Before checking out Chapter 23 again, I decided to revisit the previous episode which was hit with a lot of criticism. Now, I still believe that this episode’s downfall rests entirely on its placement within season 3. Outside of being ridiculously close to the finale, Chapter 22 is actually a lot of fun, but it definitely added extra pressure to this penultimate episode of The Mandalorian. Chapter 23 “The Spies” is ready to watch on Disney+ now. Be prepared… It’s a big one.
Synopsis
Survivors come out of hiding.
Review
Season Three has definitely had its ups and downs. I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy a large majority of the season. There have been some fantastic episodes and I have truly been in my element. However, this week’s episode raised the bar completely. The Spies is the episode that everyone has been waiting for. The mission to retake Mandalore has officially begun, but this episode throws so many interesting and exciting obstacles in Bo-Katan’s way.
In the first 5 minutes alone we are bombarded with major teases of what is coming in the future, and let’s just say they all concern the return of a certain Grand Admiral who was officially unveiled via the Ahsoka trailer. Much like the MCU’s Thanos, Grand Admiral Thrawn seems to be the villain connecting the Disney+ shows, and this week’s episode is gradually bringing the threads together. The Empire are up to something and Moff Gideon is a pawn in a much larger scheme.
While that initial opening is utterly captivating in regards to the future of the Empire, this episode doesn’t stray from its primary goal; the retaking of Mandalore. If you thought this season lacked Mandalorian action, then you are in for an absolute treat.
This episode offers some of the best Mandalorian action we’ve seen in live-action. What makes it that much more satisfying is that we are finally seeing the integration of multiple Mandaloran factions. Groups that have been at war with eachother for years are finally coming together. We get a small glimpse of Mandalore’s real strength and it is glorious. This episode is full of non-stop action and brilliant visual effects that really emphasise Mandalore’s scale and plays on that idea of it somewhat being sentient. There’s something so incredibly unique about Mandalore that makes it shine compared to other planets we’ve visited. There’s history, devastation and a darkness to it, and we really get to explore that landscape. It opens the episode up completely and offers some shocking surprises that forces the episode to go in a rather unexpected direction. Dank farrik, I did not expect this episode to unravel in the way that it did.
Compared to other episodes, this one is a lot darker than anticipated. With this being the penultimate episode, it uses its surroundings to allude to something quite sinister. For the first time, the stakes feel incredibly high and the danger feels dangerously imminent. And that’s something that this season has lacked. We’ve spent ages building to something and this is the first time we’ve sensed a real threat. Not only do we see it physically manifest, we also feel the gravity of that threat. Moff Gideon is a genius in his own unique way, he is also ruthless and prepared. The Empire may be divided, but its strength and brutality has endured and this episode reminds us of that.
And as someone who enjoyed a lot of what the Sequel trilogy had to offer, I truly love seeing how The Mandalorian ties itself to the events of the sequels and even to The First Order itself. There are some great surprises in store and the payoff is well worth it, regardless of your thoughts concerning the sequels.
There is also this element of surprise that catches us while we’re vulnerable. While this episode is indeed a ticking bomb waiting to explode, it is also very funny. It feels as though it has been a while since we’ve had those fun and utterly adorable interactions between Grogu and Mando. Not only does this episode provide many, it also provides us with arguably the best interactions we’ve had in quite sometime. There is still that cute bond they share, but we also get to see a more developed Grogu, not just in terms of power and intellect, but in regards to his being- his heart. They are endearing moments that remind us why Mando and Grogu are our favourite… But it leaves us open for the impending attack; a sudden blow that changes this season’s heading.
Verdict
Chapter 23 is just what we needed. It is epic, tragic and visually awesome. This episode takes everything that makes Star Wars great, from the action to the humor, and compiles together brilliantly. This penultimate episode is one of the best episodes yet, and while the season has been somewhat turbulent, The Spies raises the stakes and teases a finale that could have drastic ramifications for the future.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Chapter 23 of The Mandalorian is available to stream on Disney+ right now. Tune in next week on Wednesday April 18th for the grand finale. We’re not ready to say goodbye just yet. Have you watched this week’s episode? 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.
