IR TV Review: THE MANDALORIAN - EPISODE 3 (“The Covert”) [Lucasfilm/Disney+-S3]

After the context of Episode 2 with a cinematic texture and mythic integration, Episode 3 of "The Mandalorian" Season 3 entitled "The Covert" is an interesting misdirection. Interestingly enough it is a story structure texture that has served star Pedro Pascal's other show "The Last Of Us" fairly well in term of narrative sling shot. The beginning of this episode is intense before settling into a different sort of story, much more subversive and less straight ahead than some of the other episodes. Its mythology though is undeniable because of what it points to and the parallels both in modern life and history. "Star Wars" sometimes has the ability to do that but only when there is a steady hand that knows they can take the foot off the gas for a minute.

The Covert could also be misinterpreted as The Convert because the main texture of the episode is something much different than the striaghtforward context of Djin and Grogu or the safety they seek in a galaxy bent on vioelnce. They are moving towards something different and it is interesting to see the intermingling of Bo-Katan which, having talked to Katee Sackoff many times, is something she is probably extremely happy about. That part of the story again gets stronger but the underlying dread of what is coming later (and also what will be parallel in "Ashoka") is interesting to be sure. However, this episode cannot compare to the previous "The Mines Of Mandalore" in its scope, cinematic scope and use of connection. But every episode serves its own purpose in a special way. And Episode 3 of "The Mandalorian" continues to build a very specific strain. B+

By Tim Wassberg