Gideon was probably rescued by imperial loyalist Mandos like from Rebels. At first I thought the First Order hired the pirates to attack Nevarro and then would come in to look like they were saving them which was the whole premise of Resistance.
Bo-Katan just being handed fealty is lame... No one even knows she saw a Mythosaur while Din is right there holding the legendary darksaber.
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Post by Kenbo on Mar 29, 2023 9:35:13 GMT -5
Yeah idk can't really say anything positive about this one. The vibes have been off the whole season, it's just not hitting for me. The aimless direction can be compared to season 1 but even season 1 did a lot of impressive stuff. Season 2 had some truly epic episodes like The Marshal or even the Ahsoka one which I didn't love as much as others but it was special.
Quality feels like it went down. Sure set pieces are bigger, there are more characters, and overall world appears larger. Yet it somehow doesn't look and feel as good as the first two... Something about it just feels like a parody of itself and like they are just coasting off their past glory and not putting as much effort in. Idk can't really explain it.
Even the two BOBF episodes which I actually did not like, felt more like a continuation of season 2 quality than season 3 quality. I really don't know what happened. Music has also been a little lacking since Ludwig isn't doing it. I liked Joe Shirley's work on BOBF but overall his stuff seems more like filler tracks than memorable themes. All the memorable ones are just remixes of what Ludwig already did.
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Post by Newan on Mar 29, 2023 21:27:40 GMT -5
Hmm… the stuff on Coruscant and the ending was intriguing. Other then that the rest was pretty much filler. I’m curious how everything ties together. The infiltration woman, the pirates, the attack on Bo Katans home, Gideons escape, but other that I’m not too interested in the other plot lines. I still think Thrawn is above Gideon but other then that I’m not sure. It’s all over the place and it could yet turn into some great finale if there’s some twists I’m not seeing… but more then likely this is gonna be like a Clone Wars season 5 where 70% was filler or felt like it.
Honestly I’d welcome some real fan service about now. Bring in Boba or Fennec and do some cool shit. Have a Maul flashback or something…
Zeb was kind of cool, honestly it would make sense for him and Hera to go fight with the Rebels while Sabine and Ahsoka find Ezra.
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Post by Newan on Mar 29, 2023 21:37:14 GMT -5
One thing I feel fairly certain of, I think Bo Katan is done for the season (and with it most of the Mandalorian plot) and the last 3 episodes will be focused on the Imperial Remnant and New Republic. I don’t think we will see the “retaking of Mandalore” this season. While Bo is cool and was a natural progression from season 2, I think she overshadows Din a lot at least that’s the way she’s written.
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Post by Kenbo on Apr 5, 2023 8:07:42 GMT -5
I guess this one was alright. Felt like a Doctor Who episode or something. I liked the setting and premise. Very stacked with the guest stars. Jack Black, Christopher Lloyd and Lizzo, though I can't say I like her but she is a big (literally lol) name.
I also really liked Axe in this. He didn't do much in season 2 but I think he shined here. I liked the fight with Bo but it was obvious he was going to lose. But I'm still glad he was able to get some good hits in at least. Hope he's involved in the next two episodes but probably not.
Also I think all of Bryce Dallas Howard's episodes have been great, the only weaknesses coming from the writing. They should have her direct more than one episode per season.
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Post by Kenbo on Apr 5, 2023 8:27:39 GMT -5
But now since I am no longer a fan of the show, I have to do my weekly ranting...
First, what has Grogu even done this season? In like every episode he is irrelevant but then there is a random scene with him that feels like it's there to meet a cute baby Yoda moment quota. It's almost as if he wasn't supposed to be here and was supposed to be off training with Luke...
Second, they have literally regressed every single plot point from the first two seasons and essentially wiped out Din's character arcs:
- Season 1: Din gets over his hate for droids after seeing IG-11's sacrifice; Season 3: Din hates droids again
- Season 2: Din is conflicted about following the Way and keeping on his helmet. Seems to be heading towards removing his helmet and forging a new path; Season 3: Din falls back to adhering to the Way and can't take off his helmet again
- Season 2: Din obtains the darksaber. He is on the path to becoming a leader; Season 3: Hands the saber to Bo-Katan so she can get the spotlight. Again.
- Season 2: "I will give my life to protect the child"; BOBF: Grogu gets sent alone into the middle of a gang war; Season 3: somehow Grogu has returned
- Season 2: Moff Gideon is neutralized; Season 3: Moff Gideon will probably come back with an unrealistic massive Imperial army
I wish they just ended at season 2
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Post by Newan on Apr 5, 2023 21:17:55 GMT -5
Yeah while this episode was kinda good, in combination with the whole season it’s a little weird. I honestly wasn’t expecting to see Bo back tbh until maybe the final episode. I thought it was gonna be all Imperial plotline from here on out.
This episode had really high budget for a very filler plot, idk I get the feeling season 4s budget will be lower after the reception to season 3. Also I agree that Grogu hasn’t done much this season and probably could have sat a season out. I think it was probably the original plan tbh, Season 4 premiere should have been the Luke Skywalker episode imo.
Also seeing a Super Battle Droid run was kind of scary lol, wonder why they never did that in TCW.
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Post by Newan on Apr 5, 2023 21:20:56 GMT -5
Cool actor cameos though, thst is one thing this show has always done well is insert recognizable people into these smaller roles, they did it very well with the Imperials in season 2.
To me this felt like an actual Clone Wars episode though. Had that weird adventure vibe.
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Post by Star on Apr 5, 2023 21:47:59 GMT -5
I wasn't a fan of this one. It felt too goofy and rushed with its ideas for me. The Separatist concept was neat, but seemed super underdeveloped. Also not the biggest fan of the small roles for these celebrities, it kind of takes me out of it.
Bo's fight at the end was pretty underwhelming also, but mainly because it didn't feel earned. She just waltzed up to Axe and challenged him like Maul did to Pre Vizsla, but without the buildup.
I don't know, maybe I'll like this episode better on a rewatch, but first time through it felt messy and not very interesting. Main positive for me though was seeing all the aliens/droids alongside some cool settings.
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Post by Star on Apr 5, 2023 21:53:16 GMT -5
Only two episodes left, I'm not really sure where they're going to leave us at the end of this season. It'd be pretty lame if it's just a Gideon tease for S4, we all know he's back. Thrawn would at least add more hype.
I've liked most of the episodes this season on their own, but they don't feel super connected. It's tough getting a sense of where they're taking us. Since Grogu's story was finished with Luke, this show hasn't quite found a new main direction. And you both are right that Grogu hasn't served any real importance this season other than getting Bo to save Mando.
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Post by Kenbo on Apr 5, 2023 22:13:46 GMT -5
I wasn't a fan of this one. It felt too goofy and rushed with its ideas for me. The Separatist concept was neat, but seemed super underdeveloped. Also not the biggest fan of the small roles for these celebrities, it kind of takes me out of it. Bo's fight at the end was pretty underwhelming also, but mainly because it didn't feel earned. She just waltzed up to Axe and challenged him like Maul did to Pre Vizsla, but without the buildup. I don't know, maybe I'll like this episode better on a rewatch, but first time through it felt messy and not very interesting. Main positive for me though was seeing all the aliens/droids alongside some cool settings. Nah I think you are right. Thinking about it more, this episode is pretty bad. I guess I was distracted by the set pieces and some of the other stuff but it seems like this episode was not well received over all They’ve done good celebrity cameos with Timothy Olyphant and Bill Burr’s characters. But yeah these guys were goofy. Speaking of cameos that reminds me that the Ahmed Best flashback stuff hasn’t been followed up on yet… |
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Post by Kenbo on Apr 5, 2023 22:27:38 GMT -5
I heard some insider/leak stuff and there is something very sussy wussy going on behind the scenes. It’s a lot of wild rumors that may be hard to believe but apparently come from reputable sources. One rumor is Jon Favreau is no longer interested in doing the show which is kind of contradictory to that recent article of him saying he wants Mando to be a long running show… But I think he basically did not get as much creative freedom as he wanted and many of the questionable decisions were forced upon him. Idk what’s going on with him but it seems like he’s been phoning it in lately with BOFB and now season 3. Or maybe Filoni is not helping as much because he’s busy with Ahsoka so that could be another issue?
Second rumor is they are trying to get rid of Pedro Pascal because of some behind the scenes drama. This kind of tracks I think. Apparently he didn’t actually film anything in the suit for season 3. It’s all stunt doubles and he only did the voice. Bo-Katan has obviously been overshadowing him a lot this season but could it be because they’re actually going to attempt to pass the torch off to her?
Which leads into the third rumor that these next two episodes are going to be more divisive than TLJ… I think they will do something big and stupid like kill off Din or find some way to write him out. Lol that would be insane. Or they might be bringing Palpatine back again since there are supposed to be those praetorian guards… At this point I hope it’s bad and no one likes it. Man I’m such a hate watcher lol
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Post by Kenbo on Apr 12, 2023 8:42:46 GMT -5
Why does Gideon always show up in the last two episodes only lol. I think my biggest issue is there has been all this talk of retaking Mandalore but retaking it from what? Episode 2 and 3 established that Mandalore is now an abandoned wasteland. Everything was glassed, no resources or people or structures left. But if they still for some reason want to reclaim it, there are no enemies standing in the way except for a few monsters.
It would've been better if Mandalore was still under Imperial occupation and the finale was some epic battle where the now united Mandalorian clans forced them out once and for all. Yes, there happened to be an Imperial installation there but they didn't even know about it. I'm actually not even sure why Gideon's forces were there as the planet has no value to them. Unless they recently moved back in to ambush Bo-Katan's party
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Post by Kenbo on Apr 12, 2023 8:53:02 GMT -5
The opening was kind of cool though, at least visually. Real Blade Runner vibe. I hope George was on set when they shot that because creating Coruscant on the Volume was essentially what he wanted to do with Underworld.
Paz's fight scenes were cool. I thought he got a lot of screen time this season but probably because they were sending him off. I think Axe Woves is really badass too too bad people keep treating him like a bitch lol. I like that actor though.
But now imagine if the praetorian guards were replaced by the classic royal guards Palpatine had. That would've been so sick. I know I'm a broken record at this point but the ST stuff always takes me out of it like Hux's dad I think that was and then the guards.
But Palleon was cool, I think that was a good casting because he was exactly how I pictured him. And lastly, are they going to finish the Grogu flashback?? I guess in the finale
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Post by Maverick-Jedi-Valen on Apr 12, 2023 17:09:27 GMT -5
I swear Gideon's huge arrogance about using Mando stuff is just so obvious he's going to get one of those ironic Star Wars deaths lol(Tarkin getting blown up on his passion project, Palps killed by the monster he made). It was a pretty epic episode. Had a kind of old school Hollywood epic vibe to it which I liked. Although, like you said Obi, not a fan of the ST references. Just give us the royal guards and we'd be so much happier.
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Post by Kenbo on Apr 12, 2023 19:23:38 GMT -5
Okay I watched Paz's death again and the guards are whatever, I think that was actually a really dope scene. I think that and all of Axe Woves parts are my favorite moments from the season. But those Favreau conspiracy rumors are still pulling at me... Did he kill off his character because he's going to have limited involvement going forward? There is for sure something going on. Maybe it's kinda symbolic though to have Favreau's character get killed by the sequels basically lol...
Anyway super wild speculation here but I think they don't give a fuck anymore and are just going to go crazy in the finale. I think Boba and cyborg Cobb are going to show up out of nowhere and save everyone. I also am convinced Din will die or somehow be written off and it will become the book of Bo-Katan now. He and Grogu barely did anything this season and I think Pedro Pascal has checked out and/or has beef with people over there. The show might try to carry on but I just can't see Din continuing to be its lead.
Also what if a deepfaked Han shows up for no reason lol. I think some cameo is showing up though.
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Post by Star on Apr 12, 2023 21:26:56 GMT -5
Wow, that was a pretty packed episode. I wish it wasn't the second the last one of the season. The Shadow Council scene was great, loved seeing all the Imperial warlords gathered. Are any of them besides Brendol Hux and Pallaeon previously established characters?
I'm not super familiar with the Aftermath books and whatever else has been published in this era, but I imagine we may see Rae Sloane at some point. I believe she went into the Unknown Regions sometime after the Battle of Jakku so she could be with Thrawn currently. I'm not sure we'll get a Thrawn cameo next episode, but that would be a pretty cool way to end the season and set him up for Ahsoka in a few months.
The rest of the episode moved quickly, but it built up nicely to the fight with the beskar-armored Imperials. Kind of expected Paz to sacrifice himself so at least he had a cool last stand.
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Post by Star on Apr 12, 2023 22:44:14 GMT -5
It’s interesting to see the Imperial remnants using a similar strategy to what we saw the fledgling rebellion use in Andor. Both want to appear as disconnected factions that pose little threat to the entity in power.
I’m wondering who the other spies from the title are too. The Armorer has been a little off in recent episodes, wouldn’t be surprised if there was some twist like the Maul loyalist one Newan mentioned.
Curious whether the mythosaur returns for the finale. Also Boba’s rumored to appear this season so perhaps he suddenly shows up.
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Post by Newan on Apr 15, 2023 21:54:17 GMT -5
Finally it gets kind of good lol, honestly I really liked the Shadow Council and the Imperial tactics. I think together the remaining Imperials might be a semi formidable force but I think they are intentionally showing them with light cruisers and more basic armor other then the few technological advances Gideons division has achieved. I think when Thrawn shows up he will have real Star Destroyers, maybe even a Super Star Destroyer like he had in the EU. I know there was more then just the Executor built, but not sure if that’s established firmly in the current canon. Really like Pallaeon being included as well. Star I think the Mandos living on the surface are the spies… Gideon has clearly been operating there for sometime, I can’t imagine they just didn’t know about the base. Well maybe they aren’t all spies, but one or two likely is. The Armorer is still a little off to me, also why does Gideon have a Maul style helmet as well? That connection between him and her both having horns might be a foreshadow. |
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Post by Newan on Apr 15, 2023 21:56:19 GMT -5
Not sure how Boba would fit in here at this point, I expected to see him this season but they should have used one of the very meh filler episodes on Boba and Fennec.
The mythosaur was just shrugged off and nobody even mentioned it… like wtf. Hasn’t that thought to have been extinct for 1000s of years? Maybe they didn’t want to do Kryat Dragon 2.0
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Post by Newan on Apr 15, 2023 22:02:06 GMT -5
Also I don’t think Praetorian Guards are really ST. They are basically the same as the shadow troopers from The Force Unleashed, and we saw similar guards at the end of Rebels with Ezra
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it’s been quite a while. I’ve been pretty good, how about yourself? 