By Ben Wright (@iamzavagno | www.xgeeks.co.uk)
This review contains spoilers.
While I am always excited for a new episode of The Mandalorian, my excitement doubled this week, knowing that the wonderful Bryce Dallas Howard was once again going to be behind the camera!
So let’s get into the episode!
A Quarrenese freighter is intercepted by an Imperial Destroyer, however, this ship is not piloted by Imperial Remnants, this is the Mandalorian-acquired ship, captained by Axe Woves, alongside Koska Reeves! They are now privateers, just doing it for the coin, which is perfect for the episode title – “Guns For Hire”.
With Bo-Katan now on a mission to unite all Mandalorians, she travels to her former fleet on Plazir-15, with Din and Grogu. Before they can reach the fleet, however, they are diverted to meet the Council led by… wait, is that JACK BLACK?? And by his side is Lizzo. Talk about unexpected cameos! Jack Black plays Captain Bombardier and Lizzo plays the Duchess, the elected leader of Plaisir-15. They have an issue with some suspected reprogrammed Battle Droids and in exchange, they will recognise Mandalore as a sovereign system and petition for the planet within the New Republic. As if these two cameos weren’t enough, Great Scott! The one and only Christopher Lloyd enters the episode! We learn, and see, all the instances of droid malfunctioning – but the populous refuse to give them up as it means they don’t have to work!
In the lower levels, Bo and Din visit the Ugnaught mechanics, but they refuse to engage with the pair. That is, until Din mentions the name Kuiil – he has spoken! With the Ugnaughts now listening, they get the droid locations and are on their way to the loading docks. The docks are swarming with B2 Battle Droids, under the command of a B-1 foreman – voiced by the Droid master himself, Matthew Wood! Din tests one of the Super Battle Droids which leads to a destructive chase through the city. With the Super Battle Droid subdued, the next clue points to a droid bar. Seeing doids in a bar setting was fun, and I loved how they reversed to the scene of C-3PO and R2 walking into the Mos Eisley Cantina on Tatooine here, with Bo and Din causing the whole bar to stop and look in disapproval. I guess they don’t serve their kind here! The scene was awkward and silent for the perfect amount of time to make the joke land! I love the idea of droids given a second chance here, and almost unionising in a way. Droids are such a rich part of Star Wars storytelling, and when it’s done right, it’s fantastic! We learn that nano-droids are present within the Nepenthe and are causing the droids to go rogue. We learn, through the chain code, that they originated from the Techno Union, but the orders came from Commissioner Helgait! Oh, Doc!
After confronting Helgait with the information that they know he is the traitor, the Commissioner holds the city hostage, as a push of a single button will activate all the Battle Droids back to their wartime programming. We learn that he was never loyal to the Republic nor the Empire, but to the Separatists, and its leader, Count Dooku. Bo manages to subdue him and he is banished for his actions. Not only are Bo and Din granted permission to speak with the Mandalorian privateers, but they are given the key to the city for their heroic actions. Oh, and then there is the small matter of Grogu being knighted as a knight of the Ancient Order of Independent Regencies! Arise Ser Grogu!
En route to the Mandalorian encampment, the tension is already building, you could see it on Bo-Katan’s face. Upon their arrival, she challenges Axe Woves for the leadership of the clan. After a hard-hitting fight, Wolves yields but lets it be known that she can never truly rule as she lacks the Darksaber. Din steps forward, and they do the one thing I wanted them to do – prove that the Darksaber already belongs to Bo-Katan. Din lost it to the creature on Mandalore, and Bo-Katan defeated him – so it was always hers! She ignites the blade in front of the Mandalorians… she has her fleet and her second batch of Mandalorian followers! I am so happy they went down this route, as no one wanted Bo-Katan and Din to fight. This was the smart story option!
Putting aside the fact that the mass of cameos was a little distracting in the beginning, this was yet another wonderful episode helmed by the amazing Bryce Dallas Howard! I loved the subverted neo-noir style story, especially leaning into the droids and the old Confederacy of Independent Systems ideology and politics. There was so much Episode 2 and The Clone Wars influence throughout the episode, both in terms of the droid angle as well as the Mandalorians. The colours and design were bright and vibrant and the episode was, generally, just a lot of fun! The ending gave me what I wanted, and sets up the next phase of the ‘retaking Mandalore’ perfectly!
What did you think of the latest episode of The Mandalorian? Let us know in the comments or find us on social media.
X-Geeks 
I agree that Jack Black and Lizzo, as cameos, were a little distracting but I liked them in the roles they were given and they seemed to have good chemistry! I was also especially partial to the droid bar, as I have a great fondness for them and love to see them have their own space to gather and fellowship.
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