Tv Review - The Mandalorian s2 - Episode 1
“The Marshal” Is a Visually Dazzling, and Utterly Compelling Return to Baby Yoda’s World.
87/100 “sweet”
By Quinn Marcus
The Mandalorian season two kicks off with Mando and Baby Yoda heading to Tatooine to find other Mandalorians that just might help them return Baby Yoda to its own kind. However, in a sudden turn of events, they are forced to help a desert town take down a monstrous Krayt Dragon. Wow...just wow. I was literally counting the days, the hours, the minutes, the seconds until the second season of one of 2019’s best shows came out. Look, I’m not addicted to it, alright! *visible addiction* Don’t worry, this review will be a spoiler-free read, so please enjoy what I have to say. Like the pilot of season one, season two sets things up slowly, but brilliantly. You’re able to follow it easily, and understand its simple storyline. Plus, the amped-up visuals add to the entertainment immensely. Once again, Jon Favreau has knocked it out of the ballpark with his directing skills; and provides a faint, but very noticeable sense of familiarity that may be comforting to some, but not so great for others. The setup feels very similar to that of the first season, just with a few new faces and an increased production budget. Despite this, the pilot of the new season still holds the refreshingly gritty, and deliciously dark bite that the previous season gave us. The storytelling provides some fun little easter eggs for die-hard Star Wars fans and a surprising twist towards the end involving one of the franchise’s most famous characters. Pedro Pascal is still fantastic and mysterious as ever playing our favorite Mandalorian. We also get a look at a new character, Cobb Vanth, played by Timothy Olyphant who is a pretty decent new addition to the cast. Once again, the episode is gorgeously filmed, and extremely well-made. Particularly a gargantuan action sequence involving a sand dragon thing. Some of the cinematography literally made me gasp in awe. Ludwig Görannsen’s musical score was also quite a big standout for me, he’s easily one of the most talented young composers of this generation; smoothly adding to the hypnotically calm, yet exciting atmosphere. The only thing I am worried about is if it continues this harrowing descent into familiar territory. Otherwise, it’s a pretty solid start to a new season of The Mandalorian. Now, come back to read my next review, or I’ll throw you in a Sarlac Pit, good day!
