The Mandalorian — Series 3 Episode 7 — Chapter 23 “The Spies” — A Review

10th July, 2023.   The Introduction.

Yes: it’s true.

You’ll be very aware it’s Monday, that I’m going to be having dinner — a burger, so you know — and will be watching the next episode of The Mandalorian, once I’ve had that.

While I’m writing this intro, though?

I’m listening to the opening episode of the new series of I’m Sorry, I Haven’t a Clue.

Right now?

Pippa Evans is singing the words of The Teddy Bears Picnic … to the tune of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah!

I would seriously give that show a listen: especially if you’ve never heard it!

~≈👽≈~

At any rate … ?

It’s Monday: so … ?

I’m going to be having dinner, watching an old friend’s comic book video … then watching “The Spies” … 

I’ll be seeing you, tomorrow … !

~≈👽≈~

11th July, 2023: “The Spies”.

Episode 7 — Chapter 23 — “The Spies” — opens with the usual summary of earlier episodes.

Then shifts: to show us Coruscant, the New Republic’s capital, where Elia Kane (Katie M. O’Brian), the spy of the episode’s title, is reporting to Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) … telling her boss that the pirates they had sent to conquer Navarro had failed … 

As they had been beaten off by Mandalorians!

Post titles?

Post titles, and after a meeting of Imperial loyalists, we see Mandalorian forces led by Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) arriving at Navarro: where they — and Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) — are made welcome by the Armourer (Emily Swallow.)

And, in the welcome feast ordered by the Armourer?   We find out exactly what Bo-Katan’s plans are.

The re-conquest of Mandalore.

Things could get sticky.

Especially if someone’s hiding in the ruins of Mandalore.

~≈👽≈~

Now … brevity … and fun … ?

I’ve made it perfectly clear over the past few weeks: one reason I’ve enjoyed The Mandalorian, is simply the length of the episodes.

For the most part?

Nearer to forty minutes, than any longer.

Which is fine by me: the older I get, the more I appreciate shortness.

The fifty-six minutes of “The Spies”?   Takes the average, so far, to some forty-eight minutes.

I’m not complaining about the average … 

But the length of “The Spies”, specifically, was pushing it.

That said?

The length had me fidgeting in my seat … but — as with earlier episodes — the pacing, didn’t.

That was well done.

The good pacing counter-balances, and off-sets, the length, very well.

Dialogue-wise?

I think there’s possibly a problem with some of the dialogue: especially in the scenes of the feast.

But, again, with that said?

The overall performances — especially Sackhoff’s regal turn as Bo-Katan Kryze — are rock solid.

There’s also the scene where Grogu — Baby Yoda — gets a new toy: courtesy of Greef Karga (Carl Weathers.)

Wandering around a market with a grabby toddler never seemed as much fun.

So … ?

With all that said … ?

Have I seen a good episode?

Or a bad one?

Frankly, I’ve seen a good one.

Granted, some of the dialogue’s stilted, and the episode is possibly a little too long.

But?

It’s those flaws are outweighed by good pacing, great fight scenes, fun with Grogu, a regal performance form Katee Sackhoff, an on-form Pedro Pascal … 

And one heck of a cliff-hanger ending.

You can’t ask more from a penultimate episode!

Frankly?

I’ll be watching Chapter 24, “The Return”, on 17th July, 2023: and giving you my written and video reviews on the 18th July.

In between now and then?

I’ll be watching the next episode of Star Trek Strange New Worlds — “Charades” — on Friday, 14th July: and posting my written and video reviews of it by Saturday, 15th July.

I’ll see you then!

“The Spies”.

★★★★