RJ Writing Ink

Ever since Disney bought Lucasfilms, and with it, Star Wars, I’ve kept a skeptical eye on where the company takes the franchise. Then they axed the Expanded Universe and thirty plus years of extra content that they’ve yet to make up for. They may have given us Thrawn back, but I won’t be satisfied until I see the return of Revan! However, I think Disney’s starting to step up, and a big example would be the new show, The Mandalorian.

Taking place five years after the events of Return of the Jedi, The Mandalorian follows the titular character. Working as a bounty hunter in the Outer Rim, he accepts a job from an Imperial Remant. The mission: find a target of unknown appearance, and bring it to them. However, he soon realizes that there’s more to this job than he thought.

Space Western

The Mandalorian’s essentially Star Wars’ take on a space western, with the start of the first episode making that clear. Firstly, it takes place in the Outer Rim, a region in Star Wars known to varying degrees of law and order. Depending on where someone is, governments may not exist. In other words, its the perfect place for outlaws, criminals, and guns for hire, just like the Old West.

As for the the gunfights Westerns are famous for, The Mandalorian has them. The titular character lives up to his people’s reputation when he storms a bandit hideout in the first episode. He did have help from an IG Assassin Droid, but regardless, he’d have gotten in. He’s a Mandalorian, after all.

The Mandalorian Himself

If I could best describe the Mandalorian, he’s like a combination of Clint Eastwood and Samurai Jack. He’s quiet most of the time, never speaking more than necessary. He’s almost impossible to beat in a fight, and he’s great with a blaster.

Owing to the fact that we’ve yet to see him without his helmet, we don’t know what the Mandalorian looks like. In addition, it seems like his past will be revealed piece by piece. What’s known is that he wasn’t born a Mandalorian; he’s a foundling. Given the nature of that term, it’s implied that the Mandalorians found and raised him. Thus, he probably had a rough time growing up, turning him into the warrior he is today.

Despite being a deadly killer though, the Mandalorian’s not cold-blooded. His actions show that he does seem to care for other people. However, it’s locating his target that brings his concern for others to the forefront.

Baby Yoda

It’s impossible to discuss this show without talking about the target, the Baby Yoda. Aside from being super adorable, its inclusion is historic for Star Wars. Firstly, we know almost nothing about Yoda’s species; not even their name. Secondly, this is the first time I’m aware of that we’ve seen a baby Yoda.

Third, and I cannot emphasize this enough, the baby can use the Force! If that baby can use the Force, then it explains why the remnant’s of the Empire are after it. Who knows what they could with the Force at their disposal once more. One thing’s for sure, though: the Mandalorian’s getting involved in some deep poodoo.

Star Wars Done Right

For the first time since Disney took the reins of Star Wars, I feel confident in their ability to treat the franchise right. This new show looks and feels like a true part of Star Wars, and I love it. It also helps that it’s made by two men we can trust: Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni.

Jon Favreau’s proven himself to Disney through his work in the MCU. However, what interests me more is Dave Filoni. The man behind Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Rebels, and Resistance, he’s as big a fan of the franchise as we are. More importantly, he learned under the wing of George Lucas himself; that makes him Lucas’ apprentice. In fact, I hope to see Dave Filoni take the reins of Star Wars in the future. If The Mandalorian continues to be a success, then that may happen.

Overall, I recommend checking out The Mandalorian if you have Disney+. It’s got a lot of potential, and Star Wars needs to start rebuilding its universe outside the films. So, starting this friday, I’ll be reviewing each episode of the show as it comes out. Hopefully, this will help lead into what I have planned for December regarding Star Wars. May the Force be with us.

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Rick and Morty Season 4, Episode 2 Review- The Old Man and the Seat

I always knew that I would find an episode of Rick and Morty I wouldn’t like. After watching last night’s episode, “The Old Man and the Seat” I think I found it. It’s not that it wasn’t funny, because it was. To put it simply, I don’t think I’m a big fan of jokes involving poop. That’s basically what this episode revolved around, and Rick’s Secret Seat.

Rick’s Secret Seat

Remember that image we got of Season Four, of Rick walking through an alien meadow of grass? It turns out that was a planet that Rick reserves exclusively to use the bathroom on, private fancy toilet and all. However, when he finds out someone else used his secret seat, Rick goes on a quest for revenge.

On some level, I think many of us can understand where Rick’s coming from. I enjoy the privacy of my bathroom and how it offers a respite from the day’s events. Although, we see Rick hold the 470,000 kids of a fly mobster hostage and alter a war between robots and lizard aliens to find the culprit. It’s funny to see Rick go to such lengths over something so mundane, but it’s also sad. Did I mention I don’t like poop jokes?

Great Moments in Stupidity: Jerry Version

While Rick’s off having his own solo adventure over his secret seat, Morty gets caught in one courtesy of his dad. It’s been established that Jerry’s an idiot that people think little of. Morty’s respect for him has plummeted over the show’s run, but Seat has him verbalize it.

Long story short, Jerry teams up with Rick’s intern Glurty to develop an app. That’s despite the fact that Glurty has a tattoo on his forehead that says “do not develop my app”. The resulting Tinder-esque app ends up distracting everyone on the planet. As a result, Glurty’s alien masters can invade the Earth as part of their convoluted plan to steal the planet’s water.

I’m not sure what the message behind this story was. It seemed like a commentary on how obsessed people are with apps. While it may seem dumb for an app to be used for world domination, I think there’s a grain of truth. Keep people distracted long enough, and this can happen.

While it may not seem as strong to some as the quest for the Secret Seat, I liked the app story for reversing the Rick and Morty roles. In this case, though, it’s Morty and Jerry, with Morty being the Rick to Jerry’s Morty. It helped drive home the fact that Morty’s smarter than his dad, and that leads him to act like a Rick. That’s irony!

The Right Combination of Stupid

Ultimately, while I’m not a fan of poop jokes or the story of Rick’s Secret Seat, I can appreciate what they were trying to do; I think. The whole episode seemed to emphasize what we already knew: that Jerry’s an idiot, and that Rick’s lonely and miserable because he lets his genius alienate him from others. One thing’s for sure, though: I’m not developing an app.

I Give “The Old Man and the Seat” a 3.5/5

Hilarious Observations

• There’s such a thing as Mount Space Everest. That’s shoehorning at his simplest.
• Scan the QR Code on Rick’s hat here. It takes you somewhere cool!

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My Hero Academia, Season 4, Episode 5 Review/Recap

After the multiple revelations of last week’s episode, I think viewers needed a chance soak everything in. So instead of focusing on Midoriya, this week’s episode focuses on his classmates; specifically Kirishima. As Red Riot, he’s doing his own work study with Amajiki under Great Saiyaman Fat Gum. However, he winds up getting caught in the effects of Overhaul’s master plan in the process.

Recap

At a secret location, Shigaraki meets with Overhaul and tells him he’ll work with him, on two conditions. Firstly, he won’t a subordinate: they’re equal partners in this plan. Secondly, the young man wants to know what Overhaul’s plan is. He already knows it has something to do with what they hit Mr. Compress with. Overhaul cryptically says that he plans to fine-tune what All for One did and upend the status quo.

Elsewhere, Red Riot (Kirishima) is on patrol with Suneater (Amajiki) and Fat Gum. After stopping a trio of robbers, Suneater’s suddenly shot by a fourth criminal with the same bullet used on Mr. Compress. Red Riot pursues the criminal on his own and seems to have him beat. However, the man then injects himself with a drug that makes his Quirk go crazy. As a result, Red Riot pushes his Quirk and defeats the bad guy with his new move: Red Riot Unbreakable! All the civilians present praise the young hero for his efforts, but Fat Gum’s left worried about the criminal used.

Review

By a wide margin, Midoriya’s my favorite character in My Hero Academia; partially because his sense of justice and bravery reminds me of Spider-Man. However, I think a good Shonen story needs to give its supporting cast time to shine. This episode was all about the supporting cast.

Aside from Kirishima’s amazing display, it’s also revealed that Uraraka and Asui are doing their own work studies. Like Deku and Kirishima, they’re working alongside another member of the Big 3, Nejire. As a result of all their heroics, the members of Class 1-A are getting noticed by the public. Honestly, I think its nice to see them get recognition; they’re building their legends as heroes.

As much as I loved seeing what the others are up to, there are bigger problems. I know that Overhaul has some kind of drug that can surpress a person’s Quirk. What worries me more, though, is that drug that criminal used to fight Red Riot. It was like a super-powered steroid, and in the wrong hands, that could be catastrophic. Whatever Overhaul has planned, it’s big. In other words, this episode sets us up for a something monumental, and I can’t wait to see what happens next week! PLUS ULTRA!

I Give “Let’s Go, Gutsy Red Riot” A 4/5. Really enjoyable

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