The Mandalorian — Series 2 Episode 7 — Chapter 15 The Believer — A Review

20th March, 2021.

Yes … 

This is getting to be something of a habit, by now.

Sitting in from of a screen, I should say.

Right now?   I’m sitting in front of a computer screen: having had a dinner that’s either too big, too small, or just too damn unhealthy for my own good.

An — arguably — home made cheese burger.

Or home cooked, at least.

Eaten whilst watching Star Trek Lower Decks: which I’m not going to write about.

There’s only so much time in the day, after all!

At any rate … ?

I have seen episode 7 of The Mandalorian.

And, with some Dave Brubeck in the background?

Wanted to set up my review of the episode, tonight: and finish it, tomorrow.

It gives me the chance to tell you to take … five … 

~≈V≈~

21st March, 2021.

Episode 7 — Chapter 15 — The Believer — opens with the usual summary of previous episodes.

Then shifts: and shows us Marshal Cara Dune (Gina Carano), ordering the release of Migs Mayfield (Bill Burr).

The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) needs his help.   In order to rescue the Child*, the team needs to find his captor, Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito).

And to do that … ?   They need to find out where the Moff is: by accessing an Imperial database, on an Imperial computer, in an Imperial base mining rhydonium, on Morak … 

One that only Mayfield can access.

Getting to Morak’s no problem.

Getting into the base, on the other hand?

Is going to be tricky.

Even WITH a set of keys† … !

~≈V≈~

Now … what did I make of the penultimate episode of The Mandalorian?

Was it good?   Bad?   Indifferent?

Called The Believer for a reason … ?

I think I can safely say it’s called The Believer for a reason: even if I’m not sure of why.

I think it’s a reference to the Mayfield character.

A man who’s very sure about his beliefs, and that he and the Mandalorian are very much alike: saying “I’m a survivor, just like you,” at one point.

I don’t know: but that makes about as much sense as anything else.

That’s one question.

Is it good or bad, I hear you asking?

I’d say it’s another good little episode.

The writing’s good, the plot — a sci-fi train robbery, told from the train Driver’s viewpoint — nicely done, the action, flawless.

And frankly?   The second appearance of Bill Burr’s Mayfield character, impeccably done.

Frankly?

I’m going to be watching the last episode of The Mandalorian — episode 8, The Rescue — on Saturday, 27th March, and writing about it, the day after.

I’d love it if you joined me!

*        Yes, I know he’s called Grogu: but I’ve been calling him ‘The Child,’ for the past seven weeks.   Live with it!

†        I personally think the screenshots I produce from QuickTime are better than the ones from vlc.   As much as I like vlc’s ability to literally play any format of video?   The muddies of its screenshots is something I don’t like.

vlc screenshot

Quicktime screenshot