Released on March 1st, The Mandalorian series returns to Disney+ after more than 2 years. However, an explanation needs to be made before continuing further. Din Djarin (played by Pedro Pascal) and Grogu (played by Grogu) appeared in the spin-off, The Book of Boba Fett which in that show changes the storyline transition of season 2 going into season 3 of The Mandalorian. At the end of season 2, Grogu is accepted by Luke Skywalker to continue his training as a Jedi and Djarin left to reconcile with his Mandalorian faction. In the spin-off, Djarin seeks to make contact with the Armorer and is told after showing her the darksaber, he needs to return to Mandalore and bathe within the mines’ water in order to atone for his sins. Throughout several episodes in The Book of Boba Fett, we also learn that Grogu despite having reunited with the Jedi is clouded by his attachment with Djarin. Who actually visits the planet Grogu is being trained on but the two don’t meet face to face. Djarin leaves the planet after having a conversation with Ashoka Tano (played by Rosario Dawson) but not before leaving Grogu a cute chainmail armor made out of beskar. This sets in motion later in the episode with Grogu having decided against receiving Yoda’s lightsaber to reunite with his dad per-say.
Now begins the review for The Apostate, which is Chapter 17 for The Mandalorian and the entry to the third season of the show. Where we begin with a ceremony of a new foundling receiving their helmet. However, before the ceremony reaches its conclusion an enormous creature that looks like an alligator attacks. The Mandalorians struggle with the creature until an N-1 starfighter arrives and causes its stomach to explode. Din Djarin and Grogu arrive heroically and afterward have a conversation with the Armorer (played by Emily Sallow). She continues with the statement that Djarin is no longer a Mandalorian, but Djarin reiterates his ongoing task that by decree can atone for his sins of removing his helmet. The two then depart to Nevarro to visit an old friend or two. Along the way in hyperspace, Purrgil which are hyperspace traveling whales make their first live-action appearance! Grogu spots them in the hyperspace tunnel alongside their ship and looks in awe, then seeks comfort with a sleeping Djarin. The two land on Nevarro which has since become an Outer Rim trading hub and are warmly welcomed by High Magistrate Greef Karga (played by Carl Weathers). Karga talks to Djarin about the new developments as well as hoping that the two settle down. Unfortunately, Djarin states his journey isn’t over yet but considers it after all is done. Soon pirates visiting in town cause a disturbance which Karga, Djarin and Grogu head over to intercept. The pirates aggressively want to use a former bar turned school to drink and Karga assertively tell them the fact as well as leading them away from the children. A brief shootout occurs leading only the pirate group’s leader to run off. Karga then pushes the need of a marshal and explains that Cara Dune had been recruited into the New Republic Special Forces. That Djarin should be the new marshal and settle down, but the offer is declined. Djarin presses for his quest and asks to somehow resurrect IG-11 who is now a commemorative statue using his remaining parts. Afterward, Djarin fixes what remains of IG-11 but it defaults to its original programming of terminating Grogu. IG-11 is taking out temporarily and is recommended by Karga to be repaired by professional droidsmiths in town. The Anzellans, who appear absolutely cute in their stop-motion/puppeted movement alongside Grogu and an oversized Djarin in their shop. Explaining that IG-11 is poodoo and could be possibly fixed by a new but rare memory circuit. Thus beginning a new side quest because Djarin believes that IG-11 could help him and Grogu survive on Mandalore’s mines. Departing Nevarro, their N-1 ship is attacked by the same pirate faction that caused a disturbance in town. Djarin manages to take out all but one of the fighters who led his ship to the pirate group’s flagship owned by Pirate King Gorian Shard. The N-1 evades the trap by using their accelerator as Shard yells in frustration. Djarin and Grogu land on a planet next to a Mandalorian castle that belongs to none other than, Bo-Katan Kryze (played by Katee Sackhoff). Looking off in the distance of her castle in gloom. Djarin asks her what has transpired since their rescue of Grogu seen in the previous season. Explaining that since Djarin is in possession of the darksaber and not her, her followers flocked to become mercenaries. He explains of his task and asks about the mines of Mandalore which she continues to push that his faction of Mandalorians are fanatics. Purely believing in superstition and baloney. She tells him where to go and bids farewell with her stern and defeated demeanor.
Despite having a long-winded explanation, the episode itself only ran for 36 minutes. Lot of ground to cover between season 2’s ending and a brief trip in the spin-off of the Book of Boba Fett. However, it’s great that Djarin and Grogu have reunited because their chemistry is absolutely delightful. Demonstrating the journey of a single father and an orphan child becoming adopted out of circumstances that blossoms into a story that continues to make the show one of the best Disney has brought out in the franchise. The show continues to push the technology behind the Volume and as the industry in of itself learns to put it in other ways that makes it less stationary. Like the opening scene dealing with the enormous creature battle near a desert shore, which makes a blend between various sets. Yes, the creature did appear out of place and looked fake, but lots of movements occurred that you have give a hand to the team. For the rest of the episode, the tech itself continues to shine in creating an ever growing world and grounding for The Mandalorian. For the following episode, we’ll soon learn where the two find IG-11’s new memory circuit to fully revive him as well as the consequences of Pirate King Gorian Shard, who appears to be a potential obstacle for Nevarro sooner or later.
It earns a 3 out of 5.
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