With The Last of Us now over, it’s nice to know that we can still get our weekly dose of Pedro Pascal with The Mandalorian, even if it does mean Pedro keeping his helmet on. Yes, yes, This is the Way, we know. Chapter 19: The Convert, the third episode of season three, is available to stream on Disney+ right now.
Synopsis
On Corusant, former Imperials find amnesty in the New Republic.
Review
This episode was certainly a surprise. Not because of any daring twists or shocking revelations, but simply because it somewhat subverts expectations. After a particular secret was revealed in the depths of the Living Waters, it felt like our time on Mandalore would be extended in order to explore its significance in regards to Bo-Katan, Mandalorian life and even Mando himself. What we got was vastly different, and that’s not a bad thing.
There are definitely some interesting developments following on from Din’s redemption in the Living Waters, but they’re mostly attached to Bo-Katan. Mando achieved his goal to be redeemed in the eye of The Creed, but the episode shifts everything. We are of course happy that Din washed his supposed transgression away, but the focus turns to Bo-Katan. Something is different about her, it’s as though she’s internally processing everything that has transpired. Bo is trying to piece together what this all means for her and her family’s name. While they don’t tease anything major, they definitely allude to potential routes this show could now take and that is incredibly exciting.
Unfortunately, the episode doesn’t stick with Mando and Bo to focus on this new path and its subtleties. In a way, it causes this episode to lose momentum, especially after a spectacular dogfight against the remnants of the Empire. It’s a brilliant way to get this episode going, but we’re suddenly taken out of Mando’s world in order to focus on a new storyline. Now, momentum takes a slight dip, but the implications of Dr Pershing’s narrative, yes the Doctor who was experimenting on Grogu, pushes the show in a brand new and fresh direction. While it does feel completely seperate from Din’s own journey, there is sure to be some sort of convergence where both paths align. How that’ll happen is incredibly difficult to tell right now, but this new subplot on Corusant raises a lot of interesting questions while also filling in gaps.
Going back to Corusant was such a delight, especially since this episode revels in this post Galactic Empire attitude. The city is full of wonder, hope, and prospects of a better tomorrow for all of its cititzens… Including those who served under Emperor Palpatine. This episode wonderfully shows off this new age which is a direct opposite of what life was like for many during the Empire’s reign. We’ve seen the struggle, we’ve seen the rise of the rebellion, and we’ve seen the fall of the Sith. What we haven’t really explored is the aftermath, where the dust has settled and normality has somewhat returned.
The gap between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens is huge, and The Mandalorian has done a terrific job at exploring the galaxy following the Emperor’s death. However, we’ve only really seen what has become of the now fractured Empire. Moff Gideon showed us that the Empire was still ripe with strength and ingenuity, even if the numbers weren’t there. Chapter 19, however, takes us into the heart of the New Republic and shows us what they’re up to and how they’re planning to move on beyond years of tyranny. Other Imperials are given opportunities to serve the New Republic, and it’s great to see that perspective. Not all Imperials were full supporters of Palpatine’s rule, so to see their new lives under the New Republic was a really nice touch, even if it was limited to small reminiscing conversations about settling in and what good the Empire offered. Afterall, the Empire provided a lot of opportunities just like the New Republic.
On the flip side of that, we also get to experience the restrictions associated with serving the Empire. This whole idea of amnesty alludes to this notion of being pardoned, yet there’s still this iron fist-esque pressure weighing down on Pershing, and it does make you wonder just how different the New Republic is in comparison to the Empire and the First Order. The similarities are striking, but it’s all under the guise of amnesty, forgiveness and a fresh start.
Under the surface of Pershing’s new and mundane routine, something dark is brewing and it involves a reformed Pershing, cloning and potential loyalists. Could this take us deeper into Snoke’s origin, as well as Palpatine’s return? How will it tie in with Mando and Grogu? There are so many questions left unanswered once the credits roll, but the looming prospects and opportunities they present allow the mind to wonder freely. The Mandalorian uses this episode to guide us into the unknown where anything can happen, while also parading the New Republic as though it’s galaxy’s savior, but something feels off and this is just the start.
Verdict
Chapter 19 feels like the first episode to really push this season foward, despite Mando and Bo’s absence. While their absence definitely effects the momentum of this episode, the events on Corusant make for an intensely illuminating and nostalgic diversion whereby the galaxy post-Palpatine is explored in more detailed, and some subtle details brought up in previous seasons are push to the foreground once again. This may not be everyone’s favourite episode in terms of action and that Mandalorian focus, but it feels as though season 3 is building up to something quite grand and this is its first steps.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Chapter 19 of The Mandalorian is available to stream on Disney+ right now. Tune in next week on Wednesday March 22nd for episode 4- half way through already, doesn’t time just fly? Have you watched this week’s episode yet? Let us know what you thought in the comments.
The series stars Pedro Pascal, Katee Sackhoff, Carl Weathers, Amy Sedaris, Emily Swallow and Giancarlo Esposito. The directors include Rick Famuyiwa, Rachel Morrison, Lee Isaac Chung, Carl Weathers, Peter Ramsey and Bryce Dallas Howard.
Jon Favreau is the showrunner/head writer and serves as an executive producer along with Dave Filoni, Rick Famuyiwa, Kathleen Kennedy and Colin Wilson. Karen Gilchrist and Carrie Beck are co-executive producers.
