Released on April 5th, we begin after the decision of retaking Mandalore had been declared. A freighter ship is flying in space and gets intercepted by an Imperial cruiser. The freighter’s captain is a Quarren with a mixed-species crew. At first, they try to soothe speak to appeal the Imperials who later identifies as neither but privateer. Turns out, Nite Owl Mandalorians now led by Axe Woves (played by Simon Kassiandies) are on a mission to retrieve the Mon Calamari Prince present on the freighter. Pretty much a Romeo and Juliet scenario.
We then transition onto planet Plazir-15, Bo-Katan Kryze (played by Katee Sackhoff), Grogu (played by Grogu) and Din Djarin (played by Pedro Pascal) are en-route to meet with the Nite Owls. Their ship is automatically piloted away from the Mandalorian fleet towards the Capital. Believing it to be a trap, it turns out they’re requested by the Royal Government. A royal banquet is in session led by the Duchess (played by Lizzo) and Captain Bombardier (played by Jack Black) also present are other alien species. Kryze and Djarin appear uncomfortable and impatient as they’re eager to leave the banquet to meet with the Mandalorians. Unfortunately, the odd Royal couple give them a condition before they’re able to be granted an audience. They tell Kryze and Djarin that they have a droid problem, battle droids that is. Which clearly captures Djarin’s attention. Grogu is eagerly cared after by the Duchess as the two personalities click. Kryze and Djarin then head over to meet with the planet’s security officer, Commissioner Helgait (played by Christopher Lloyd). Who explains the situation, the form of government and way of life on Plazir-15 which is purely democratic and reliant on the droids. Shutting the droids down would cause utter chaos. Helgait hints that the planet’s Ugnaughts can give them better guidance on what could be causing the droids to malfunction. When the two arrive to the droid facility, the Ugnaughts are hard at work. Ignoring Kryze who attempts to grab their attention with authority, until Djarin takes the lead. Speaking in a manner that the Ugnaughts would understand and mentioning Kuiil (seen in the first season). The Ugnaughts refuse to believe the droids have a problem and its the citizens of Plazir-15’s fault. Djarin continues to speak respectfully, reiterating their hard-working ethics and believes them. The lead Ugnaught hands Djarin data on where its plausible the next malfunctioning droid could be. The two then head over to a docking location, where numerous Super Battle Droids now reprogrammed for manual labor are supervised by a Battle Droid. Kryze talks to it while Djarin starts kicking around the Super Battle Droids, hoping it would trigger something. It finally does and the droid sprints off as the chase begins. Djarin ends up tackling the droid down with Kryze firing at it. They find a pad on the droid that gives them a clue to a nearby Droid Bar. There, questioning the droid bartender, who alongside other droids believe in continuing their servitude for organics rather than being sent off for scraps. Which they hope the droid malfunctioning problem gets resolved. The bartender explains the droid intake a lubricant that can aid in their self-repairs. The scene then transitions to a morgue, where the lab tech looks into a microscope observing the particles from the lubricant. Turns out they’re Clone War-related particles that reverts the droid back to a combative state. After a brief dangerous encounter, the two then use the lead which turns out the import of the lubricant having been authorized by Helgait. They meet with him at the security center, going on a threatening tirade about the failures of the Republic and Empire. Revealing to still be a Separatist but is then stunned by Kryze, being annoyed by him. The three now meet with the Royal couple, as the Duchess and Captain Bombardier are disappointed with Helgait. Mentioning the need for forgiveness as Bombardier being former Imperial is learning the error of his ways. Perhaps Helgait could find forgiveness but for now, the Duchess sentences him to exile. The three, Kryze, Grogu and Djarin are now granted an audience with the Mandalorians.
The situation is somewhat tense, Woves and his Nite Owls standoff with Kryze and Djarin. Kryze tries to reason but then demands a duel for leadership. The fight goes off with both sides seeming to tip for a win. Kryze ends up being victorious but Woves states the retaking of Mandalore can’t happen without her possessing the darksaber. Djarin then explains that Kryze does have ownership of the darksaber now. With now the Nite Owls are under her leadership.
Guns for Hire is a wild episode, depending on where you find yourself in. There is loads of callback to Clone Wars, having been run under Dave Filoni. It even feels like one where filler episodes doesn’t appear to continue the story. It does, it just lots of fan service for Clone Wars fans in general. It also has lots of celebrities appearing this episode, simply having fun as the episode’s direction led to a good cop/bad cop scenario. Kryze has now reconnected with the Nite Owls and is firmly in leadership position. Now its for the Nite Owls to meet with Djarin’s covert and to see if the retaking can now happen.
It earns a 4 out of 5.
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