Disney’s The Mandalorian: Episodes 1 and 2 Reviewed by a Star Wars Wife

The Disney + new original series, The Mandalorian, directed by Jon Favreau, premiered on Nov 12. In the Star Wars timeline, this series would fall after the Return of the Jedi and before The Force Awakens.

Each episode is about 40 minutes (which feels just right), and new episodes are released every Friday.

My husband and son are huge Star Wars fans. So, of course, they loved the 1^st episode. I am a Star Wars fan by marriage….

SPOILER ALERT!

I glanced at the first episode they were watching, but nothing caught my attention, so I didn’t stay.

Then week 2 episode 2 arrived….. I sat for a minute to watch it with my son and saw BABY YODA! I loved him! I had no idea what was going on, but the character was so appealing to me, that I wanted to see more.  There was a hint that baby Yoda is actually 50 years old in the show (unless the Mandalorian retrieved the wrong bounty) and it appears that he has “The Force!”  He toddles when he walks, makes cute baby sounds, and moves his ears in an adorable gremlin way.  He also ats gross lizard things in one bite, but I’ll ignore that because it was funny.

Baby Yoda! I want to hug him!

So…. I watched episodes 1 and 2 together (accompanied by my husband and son who were happy to watch them again.)

I really enjoyed it! (episode 2 more than 1). There is the Star Wars feel from the original 3 Star Wars movies, but there is also a feel of an old fashioned western to it. “I can bring you in warm, or I can bring you in cold?” (episode one, said to a bad guy). A really good line. It has to be a quote from some old western, right?

The Mandalorian character

I wasn’t sure what to make of the main character (The Mandalorian) at first. He seems cold, but he is a bounty hunter after all, and he appears to be very good at his job.  However, as you watch more of the series, he becomes more human and likable. It is the second episode in his interactions with Baby Yoda that start to humanize his character.  The Jawas rob him and the mother of the “hairy egg” delivers a beating to the previously unbeaten Mandalorian which also makes you want to side with him.

Of course, there are the required Star Wars battles and barroom brawls between The Mandalorian and various strange-looking aliens.  As well as an Indiana Jones-style chase seen with the Jawas and their sand crawler.

“Mando” carries a cool laser pitchfork that blasts things. He did a great job disintegrating the annoying Jawas who had damaged his ship that was very satisfying.

There were a few bits of humor which is required if you want to hold my attention.  The jawas were pretty funny.  They insulted the Mandalorian when he spoke Jawa, said he sounded “like a wookie.”

Memorable quotes

“We have you 4 to 1.” And the Mandalorian replies, “I like those odds.”

“Do not self destruct! We’re shooting our way out.” 

“Anyone else?”

“Do you understand this?”  (Then he uses a flamethrower on the Jawas. Then they understood.)

“I have spoken.”

If your kids like the show, then the quote “I have spoken” (said many times in episode 2 by Kuiil a strange but helpful guide) is great to use with your kids at home after you have given them a command.

There are very few shows that I can enjoy watching with my 10 and 13 year old kids. Either they are boring kid shows or just not appropriate for kids.

The Mandalorian is a show we can watch as a family and look forward to each week.

Recommendation for The Mandalorian: 

Yes!!  👍 👍  2 thumbs up!