I must say, I am surprised by the largely negative response this episode has been getting on IMDB. When I first saw it, I thought, without a doubt in my mind, that it would have to be above 9 at least, but to my shock was barely above 7. Seeing all the negative reviews, I must respectfully inquire, what was so bad about it? The only criticism I have seen leveled at this masterpiece of television storytelling is, and I quote this directly from the headings of multiple reviews, "boring!" This rather harsh criticism does not underline any issues with the episode itself, and it only speaks, I believe, to a certain close-mindedness in said reviewers that prevents them from experiencing stories that are not just the Mandalorian and Grogu going on adventures, from appreciating nuance and artful storytelling, and that represents a desire in said viewer to only see what is expected, the status quo, and not something that veers from that format and does something truly unique.
This episode presents multiple fascinating notions to the viewer. Most intriguing to me is the very thin line between the New Republic and the Empire, each being establishments based upon suppressing the individual voice, instead embracing conformity and silencing any variations from their ideologies when they are inconvenient. The New Republic, by not allowing Empire technology and science to be utilized for good shows an interesting facet of this government that I don't think has been explored in detail before. The episode also has fascinating and masterfully executed character and world-building which, considering the short time they had to accomplish this, shows the brilliance of the writing. We are shown a new side of the Empire in which, contrary to what was shown previously in the saga, the people inhabiting it are not necessarily evil, but through no choice of their own are forced into working for them, or if they did work for the empire by choice, that they question their actions and have a conscience. The aforementioned themes, in conjunction with the tone of mind-numbing bureaucracy and characters who seek to rebel against systems of oppression, whether they be the Empire or, in this episode's case, the New Republic, bear a marked resemblance to the themes of Andor, which is in my opinion the best Star Wars show to date. Also, the character of Dr. Pershing, who was a favorite of mine in the previous Mandalorian seasons, gets a chance to develop in a way that his previously insignificant role could not allow.
Suffice it to say, I was thoroughly impressed with the writing, acting, and pacing of this episode and hope to see more Star Wars like this.
This episode presents multiple fascinating notions to the viewer. Most intriguing to me is the very thin line between the New Republic and the Empire, each being establishments based upon suppressing the individual voice, instead embracing conformity and silencing any variations from their ideologies when they are inconvenient. The New Republic, by not allowing Empire technology and science to be utilized for good shows an interesting facet of this government that I don't think has been explored in detail before. The episode also has fascinating and masterfully executed character and world-building which, considering the short time they had to accomplish this, shows the brilliance of the writing. We are shown a new side of the Empire in which, contrary to what was shown previously in the saga, the people inhabiting it are not necessarily evil, but through no choice of their own are forced into working for them, or if they did work for the empire by choice, that they question their actions and have a conscience. The aforementioned themes, in conjunction with the tone of mind-numbing bureaucracy and characters who seek to rebel against systems of oppression, whether they be the Empire or, in this episode's case, the New Republic, bear a marked resemblance to the themes of Andor, which is in my opinion the best Star Wars show to date. Also, the character of Dr. Pershing, who was a favorite of mine in the previous Mandalorian seasons, gets a chance to develop in a way that his previously insignificant role could not allow.
Suffice it to say, I was thoroughly impressed with the writing, acting, and pacing of this episode and hope to see more Star Wars like this.