By Beth Percy
“This is the way.”
Din Djarin
Overview
Available: Disney+
Creator: Jon Favreau
Production company: Lucasfilm
Publication date: 2019-Present
Length: 30-40 minute episodes
Plot Summary:
We are once again engrossed in the happenings from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away! Din Djarin is a bounty hunter who defines himself as belonging to the creed of Mandalorian, a warrior culture who are known by their Beskar armour which they do not remove – ever. In the first episode Din is tasked with apprehending a mystery target to bring back to an ex-Empire client. Upon finding his target, he discovers that it is (the now world famous IRL) Baby Yoda. The Mandalorian is conflicted over handing over an infant to the literal space Nazis and chooses to rescue him at the last second. The series follows Din caring for the baby whilst on the run, as well as his dangerous odd jobs around the galaxy. The charm of this show is how this dangerous killer has suddenly become a caring and responsible single Dad.
Thoughts:
- It’s so Star Wars! Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau have combined their visions of a lone cowboy in a space western and a honourable knight out on his quest to create the best piece of Star Wars content this side of 2000AD. It is familiar but innovative all at once!
- Pedro Pascal does a phenomenal acting job in – let’s face it (get it) – a very challenging role. You cannot see his face but Din’s emotions are skilfully signposted by slight but purposeful movements throughout the show.
- Building on point 2. the physical comedy is excellent. Din is a man of few words and Baby Yoda is…well a baby…so the visuals here are so important and its works so well. There are these almost wordless interactions where we see the baby messing around and Din gives him the ‘dad look’ with a slight tilt of the helmet to tell him to stop and it’s just a treat to see.
- The Baby Yoda puppet is an incredible piece of technology that makes an otherworldly creature look surprisingly life-like, both static and when toddling around. When they use CGI to animate the baby, the transitions are seamless. A key part of Star Wars is the well balanced use of the physical and digital to create a believable universe and this show not only does it well but made the world fall in love with the baby.
- The music is awesome! I know, it’s Star Wars – there’s a certain expectation that comes with that but the Mandalorian theme is one of the more unique tracks that still fits with the overall tone of the universe. An exceptional musical moment occurred in the second season where The Imperial March is played in a minor key (the Empire did something to save the main characters) and it’s such an interesting change that positions one of the best known ‘bad guys’ as the heroes in that moment. I was blown away when I heard it as it’s such a simple but amazing switcheroo.
- The show rewards old Star Wars fans – who know the lore and backstories – with name drops and subtle references but it doesn’t isolate newer fans, who are just getting into it. That’s an impressive balancing act to pull off and Star Wars has always struggled with pleasing the die-hard and the casual fans – often leading them to pleasing neither.
Critical Reception:
Won the Critics’ Choice Super Awards for Best Science Fiction/Fantasy Series
Won Emmys in Outstanding Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Special Visual Effects and Stunt Coordination.
Won a Publicists Guild Award (Maxwell Weinberg Publicist Showmanship Television Award)
Recommendation: 10/10
Fun Fact: Pedro Pascal has to record his lines separately as he is incredibly muffled by the helmet on set. When in the recording booth he carries around an overstuffed pillow as a Baby Yoda replacement to help him get into character.
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