Tuesday 27 June 2023

The Mandalorian — Series 3 Episode 5 — Chapter 21 The Pirate — A Review

26th June, 2023: “The Pirate”.


It’s got to be said: Monday’s can be exciting.

Really!

At least they could be, if they really wanted to be!

You can tell I’m boiling vegetables, can’t you … ?

Yes: it’s Monday, and I’m doing dinner.

Once I’ve had that?

I’ll be watching the next episode of The Mandalorian: and posting my reviews, tomorrow.

The episode’s about pirates: which can only make Monday’s more interesting.

~≈🏴‍☠️≈~


Episode 5 — Chapter 21 — “The Pirate” — opens with the usual summary of earlier series and episodes.

It reminds us that Din Djarin — the Mandalorian of the show’s title, played by Pedro Pascal — now owns the legendary Darksaber.

Reminds us that Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) has been sent to be tried by the New Republic.

And that Din Djarin has been offered land on the planet Nevarro.

~≈🏴‍☠️≈~

The scene, post titles, shifts.

To show us High Magistrate Greef Karga (Carl Weathers): Nevarro’s leader is busily meeting with various engineers, and planning the main city’s new spaceport.

And discussing the placing of new facilities.

When, to his shock?

Nevarro is attacked: by the pirate forces led by Gorian Shard (voiced by Nonso Anozie).

Gorian Shard … ?

Is not exactly happy his troops have been kicked off of Nevarro.

~≈🏴‍☠️≈~

Now … what did I make of “The Pirate”?

What did I think: was it good, bad, or bloody fantastic?

First things first?

The key scene — scenes? — of the whole episode were the great big battle scenes!

One thing I know the Star Wars franchise does very well, is simple a good old fashioned battle!

The climactic Death Star battle in the origin movie, the Battle of Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi’s Death Star battle: and the accompanying duel between Vader and Skywalker.

I could go on.

My point?

Is that when the franchise does a set piece dog-fight?   It knows what it’s doing.

And frankly?

The set piece aerial dog-fights  in “The Pirate” — between the invading pirates, and the Kryze led Mandalorians — is a fine piece of work, indeed!

Overall … ?

The episode is a very well told take on an old trope: it’s the Star Wars version of The Seven Samurai/Magnificent Seven.

The old “Bandits are raiding our village, Señor!” trope, in other words.

And … ?

I don’t think I’ve seen a take on the concept this much fun, for some time!

It’s ALSO one that’s got something of a twist in the tales.

Yes: Bo-Katan Kryze takes off her helmet!   On the orders of the Armourer (Emily Swallow)!

With the rest of the Mandalorians not batting an eyelid!

This is both the way … and very watchable.

“The Pirate” is a very good episode, indeed!

~≈🏴‍☠️≈~

Does that mean I’ll be watching another episode, next week?

Will I be watching Chapter 22, “Guns for Hire”, on 3rd July, 2023: and giving you my written and video reviews on the 4th July?

Yes!

In between now and then?

Will I be watching the next episode of Star Trek Strange New Worlds — “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow” — on Friday, 30th June: and will I be posting my written and video reviews of it on Saturday, 1st July?

You bet I will!

Frankly?

I’d like to see more dog fights!

“The Pirate”.
★★★★

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