The Mandalorian — Series 2 Episode 5 — Chapter 13 The Jedi — A Review

6th March, 2021.

Yes: it’s another Saturday night.

Where I don’t especially want to get to bed late … but, having watched the next episode of series two of The Mandalorian?

Wanted to get started on my review of the thing.

There’s possibly a couple of other things to mention, though.

The episode itself definitely seems to have been designed by someone who like murky, muddy … and Japanese … 

And dinner … ?

Was a rather good home made goulash: if I do say so, myself!

At any rate … ?

I’m going to hit the sack: I’ll be back, tomorrow.

~≈🚀≈~

7th March, 2021.

Episode 5 — Chapter 13 — The Jedi — opens with the usual of previous episodes: and reminding us that — in episode three, The Heiress — the Mandalorian, (Pedro Pascal) had been told he could find a Jedi called Ahsoka Tano, on the planet Corvus.

The scene shifts to the foggy world of Corvus: and shows us Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) confronting the Imperial magistrate called Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto), demanding information Elsbeth refuses to give.

Tano … ?   Gives Elsbeth a day … or else.

When the Mandalorian arrives?   He’s taken directly to Elsbeth.

Who offers him a very valuable reward, for bringing the Jedi in, dead.

Something the Mandalorian seems to agree to.

After all … ?

He wants to find Ahsoka, too.

And not for the reasons Elsbeth thinks … … … 

~≈🚀≈~

 Now … 

What did I make of The Jedi?

There’s possibly ups, downs and sideways, I think.

 For starters?

Can I make a confession?

I’ve never actually been to Japan!  Never seen a Japanese movie, either.

But I get the impression, from the few tourist guides, documentaries, movies and photos I’ve seen that the production crew had been influenced by bits of Japanese architecture, in designing Calodan: this episode’s setting.

The gates look vaguely like Torii, the traditional gates seen in Shinto temples.

Very vaguely, I’ll grant you; but similar enough for me to wonder.

The same with Elsbeth’s garden: it looked similar enough to some Japanese rock and water gardens I’d seen.

I’ve got dim — very dim! — memories of seeing Seven Samurai, many years ago: The Jedi’s climatic fight between Tano and Elsbeth, with it’s alternation of striking poses and sudden action?

Seemed reminiscent.

At least, they did, to me: someone who’s not ashamed to show his ignorance of a foreign nation.

If anyone can confirm that … ?

I’d appreciate it: I hate showing my ignorance!

There’s something else … 

I’m not necessarily what you call a huge Star Wars fan.

I’ve enjoyed to movies, over the years: and, when I was a lot younger?

Read one or two of the novels.

Back when there was literally only a couple.

The book of the original film, and Splinter of the Mind’s Eye: both by Alan Dean Foster.

So I’ve not followed the myriad of animated Star Wars spin-offs.

Including Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the animated series Ahsoka Tano first appeared in.

To me?

She’s a new character, and a very welcome one.

If for no other reason that this.

We know Jedi were massacred on the order of Emperor Palpatine, in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.

And, to me?

The idea that the only survivors of that massacre were Ben Kenobi and Yoda?

Seemed off.

Tano being another?

Confirmed — to me — that there were others.

All well and good.

Frankly?

Those bits and bobs?

Were that: very welcome bits of world building.

~≈🚀≈~

Moving on … ?

The episode itself?

About my only real complaint?

Is the simple fact that the colour scheme for the episode seemed very … muddy.

Scenes in Calodan, the city?   Mostly muddy green.

The forest?   Muddy yellow!

Anywhere else … ?

Distinctly muddy!

Bar that?

It’s a fine, well written, acted and designed piece … 

Frankly?

I’ll be watching another episode, next week: on Saturday, 13th March.

I’ll be writing my review, and posting the video version, next Sunday.

I’ll see you then!