After the big revelations of the last episode, there were obviously great expectations for The Mandalorian S02E04. But alas, the poor condition of the Razor Crest necessitated yet another diversion from the quest as Mando and the Child re-visited Nevarro for needful repairs. Cue the reunion with Greef Karga (Carl Weathers), Cara Dune (Gina Carano) and even Mando’s former bounty Mythrol (Horatio Sanz), all from the first season.
Thankfully, The Mandalorian S02E04 was more than mere stop-gap filler. Even though the mission undertaken by Mando and newly reunited comrades appeared to be a distraction, in the end, the attack on the former Imperial base proved to be crucial in terms of advancing the overall narrative of the second season.
For diehard Star Wars fans, it was gratifying to see our protagonists engage stormtroopers in battle once again. As usual, the stormtroopers were pathetic shooters and Mando and friends had little difficulty dealing with the enemy and accomplishing their task.
The CGI was at its usual best – probably the best special visual effects one can get on a streaming platform – before the MCU series begin to drop, that is. The various action sequences can never be faulted for its excellent fan service and authentic Star Wars vibe. The attention to detail in terms of the various crafts, uniform costumes and set architecture would be relished by the Star Wars fanatics.
In addition, there were significant payoffs regarding the machinations of Moff Gideon and the reason for the capture of the Child to begin with. Clearly, there is a grand evil scheme in the works here. While it seemed that these plans suffered a setback, in actual fact, Moff Gideon gained an advantage and pushed the story to the inevitable return encounter with Mando and the Child.
For these reasons, The Mandalorian S02E04 was a worthy instalment in the adventures of Mando and the Child. Onwards to Corvus, the forest moon, and Ashoka Tano. Finally!
… still there’s more …