SPOILER The Mandalorian S3, Ep. 1 Chapter 17 The Apostate

I'd like to pretend I'm psychic but we've all seen some trailer clips where it sure looks like Bo-Katan and Din are working together. So I'm thinking that something happens that causes Bo to suck up her pride and decide to work with Mando and his Covert. It must be something big because the way she left their conversation at the end of Episode 1 sure didn't sound like someone ready for a friendly hand-shake.

 

I love the forging scenes. Is it perhaps hammering (sorry) out the notion that the Armorer is a manipulator. Molding, shaping and grooming the Mandos in her covert.

And I liked how Bo now shows contempt for the dark saber and for her former followers who would have remained loyal to her and will be to Din just for "waving that thing around".

 

I would guess we are seeing Bo at her lowest point. I could well be wrong but I suspect that this season will, in part, be a character arc about how she "gets her mojo back."

 

I just saw the episode, and was kind of underwhelmed. It is troubling to say that as so many of my friends here liked it.

I will stick with it though and of course keep watching.

 

I understand your reaction. It didn't have a central story (it jumped from the Covert, to the Navarro, to the space pirates, to Bo-katan) and it felt short.

But upon follow-up viewings with some of my favorite YouTube reactors, I began appreciating it more. Still, its (IMO) not one of the show's best episodes but it still delivered. It gave viewers: 1) some great info which sets up Mando's Mandalore Quest; 2) had a couple well-produced battles (the monster crock and the space pirates); and set the stage for some great stuff coming up. Favreau entered this season with A LOT of set-up work to do and exposition isn't always the most entertaining stuff. That said, I'll freely admit that I'm a softie because after S1, S2, and S 2.5, I'm wired to love the show. Frankly, it's been such a long wait that I was just tickled pink to see Daddy Din and Grogu back (their appearance at the beginning of the show was incredibly cute).

I'm betting you'll be glad you did!

 

I had an enormous pity for Bo Katan when this scene came up. She lost everything because Dinn happened to encounter Moff Gideon before she did. They designed the mission for success and it worked perfectly, but the Darksaber tragically wound up in the wrong hands... well, according to some people's needs and desires. Dinn really didn't want it and tried to hand it over. "I yield, take it," he said. However Bo Katan knew better.

Considering the workings of the Force and the ways of storytelling, perhaps indeed it is already in the right hands. We have nearly a whole season in which to find out, possibly longer. Perhaps Dinn is holding it for... Gogru.

 

Katan's plan clearly wasn't suited to ensuring that she would do battle with Gideon. So I have a limited amount of sympathy for her. I think she was overconfident and presumptuous and don't mind seeing her reduced to petty passive aggression with Din.

As for the episode itself. I can understand a sense of the show not opening the world up too much. The only really novel aspects were the pirate cruiser with whatsisname (brief!) and the Mandalorian planet (anti climactic thanks to Bo's less than enthusiastic welcome). The

Spoiler: Anzellans

, were the clear bright spot in the roll of "new" things.

The episode has a clear purpose and a theme though. Every scene appears to be a flip reverse on the audience.

Flashback to Din's past. Cool. .... Nope. It's the present. (Where are the COTW getting these new foundlings from?).

Yay! IG-11 is back! .... Wait... Oh no! IG-11 is back!!

A Mando castle? A slick looking EV droid to greet us (but silently). And Bo Katan. Now you're talking.... "Oh hello Din Djarin... Now, sod off."

The only thing consistent and not really a let down was the Armorer. She's not changed. And that is why I still believe she's the one who can be trusted least of all. Nothing that she does should surprise you.

 

Yep.
Maybe the biggest issue will be, considering episode structure of previous seasons and all supporting characters always interact with Din, that we will get the resolution of what he has set-up in late diferent episodes.
I mean, maybe we will not see the Bo arc again until episode 4 or 5, IG in 3, or pirates in 6, with standalone missions here and there like taking a bath in Mandalore, going to Tatooine for some pieces, and some unexpected ones in the middle like going to Coruscant for answers.

But I guess this is why we are here too, to have some fun XD
Can't wait for wednesday.

 

Great observation, @Martoto! It was a sneaky way of subverting expectations.

Actually, I believe she fits into your "flip" theme. In TBoBF Episode 5, she says "This is the way" in a way that said 'Fat Chance you'll ever get redeemed." In this episode she said the exact same thing but did it in a way that told Din he's got a real shot at redemption.

 

That's the thing. She says the same thing over and over, and Din is compelled to interpret what she means and how to respond in a way that will please her. As if he's been conditioned for years to behave like that.

I wouldn't say she's flipping. But her covert, or at least Din, seems to jump to do whatever they interpret her will to be. But without her giving any direct instructions.

Her motives and ambitions over and above the survival of her covert, are still obscure.


(By the way. Has anyone ever contemplated what it would be like if the Armorer removed her helmet? She speaks in a very heightened radio-drama/audio book way. Always makes me chuckle a little.)

 

the helmet on and off has kind of lost its luster, wouldn’t you say?

also related but Pedro admitting he can’t see squat in the helmet….

 

I dunno. If they leave it alone for a while it will still have value down the road.

It's notable the full length Mando walking shots are mostly from behind. Not a lot of walking or running shots from the front and with his feet in shot. Unless there are no obstacles within range.

 

Maybe the opening was weak for various reasons but watching this post from StarWarsOnline on Instagram now I am curious too see which creature will open season 4. Seen like a nice first chapter tradition is kinda cool.
200 credits that they will feature another crreature.

 

Of the three season openers, it is a toss up.

Chapter 1 had the best opening, but the monster is the lamest of them.

Chapter 8 is the best overall episode of the openers, but the Krayt battle was so-so

Chapter 17's Croc turtle fight was the best looking monster battle of the series openers, but still a close second to the Mudhorn, which I think is the best of the series.

 

I've only seen a few episodes of The Clone Wars (I know, I know, I will catch up!), but I've read about it, specifically the Dark Saber. From what I read, Bo Katan previously led the Mandos, with the Dark Saber, which had been gifted to her. She didn't win it in combat. And I think I've read that Maul had the saber, and Mandos didn't follow him blindly. Is The Mandalorian playing fast and loose with what's already been established?

Also, Bo Katan is human, right? Was she an adult in The Clone Wars? If Mando takes place 5-7 years after RotJ, isn't it about 30 years after The Clone Wars? Does she look too young in Mando?

 

Well, I think it's more the characters that are playing fast and loose with the rules. It looks like they are posing very similar questions of faith within Mandalorian sects as has been done with the Jedi. Is it hypocritical of Bo-Katan to downplay Din's helmet rule, yet be so rigid about the Darksaber and how it is claimed? Are both ideals flawed? It's been put out there that, yes, she did accept the Darksaber as a gift from Sabine Wren, so what has changed in her that she refuses it as a gift now? We are also unsure of exactly how Moff Gideon came to possess it, if it was won in combat? The Armorer also stated that if not won in combat, that in "unworthy hands" the Darksaber would become a curse upon the Mandalorian people. So this was likely a long standing lore that goes back thousands of years.

Yes, Bo-Katan is human, and I don't think her age has been clearly stated. In TCW she seemed teenager-ish and through Rebels and now The Mandalorian her age seems to track. She would be mid-40ish, so it's inline... There are more confusing age questions out there, such as based on TCW/BB, Fennec Shand is older than Boba Fett...?

 

Fennec is still under warranty and Boba has kept her in good condition.

With all due respect to these three chapters, The Best of the three HAS to be Chapter 1.

I went into the first one with low expectations. In fact, I had decided that my love affair with Star Wars (which had resurfaced after TFA) had finally come to an end. But from the outset of Episode 1, I was intrigued. Hey, this show reminded me of the original trilogy films! And I loved the show's no-nonsense, badass gunslinging bounty hunter. By the time he hooked up with IG-11 at the end of the episode, I was lovin' it. This show FELT like the Star Wars I once knew and loved!

Then came the 'Big Reveal.' WHAT A MOMENT!!! I instantly knew Star Wars was back.

 

There's no way to disagree with you... Chapter 1 is amazing, it is 100% pure My Star Wars. Solely based on it being the introduction to these characters and this era, it is a phenomenol Series Premiere. I like Chapter 9, The Marshall, just like, a millimeter more in some ways. It was also very pure SW, and likewise brought me back to the OT.

And, I agree, no matter what year model Fennec is, she's in Prime Condition, even with those custom parts.

 

Yeah where are The Children Of The Watch getting these new foundlings from? Am I missing something? Or is that a wait and see thing?