‘The Mandalorian’ is out of this world

‘Star Wars’ television series hits the mark

Fair+use+from+Disney.+Mando+avoids+gunfire+during+The+Mandalorian.+The+first+season+of+the+show+consists+of+eight+episodes.

Fair use from Disney. Mando avoids gunfire during “The Mandalorian.” The first season of the show consists of eight episodes.

Noah Orloff

When reflecting on my childhood, I can recall having a strong passion for “Star Wars.” My favorite character had always been Jango Fett, a member of the Mandalorian people. When I first heard there would be a television series focused on a Mandalorian bounty hunter, I was very excited.

“The Mandalorian” was executed beautifully — Disney got almost everything spot on. The plot of the series was engaging, offering new missions and excitement in every episode. The story follows the struggles and successes of the Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal), or Mando for short. The character development was brilliant, expertly exploring the backstory of each character as the series progressed. I loved the way that an almost western theme developed around Mando. You can imagine the main character being a gunslinger in an old western movie. 

The scenery was great, making me feel as if I was inside of the “Star Wars” universe. A bit of comedy was added, offering a casual way to enjoy “Star Wars” content outside of the main movies. Even the music was breathtaking, solidifying the western theme. It also would be a disservice to write this review leaving out any commentary on Baby Yoda. I truly believe Baby Yoda is the cutest TV character ever. 

My single complaint is the contradiction surrounding Mando’s helmet. A recurring part of the storyline is that the Mandalorian could not remove its helmet, which differs from past “Star Wars” material. Although there are some potential justifications for this change, I still could not stop thinking about it throughout the series.

My favorite part of the TV series was the way in which Mando was portrayed. Mando is a bounty hunter, which one would assume would come with a coldhearted manner. Instead, human qualities of affection and care can be seen within Mando, allowing for a connection between the protagonist and viewer. Furthermore, this concept made me question who was “good” and who was “bad” in a TV series that was framed around a bounty hunter. 

“The Mandalorian” left me impressed and waiting for another season. All of the elements that I look for in a series — strong plot, characters, scenery — came together in the form of “The Mandalorian.” 

“The Mandalorian”: ★★★★★