If there's one thing 'The Mandalorian' has shown, it's being a Mandalorian is a good way to make some friends.
Last week's episode saw Mando make friends with a Jedi, despite the fact that these two factions have been blood enemies for centuries. This time around, a vicious bounty hunter thought dead for years returns and he all wants in this galaxy is reunite two friends, with the help of a third friend who was previously left for dead.
Depending on how you look at it, a lot of the second season of 'The Mandalorian' has either been trite fan service or an earnest attempt to connect the TV series with the wider galaxy through introducing - or reintroducing, as is often the case - familiar characters. One such character has loomed over this season and last season, and it's Boba Fett.
Originally introduced in 1980's 'The Empire Strikes Back' (technically 'The Star Wars Holiday Special', but less said about that), Boba Fett's distinctive helmet and armour featured in the opening episode, and has been in Mando's possession since he reclaimed it from Cobb Vanth, played memorably by Timothy Olyphant.
Again, you can argue that Boba Fett and Fennic Shand - played by the excellent Ming Na-Wen - is fan service, but the truth is that this was teased all the way back in the first season. What's more, you can't have a TV series about a Mandalorian and not have the very first Mandalorian people ever saw feature in it in some way.
Let's talk about the dynamic between Baby Yoda / Grogu. The opening scene as they approach Tython really does begin to underline not only how much it's changed between them, but how Mando is struggling to make sense of where he is in Grogu's life. Is he a parent? A protector? Or is he simply guiding him to the next stage of his journey? You can almost hear Pedro Pascal's voice crack when he talks about Jedi are going to get him the training he needs, and you can get a sense of how inadequate he feels both as a teacher to him and as a parent.
This is something that 'The Mandalorian' has repeatedly touched on, but hasn't done quite so explicitly until now. Mando is completely unsure of how he's going to raise Grogu, and while he may seem desperate for a Jedi to swoop in and take him off his hands, the truth is he's going to be miserable without him. More to the point, when we see Grogu taken at the very end of the episode, he's already readying himself to go after him without even the slightest bit of hesitation.
Robert Rodriguez's direction is clear and vivid, and his command of action sequences - especially with Tememura Morrison - are as kinetic and tactile as we've ever seen in a 'Star Wars' setting. Boba Fett literally caving in the heads of Stormtroopers, blowing up not one but two transports without even looking at the explosions - it's almost like Boba Fett is the John Wick of the 'Star Wars' universe. Everybody loves him, but more than that, everyone's terrified of him - and with good reason.
Back to Mando and Grogu for a minute. If the remainder of the season is the two of them trying to get back to one another, all for it. Each episode thus far has been about him moving from planet to planet, and while it may have been about a vague notion of finding Jedi to help and train Grogu, now it's about getting him back. That's a much more clearer directive, and one that's loaded with complex emotions.
With four episodes left in this season, there's a good bit of ground to cover in a short amount of time, but seeing as how this season has spun the wheels on a couple of episodes, it's good that the rubber is finally hitting the road.
Season 2, Episode 1 - 'The Marshal' reviewed
Season 2, Episode 2 - 'The Passenger' reviewed
Season 2, Episode 3 - 'The Heiress' reviewed
