RJ Writing Ink

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Centuries from now, I hope historians look back in Star Wars and recognize just how important it was to global culture. It’s one of those things that MUST be remembered. May the force be with us.

Star Wars, The Mandalorian, Episode 3 Review

If there’s one thing newcomers to Star Wars need to know about the Mandalorians, it’s that they’re a warrior people. They’re some of the few people who could fight a Jedi and win! As a result of their warrior nature, they’re very loyal to each other; it’s the Mando Way. In this episode, we see the Mando Way on full display as the Mandalorian makes a fateful decision.

The Mandalorian’s Past

So far, the show’s only revealed the titular character’s past in bits and pieces. However, I think I’ve seen enough to guess what happened to him. From the looks of things, his home was attacked by the Separatists during the Clone Wars. His parents hid him in a cellar to protect him, but the clankers got to them, and would have killed Mando as well.

Say what you will about the prequels, but the battle droids were some of my favorite things about them. They’re both scary and hilarious at the same time. Mostly, though, they’re hilarious, so seeing them again was a fun treat. I also took it as a sign that Disney’s taking its job of creating a more cohesive canon seriously.

As for the Mandalorian, we know he survived the droid’s attack. I’m going under the assumption that he either escaped or the Mandalorians found him. They’ve adopted orphans before to increase their ranks; it’s the Mando Way.

The Mando Way

Regarding the Mando Way, this episode reveals that this group of Mandalorian’s is a little different from what we saw in The Clone Wars and Rebels. In this episode, they speak of an event known as the Great Purge brought about by the Empire. Now they live in hiding, only going out one at a time. In other words, something big may have happened to Mandalore. One that led them to adopt this new “Mando Way” to survive

If you saw the events in Star Wars: Rebels, then you know that the Mandalorians fully rebelled against the Empire. They’re the best warriors in the galaxy, but they can’t fight off the Empire forever. Maybe the Empire tried to wipe the Mandalorians out for good between the events of Rebels and Return of the Jedi. I think that explains why the Mandalorian’s are in hiding years after the Empire collapsed.

Regardless, the big takeaway about the Mando Way is that they stick together no matter what. That ends up saving the Mandalorian at the climax of this episode.

A Heart Under That Armor

Even though the show portays him as a grim Clint Eastwood type of figure, I already found out that the protagonist has a heart. We saw him shoot the IG-11 droid to protect the Baby Yoda. It was for his payment, but that’s besides the point. In addition, he remained very patient with the child when it wanted to play with its surroundings. He grew to care for the baby like a son.

Ultimately, when push comes to shove, the Mandalorian goes full-on papa wolf for the baby. As a result, we got not one, but two amazing firefights in the climax of the story. Seeing the Mandalorian become a Star Wars fusion of John Wick and Clint Eastwood was as entertaining as shootouts get. The pacing was a bit slow at times, but the show writers made up for it by playing up the suspense.

Good intentions aside, the Mandalorian made himself the most wanted man in the sector. For emphasis, every tracker fob at the Bounty Hunter Guild lights up the minute Mando leaves with the Baby Yoda. However, the Mando way means the Mandalorians stick together.

Undoubtedly, the sight of the Mandalorian tribe coming to the rescue was the highlight of the episode for me. It emphasized two things: firstly, that the Mandalorian’s stick together. Secondly, much like a wolf hunts in packs, the Mandalorians do so as well. As a result, they’re nigh unstoppable.

Mando vs. the Imps

Whatever Imperial warlord wanted the Baby Yoda will now be after the Mandalorian. Which means the next few episodes are going to be a lot of fighting and running from the bad guys. In other words, we just got a Jason Bourne story alongside John Wick and Clint Eastwood.

I don’t know what will happen next episode, but after seeing what the show’s had to offer, I know it will be good. The Skywalker Saga may be coming to an end (for now), but The Mandalorian feels like a bright light for the future of the franchise. As a bonus, this episode introduced me to the woman who will be helming the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series, Deborah Chow. I think Kenobi’s in good hands.

I Give “Chapter 3: The Sin” A 4.5/5. As Perfect as We can Get

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Sword Art Online: Alicization- War of Underworld Episode 31 Review/Recap

In my last post, I expressed my hopes that Asuna would finally show up in Underworld and start kicking ass. However, it looks like I’ll have to wait a bit longer. In the meantime, we’re stuck with the Integrity Knights, whom I’m on the fence about. This episode in particular focuses on a certain failed knight and the impact Kirito has on his life.

Is Asuna here yet?

LINK START!

Recap

In the last episode, the Integrity Knight Renly lost his nerve and ran back to the supply camp. It’s revealed that his cowardice stems from two events in his life. Firstly, he accidentally killed his friend in a sparring match. Secondly, Quinella had him put in stasis when he couldn’t unlock release recollection. As he continues to wallow in self-pity, Tiese and Ronye arrive with Kirito, just as a goblin raiding party attacks the camp. However, Renly sees Kirito trying to protect the girls, and this gives him the courage to overcome his insecurities. He the proceeds to kill the goblins, including one of the Dark Territory’s chieftains in the process.

Meanwhile, the Dark Territory’s mage guild attempts to overwhelm the Human Army with the gargoyle-like Minions. When they’re wiped out by Bercouli, the mage leader resorts to having the mages drain the life from the ravine to punch through the enemy. Unknown to them, Alice already drained the energy of every dying warrior on the battlefield to create a massive bomb. The young knight then proceeds to use it to decimate the Dark Territory’s mages, though it brings no comfort to Alice.

Review

I am still waiting for the moment when Asuna shows up and starts kicking ass, so I didn’t expect much from this episode. However, I ended up enjoying it for some reason, especially Renly. Even though his character’s a little two-dimensional, the anime does its best to justify why he considers himself a failed knight. To be honest, I think a lot of people would have his mindset after what he went through, and fighting in a war didn’t help. Yet the sight of Kirito, a young man whose very soul’s been damaged, try to protect his friends lit a fire in Renly. Thanks to that, Renly went from a failed knight to a total badass. It speaks volumes of the affect that Kirito has on people.

After seeing Renly let loose, we got to see the full power of Alice on display. In a way, one could call Alice a failed knight like Renly, but for different reasons. Alice turned on the Axiom Church, lost her childhood friend, her memory, and then her reason to fight. Yet Kirito helped reignite her fire. In other words, Kirito’s changed this pair of failed knights for the better. Plus, seeing Alice’s magic spirit bomb go off was amazing.

Awesome fights aside, the fact remains that the Integrity Knight’s are fighting an uphill battle. If there were ever a time for Asuna to come charging in, it would be in the next episode or so. We all know we want to see her. #Asunasavestheday

I Give ” Stigma of the Disqualified” a 3.5/5. Not bad, but they can do better.

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