The Mandalorian is again, and what which means. Episode 1 of season 3 is a concentrated burst of leisure showcasing all the perfect bits of Star Wars: laser gun shootouts, hovering area battles and tentacle-faced pirate captains.

Dangle on, is that this nonetheless Star Wars we’re speaking about? It positive is — after season 1 and season 2 of the Disney Plus collection had been influenced by the cowboys ‘n’ gunfighters of the Western style, season 3 of the Mando’s adventures sails into uncharted waters: the form of monstrous swashbuckling we all know and love from the Pirates of the Caribbean films. Avast, me hearties!

Learn on for our recap of The Mandalorian season 3 episode 1 (or chapter 17 within the collection as an entire), full with Star Wars Easter eggs and a few first ideas on how the brand new season will form up. Beware spoilers, ye scurvy sea canine!

Pre-recap recap

OK, earlier than we get into chapter 17, let’s remind ourselves the place we’re as much as within the adventures of the titular Mandalorian bounty hunter (Pedro Pascal, additionally at present searing the display screen within the acclaimed HBO collection The Final of Us), and his cute buddy Grogu (aka Child Yoda). Within the finale of season 2 the Mando dropped off Grogu with everybody’s favourite Jedi, Luke Skywalker. So why are Grogu and Din again collectively?

Effectively, in between seasons, the celebs of the Mandalorian appeared in an episode of one other Disney Plus collection, The Ebook of Boba Fett. It was the most effective installments of the in any other case underwhelming collection and is properly price a watch, however that does not change the truth that season 3 of the Mandalorian solely simply began and you have already got homework. Thanks, Disney.

The fifth episode of Boba Fett’s collection defined why Mando and Grogu bought again collectively and why they’re touring in a modified model of one of many Naboo N-1 Starfighters seen in The Phantom Menace. That episode additionally reveals a bit of backstory in regards to the Mandalorian’s sect, the Kids of the Watch, and why they left Mandalore.

The brand new collection additionally opens with a quick recap displaying droid IG-11 self-destructing in a battle with Imperial stormtroopers in this present’s season 1 finale. The story of that droid, voiced by Taika Waititi, clearly would not finish there.

As for the present’s different main characters, the villainous Imperial Moff Gideon was carted off to face a New Republic warfare tribunal after his seize. And Cara Dune is not a marshal, having been recruited by New Republic particular forces. Given actor Gina Carano’s very public dustup with Disney, that is in all probability the final we’ll hear of Cara.

That is the Approach 

The episode opens with the sound of hammering. (Just like the Mandalorian warriors themselves, their beskar armor is cast in hearth and repeatedly crushed.) Their chief, the Armorer, builds a brand new helmet in a fetching shade of turquoise, and it is carried onto a seashore the place a teenager feels the solar on their face for the ultimate time. 

“The phrases of the Creed shall be without end cast in my coronary heart,” the youngling intones, however they by no means truly full the vow to maintain the helmet on as a result of they’re interrupted by a huge area alligator. Woo, Star Wars! 

That kicks off an intense battle within the air and beneath splashing waves. Fortunately Mando swoops in to avoid wasting the day. Goodbye, alligator!

Is the Armorer grateful? No, she’s nonetheless banging on about Mando (actual identify Din Djarin) eradicating his helmet. She insists that redemption is unimaginable, because the mines of Mandalore had been destroyed by the Empire, however Mando presents some hope with a crystal that could be a relic of their residence planet. Our hero reckons that is proof that Mandalore is not poisoned, and the Armorer appears to comply with welcome the apostate again into the fold if he can show it. That seems like a quest to me! 

Pirates of the Outer Rim

So as soon as once more Mando and Child Yoda head for Nevarro, the planet the place he dropped off and subsequently rescued his little inexperienced buddy in season 1. This scummy fringe planet has gone up on the planet below Justice of the Peace, sorry, Excessive Justice of the Peace Greef Karga, to grow to be the “gem of the Outer Rim.”

Karga even presents Mando a parcel of land to hold up his blaster. Nevertheless it is not lengthy earlier than previous hassle finds them, as they face Vane, henchman of pirate king Gorian Shard. Vane and his thirsty pirates insist on a drink for previous occasions’ sake, reminding Karga that he paid them for homicide and mayhem again within the good previous days. 

The Excessive Justice of the Peace is having none of it however reveals he hasn’t grown smooth, drawing again his wonderful robes to disclose a blaster. A correct Western-style shootout ensues, and Vane is shipped packing with a message for the pirate king.

After a traditional Star Wars asteroid-dodging dogfight, Mando and Grogu encounter Gorian Shard in area. This seaweed-encrusted freebooter appears to be like impressed by the fantastical creatures of the Pirates of the Caribbean and warns Mando that he higher begin believing in ghost tales as a result of he is in a single. Wait, unsuitable film — truly, he calls for the Mando’s ship. However our hero sails away, leaving the pirate king cursing. We’re guessing we’ll see extra nautical naughtiness from the area pirates quickly. 

IG’ll be again

Nevarro has raised a statue of the bounty hunter droid IG-11, which sacrificed itself preventing Imperials. It seems the statue is made from the droid’s precise remaining elements, permitting Mando to resurrect the bot. He rapidly modifications his thoughts when it defaults to previous programming and goes all Terminator on little Grogu. Depart Child Yoda alone! One other statue solves the issue, although there was no want for Mando’s dreadful pun.

Mando takes the stays of IG-11 to the Anzellans, jabbering animatronic mechanics in delightfully Star Wars fashion (you may keep in mind Babu Frik from The Rise of Skywalker). It is nice to see The Mandalorian continues that grand Star Wars custom of delightfully fleshy aliens coming in all prosthetic shapes and animatronic sizes. It is a huge squee from us when Grogu tries to offer the little cutie a squeeze.

Sadly IG-11’s reminiscence is fried, however we’re positive one thing will flip up.

Bo-Katan’s fort

Subsequent cease: Kalevala, a world within the Mandalorian system, full with a concrete-gray brutalist Mandalorian fort. 

The helmetless and bitter Bo-Katan Kryze is on a throne however overthrown, as a result of with out the fabled Darksaber — a image of Mandalorian management — her forces have melted away to grow to be mercenaries. She’s presumably nonetheless livid that Mando inadvertently took possession of the weapon when he defeated Moff Gideon in fight.

Katan insists there’s nothing magic in regards to the mines of Mandalore and that Mando’s quest is predicated on superstition. However we’re positive her curiosity could possibly be revived if Mando & Co. show her planet is not as ravaged, plundered and poisoned as everybody thinks.

Easter eggs and observations

• The episode is directed by Rick Famuyiwa, a director normally recognized for extra grounded tales like coming-of-age drama Dope, the true story Affirmation and the TV collection The Chi. That stated, he was initially set to direct DC’s The Flash film, however provided that movie’s troubled historical past, he is in all probability glad to be engaged on Star Wars as an alternative.
• Whereas in hyperspace, Grogu sees some area whales — followers who’ve watched CGI animated collection Rebels will keep in mind these as the Purgill. All 4 seasons are on Disney Plus.
• These hyperspace-traveling creatures dragged Imperial baddy Grand Admiral Thrawn and trainee Jedi Ezra Bridger off to an unknown vacation spot in that present’s finale. This story is prone to proceed in live-action Mandalorian spinoff present Ahsoka, which is predicted to hit Disney Plus this 12 months, so the Purgill is likely to be displaying up right here to determine them for live-action audiences.
• The pirates embody a Klatooinian, a Trandoshan and a Warthog.
• Klatooinian criminals had been among the many antagonists within the Ebook of Boba Fett (and whose identify calls to thoughts the well-known alien catchphrase “Klaatu barada nikto” from the Nineteen Fifties sci-fi traditional The Day the Earth Stood Nonetheless).
• The Trandoshans additionally appeared within the Boba Fett collection. A notable member of the lizardlike race is Bossk, a up to date of Fett on the bounty looking scene.
• A warthog is, er, a warthog.
• Look out for these Salacious Crumb monkey dudes in a tree.
• The Anzellan mechanics are voiced by Shirley Henderson, the award-winning actor who additionally lent her distinctive voice to Moaning Myrtle within the Harry Potter movies.
• Pirate king Gorian Shard is voiced by Nonso Anozie, who performed Xaro Xhoan Daxos in Sport of Thrones.
• Vane is performed by Marti Matulis, who performed the Monstrosity in 2022 horror hit Smile.
• For the scenes wherein The Armorer forges baskar armor, the credit listing a “forging double” — blacksmith and artist Heather McCarty.

Come again subsequent Wednesday for the subsequent Star Wars journey, as The Mandalorian season 3 episode 2 streams on Disney Plus on March 8.