Revisiting the Star Wars series The Mandalorian season 1 episode 1

Recently there have been rumors that The Mandalorian season 3 will be arriving to Disney Plus February 22, 2023. The news made me both happy and sad as I miss the Star Wars series that to this day, has surprised me the most.

February of next year seems so far away so I decided to begin rewatching the series from the beginning. I had not rewatched the series since it first aired on the streaming platform but yes, to answer your question, it still holds up.

Let me be clear, I am very unfamiliar with Mandalorian lore. While I know more now thanks to The Mandalorian, I still do not know everything, and I certainly knew little to nothing outside of Boba Fett.

Growing up with Star Wars, it was obvious to me which characters I’d like or dislike. I was always drawn to droids and Master Yoda, with the Jedi following after that.

How The Mandalorian remains one of the best Star Wars series on Disney Plus.

However, after watching The Mandalorian, I have to say I prefer Mandalorians over Jedi at this point. The first episode, “Chapter 1: The Mandalorian” told me so much without saying a word.

Mandalorians walk into any setting and unless they are frequent patrons, everyone in the room knows something is going to happen. They evoke a very presence in their movement and mannerisms without even speaking.

This is quite the feat considering we never see their faces. It was almost jarring to see Din Djarin in so little armor made of beskar.

I had a feeling best described as nostalgia when I saw the Razor Crest, nearly full of bounties frozen in carbonite. To be perfectly honest, the line, “I can bring you in warm, or I can bring you in cold,” is so, certifiably hard-core, that it’s no wonder I nearly lost my mind when I heard it again in The Book of Boba Fett.

As much as I enjoy the Star Wars live action series that have since followed The Mandalorian, there is something about this show in particular that makes it so different and incredible in comparison. Episode 1 gives off a very space western vibe, that thankfully doesn’t have any boring jargon or ridiculous gunfight sequences.

It could be that the science fiction aspect of it, gives it a greater advantage but in reality, if more westerns followed this formula, I would have enjoyed them better. The dialogue amongst all characters is brief, with some exposition without throwing everything at you at once.

The reveal that although the Empire has been defeated but stormtroopers still exist is both frightening and not at the same time. As simple as a stormtroopers design might be, they too give off a presence when they arrive in groups, regardless of the fact they can’t aim.

Here, all of the stormtroopers almost appear savage. Their armor is filthy, giving them a more barbaric, nomad feel as though they now struggle to survive their impending extinction.

Of course, as the episode draws to a close, I’m still baffled by the strength and violent nature of bounty droids. As comedic as IG-11 unintentionally was, the idea of such a deadly, nearly unstoppable droid wiping out nearly anyone in its path for the sake of the job is terrifying.

And yes, as the later-named Grogu, is revealed for the first time, I gave an audible aw in response and knew nothing was going to be the same for Din Djarin again. Understandably, The Mandalorian set usually high standards for any future Star Wars series to follow.

Not everything will follow The Mandalorian step by step. Somes tones will change, some scripts will shift their focus towards other characters and plots, some musical scores will feel differently, but all the same I’m glad to have given this series a chance.

It remains my favorite, and I look forward to Din Djarin and Grogu’s return.

What are some of your favorite moments from The Mandalorian season 1? Share them in the comments below!