I've seen the first episode, and it's pretty good. It feels like Star Wars, and so far the main character is both likeable and enigmatic. Never takes his helmet off, but so far we only see him when he's on the clock. Good supporting cast, too.
That said, I'm a little surprised by the production values. While some of the effects are flawless, like the spaceship and location CGI, others are surprisingly creaky. I liked that they used a lot of practical stuff, but there were points where it was obvious that the props were wobbly and/or insubstantial.
And so far, not a lot of big picture stuff going on. That may change as the season moves on.
But so far, so good. I say check it out for yourself.
I'll have to wait for it to come out on video or something. I'm not interested in another online streaming subscription.
For me the Mandalorian successfully captured the Star Wars vibe although from a bounty hunter's pov. The ending of the episode was nice cliffhanger. Plus finally got to see what those weird thin bounty hunter droid do that we saw in Empire Strikes Back.
For context the show takes place 5 years after the Return of the Jedi.
I have spoken ;)
Quote from: estar;1113828I have spoken ;)
I like that line too. Hope the old guy shows up again in future episodes.
Well, my brother/roommate ponied up a subscription, so we watched it.
I'm liking it so far. A merciful minimum of CGI, and some good callouts to Star Wars lore. The electric prod/gun thing from the Holiday Special cartoon especially amused me.
Any signs of the woke blandness that plague all the new-new Star Wars (barring Rogue One)?
Not so far. If anything, they seem to be channeling Clint Eastwood in The Outlaw Josey Wales, and that's not a bad thing.
Quote from: estar;1113828I have spoken ;)
Quote from: Lurkndog;1113848I like that line too. Hope the old guy shows up again in future episodes.
I did not know there were Lil Abner fans here? :o
Over the last few years I've come to loathe Star Wars, but I gave this a shot. I like the first episode enough that I'll keep watching for now.
First episode was good, the second one was even better. No SJWisms or woke blandness at all so far.
Watched episode 1 a bit back and 2 last night. Really enjoyable and has a great Star Wars frontier vibe to it - thinking about how they've put the main character permanently in a helmet is a lot riskier than I think a lot of us thought. I mean its obviously a cool character but a lot of the characterisation could easily get lost but so far it hasn't - I'm really getting a sense of his character and personality.
First post here by-the-way after lurking on a profile for years. Topic banned on Star Wars at the Big Purple for posting this:
Had the pleasure of watching the first one last night and really enjoyed it so looking forward to this. Bit concerned that I'm thinking this is better than it actually is due to the low bar set by the crap that was the Last Jedi and the bad stuff I'm hearing about Rise of Skywalker but I don't care - with this show I'm actually getting to watch some Star Wars that I don't just enjoy but actually looks to be developing into a pretty damn good series!
So I've decide to just scramble my password and not bother with it and 'hello' to everyone here! :)
Holy cow, the old guy was Nick Nolte!
I remember him being taller...
Yeah, I liked the second episode as well.
I'm not 100% sold on buying Disney+, but the Blu-rays for The Mandalorian are going to be a must-have.
Also, apparently the old guy's name is Kuiil.
Quote from: Rich H;1114137Watched episode 1 a bit back and 2 last night. Really enjoyable and has a great Star Wars frontier vibe to it - thinking about how they've put the main character permanently in a helmet is a lot riskier than I think a lot of us thought. I mean its obviously a cool character but a lot of the characterisation could easily get lost but so far it hasn't - I'm really getting a sense of his character and personality.
First post here by-the-way after lurking on a profile for years. Topic banned on Star Wars at the Big Purple for posting this:
Had the pleasure of watching the first one last night and really enjoyed it so looking forward to this. Bit concerned that I'm thinking this is better than it actually is due to the low bar set by the crap that was the Last Jedi and the bad stuff I'm hearing about Rise of Skywalker but I don't care - with this show I'm actually getting to watch some Star Wars that I don't just enjoy but actually looks to be developing into a pretty damn good series!
So I've decide to just scramble my password and not bother with it and 'hello' to everyone here! :)
Welcome!
In the first episode, the underworld client had a bunch of guys in dirty stormtrooper outfits working as his bodyguards. The question is, are they
A) Former Imperial stormtroopers now working as mercenaries
B) Mercenaries wearing secondhand stormtrooper armor
C) Stormtrooper wannabees, just common scum in trashed armor
Quote from: Lurkndog;1114157In the first episode, the underworld client had a bunch of guys in dirty stormtrooper outfits working as his bodyguards. The question is, are they
A) Former Imperial stormtroopers now working as mercenaries
B) Mercenaries wearing secondhand stormtrooper armor
C) Stormtrooper wannabees, just common scum in trashed armor
I haven't seen the 2nd episode yet. My bet is Imperial Remnants, but that's just a guess, based on how they all seemed to have intact (if beat up) sets of ST armor.
Quote from: Ratman_tf;1114158I haven't seen the 2nd episode yet. My bet is Imperial Remnants, but that's just a guess, based on how they all seemed to have intact (if beat up) sets of ST armor.
Wasn't the guy they were working for wearing an Imperial insignia too?
Quote from: HappyDaze;1114170Wasn't the guy they were working for wearing an Imperial insignia too?
Don't remember. The metal he gave as payment had the Imperial symbol stamped on it.
It's all highly circumstantial. Hell, they could be space pirates that robbed an Imperial garrison.
Quote from: HappyDaze;1114170Wasn't the guy they were working for wearing an Imperial insignia too?
Yes he was, good spot!
.
.
.
I was reading somewhere that 'Baby Yoda' was born in the same year as Anakin Skywalker. I wonder if there's more to a connection than just the time they were born... ?
Caught the 2nd episode tonight.
Quote from: Rich H;1114137Bit concerned that I'm thinking this is better than it actually is due to the low bar set by the crap that was the Last Jedi and the bad stuff I'm hearing about Rise of Skywalker but I don't care - with this show I'm actually getting to watch some Star Wars that I don't just enjoy but actually looks to be developing into a pretty damn good series![/I]
Just the end credits of The Mandalorian is better than both sequels combined. And I don't think it's because of the low bar the sequels have set. The show is genuinely good on it's own merits.
I liked the fact that, with the fall of the Empire, there isn't a solid universal currency any more. That's a nice detail.
The Mon Calamari coin was obviously the strongest, so much so that it was worth more than its face value.
No New Republic currency, but if there is a stable core to the New Republic, The Mandalorian takes place very far from it.
Quote from: Ratman_tf;1114158I haven't seen the 2nd episode yet. My bet is Imperial Remnants, but that's just a guess, based on how they all seemed to have intact (if beat up) sets of ST armor.
That, and the Stormtroopers appeared to be gaunt under the armor, like they were half-starved and desperate.
It's a far more compelling image than anything the First Order ever delivered.
Quote from: Ratman_tf;1114244Just the end credits of The Mandalorian is better than both sequels combined. And I don't think it's because of the low bar the sequels have set. The show is genuinely good on it's own merits.
Not a fan, then! :p ... Yep, those credits with all the lovely painted art work are amazing and a really nice addition. Will be very tempted to buy an artbook with all that stuff in it.
Quote from: Lurkndog;1114280I liked the fact that, with the fall of the Empire, there isn't a solid universal currency any more. That's a nice detail.
... And a nice way of explaining the time period within the actual story rather than as exposition or part of any introductory text.
Quote from: Lurkndog;1114280The Mon Calamari coin was obviously the strongest, so much so that it was worth more than its face value.
Did I hear a sorta watery squelching noise as Mando picked them up from the table?
Yep, the Mon Cal currency was squishy.
So far so good. The only major gripe i have with this series is the use of the Force. Why must there be Force in every star wars production? Is it that awesome to lift some shit up in the air? Now if force wielding characters could move superfast it would be something(im looking at you Phantom Menace). Force devalues the struggles of characters like the Mandalorians or Han Solo by making them secondary players in their scenes while hyping hollow characters with ''mystical' significance. Thats not how it works while u get in life threatening situations, u either think fast or u die. No help from space daddy(or mommy as the new books seem to suggest) just good old fashioned do or die. But hey, thats just my 2 cents(that i loved sharing thou:))
Quote from: Warder;1114589So far so good. The only major gripe i have with this series is the use of the Force. Why must there be Force in every star wars production? Is it that awesome to lift some shit up in the air? Now if force wielding characters could move superfast it would be something(im looking at you Phantom Menace). Force devalues the struggles of characters like the Mandalorians or Han Solo by making them secondary players in their scenes while hyping hollow characters with ''mystical' significance. Thats not how it works while u get in life threatening situations, u either think fast or u die. No help from space daddy(or mommy as the new books seem to suggest) just good old fashioned do or die. But hey, thats just my 2 cents(that i loved sharing thou:))
I mostly agree. But the Force is a part of the setting. Making the baby a Force user doesn't bother me as much, since he's (she's?) not going to be as adept as a Jedi character.
What does bother me is when a "mundane" character develops into a Jedi. Kyle Katarn, Corran Horn, etc. Because laser sword.
I wonder what would happen if the baby was a Sith?:) Now that would be a neat twist. It would explain why it has black eyes. Now so cute and cuddly now eh? But ofc this designer baby is made to appeal to toyetic geared fans, and those toys have to sell themselves. Yee, i agree with Kyle Katarn. I guess we just have to accept the Deux Ex Writer Machina that the Force is. Will still hate it thou.
Episode 3 was the best yet IMHO. Really enjoying this ride.
Will wait until folks have had a chance to see it before saying any more.
I think that a Mandalorian character class just became an essential feature for any Star Wars RPG.
Quote from: Lurkndog;1114762I think that a Mandalorian character class just became an essential feature for any Star Wars RPG.
I'm curious to see what their cultural foods and dinners would look like when nobody ever takes off their helmets. I'm imagining a lot of broths sucked through straws. And a Mandalorian that vomits is going to have a tough time choking down "This is the way" while his helmet is filled with chunky bits, so broths are probably a good choice.
We've seen lots of Mandalorians before in The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, and all of them had their helmets off most of the time, unless they were going into battle.
So I'm not sure if this is supposed to be new lore that supercedes that, or if the hero belongs to some kind of ultra-strict helmets-on subculture of Mandalorians, or if something else is going on. Maybe he's the Rightful King of Mandalore, and he has to keep his helmet on or be instantly recognized. I suspect that more will be revealed as the show goes on.
Quote from: Lurkndog;1114804We've seen lots of Mandalorians before in The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, and all of them had their helmets off most of the time, unless they were going into battle.
So I'm not sure if this is supposed to be new lore that supercedes that, or if the hero belongs to some kind of ultra-strict helmets-on subculture of Mandalorians, or if something else is going on. Maybe he's the Rightful King of Mandalore, and he has to keep his helmet on or be instantly recognized. I suspect that more will be revealed as the show goes on.
My impression is that this is one group of Mandalorians from different clans that formed after the Empire razed Mandalore/Concordia. Unless this is meant to be a total retcon of Mandalorian culture and religion, I'd say their beliefs are unique to their cult.
Quote from: Ratman_tf;1114591I mostly agree. But the Force is a part of the setting. Making the baby a Force user doesn't bother me as much, since he's (she's?) not going to be as adept as a Jedi character.
What does bother me is when a "mundane" character develops into a Jedi. Kyle Katarn, Corran Horn, etc. Because laser sword.
I, Jedi was a badass book though.
Episode 3 of this show was awesome. I know we're only 3 episodes in, but so far this show started out really good and just keeps getting better.
I've seen the first 2 episodes and so far it's alright. Not great, almost good. I don't know if that's because the movies have turned me off Star Wars so much that I just can't get back into it or because it seem like it's trying just a bit too hard to not be woke trash. It's dipping into the nostalgia a little too much (hey, you remember Star Wars, right? It has this X thing and these Y things and this other Z thing) for my liking.
I did like the vibro-blade in the second episode. That was a nice small touch that could be easy to miss.
Also, the scientist guy with the Imperial shoulder patch... IIRC, that's a clone division insignia. So baby Yoda might be a clone that got away.
My biggest worry is that at the end of the season, Mando is going to remove the helmet and we're going to see that the Mandalorian is actually a Ma'amdalorian. Because, you know, the whole thing is one big lazy gottcha!
Until then though, it's Mandalorian, half man, half DeLorean (yeah, yeah, I know it's spelled differently but you can't tell that when you say it out loud).
The Mandalorian is Pedro Pascal, Javier Pena from Narcos and the Red Viper in Game of Thrones.
Quote from: CRKrueger;1115004The Mandalorian is Pedro Pascal, Javier Pena from Narcos and the Red Viper in Game of Thrones.
Right, I know that. But we haven't actually seen him in the armor, or at least I haven't. Maybe there are some production shots of it? IIRC the credits don't even credit him as The Mandalorian. They just say "staring" which is technically correct. For right now he is the voice of the main character. It's not difficult, but perhaps a bit conspiratorial, to think that someone else is in there using a voice modulator to hide their identity.
Do I think that's what's actually going on? Not really. Can I see it being what's actually going on? Absolutely. Such is the poisoned well of modern media thanks to identity politics.
Quote from: rgalex;1114949My biggest worry is that at the end of the season, Mando is going to remove the helmet and we're going to see that the Mandalorian is actually a Ma'amdalorian. Because, you know, the whole thing is one big lazy gottcha!
That's clearly a dude in the costume, it would be a really glaring continuity error if they replaced the current actor with a woman.
Quote from: Kiero;1115041That's clearly a dude in the costume, it would be a really glaring continuity error if they replaced the current actor with a woman.
I don't know if I'd say clearly. Half the people I watched it with, so 3 ;) , seem to think it looks androgynous enough, movements, padding/covering, that it could be a woman.
Anyway, whether it is or not, the show is still leagues above the current movies and a move in the right direction storytelling-wise. The character has flaws, isn't handed everything, struggles in fights, etc which all adds a layer of... humanness?
I'm interested to see where it all goes but I'm not going to sing it's praises just yet like some people do.
Quote from: rgalex;1115046I don't know if I'd say clearly. Half the people I watched it with, so 3 ;) , seem to think it looks androgynous enough, movements, padding/covering, that it could be a woman.
Anyway, whether it is or not, the show is still leagues above the current movies and a move in the right direction storytelling-wise. The character has flaws, isn't handed everything, struggles in fights, etc which all adds a layer of... humanness?
I'm interested to see where it all goes but I'm not going to sing it's praises just yet like some people do.
Nah, men and women move differently, you can't hide that with padding. You could tell the "Ubese bounty hunter" in RotJ was a woman for that reason.
Quote from: rgalex;1114949the Mandalorian is actually a Ma'amdalorian
LOL! That's hysterical, and could totally happen if there's a change in producers.
Quote from: Kiero;1115041That's clearly a dude in the costume, it would be a really glaring continuity error if they replaced the current actor with a woman.
This is Disney and technically nuStar Wars we are talking about. So all bets are off till its confirmed who is under the helmet. And even then all they have to do is kill him off and replace with a female who takes over from there.
Quote from: Kiero;1115050Nah, men and women move differently, you can't hide that with padding. You could tell the "Ubese bounty hunter" in RotJ was a woman for that reason.
Its been done before in a rare few movies where they actually had a male actor up till the reveal. Or in one or two cases a female actress up till the reveal.
Hey, it's the Mandalorian!
(Surpised no one's made that joke yet)
If she gets pregnant they can rename it the Momdalorian. :cool:
But if the helmet comes off and its Mickey then they can rename it the Mousedelorian. :eek:
What if it was a mini Death Star? Thats no Moondelorian! :o
In episode 4 we find out that the helmet comes off when not around others. This helps avoid the idiocy that arises if he never takes it off.
Quote from: HappyDaze;1115291In episode 4 we find out that the helmet comes off when not around others. This helps avoid the idiocy that arises if he never takes it off.
I imagined it was something like that.
This show continues to deliver. While I wouldn't want all of Star Wars to be like this show, I do think it's tapped into the Ronin/Western vibe that even the Prequels lost touch with.
Must as I liked Rogue One and Solo, this is the most "Star Wars" thing I've seen since... A New Hope.
The Mandalorian did more with a single AT-ST and a bunch of brigands than the sequels have tried to do with a wall of Walkers, huge ass fleets of starships, and lots of people running around:
Make me care about the conflict.
That's what's missing from the sequels, and Disney would do well to pay attention, instead of making lame-ass excuses.
https://boundingintocomics.com/2019/11/21/kathleen-kennedy-on-difficulty-of-making-star-wars-sequel-films-theres-no-source-material-we-dont-have-comic-books/
Couldn't agree with you more, Ratman. Episode 4 was another solid one. Directed by Bryce Dallas Howard, which is interesting.
I wondered why they didn't use Boba Fett, but now I think that decision makes sense. Our Mando is a lot more of a good guy at heart, and not using Boba Fett lets the show be its own thing. Also, the Razor Crest is way better than Slave 1.
Since it is supposed to be set after Return of the Jedi. Depending on if they are following only the movie or not. Fett is dead and thus could not be a character. If he is still alive as some novels and comics tried to claim. Then it might be too late to use him as the prequel movies in a way ruined the mystery of the character. Who knows. They might be saving him for later.
Ratman, i also liked episode 4 even if it was tropey and we have seen the 7 samurays/cowboys before. I still think its Pedro Pascal we will see under the helmet.
Boba Fett was stone cold, he would have shot the baby faster than the droid bounty hunter and still killed the droid. There would be no show.
One thing that i dont get are the tracking fobs. How do they keep track of baby yoda across the galaxy? Is it emitting a signal thats tracable? If it had a chip under its skin then the Mandalorian would cut it out or would bring it somewhere where it would be cut out. But no, there is no indication of that.
Quote from: Warder;1115407One thing that i dont get are the tracking fobs. How do they keep track of baby yoda across the galaxy? Is it emitting a signal thats tracable? If it had a chip under its skin then the Mandalorian would cut it out or would bring it somewhere where it would be cut out. But no, there is no indication of that.
I don't know. I suspect they detect a specific life signature. Note that when the Mandalorian was given some kind of co-ordinates or additional info before starting to track a quarry, so the fobs probably have limited range. In which case, the hunter in this episode probably tracked Cara Dune or Mando's ships, or got info from one of the townspeople. (The first town)
Like most tech in Star Wars, it serves the story first. The details are secondary.
Yeah, the tracking fobs bother me.
I don't inherently mind the reboot/whatever you call it that Disney did, even if I think they discarded some of the best stuff along with some of the worst. But the new Disney Star Wars has this... I dunno, it's not even soft science fiction, it's melted science fiction. Star Wars was always soft science fiction, but it at least had this sort of veneer of attention to detail. They slapped enough rust colored paint and exposed wiring on everything that even if it was all stuff out of the old sci fi serials, tech wise, it "felt good", if that makes any sense. It doesn't feel that way to me anymore... The whole galaxy seems to be about 5 minutes from everywhere now, you can see lasers fired from one star system to another star system real time from yet a third star system, and now these little tracking fobs that seem to be able to just... know where someone is, somehow.
It seems like different directors have different tolerances for that... Rogue One seemed better than most of the Nu Star Wars, for example, about that. And I was really enjoying Mandarlorian, which, again, felt more... more like it kind of respected that even if this was all bullshit, you couldn't get too egregious with it, you know? But the tracking fobs do bother me.
I could take Rogue One, The Mandalorian, and pretend the rest of it never happened.
The tracking fobs seem to only operate over a short range. Like if you can find out which city the target is in, they will allow you to close in on the person.
Clearly, Mando's expectation was that going to a remote planet would keep the bounty hunters off his back for a while.
It's not shown what they key in on. The ones we see in operation are for known criminals, and Baby Yoda. Both cases where the target was probably in custody somewhere at some point. It is possible the targets were injected with something like a swarm of low-powered nano-trackers that operate over short range, and are too small/numerous to simply remove. If so, they will probably quit working at some point.
Quote from: Kiero;1115435I could take Rogue One, The Mandalorian, and pretend the rest of it never happened.
I liked
Star Wars: Rebels also, though the final season went kind of deep into crazy Force magic.
Star Wars: Resistance, though, is pretty anemic, especially after watching
The Mandalorian.
Quote from: Lurkndog;1115612Clearly, Mando's expectation was that going to a remote planet would keep the bounty hunters off his back for a while.
Good observation. As long as we can reasonably infer the limitations of the tech, I don't have a huge problem with them not giving us a lecture on FOB technology.
Quote from: Ratman_tf;1115628Good observation. As long as we can reasonably infer the limitations of the tech, I don't have a huge problem with them not giving us a lecture on FOB technology.
That's where Disney's Star Wars has bitten me recently. Over the last few years, it has become very hard to reasonably infer the limitations of hyperdrives. For almost every Star Wars RPG, there's going to be a hyperdrive involved fairly regularly, and Disney doesn't care one fucking bit about making it seem consistent.
Quote from: HappyDaze;1115633That's where Disney's Star Wars has bitten me recently. Over the last few years, it has become very hard to reasonably infer the limitations of hyperdrives. For almost every Star Wars RPG, there's going to be a hyperdrive involved fairly regularly, and Disney doesn't care one fucking bit about making it seem consistent.
No argument here. But then, I tend to ignore the sequels, where the most egregeious examples are to be found. Unless I'm poking fun at how bad they are.
Quote from: Ratman_tf;1115636No argument here. But then, I tend to ignore the sequels, where the most egregeious examples are to be found. Unless I'm poking fun at how bad they are.
Yeah, but even
Rogue One, which I generally regard as a good Star Wars film, had an in-atmosphere hyperspace jump with no time spent putting in calculations. I had at least one player mention that allowing such in a game would destroy every space-based chase scene.
Quote from: HappyDaze;1115638Yeah, but even Rogue One, which I generally regard as a good Star Wars film, had an in-atmosphere hyperspace jump with no time spent putting in calculations. I had at least one player mention that allowing such in a game would destroy every space-based chase scene.
Mmm. Yea. I hadn't remembered that part.
Interestingly, the same happened in Star Trek IV, with the Bird of Prey going to warp in atmosphere, disregarding the physics of pushing a starship though a dense atmosphere at faster than light speeds.
Quote from: Ratman_tf;1115640Interestingly, the same happened in Star Trek IV, with the Bird of Prey going to warp in atmosphere, disregarding the physics of pushing a starship though a dense atmosphere at faster than light speeds.
"Hurray, we're off to save the planet! <<
>> Oh... never mind then."
Quote from: HappyDaze;1115633That's where Disney's Star Wars has bitten me recently. Over the last few years, it has become very hard to reasonably infer the limitations of hyperdrives. For almost every Star Wars RPG, there's going to be a hyperdrive involved fairly regularly, and Disney doesn't care one fucking bit about making it seem consistent.
As far as I have seen, every faster-than-light drive in
ANY science fiction show propels the ship at the speed of plot.
Quote from: HappyDaze;1115638Yeah, but even Rogue One, which I generally regard as a good Star Wars film, had an in-atmosphere hyperspace jump with no time spent putting in calculations. I had at least one player mention that allowing such in a game would destroy every space-based chase scene.
They did it in The Clone Wars series as well.
Quote from: jeff37923;1115655They did it in The Clone Wars series as well.
I don't recall much from that series. It was OK, but I just don't care much for the cartoons. Still, from what I remember, it was better than
Rebels and
Resistance, but that might just be time dulling the bad parts. I do recall Maul with a set of spider legs, the magical world of Mortus, and undead Dathomirians... so maybe it isn't worth remembering too closely.
Quote from: HappyDaze;1115657I don't recall much from that series. It was OK, but I just don't care much for the cartoons. Still, from what I remember, it was better than Rebels and Resistance, but that might just be time dulling the bad parts. I do recall Maul with a set of spider legs, the magical world of Mortus, and undead Dathomirians... so maybe it isn't worth remembering too closely.
Overall I like Clone Wars, but I found it somewhat uneven. There are parts of the show that were a drag to get through.
That said, TCW really redeems the prequel era, IMHO. I particularly like their version of Anakin.
Quote from: Lurkndog;1115704Overall I like Clone Wars, but I found it somewhat uneven. There are parts of the show that were a drag to get through.
That said, TCW really redeems the prequel era, IMHO. I particularly like their version of Anakin.
I drifted away from the series during one of the draggy parts. (Don't remember exactly, it's been a while) I do remember thinking that it was the kind of characterization that Anakin needed to make him a sympathetic fallen hero. Film Anakin was just too pointlessley whiney.
Did the series ever go into Anakin and Padme's relationship? I felt the movies really dropped the ball on a whole tangent about their secret marriage and it's implications.
Quote from: Ratman_tf;1115715I drifted away from the series during one of the draggy parts. (Don't remember exactly, it's been a while) I do remember thinking that it was the kind of characterization that Anakin needed to make him a sympathetic fallen hero. Film Anakin was just too pointlessley whiney.
Did the series ever go into Anakin and Padme's relationship? I felt the movies really dropped the ball on a whole tangent about their secret marriage and it's implications.
To a point. You saw the bits of his personality come out which could be manipulated by Palpitine in several episodes, mostly the anger.
Episode 5 was fun. Mos Eisley on $15 million a day. :)
What was that ship the other bounty hunter was flying at the start of the episode?
I don't think it was supposed to be a Z-95.
Spoiler
Not sure what that last scene was about, though.
That wasn't the Mandalorian going back for Fennec Shand. No band of shells around the right boot.
Was that a Jawa I heard in the background?
Quote from: Lurkndog;1115875Episode 5 was fun. Mos Eisley on $15 million a day. :)
What was that ship the other bounty hunter was flying at the start of the episode?
I don't think it was supposed to be a Z-95.
Spoiler
Not sure what that last scene was about, though.
That wasn't the Mandalorian going back for Fennic Shand. No band of shells around the right boot.
Was that a Jawa I heard in the background?
Spoiler
Fans have speculated that it's Boba Fett, due to the sound effect that played. It's identical to the one used in Empire and ANH special edition, during Boba Fett scenes.
But they've re-used a ton of SFX and even dialog from the movies, so it could just be a coincidence.
One nice detail was that the New Republic apparently doesn't put out "dead or alive" bounties.
Spoiler
Did the Person in Black at the end of the episode use a tracker to find Fennec Shand? If so, does that mean that the trackers don't register dead or alive, or does it mean that Fennec might not be dead after all?
I'm assuming that Mando thought she was dead. He wouldn't have left her otherwise.
Quote from: jeff37923;1115654As far as I have seen, every faster-than-light drive in ANY science fiction show propels the ship at the speed of plot.
I don't think it's the speed that's the issue so much as it is the discarding of any rules about going into or out of hyperspace, or how hyperspace travel affects objects travelling at subluminal velocities. I noticed it in The Force Awakens, and The Last Jedi makes it a central plot point.
Quote from: Armchair Gamer;1115912I don't think it's the speed that's the issue so much as it is the discarding of any rules about going into or out of hyperspace, or how hyperspace travel affects objects travelling at subluminal velocities. I noticed it in The Force Awakens, and The Last Jedi makes it a central plot point.
I'm busy pretending that The Last Jedi never happened....
So, posting from Florida, I have to say that the Mandalorian has proven himself to be an irredeemably terrible person. No, not for shooting people--that's perfectly OK. No, this asshole left a kid inside a parked spaceship under the heat of two blazing suns! Unforgivable.
Ok, I admit. I just about fell out of my chair laughing at the "I wasn't a stormtrooper" comeback.
Also loved Richard Ayoade, AKA Morris Moss, as Zero. (Oddly enough, I'm currently playing a droid in a Star Wars inspired SF game, and my character is named Zero One. He's not a killbot, though.)
Don't know that I really buy Bill Burr as a gunslinger, particularly with those weird holsters dangling around awkwardly on his chest. Though the third robot gun arm was kinda sweet, particularly when shooting around corners.
The really crazy thing is, most of that episode had to have been shot using Stagecraft, their new rear projection super green screen tech. I couldn't tell. (More about the tech here (https://qz.com/1754288/disney-is-trying-to-revolutionize-filmmaking-with-the-mandalorian/).) I guess that's why they have so many effects artists listed, since most of their sets are virtual.
I'm already getting tired of this show for two reasons.
- Almost everybody has to do some kind of juvenile dominance display upon being introduced.
- Almost everybody is going to betray Mando, especially if they have previously performed a juvenile dominance display.
I really wish they could show some edgy folks going about their nasty business without the two above bits. I guess I'd just like to see a little more professionalism among the professional criminal elements rather than the slavish following of overused tropes.
Quote from: HappyDaze;1116431I'm already getting tired of this show for two reasons.
- Almost everybody has to do some kind of juvenile dominance display upon being introduced.
- Almost everybody is going to betray Mando, especially if they have previously performed a juvenile dominance display.
I really wish they could show some edgy folks going about their nasty business without the two above bits. I guess I'd just like to see a little more professionalism among the professional criminal elements rather than the slavish following of overused tropes.
Cara Dune didn't betray him. Kuiil (Nick Nolte's character) didn't betray him. Mando did the betraying of IG-11. It's been about 50/50ish so far. And the Mandalorian does run with some unsavory characters. If you're not thrilled at those kinds of stories, the show might not be for you.
I loved this episode.
Bill Burr was... Bill Burr as a Star Wars character. Kinda meh.
Great to hear Clancy Brown's evil laugh.
X-Wing porn!
Good stuff. While they've got a meta-plot running (The Child) it doesn't dominate the show like others I could mention.
Quote from: Ratman_tf;1116434Cara Dune didn't betray him. Kuiil (Nick Nolte's character) didn't betray him. Mando did the betraying of IG-11. It's been about 50/50ish so far. And the Mandalorian does run with some unsavory characters. If you're not thrilled at those kinds of stories, the show might not be for you.
I loved this episode.
Bill Burr was... Bill Burr as a Star Wars character. Kinda meh.
Great to hear Clancy Brown's evil laugh.
X-Wing porn!
Good stuff. While they've got a meta-plot running (The Child) it doesn't dominate the show like others I could mention.
I think Dune was the only one of those that started with a juvenile dominance display and that didn't turn on him.
It might not be for me--most Star Wars these days isn't--but the use of boring, tired tropes is not helping to pull me in. Even worse,the plots have all been done so many times that 90% of any episode is predictable after watching the first 10 minutes of it.
I'm also one of the few that doesn't care for the child plot at all.
Quote from: Lurkndog;1116428The really crazy thing is, most of that episode had to have been shot using Stagecraft, their new rear projection super green screen tech. I couldn't tell. (More about the tech here (https://qz.com/1754288/disney-is-trying-to-revolutionize-filmmaking-with-the-mandalorian/).) I guess that's why they have so many effects artists listed, since most of their sets are virtual.
Burr mentions green screen tech that actually projects the environment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7825H0xZoo
3:47
Quote from: Ratman_tf;1116440Burr mentions green screen tech that actually projects the environment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7825H0xZoo
3:47
Yeah, that's Stagecraft. For instance, most of the outdoors scenes in The Mandalorian are actually shot indoors on a soundstage, but the scenery is projected around the actors in 360 degrees so they are actually seeing what they're supposed to be reacting to. Also, the reflections in Mando's shiny armor are all correct, because the armor is reflecting the projected images.
Quote from: Lurkndog;1116636Yeah, that's Stagecraft. For instance, most of the outdoors scenes in The Mandalorian are actually shot indoors on a soundstage, but the scenery is projected around the actors in 360 degrees so they are actually seeing what they're supposed to be reacting to. Also, the reflections in Mando's shiny armor are all correct, because the armor is reflecting the projected images.
I haven't watched the show yet, but that's fucking cool.
It works amazingly well. I can infer where they must have used Stagecraft, but I can't actually tell.
Quote from: Antiquation!;1116704I haven't watched the show yet, but that's fucking cool.
It's fucking awesome! The show and the tech.
Overall the show's pretty good, with outstanding production values compared to most series. And Star Wars-wise it's probably the best thing to come out since the Holy Trilogy (I disliked the prequels and despise the sequels; consider only Rogue One passable).
Quote from: VisionStorm;1116797It's fucking awesome! The show and the tech.
Overall the show's pretty good, with outstanding production values compared to most series. And Star Wars-wise it's probably the best thing to come out since the Holy Trilogy (I disliked the prequels and despise the sequels; consider only Rogue One passable).
Our tastes in SW movies sound pretty similar. I have been interested in watching Mandalorian for a bit now based on what I've read, I'm just leery about paying Disney money for their streaming service as I seriously doubt I would watch anything else they have at this point. I suppose there are "other means" out there to watch it but generally I try to pay for what I feel is worth consuming (not that I have always acted that way...).
Quote from: Antiquation!;1116815Our tastes in SW movies sound pretty similar. I have been interested in watching Mandalorian for a bit now based on what I've read, I'm just leery about paying Disney money for their streaming service as I seriously doubt I would watch anything else they have at this point. I suppose there are "other means" out there to watch it but generally I try to pay for what I feel is worth consuming (not that I have always acted that way...).
There's nothing wrong with watching it with a friend (or a relative) that's paying. That's how i watch it without spending anything on it.
Quote from: HappyDaze;1116816There's nothing wrong with watching it with a friend (or a relative) that's paying. That's how i watch it without spending anything on it.
That is a pretty good point actually. The one wrinkle being that the only people I know who have Disney+ currently are the in-laws... :o
Out of all the ways I've seen to land a TIE fighter, that made the 2nd most sense.
(First is to have docking supports)
Quote from: Ratman_tf;1116919Out of all the ways I've seen to land a TIE fighter, that made the 2nd most sense.
(First is to have docking supports)
I don't see why you wouldn't just land it on the lower edge of the panels. Making them strong enough to hold the weight would have to be more efficient than building in separate folding landing gear, and the mechanism to fold the wings. That's what we saw in Star Wars: Rebels.
Or, heck, just leave it hovering. If repulsor lift tech is cheap enough to build into a baby carriage and a primitive cart, why not?
Quote from: Lurkndog;1117148I don't see why you wouldn't just land it on the lower edge of the panels. Making them strong enough to hold the weight would have to be more efficient than building in separate folding landing gear, and the mechanism to fold the wings. That's what we saw in Star Wars: Rebels.
Or, heck, just leave it hovering. If repulsor lift tech is cheap enough to build into a baby carriage and a primitive cart, why not?
Maybe, but there's a part of me that looks at a TIE resting on it's panels and thinking it's going to collapse. And the edges of the panels have no visible type of landing gear, pads, whatever. It just looks wrong.
As for repulsors, the pilot has to get out somehow. A floating TIE is pretty far off the ground. That's a long way to climb a folding ladder or whatever.
Quote from: Ratman_tf;1117149Maybe, but there's a part of me that looks at a TIE resting on it's panels and thinking it's going to collapse. And the edges of the panels have no visible type of landing gear, pads, whatever. It just looks wrong.
It does look odd, I'll give you that. Really, TIEs shouldn't land on planets, any more than the Starship Enterprise should. The shape of them is wrong for that. But if the plot demands it, landing on the panels is the simplest solution. And for what it's worth, it's how the toys worked.
Quote from: Ratman_tf;1117149As for repulsors, the pilot has to get out somehow. A floating TIE is pretty far off the ground. That's a long way to climb a folding ladder or whatever.
Even modern day fighter planes require rolling ladders to get the pilots up into the cockpit. I'm pretty sure we saw something like that in Rebels as well.
Spoilered for those who haven't seen episodes 5 and 7 yet:
Spoiler
So was Moff Gideon the Man in Black who shows up at the end of episode 5? The costume matches, but the sound effects don't.
Still, Ockham's Razor suggests it's the same character.
In which case, I guess Fennec Shand was working for him? Then why was she on the run?
And is Fennec Shand dead, or floating in a bacta tank somewhere?
I binge watched episodes 1 to 7 last night.
Best SWs since the original Trilogy.
Absolutely loved it.
Left on a Cliffhanger at the end of episode 7 grrr!! :D
Episode 8 did not disappoint. That was a fine first season, and I look forward to more.
One particular point:
Spoiler
The blade that Moff Gideon used to cut his way out of the TIE fighter was the Darksaber (https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Darksaber), which is kind of the Mandalorian equivalent of Excalibur. It is a one-of-a-kind Mandalorian lightsaber created by Tarre Vizsla, the first Mandalorian Jedi.
In the hands of a Mandalorian, it marks you as the rightful ruler of either House Vizsla, or the Deathwatch secret society, or possibly all of Mandalore if you came into possession of it through legitimate means.
That was a significant "Holy Shit" moment.
I liked the season finale, but I'm a bit confused as to what lore they're going with. The Darksaber (Do we even have to spoiler it?) hints that they're using the EU stuff, but all the additions to the Mandalorian lore (Can't take off helmet in public, "The Way") seems to be veering in a different direction.
Still, a great finale, a lot of stuff set up during the season was paid off, and done well.
Quote from: Ratman_tf;1117520I liked the season finale, but I'm a bit confused as to what lore they're going with. The Darksaber (Do we even have to spoiler it?) hints that they're using the EU stuff, but all the additions to the Mandalorian lore (Can't take off helmet in public, "The Way") seems to be veering in a different direction.
Still, a great finale, a lot of stuff set up during the season was paid off, and done well.
Darksaber has been canon since Clone Wars and Rebels cartoons.
Quote from: HappyDaze;1117523Darksaber has been canon since Clone Wars and Rebels cartoons.
That doesn't mean anything. Canon has shifted several times, and will shift again in the future.
Quote from: Ratman_tf;1117520I liked the season finale, but I'm a bit confused as to what lore they're going with. The Darksaber (Do we even have to spoiler it?) hints that they're using the EU stuff, but all the additions to the Mandalorian lore (Can't take off helmet in public, "The Way") seems to be veering in a different direction.
Still, a great finale, a lot of stuff set up during the season was paid off, and done well.
You are confusing the book by Kevin J. Anderson with the weapon introduced and shown in The Clone Wars and Rebels series. The former being a Death Star type superlaser while the later is a legendary Mandalorian lightsaber.
Quote from: Ratman_tf;1117527That doesn't mean anything. Canon has shifted several times, and will shift again in the future.
It means what it means at this point in time, namely that the Darksaber in question is not from the EU.
Quote from: HappyDaze;1117534It means what it means at this point in time, namely that the Darksaber in question is not from the EU.
Hell, I can't keep the EU straight. The definition of EU has changed so many times.
But that also means that a ton of world building in The Mandalorian butts up against the "canon" of Clone Wars and Rebels. It doesn't quite contradict it, but it does bring up a lot of questions about why the Mandalorians in the series are so different.
Great ending, great season. With no SJW garbage whatsoever. Hopefully the next season will be as good or better.
Quote from: Crusader X;1117623Great ending, great season. With no SJW garbage whatsoever. Hopefully the next season will be as good or better.
The SJW garbage will come. Stop giving disney money-period.
Quote from: Shrieking Banshee;1117626Stop giving disney money
I don't give them money
Quote from: Crusader X;1117638I don't give them money
Ahoy, me hearties!
Quote from: VisionStorm;1117643Ahoy, me hearties!
Thank God. I wouldn't condone piracy otherwise but please stop furthering a malicious monopolistic corporation.
I think the Mandalorian is generic. But like it doesn't make up for 5 years of absolute garbage. If it becomes popular enough, the SJWs will go for it, and they will have it.
Amy Sedaris was trying REALLY hard to look like Ripley (Nostromo edition) there in episode 5.
Not completely ineffectively, I might add. And she was good.
Quote from: Shrieking Banshee;1117626The SJW garbage will come. Stop giving disney money-period.
I am damn well going to buy the blu-rays for this. They deserve it.
Quote from: Lurkndog;1117777I am damn well going to buy the blu-rays for this. They deserve it.
This is your boyfriend buying you flowers before he beats you.
So I broke down and watched the first three episodes...
I have a thought that a TV show or Movie doesn't necessarily need to be 100% well written to be enjoyable, due to spectacle and presentation filling in a weakly written scripts. The percentage where something is "good" probably varies per person.
The Mandalorian barely squeaks over the line for me, say somewhere about 65-70% good writing. To its credit, its main 'writing' flaw is that it is underwritten, which works in its favor given the tone its going for. That said, it does rely far too heavily on 'call-backs', mostly the original trilogy, for my tastes.