SPOILER The Mandalorian S3E8- Chapter 24, The Return

Great chapter finale, what a season, If Moff Gideon survives a ship crashing I'll be shocked. Grogu was back to his save the family moments.

 

I'm not sure it's as much Western or that fans knows Pre Vizsla and Paz Vizsla. It might have something to do with the difference between foundling and house names?

 

I hope IG-Grogu gets to meet Lumpy in a hundred years and they take a road trip to Luke's old island crib to smash on some BBQ porgs.

 

In many ways, 'The Volume' soundstage has made the distinctions between SW Disney+ TV and SW feature films less noticable. However, the quality difference is still pretty stark when comes depicting a sweeping space battle or (as in the case of TBoBF's final episode) an all-out war,

You just can't duplicate the size and scope required on the small screen. TV just doesn't have the budget to make it look convincing. That's clearly why the planned grand climax to the Disney+ SW storylines will be brought to their blockbuster conclusion in Filoni's feature film. That one will be genuine, real-deal, Star WARS.

 

So Gideon managed to clone the Force ?

 

laughs *cackles* in Hego Damask

 

Nice callback to Starkiller. Before he was turned into a base.

 

In the conference with the other imps he deflected the accusation that he was dabbling in cloning on Nevarro. This was separate to the "Necromancer" project. So it seems that Gideon was borrowing Pershing's know how, intended for "Necromancer", in order to help himself. Off the books.

 

Very likely, yes.

 

Season 3 episode 8 screenshots

 

Good episode, though there were a bunch of weird little things that just made the episode, like much of the season, feel like it was in a hurry to just wrap it all up so they could just move on to the next big thing (Thrawn).

I appreciated Gideon being a good physical threat to both Din (Sorry, Djarin) and Bo, the fight with him never once felt one-sided. The battle between the Mandalorians and Imperial Super Commandos was also a fun spectacle, taking place entirely in the air which makes for one of the more memorable big battle set pieces in recent memory.

There were also about 3 Gonzanti-class corvettes that just up and vanished entirely, but yeah the Mandalorian fleet never really amounted to very much and they seemed to do just fine without the larger Imperial ships that they spent all that time trying to steal.

 

This is the blast!
@Lord of the Rens dude you are on fire in this thread.
Episode was a 10/10 for me.

 

When does Luke fight his clone?

 

NGL - I peed, a little.

 

Okay, I've had some time to sit with this and watch it a few more times and I can say, I still absolutely love it. 10/10 without a doubt.

I really enjoyed the symmetry between this episode and ROTJ. As this was the finale of the 3rd season, it fits the ol' "its like poetry, they rhyme" theme throughout the franchise, but this was way more tastefully done than the previous Disney attempt.
Some standouts I noticed although I'm sure there are more:
- Grogu 'rescuing' Djarin(first name now?) as Luke rescued his own loveable scoundrel Han, both at the start of the entry
- Axe steering the dying light cruiser into the base as the rebels taking out the Dreadnought's bridge and crashing it into the DS2
- the battle between our heroes and Gideon framed by the aerial battle in the background similar to the throne room duel as the Rebel fleet battled the Imperial Navy just outside of the viewport
And aside from these, the overall tone and pacing were similar right down to the happy ending.

All that was missing was the payoff of a series-long romantic interest.
Now, I am not saying I wanted a romantic storyline between Djarin and Bo, I am very pleased it was not at all hinted at by the show. but romance has long been a theme in SW so it's absence was noticeable. Which got me thinking, what are the rules for those following the way and having a family? We know they still have kids soooo do the helmets stay on?!

The fight sequences involving Djarin were some of the best choreographed and executed stunt work I've seen in a long time, and Stunts and SPFX are a primary focus of my Job. Right off the bat with his escape, putting those commandos in their place unarmed with his hands tied. Which was one-upped in outstanding proportion with the Sheild Hallway number. Screaming "R5 next shield!" as Djarin slowly levels up his weapons with each guard pairing defeated. The whole time he demonstrates his insane combat mastery with any and every weapon, culminating with him acquiring his new sidearms, which sound fantastic by the way.

I Loved how this felt as though it was ripped straight out of a video game. Honestly, the whole time Djarin and Grogu were on screen was very video game inspired. Including the final boss being a supped-up version of our antagonist and our hero facing a sudden unexpected downgrade to his loadout. How badass was Gideon's Mando/Vader/Dark Trooper fanboy suit though? He would clean up at Comic Con.

Grogu finally coming into his own and fighting alongside Djarin was so satisfying. Standing his ground against the praetorians and working in sync with his dad to defeat some of the greatest warriors in the galaxy and then joining the fight against Gideon, mimicking the slides he saw Bo and Din doing as the three of them covered each other and tag teamed Gideon into the fireball. And of course, the force shield save.... I was on my feet half laughing half crying with my arms raised in the air. It was magical.

And by Obi's BEARD did the Mando's absolutely earn their planet back in spades in that battle or what.
Bo getting the last-second message out to Axe, the way the Mando troops sprinted right out of the hanger onto the Gauntlet's. I loved that slide by the first one to land, really showing their desperation to get into the fight. And the way the second the hatches sealed the ships took off into their descent. That radio call from the Armourer "Lady Kryze, your reinforcements have arrived" has given me chills with each re-watch. and the soundtrack that kicks in as they're forming up and then diving in before all hell breaks loose. That first shot of the Armourer tomahawk hammering the commando into oblivion never gets old. Then Koska's beautiful slide under to slip over the edge of the platform and double knee rocket the pursuing troopers and a full-speed airborne dark saber skewer before Bo joins the real fight down below. Just epic sequence after epic sequence.

And an honorable mention to those interceptors dropping from their hanger. Looking like bats hanging in their cave then dropping to feet off the deck that whole bit was so cool.

All in all, I haven't been this emotionally affected by a show or movie since The OT when I was a child (although S2's finale was a close second). The tension that was held throughout, constantly wondering if one of our stars we're done for... I'll say, all the speculation about a lingering spy didn't help that matter, but I'm thrilled it was all just speculation. I'm glad they didn't have any Ashoka lead-in and that Boba didn't make an appearance. And the peaceful cabin for Djarin and Grogu on Navarro felt great. They finally have a place of their own to call home.

And as I said on my first watch as Gideon crushed Bo's hand in the hanger. Blast the Darksaber!
Good riddance to that dammed blade. As cool as it was, it's brought nothing but death and destruction. Madlore needs a fresh start.

Standing ovation to Rick Famuyiwa, Jon Favreau, and the entire production team.

 

Not a bad finale...but not great either. I see this season as a big wasted opportunity.

I like the IDEA of where season 4 could go, but I simply don't trust them anymore. The writing on this show was terrible, and felt like it was written by a child for children.

5/10 for the season as a whole.

 

I'm really disappointed that we didn't see Pedro Pascal once. Was he even on set for that season? I doubt it.

I'm happy for those who liked this season, but for me it pretty much was a waste of time. The whole story could have been told within two episodes. The ending surprised me though, because it very much works as a definite ending. I don't need to see a season 4.

I want to end my post on a more positive note though. The action looked nice, but my real highlight of this season: the Praetorian Guards. These guys look badass and act menacingly.