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The Mandalorian — The Mines of Mandalore review Chapter 18 — S3 E2

Jeffrey Lyles , , ,

One of my favorite aspects of The Mandalorian is the sense of exploration and wonder. It feels like each episode unlocks another corner of the Star Wars universe even in familiar locations. The Mines of Mandalore opened up a new venue as Mando and Grogu continue their quest.

First up, a return to a familiar location. The Mandalore is all about fan service and revisiting popular supporting characters — unless they’re named Cara Dune…

It’s back to Tattooine and a stop to Peli Motto’s garage. Peli is always a fun character who the writers have wisely used in small doses so as not to overexpose her. She’s running a scam with some Jawas, who steal parts from speeders, and then charges the owners a grip to repair. So basically Peli is running a chop shop yet somehow her fast-talking charismatic nature allows her to avoid coming off like a crook.

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Mando asks Peli for help getting the memory circuit for IG-11. He needs it since IG-11 can determine if the Mandalore air is safe to breathe. Ever one to recognize a sales opportunity, Peli somehow manages to convince Mando to take R5 even though his panels are falling off during the sales pitch.

It’s ironic that after getting left at the altar for R2-D2, R5 now gets his big moment to shine in a series that will significantly raise his popularity. Well c’mon Red, let’s go!

Mando explains to Grogu that he never actually set foot on Mandalore previously — he lived on a nearby moon. Once the Empire invaded, it was hardly a tourist spot and he never ventured to the Mandalorian home world.

The Empire wrecked Mandalore! So much of the planet’s surface is crystallized with a green hue.

Director Rachel Morrison, who did the cinematography for Black Panther, is immensely skilled at setting up a new environment with the rich, dark Mandalorian skies and the greens shining through darkened tunnels.

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Devastated Mandalore makes for another fun new-ish locale, which helps to keep the series looking so fresh and original.

Mando gets ambushed by some cave creatures. It’s nice to see he still hasn’t mastered the Dark Saber — giving him an attainable goal to accomplish during the season.

As they head into the mines, Mando manages to get caught in a metallic booby trap of a crab-like creature. This is a fantastic cyborg style design that seems ripe for an awesome action figure later down the road.

Grogu should have completed his training as he can’t use The Force properly to free Mando. Now he’s racing off to get to Bo-Katan.

Bo’s reaction to seeing Mandalore is more meaningful since she was there in all its glory although it feels somewhat repetitive as we just had Mando narrate his thoughts on Mandalore to Grogu earlier this same episode.

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And really, Bo’s insight is more valuable here anyway. She tells Grogu about how she fought alongside Jedi during the Clone Wars. Bo is a nice bridge character from the prequel trilogy era and can share stories from the war to those on the other side of it like Luke, Mando and Grogu.

With Grogu’s guidance, Bo rescues Mando from the cyborg creature just as it was starting to drain his blood. Using the Dark Saber with far greater skill than Mando, Bo kills the creature’s smaller body and has to work a little harder to take down its larger frame in an intense bada$$ fight.

For my griping about her unceremonious exit, Bo does negate the absence of Cara Dune to a large degree. She fills in the snarky, cynical highly competent fighter seeking redemption void just fine.

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Bo scoffs at the traditions of The Armorer’s sect of Mandalorians saying there’s nothing magical about the waters. She takes him there anyway, but neither are anticipating the massive drop he experiences when he steps in.

Looks like the Empire’s bombing impacted the mine’s floor as well sending Mando plummeting to the bottom of the lake. Bo rescues him again, but did that massive creature underneath just spot them?

That’s a heck of a cliffhanger — one that suggests Mando is definitely going to need Bo’s help if he ever intends to survive sanctifying himself and uniting the Mandalorian tribes.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Photo Credit: Disney

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