IR TV Review: THE MANDALORIAN - EPISODE 8 (“The Return”) [Lucasfilm/Disney+-S3]

The essence of the season finale of Season 3 of "The Mandalorian" entitled "The Return" has to do more with the circle of life versus the context of what could be. The previous episode: "The Spies" was pushing more towards an idea of what would reconstitute the Empire. And yet most of this season was constructed for the resurrection of Mandalore (although that said, there might be some pieces that are not connected yet). The idea of how many of these plot lines lead towards what happens in "The Force Awakens" is to be seen but (like the prequels with the original trilogy) we know what is coming which is always tricky to connect the dots while still having to adhere to what other filmmakers did in changing the canon (this is directed to Rian Johnson specifically). There might have been interesting things in "The Last Jedi" but making the motivation sync is the interesting part now. Dave Filoni is shepherding "Ahsoka" which comes right after this per se which will continue the story but likely be even more deep cuts (though there was some good ones this season).

The eventual resolution here is multi-tiered and the final episode of Season 3 goes all out with 2 different action sequences happening at once towards the end but also bringing in the aspect of loyalty as it builds. Grogu holds his own and Djarin sticks to his guns. Bo-Katan actually becomes more symbolic in this episode when her failings is what made her engaging...and might bring her downfall (or regression if you will) down the line. Moff Gideon is up to something bigger but again the strings have been let out. The one episode earlier this season regarding cloning and the new leadership is just lightly teased at but will be interesting to see it move. The path per se has been closed but can be easily opened up. The season had some tangents as do all the seasons (and most shows for that matter). This season was more completely directed by Rick Fujiyama so it reflects in certain ideas without getting too misconstrued with style. The finale almost tries to push too much into one episode...and yet it does not feel like this needed more at this particular point. It sets up the further reaches of the universe and with Dave Filoni's big screen Star Wars film encompassing certain aspects of all the series (whenever that film gets made)...one can tell there is an endgame...but one where the stories can still continue. B

By Tim Wassberg