Mandalorian S3

[Syren]

Are we not going to talk about S3?

Here's the thing - I still maintain that various entries can and should maintain their own scope and tone but feel like we were a bit spoiled with Andor. That was a legit stellar entry into the franchise whereas everything else (my opinion) feels like a contribution toward "Marvel-ification" which does not bode well for Mando. While I am loving the fact that Bo-Katan is killing it (never watched any of the animated stuff where she originated but do champion Sackhoff as a genre vet), S3 is largely aimless thus far which bolsters my theory that it is merely a table-setting to greater things to come (e.g. Ahsoka, etc.). That is not, in and of itself, bad but feels wasteful of the characters and material.

This is also disappointing because Mando was the first live-action show and came out swinging so the creative choices (e.g. S2.5 in BoBF) leave me wondering if leadership can find a good balance with these various tones to showcase the nuance of this vast universe in a meaningful way. I also understand that toxic fandom (led by increasingly obnoxious incels) tries to blame every shortcoming on a female character, director, etc. which does not help and is absolutely not the case. Look at the sequel trilogy - two male directors fucked that shit up all by themselves without a compelling (or even complimentary) narrative drive. So, yeah. I can hold dear what SW meant to me as a child and growing up while still allowing space for it to evolve and grow into something new. For me, it's about consistency, regardless of focus or tone and (so far) Mando S3 is a bit scattered.

Thoughts?

[SWSF Eidolon]

I didn't watch this weeks episode yet


  But so far I am have enjoyed S3 mostly. The Imperial Remnant factor has gotten much more interesting, the early episode dedicated to the doctor and the non-rehabilitated girl was a cool refreshing view of things.  I'm tired of Grogu, but that's only because I'd prefer and Ewok at this point ;p

  The Mandalorian arch itself has been good.  Jack Black and Lizzo episode was cool.  I could do without Grogu but whatever, merchandising has to keep the brand alive ultimately I suppose.



  Goran Shard episode has been by far my favorite.  Great fun piece.  The whole NR portrayal has been awesome I think.  Just a bureaucratic beast infected with administrative lethargy.  Although the end result of Navarros plea being the NR pilot dude having to drag the Mandalorians out of their cave was kind of a bunk connection of strands.


  Armourer sending Bo Katan out without helmet was awesome and accepting the variation of The Way.  The way Favreau/Filoni blended the Legend state of Mandalore and the new Canon version was decent.  I'm keen to see the Mandalorians return to their world and thrive.

  Ima guess for the sake of the larger picture though, they end up being gobbled up somehow by the First Order.





  It seems somewhat scattered but I guess it's because the total scope has grown so much.  The story of the NR and the IR, Din, Grogu, Mandalorian Diaspora, Navarros experience.


  Style-wise I agree with the Marvel-ification diagnosis but that is expected from Favreau, as for content substance thankfully he seems to be a real fan himself and Filoni material I always enjoyed anyways.  There is so much out of Mandalorian from S1E1 to S3E6 that I've seen that is clearly pulled in concept from WEG sourcebooks it's insane and I love it.  Goran Shards ship hull is bogued from Qektoth Confederation Attack Cruiser from Darkstryder Campaign books https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Qektoth_attack_cruiser

  Andor cannot be the measuring bar though, it is too good.
 

[Medivh]

First off, in the last episode with Moff Gideon, I was definitely thinking he reminded me of Alexander Winton.
(1) Elite member of Empire
(2) intelligent, conniving, strategic, deceitful
(3) Obsessed with cloning technology
(4) always looking out for himself above anyone and anything else
(5) cannot be trusted to keep his agreements.

Syren - what do you think?

Overall, I kind of agree: unlike seasons 1 and 2, which were much more internalized, Season 3 has so far been setting up for what is to come, rather than developing the internal story (I have not watched the finale yet). It's not that I don't like it, but it's just missing the gravitas of the first two seasons.  It does feel like marvelication.

For what its worth, I love how Favreau and Filoni have borrowed from the old EU/now legends story, to bring back characters like Thrawn. If you want to see their portrayal of him and how it's fairly faithful to how he's depicted in the books, I suggest watching seasons 3 and 4 of Rebels (if you have time).  He has that calculating nature, including his study of art and culture of his foes, and the voice works, so I am looking forward to seeing him in live action.  Really, that's what it's all about.

It's not as deep or gritty as S1 or S2, or Andor, but I'm fairly low-maintenance when it comes to enjoying Star Wars

[Syren]

Very Winton-esque in his approach. 

Not sure how I feel about that finale which seemed more like a series finale than a season. Interested to see where they go from here.

[SWSF Eidolon]

Finale was great I thought and I'm not usually a sucker for so much action.  The Dark Saber being cast away as a meaningless trinket was interesting.  Beskar Stormies are terrifying!

Series vs Season Finale: They've been saying awhile Pedro is out, Bo Katan is The Mandalorian in S4.  Thrawn appears clearly as telegraphed from Gideons grilling of Palleon about never seeing him yet.  Chiss space and even Bastion is relatively over in canon galaxy area of Mandalore.

If Thrawn is coming in to live action in S4 Mandalorian, there has GOT to be some kind of epic space battle scene akin to Revenge of Sith Battle of Coruscant, but they can't go that far in a series, has to be a movie.  But the Battle of Mandalore between NR + Mandalorians and IR Thrawn maybe.  Then they port Thrawn to his own movie, maybe try and do Heir to Empire trilogy.

I dunno how Pedro is out and they keep Grogu having appearance though and a Mando S4 without Grogu sounds absurd but.. who knows.

Same as Med that generally I enjoy it all though.




Has anyone seen any of the Tales of the Jedi series?  I finally just watched whole first episode, is about Ahsoka's birth.  Awesome little tale.  Going to finally watch the rest of them this weekend hopefully