The Mosley Review: Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Season 2)

It is rare for a first season to find its tone and vision of what it wants to be so quickly. Many fail in the first go and the rest of the series is left to pick up the slack. It is very rare for a second season to equal the same care taken in establishing the tone and expanding the vision and world it has created. This series will go down in history as one of the best examples of such rarity existing in perfect harmony. This season brilliantly expands on what made the first season so great and delivers jaw dropping surprises and revelations that I never could've possibly conceived of. It also hits on so many emotional cores in its perfectly woven storyline. The fact that it ties directly into the prequels, The Clone Wars and Rebels animated series and the Original Trilogy was truly special. This series has saved the franchise and purified the air of the toxic fumes left behind by the last film trilogy. It comes to a emotional and complete season finale that satisfies and shows a version of something that we all wanted to see.

The cast once again delivers outstanding performances across the galaxy. Pedro Pascal returns as The Mandalorian/Din Djarin and he is as electric and powerful than before. The western iconography of his character stays intact and I loved that now he is more father like with The Child. Just like in the first season, Din's paternal instinct takes over and their bond is something so powerful, magnetic and it is the emotional core of the show. Carl Weathers returns as Greef Karga and he is just as fun and charming like before. Even with his revised position as leader of the planet Navarro, he still is a business man at heart. Gina Carano returns as Cara Dune and she is even more badass than before. She has more responsibility this time around and she gets some of the best Star Wars curse words. Ming-Na Wen returns as the fantastic bounty hunter Fennec Shand and she is just as badass if not more. Bill Burr returns as Migs Mayfeld and he once again gives an excellent performance in a very tense and well written episode of the season. Timothy Olyphant joins the series as Cobb Vanth. He's always good at playing the southern sheriff type and as the marshal of a small town on Tatooine, he was perfect. Temuera Morrison returns to the franchise as the one and only Boba Fett and he was even more amazing than before. He nailed the characters' confidence, determination and brutality. He has an episode that truly is satisfying and reminds you why he is the most dangerous bounty hunter in the galaxy.

Katee Sackoff brings her animated character Bo-Katan Kryze to live action for the first time and she was perfection. Knowing the history of the character, it was interesting to see where Katee takes Bo-Katan and the inner turmoil that plagues her. There is so much to unpack with her character and I can't wait to see where we go with her. Like all of you, I have waited for the day that this character would make their live action debut and I was not disappointed. Ahsoka Tano is one of the greatest characters to be introduced from The Clone Wars animated series and her arc has become legendary. Ashley Eckstein expertly crafted the character in her outstanding vocal performance and now Rosario Dawson physically brings her to life perfectly in every way. You feel the history, elegance and power behind her presence. I won't say much more, but her debut was one of my favorite moments of the season. Giancarlo Esposito returns as Moff Gideon and he is even more cunning and smart. What makes him an outstanding antagonist is that he is very knowledgeable and hard to surprise. You assume he knows things, but you never know what his endgame could be and that makes him unpredictable. He never minces words and I love that. Such a great performance from an amazing performer.

Ludwig Goransson does it again with his astounding score. He brings back the musical themes of the first season, but gives them all such new life. The new compositions he creates are just as wondrous, regal and warm. In Chapter 9, 13 and especially 16, you hear his electronic experimentation and classic Japanese samurai overtones glaze smoothly over a sweet and delicious musical donut. He also incorporates a few themes from other films and series for certain characters is such a subtle and slick way. The cinematography this season was truly breathtaking as they draw from old westerns and classic Japanese film techniques of framing certain shots and fights. This series is truly a work of art. Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni have delivered once again the promise of making Star Wars and not showing Star Wars. It has been so long since I have actually felt this amount of excitement and joy towards this wonderful universe. This season was truly an epic, brilliant and emotionally charged masterpiece of a season with an ending that will leave you in tears. Also, don’t forget to stay for the end credits of the finale for a glimpse into the exciting future. If you agree or liked this review, let me know in the comments below. Thanks for reading!