The Return of 'The Mandalorian' Gives Us a Glimpse of Mando & Grogu's Trek to the Mines of Mandalore in Chapter 19, 'The Apostate'

by Darian Scalamoni

    While Andor served a special new place in the hearts of Star Wars fans and television lovers, it is The Mandalorian that gives audiences that true giddy feeling that the films used to give us. After more than two years away from the flagship Disney+ series led by the titular Mandalorian aka Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and the little baby Yoda-esque star Grogu, we finally have arrived back with two of the already most popular characters across Star Wars lore. 

    When the second season of the series saw the re-introduction of Luke Skywalker within The Mandalorian's story, it meant that there was a connective tissue within this universe and what came before it. Series creator Jon Favreau (Iron Man, Chef) consistently sets to bring forward inspiration that franchise starter George Lucas embedded within his two trilogies worth of mythology. Within this first episode of the third season, we open on The Armorer (Emily Swallow), a character I always am happy to learn more about, as she is working on a helmet for a Mandalorian induction ceremony. In a great swerve set forth by director Rick Famuyiwa (Dope, The Wood) who returns to helm fourth episode of the series, we originally believe it is a flashback of Din Djarin's induction before we realize it is present within the current story. Din and Grogu make the save after a gigantic sea creature attempts to kill and eat all Mandalorians upon the shore. This opening scene really sets the tone for the authenticity and care given to the world created by Favreau and Star Wars stalwart Dave Filoni to satisfy the major fandom surrounding the brand as well as casual fans.

    

    Having said that, most of what we see within the premiere remains the same, we are following yet another quest as well as the tender bond formed between a gunslinger and adorable young confidant with twists along the way. Additionally, Favreau wrote the episode which hits a lot of the familiar feels of past adventures: Grogu getting himself into trouble by holding a Anzellan (a Babu Frik creature), spinning around in High Magistrate Karga's chair and high-speed chases in ships across the galaxy. About the aforementioned Greef Karga (Carl Weathers), he's know settled into his role as the High Magistrate or governing body for the planet of Nevarro, which he plans to turn into an independent trade association. After a plea for Din to become his town's sheriff, he discovers that his good friend is there on business. 

    In a hope that he can help his friend, he asks what he needs, to which Din responds that surprisingly, he's in need of a droid. But not just any droid, what is left of IG-11, originally voiced by Taika Waititi in the first season. Karga tries to convince Mando that he has plenty of droids that would be a major help on whatever mission he's currently on, however, he objects saying that he needs a droid he can trust, and that droid, is IG-11. They try to bring him back to life but quickly learn his default setting would turn on as he powered up. Upon eyesight of Grogu, he goes to attack the little guy before being crushed by Karga's statue.

    As we wrap up the episode, Mando has a run-in within a Mandalorian castle, currently occupied by Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff). She is currently sulking in the fact that Din is in possession of her once wielded Darksaber. It's a rather contentious scene where we get a glimpse of the conflict set to unfold throughout Season 3 for both Bo-Katan and Din. It makes for a really interesting divergence from past experiences on-screen for the female Mandalorian as she's mostly been a helpful ally throughout the Clone Wars.

    Though the Season 3 premiere titled, "The Apostate" is a fairly familiar episode within the series, it sets the tone that the beloved nature of what makes the show what it is will be intact all season long. One new aspect that I appreciated was Mando teaching young Grogu the ways of being a Mandalorian since he turned his back on learning the ways of being a Jedi in a former episode within The Book of Boba Fett. It's a great little way to show the meaningful way that Mando truly cares more about Grogu than anyone else he's ever come across furthering the bond that the two of them have.

Overall Score: 8.5