Last week’s episode of Star Wars: The Mandalorian was a bit silly, but it ended with a big moment. Thanks to some moderate mental gymnastics (and thoroughly kicking Axe Woves‘ ass), Bo-Katan Kryze has rightfully reclaimed the Darksaber. She now leads Din Djarin and a united group of Mandalorians back to their home planet so they can reclaim it.
Unfortunately for them, the recently escaped Moff Gideon has very different plans — both for the Mandalorians and the galaxy.
As always, the recap portion of this review will contain plenty of spoilers along with some brief explorations of Star Wars lore.
Zooming Toward Fascism
Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Disney+)
The episode opens with former Imperial Communications officer Elia Kane walking alone in a shady part of Coruscant. She’s eventually approached by an Imperial probe droid, which turns out to be a means for her to secretly communicate with Moff Gideon (and completely obliterate my theory about her “reforming” by using her sociopathic skillset for the New Republic).
Kane informs her old/current boss that the Mandalorians have reunited under Bo-Katan, which I assume she learned by scanning emails at her New Republic office job. Gideon is miffed about this new development and vows to deal with the issue personally.
After hanging up with Kane, he walks by a group of soldiers in Mandalorian-esque armor, through a lab filled with cloning science experiments, and into a meeting room (all of which presumably reside in his secret lair). He’s greeted by a circle of holograms projecting various Imperial warlords, who appear to have already started a Zoom meeting without him.
*Side Note: Most of these folks are unnamed, but two are established and interesting characters — especially for fans of Star Wars Legends stories (i.e. pre-Disney and technically no longer canon) or expanded universe tales from the Sequel Trilogy:
- Admiral Gilad Pellaeon, who was Admiral Thrawn‘s right-hand man in Legends continuity. Before now, the admiral’s only appearance in the current canon was his voice being heard during the series finale of ‘Star Wars: Rebels.’
- Commandant Brendol Hux, who was the father of Armitage Hux (the red-haired Imperial bad guy for most of the Sequel Trilogy). Brendol Hux will eventually be assassinated in secret by none other than Captain Phasma.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Disney+)
As Gideon enters, Admiral Pellaeon admonishes one of the other warlords for his brazen attacks on the New Republic. He believes that revealing themselves as more than a disorganized remnant could spur the New Republic into stepping up their efforts to hunt them down.
As other warlords voice their support for more forceful tactics, Pellaeon explains that their efforts must not be wasted before the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn. Once he arrives, it will bring the Imperial military back to its true glory while also providing Commandant Hux with enough time to deliver on Project Necromancer.
*Side Note: We’ve discussed Admiral Thrawn enough in these reviews that everyone should have at least a passing familiarity with him. If not, then you really owe it to yourself to read the ‘Heir to the Empire Trilogy‘ (Legends), the Imperial Trilogy (Canon), and/or watch ‘Star Wars: Rebels‘ — or at least read one of the many articles about this fantastic character.
As for Project Necromancer, that’s very likely a reference to the creation of a cloned body for the consciousness of Emperor Palpatine (who infamously returned in ‘Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker’).
Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Disney+)
Gideon jumps in to say that it doesn’t seem wise to base so many of their actions on the return of a man who has yet to show up to a meeting. Pellaeon counters that their success depends on the secrecy of Thrawn’s return, prompting Gideon to respond with more skepticism about the legendary commander’s impending presence. Gideon then suggests that it may be time for new leadership, prompting some of the warlords to agree.
Hux takes the air out of Gideon’s proposal by stating that Project Necromancer is “in place for that.” He then asks the moff about Dr. Pershing and the research he promised to produce. After Gideon admits that Pershing and his research have been captured by the New Republic, Hux presses him about rumors that he’s been conducting his own mad science experiments on Nevarro.
Gideon counters that cloning was always Hux’s obsession, not his. He then explains how he and the other warlords can only account for what happens in their sectors with a minimal amount of resources. Meanwhile, Palleon and Hux get to amass/utilize exponentially more resources in service of absentee leadership.
*Side Note: Even if in a galaxy far far away, shifting blame like this remains a classic corporate meeting tactic.
Hux scoffs and points out that they already received Gideon’s request for three Praetorian Guards and a squad of TIE Interceptors.
*Side Note: Praetorian Guards were the red-clad warriors who were supposed to be protecting Supreme Leader Snoke in ‘Episode VIII: The Last Jedi’ before Kylo Ren chopped him in half. This led to one of the only moments in the film that Star Wars fans universally agree on (or at least enjoy).
When asked what has him so spooked, the moff responds with an additional request for TIE Bombers before revealing that a large group of Mandalorians has amassed in preparation to retake their homeworld.
Upon hearing this, even Palleon expresses concern over how a resurgent Mandalore could throw a wrench in their plans. Gideon agrees before declaring that the Mandalorian threat needs to be dealt with immediately. The warlords concur and pledge to provide him with the resources that he’s requested.
Tribal Tension
Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Disney+)
Over on Nevarro, the citizens become concerned when an Imperial light cruiser appears over the capital city accompanied by a fleet of Kom’rk-class fighters. High Magistrate Greef Karga sees the Mythosaur emblem painted on the light cruiser’s hull and realizes that it’s Din Djarin and his Mandalorian allies.
He arrives at the landing site to find an uneasy mix of Din Djarin‘s tribe and Bo-Katan’s crew. The Armorer welcomes their guests and announces a feast to celebrate their arrival, but it does little to dissipate the tension — especially after Bo-Katan’s people all take off their helmets.
While that awkwardness is marinating, Karga takes Djarin back to the capital to present him with a gift — IG-11 retrofitted into a mech suit for Grogo (dubbed IG-12). Djarin’s concerns about Grogu causing mischief with his newfound mobility are immediately proven correct, but he allows him to keep the present, anyway.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Disney+)
That evening, Bo-Katan tells the gathered Mandalorians what her plan is to retake the planet. Despite Mandalore being bombarded, native species have survived and begun to lay claim to part of it. The planet’s magnetic field is also completely disrupted, which will prevent any attempts to scan the surface from orbit. Before sending their entire combined group down, she’ll take a recon team to make sure the area is clear and locate the Great Forge.
Although it takes a moment for her to find volunteers for the mission, she eventually has a crew that includes Din Djarin, Mech Suit Grogu, Axe Woves, Koska Reeves, Paz Vizsla, and the Armorer.
Be Our Guests
Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Disney+)
After arriving on Mandalore and making it to the surface, the recon team encounters a giant land speeder that looks suspiciously like a pirate ship. Upon recognizing Bo-Katan’s voice and Nite Owl armor, three occupants use their jetpacks to fly over and pledge themselves to her. Turns out that they’re part of a Mandalorian refugee group who’s been surviving/wandering the planet for years (and have super convenient timing).
Once everyone’s aboard, the refugees tell Din Djarin’s tribe how the Empire bombed them twice as punishment for not surrendering. Bo-Katan interrupts the story to reveal that she actually did try to surrender after the Night of a Thousand Tears, considering it the only option to save her people. She even handed over the Darksaber to Moff Gideon, who promptly betrayed her and massacred her people anyway.
Later, Din Djarin assures Bo-Katan that she’s a great leader because of who she is — not because of her bloodline or the weapon she yields. It’s also why he follows her.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Disney+)
The next day, the Armorer takes the Mandalorian refugees who are too weak or wounded to fight back to the light cruiser in orbit over Mandalore. Meanwhile, the others join the combined tribes and take them to the Great Forge. On the way there, Paz and Axe nearly kill each other over a game, but are stopped from doing so by Grogu.
Later, the ship is attacked by a dragon-like creature, forcing the Mandalorians to abandon ship. Luckily, the attack occurs very close to the entrance to the Great Forge. As the group traverses the caverns, they’re ambushed by Gideon’s Mandalorian-lite soldiers. Axe is sent to get reinforcements while the rest of the real Mandalorians beats back the assault. Unfortunately, the retreating enemies lead them right into the secret Imperial hangar/lair of Moff Gideon.
A pair of large doors (with cinematic windows) slam shut, trapping Djarin and three extras on one side with the rest of their people unable to help them. The extras die (obviously), but Djarin puts up a hell of a fight before being subdued.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Disney+)
Moff Gideon flies down sporting his own Darktrooper armor and a cool Mandalorian-esque helmet. After sending Djarin off to be tortured, Gideon monologues a bit about how he’s the ultimate improvement to the suit’s design along with his plans for the future. Turns out that the moff used the planet’s beskar to equip his own army. In time, he hopes to combine aspects of the Jedi, Mandalorians, and cloners to create a race of supersoldiers to bring order to the galaxy.
Once his genocidal soliloquy is complete, Gideon orders his TIEs to attack the Mandalorian fleet before demanding that Bo-Katan hander over the Dark Saber. In response, Bo-Katan begins cutting a hole in the door behind them. Realizing that she won’t surrender again, Gideon opens the door and orders his troops to kill everyone.
Paz lays down cover fire, allowing the Mandalorians to escape and hopefully reach the fleet before they’re ambushed. Bo-Katan demands that Paz follow them, but he insists on staying to cover their retreat. He’s able to take down the Imperial troops in impressive fashion, but is no match for the Praetorian Guards, who execute him.
The Verdict
Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Disney+)
Oof.
I was definitely not prepared to feel this upset over Paz Vizsla’s death. I think we all knew it was coming in that final scene, but watching him drop to the floor like that was still heartbreaking — especially after such a brutal and fantastic fight.
Paz vs. Imperial Troopers was one of many great action sequences in “The Spies.” From the scuffle onboard the ship to the brawl inside the tunnels, everything was exceptionally well-choreographed and shot. The only action scene that didn’t work for me was the monster destroying the ship. It continued this season’s bizarre tradition of a random creature causing problems with a solution that conveniently moves the plot forward.
Also, as much as I love Moff Gideon (and Giancarlo Esposito), his detailed monologue was dangerously close to becoming ridiculous. On the flip side of that, his opening scene with the Shadow Council was pitch-perfect.
There was a lot of give-and-take like that in this episode.
- Having a random group of Mandalorians show up was weird, but it led to that powerful scene where Bo-Katan confessed her shame over surrendering to Moff Gideon (and Din Djarin pledged his loyalty to her).
- Having the beskar-armored troops turn out to be Imperials instead of Gideon-loyal Mandalorians was a letdown, but it provided our Mandalorians with worthy opponents instead of more cannon-fodder stormtroopers.
- The Grogu mech suit was absurd, but allowed us to see the little guy show some agency at a pivotal moment.
And then there was that last shot of Paz Vizsla falling to the floor. Once again, he put it all on the line for people he’d previously shown nothing but contempt for. Say what you want about the guy, but he truly means it when he says “This Is The Way.”
Or “said,” I guess. Let’s hope his heroic sacrifice helps set up a great season three finale.
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