The Mandalorian — Series 2 Episode 8 — Chapter 16 The Rescue — A Review

27th March, 2021.

Yes: I think I’m getting the hang of those revamped introduction videos.

Many moons ago, when I first got an iMac with a built in webcam?

It seemed a good idea to do a video intro: one that got posted to the blog.

Which — a couple of years in? — stopped working.

I still — to this day — do not know why.

So I started posting them to YouTube.

The fact they’re far more publicly accessible, there, means having to alter them.

Which I’m slowly getting the hang of, I think.

At any rate: yes, I’ve had Spaghetti, again: with homemade Bolognese sauce.

Yes: I’ve seen the last episode of The Mandalorian, series two.

Which has a surprise or two.

And yes: The Book of Boba Fett airs in December of 2021.

That’s something to look forward to … !

Now, if you’ll excuse me?    I’ll finish this, tomorrow night.

~≈⭐️≈~

28th March, 2021.

Right … it’s officially the next day: and the first day of British Summer Time, 2021.

Frankly, I’m never going to get used to British Summer Time: this amount of daylight, at 18:00, still, after a lifetime, still gets me.

Likewise, going DARK at 18:00 does, too: when we go back to Greenwich Mean Time.

Oy … veh … !

Let’s move on, shall we … ?

~≈⭐️≈~

Episode 8 — Chapter 16, The Rescue — opens with the usual summary of earlier episodes: then moves to show us Doctor Pershing’s (Omid Abthai) shuttlecraft, as it’s being chased by a ship flown by Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison), and with the Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal), and Cara Dune (Gina Carano) as a boarding party.

With Pershing in hand?   The group meet Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) … who agrees to help the team’s rescue of the Child.

With one condition … 

Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) has to surrender to her: personally.

With plans and conditions in place?

The team find Gideon’s light cruiser, a squad of Dark Troopers, a manacled Child … 

And the kind of problem they can only get out of … with a certain amount of help …

~≈⭐️≈~

Now, how was this episode?   Indeed, how was this series?

First things first.

The Rescue is a fantastic action piece.   The fights scenes are well co-ordinated, and flow from one point to another, with a rhythm and pace that are second to none.

The cast?   Perform well: and have a script that’s well plotted, and well written.

And that add bits and pieces of world building.

The Darksaber, it seems, is something that Bo-Katan needs to assume the throne of Mandalore.   Cara Dune’s past — as a survivor of the Death Star’s attack on Alderaan — is referred to, again.

Yes: I know Gina Carano and Disney have gone their separate ways.

That is quite definitely an issue for me: as she plays her part well.

That?   That and the lighting are about my only problems with the episode.

I’d’ve preferred a lilt more Imperial grey, rather than lots of black walls.

However?

Pedro Pascal, as Din Djaran, the main Mandalorian … ?

Does a superb job: both in the armour, and on the two occasions he takes the helmet off.

Granted: The Mandalorian is a space western, and heroes in westerns don’t take their hats off.

But the twice he’s done so, this series??

He says everything with his face.

It’s a bittersweet expression … 

To match a bittersweet ending to a nicely done series: that series the Child leaving … with Luke Skywalker.

Frankly, Series two has picked up from series one, told us an exciting and engaging story, set up a spin off — The Book of Boba Fett — and frankly?

Leaves me looking forward to series three of The Mandalorian: due in December of this year.

I’m looking forward to Christmas.