The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 5

Let's get the elephant out of the room from the get-go.  According to the end credits, that pilot was indeed Zeb.  Too cool.  Very nice tie-in and possible lead-in for the Ashoka tv series.  Also noticed Misty Rosas pulling double duty as the Bartender at the Rebel Base that felt like "China Beach" and as the Pirate Coxswain assisting the main pirate guy.  Also at the bar, blink and you'll miss it; reprising their roles is Dave Filoni as Trapper Wolf, Rick Famuyiwa as Jib Dodger, and Deborah Chow as Sash Ketter.

Really liked this episode.  I've enjoyed the gradual grudging respect that Din Djarin and Bo Katan has earned from Paz Vizsla.  Seeing the Covert Mando's actually moving through the streets like a proper Mandalorian unit was good to see.  It felt a little more like Bo Katan's unit, when they took the Imperial Gozanti Cruiser in the second season; more organized and professional soldiering.  I never get tired of seeing Paz Vizsla using "Old Painless" to mow down a bunch of  baddies. 

For a minute, down at the forge, I was honestly expecting the Armorer to remove her helmet, as well.  I was thinking, this might be the episode they're all allowed to finally remove their buckets.  Guess not.  It was still pretty cool.  I still think the Armorer has met or associated with Bo Katan or her family before.  If she's not Rook Kast, I'm wondering if she might be part of Clan Kryze in some manner.  At least now, Navarro can finally stay independent from the New Republic. 

I'm wondering if the beskar found on the destroyed Imp shuttle was from a Dark Trooper?  I know in old canon, the Dark Troopers armor was made out of the lightsaber resistant metal Phrik.  However, since they've changed up a lot with the newer canon, I wouldn't put it past them to have some of them made out of Beskar.  After nuking the entire planet of Mandalore, I wouldn't think there would be ANY Mandalorian who would willingly work for Moff Gideon.  However, it'd be interesting to see if any more of Clan Saxon show up and are assisting him with what's left of the Imperial Super Commandos.  Maybe even Rook Kast?

I think I have to give this one a 4/5 stars.  Not too shabby.

Absolutely loved this episode. Greef Karga as High-Magistrate really reminded me of Boba Fett as Daimyo, even saying the same type of lines about not abandoning their cities. Carson Teva going out of his way to try and help Greef Karga was great too, loved the callback to R5 being a part of the Rebel Alliance. Zeb Orwellios looked amazing in live action, maybe Sabine Wren later in the season? The Mandalorians in the cave using the hammer as a speaking stick for their tribal meeting was just awesome and Paz Vizsla standing behind Din Djarin was great (though not unexpected for me). The squads of Mandalorians dropping from the Komr'k  was an awesome visual and their tactical prowess was just what I wanted from Mandalorian warriors. I'm fine with Bo Katan uniting the many clans and houses of Mandalore but I don't want her to lead again. Moff Gideon being extracted (presumptively just like Bane in The Dark Knight Rises) is nice, and the "beskar alloy" being left behind makes me believe even more that Moff Gideon himself was a Mandalorian collaborator just like Gar Saxon. In the finale I wish to see Din Djarin disarmed by Moff Gideon while wielding the Dark Saber but his good ally (Who thanks to Brendan Wayne we know will help when you need him) disarming and defeating Moff Gideon using his Gaffi stick and himself becoming the Mand'alor and embracing his Mandalorian heritage just like in legends.

So the good: Zeb looked great.  Always enjoy Carson. Mamdalorians kicked *** and looked good doing it. 

The not so good: Zeb looked great while other aliens just seemed… fake.  The trandoshan for one.  Still think they took the space pirate schtick too far.  Just way too corny.  Also thought the Bo taking her helmet thing off was contrived.  Not a fan.

Other observations: Saw kill stripes on another Mando.  Din is slowly taking a back seat and I’m not sure I’m cool about that. Lastly… any one else catch the Filoni cameo in the Space Nam hanger?

Final thoughts:  This episode suffered the same issues others this season have.  Uneven writing, characters and dialogue.  The Volume works great for Terrain, but Coruscsnt once again felt off.   I’m also not a fan of how the new Republic feels the way the first order did.  Over the top in their ridiculousness. 

Overall I give this a 3/5.  I enjoyed many aspects of the episode, but there are things that just broke the immersion for me.  Almost like they pour their work in to some things (Zeb) and phone it in for others. 

Lastly, I’d love for Jango to be name dropped as a pivotal figure of Mandalore.  Also… could this bizarre new helmet rule for Bo mean Boba is welcome now?

I saw the other two directors cameos, but it took me a while to catch Dave Filoni on there.  Same group, but his back is turned.  Blink and you miss it.  Look for "the hat."