combat wombat said:

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It wasn't a bad episode, and it had its moments, but it was definitely was not what I was hoping for from the next-to-last episode of the season.

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I think the biggest takeaway - and this sort of answers a post above - is that he will totally "compromise" his creed for Grogu. He is definitely softening on the whole helmet thing. Seemed like that step in his character got lost a little in the episode, though.

redline248 said:

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combat wombat said:

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It wasn't a bad episode, and it had its moments, but it was definitely was not what I was hoping for from the next-to-last episode of the season.

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I think the biggest takeaway - and this sort of answers a post above - is that he will totally "compromise" his creed for Grogu. He is definitely softening on the whole helmet thing. Seemed like that step in his character got lost a little in the episode, though.

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One could even say his character has developed.

I thought there was some solid character development from Mando this episode. Also, Bill Burr was nails. Did not know he could act like that. He was able to really sell his emotion with his eyes during the scene at the table.

Bo Katan pointed out to Mando that the helmet thing isn't something modern Mandalorians do.

Bill Burr monologues about how everyone has their rules they follow, until circumstances require them to break them.

Something tells me Mando is going to leave the old way behind by the end of season 3. Might be a tied to Bo Katan and her plot line of retaking Mandalore.

Would be cool to see Mando reclaim the dark saber in the season 2 finale and S3 is all about finding Bo Katan and helping to reclaim Mandalore.

Excited for next week. They've done a great job with Boba Fett and sniper lady from S1.

78_Pacecar said:

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I know it's a small detail, but seeing the inside of Slave 1 rotate into position while the central platform holds steady on gyro is fulfilling to me.

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Same here! Took me a second to realize what was going on, then there was a sweet smile on my face.

bluefire579 said:

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Ag Since 83 said:

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I was worried they'd be found out after fighting the pirates because Mando was too competent a stormtrooper

Also, nice data security, Empire. Any old face will do

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I was thinking the same thing. "Confirmed, you do in fact have a face. Here's some classified data."

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This was actually the only thing that really bothered me in the whole episode...wasn't the whole point of Burr's character coming to make sure he could access the terminal? Unless there is some background to Mando working with imperials at some time in his past, but that seems like a stretch

gougler08 said:

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bluefire579 said:

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Ag Since 83 said:

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I was worried they'd be found out after fighting the pirates because Mando was too competent a stormtrooper

Also, nice data security, Empire. Any old face will do

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I was thinking the same thing. "Confirmed, you do in fact have a face. Here's some classified data."

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This was actually the only thing that really bothered me in the whole episode...wasn't the whole point of Burr's character coming to make sure he could access the terminal? Unless there is some background to Mando working with imperials at some time in his past, but that seems like a stretch

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He worked with them to find the child at the beginning of the series. Bounty hunters don't care who they work for. They needed Burr to figure out how to get in. He understands the lingo and mannerisms of the imps. Without him they would have been caught. He also knew where the terminal was.

I really enjoyed that episode...especially the theme of redemption at the end when Mayfeld blew up the refinery. I wish he'd stayed with the group though. I was disappointed when they left him behind.

I also think Pedro Pascal did a great job of conveying how uncomfortable and vulnerable Mando feels without his armor and helmet.

Pascal is doing a great job in this role, but I still can't help but think that his physical appearance is not what I expected when I first started watching. I think it's the voice, though. In my head his face just doesn't match the voice, even though I know it's altered by the armor and helmet.

TPS reports

God, that seismic charge is one of the sexiest sounds ever.

I thought this episode was SO much better than the last episode.

• Much better action
• Big character moment for Mando
• Great addition of character depth for Migs, which was very unexpected.
• Seeing Fett with new paint on his armor looked great.
• Good scene with the officer in the mess
• Very cool to actually cheer to see Tie fighters and storm troopers

This was probably my 3rd favorite episode of the season.

I agree, I loved it. And man Bill Burr can act.

I love Bill Burr, and this is by FAR the best acting he's ever done. He was fantastic.

That scene at the table would have made Tarantino proud. That was intense with some outstanding acting.

And although Pascal didn't really say/do much, he conveyed so much about how badly he felt not wearing his helmet. He was just so out of it as to be almost useless.

My mind immediately went to Inglorious Basterds in that scene.

I really give props to Pedro Pascal's acting. It's great because what he doesn't do. His restraint at the table made the scene. He's the straight man to Bill Burr and it grounds it into reality.

MuckRaker96 said:

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I think Bill Burr might have just won himself an emmy. Damn.

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I thought the same thing, incredible performance by Bill.

Although he was basically just playing himself in the scene in the juggernaut. The whole time he was talking I was just imagining him arguing with his wife having to get the last word in on Elvis stealing from black people.

jbryan10 said:

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redline248 said:

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combat wombat said:

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It wasn't a bad episode, and it had its moments, but it was definitely was not what I was hoping for from the next-to-last episode of the season.

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I think the biggest takeaway - and this sort of answers a post above - is that he will totally "compromise" his creed for Grogu. He is definitely softening on the whole helmet thing. Seemed like that step in his character got lost a little in the episode, though.

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One could even say his character has developed.

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Convincingly

INCREDIBLE episode!

Easily the second best episode of the entire series for me, just behind the Ahsoka episode.

Mando's ideals were finally challenged in thematic fashion that led to a legit crises of identity (quite literally, as he stood at that terminal), along with tangible character action (finally removing his helmet in front of people in order to do what needed to be done) that led to legit development. Then, using Gideon's own words against him there at the end, Mando's character arc was given a brilliant and perfect exclamation point to drive it all home.

It was all just so damn good.

Speaking of themes...

Freedom vs Order!

That *one* line better-summarized the entire thematic struggle of this franchise better than ANY of the three trilogies before it, even the OT. I seriously got chills during that sinister little soliloquy, to the point where I couldn't believe that particular, all-encompassing theme has never been expressed so eloquently and so effectively to make that exact point.

We also got...

Redemption!

Badass action!

Some of the overall best effects of the entire series!

Mando taken out of his comfort zone (and into a trooper uniform)!

TPS reports!

And, finally, if there's one thing I learned (or, relearned, rather) this episode is that EVERY iteration of Star Wars needs some version of what Bill Burr's character brought to this episode. Be it him or Han in the OT, Star Wars works so much better when there's a smart-ass questioning this world and playfully chiding the heroes we root for. Otherwise, we get the self-serious prequels in all their stilted glory, or even certain, wooden episodes of this very series. And yet, Burr was not only essential, as others have said, he was flat out amazing in this episode in terms of his performance as well. I too was really hoping he joined the team full-time there at the end.

Between yesterday's announcements, and this series finally seemingly having turned a corner in the past few episodes from fun, somewhat-mindless fan service, to legit great writing... man, I haven't been this excited for the future of the franchise in a long, long time.

This is the way!

Three things:

1. Mask Compliance: Bill Burr's comment on how much better you will feel if you remove the mask is directly attributive to current culture. He's counter culture and hates authority and his real life personality was exhibited in this episode. Give me more of him!

2. TPS Reports: Funny; already commented on.

3. The First Order: can't believe this hasn't been mentioned but we got our first connection between the Empire and the First Order in this episode during the conversation between Burr, Mando, and the Imperial Officer. The IO directly mentions all that matters to people is "ORDER" and that's whats coming.

What was seemingly a throw away episode was really so much more.

You might want to jump to 5:00 on this