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I've opened up a new section on Jammer's Reviews devoted to The Mandalorian. I'm watching the show, I'm enjoying it a lot, and many of you are too. So why not have a place to talk about it?
Now, before you get too excited, I am not doing full-length reviews of this series. This is something of an experiment. Basically, I will open up a page for each episode when it's released on Disney+. Then, at some point during the week, I will add a brief review. Repeat: These will not be detailed, full-length reviews in my typical format. There also won't be big photos on the home page for each episode, nor blog posts here to prompt the RSS feed for the three of you still following my content that way. (That's an activity which is probably more a waste of my time as it is, and merely an excuse to populate my mostly dormant blog with cross-posts.)
Why not full reviews? A few reasons, one of them probably obvious.
First of all, I simply don't have the time or will. But I may have the time and will to dash off a few paragraphs to contribute my piece to a weekly discussion (likely as a latecomer).
Also, I am not an expert on the Star Wars extended universe. For decades, my entire knowledge of Star Wars has been through the feature films. No books, no comics, no animated TV shows. I had no idea what the Darksaber was until I saw articles suddenly going crazy about it last year.
The Mandalorian is my first Star Wars TV show. There may be a time in the near future when I will get around to watching The Clone Wars (my kids are of the age that they are now consuming things in the Star Wars universe, and Clone Wars would likely be perfect for them), but at this moment, I'm not there. So I approach The Mandalorian as somewhat of a novice — certainly not the expert level I approach Star Trek.
The other thing is, as someone not fully immersed in the extended lore, I see The Mandalorian as my show to sit back and enjoy on a Friday night and not think too much about. And it's not a show that seems to require a ton of analysis. It's a (very well made) space western adventure. Maybe my thoughts will change as I start writing a bit about it and reading your comments, but maybe not. I don't know.
So we'll just see how it goes. Don't expect me to point out every reference and Easter egg that shows up in the episodes. There are too many, and I'm sure there are many I will miss. As reviews go, my efforts may vary. We'll see. But I figured it was worth it to let the discussion roll and see what happens.
For now, I'm just putting out pages for the currently airing second season. Maybe I'll double back and add pages/reviews for the first season, after I get around to rewatching it. Not sure when that will happen, but it's possible after season two is over I might go back and do season one. My kids are bugging me to let them watch it, although they are still a little bit young and this show might be just a little too edgy/violent for them. (They've seen all nine of the Skywalker movies, but I'm not sure if they're ready for this and Rogue One.) It's going to be a long COVID winter, so we may cave in and let them watch it. Not sure yet.
I think that's the whole point here: We'll see what happens. If this is something that interests you as a Jammer's Reviews visitor, let me know in the comments. The more interest I have, the more that might sway my thinking.
Discuss The Mandalorian in the new section.
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15 comments on this post
Mal
Woohooo!
"Now, before you get too excited,"
Too late, @Jammer, totally pumped :-)
https://i.giphy.com/media/msKNSs8rmJ5m/giphy.webp
Marc D.
Star Wars: Rebels is a really charming show with a target age a bit lower than Clone Wars and is a great entry point for the kids, with plenty of appeal for non-kids as well. Clone Wars is also good (on average; the episode-to-episode quality varies pretty wildly, especially early), but it's also similar to something like the Harry Potter films in that it starts out fairly light and fun, and ends up being something significantly darker and heavier.
As with all Star Wars opinions, these are all obviously objectively true positions, there are no biases present whatsoever, and everyone else will definitely agree unilaterally with them!
Signed, RSS Feed User #2
Dave in MN
So far we seem to have had the same reaction to the series. They're doing a great job of making the show accessible to those less familiar with the lore.
I look forward to your next review!
Eric
I use the RSS feed to know if there is new content on this site. Who are the other two?
Mr Fixit
Well, I'll be damned! Great news, Jammer. I've been reading your reviews for close to 20 years, and it'll be good to see your thoughts on the Mandalorian. Like you, I'm very much a Star Wars casual. Watched the movies, played Knights of the Old Republic 1 and 2 back in the day (more for the RPG factor, devoured all the Bioware games once upon a time), but that's pretty much it. I'm probably missing 90% of easter eggs and callbacks.
But, the show is very enjoyable, and what's more -- Discovery, and Trek in general, take note! -- true to itself. It knows what it is, what it isn't and how to go about its business. I also very much applaud the production team: the show is very elegant and basic (in a good sense) in its set design, camerawork, editing, set pieces, soundtrack and sound design... no modern blockbuster syndrome at work here where everything has to be loud, fast and over-the-top. Mandalorian is very old-school and is all the better for it.
Paul M.
Hmm, wrong nick in the post above. It's actually Paul M.
Ah well.
Tim C
Look forward to reading your bite-sized takes on the show, Jammer. IMO, The Mandalorian is the best thing to come out of Star Wars since The Empire Strikes Back. And as a bonus, it's a delightful throwback to old-school episodic storytelling.
After Disney summarily executed the old Star Wars EU from existence, and The Rise Of Skywalker so thoroughly shit the bed, I honestly didn't think I'd ever care about Star Wars again. The Mandalorian has brought me back into the fold.
Teregosa
@Eric,
I'm the 2nd one. Never posted before, but been following the blog for about 10 years.
Troy G
Yes. Go back and review Season 1.
SlackerInc
I am in the same exact boat. I have seen the feature films and that’s it. Well, I guess I read a few Star Wars comics back in the early 1980s (dating myself there). But I never read any of the novels, never watched Clone Wars, never played any of the games. But I love this show!
AntonioE
Awesome! Mandalorian has been great this far as a show where I can kick back, relax, have fun, and not have to think about it too much. While it's not nearly as deep as Star Trek not does it explore complex, timely themes, Mando is tons of fun and I look forward to immensely on a weekly basis. Really glad you've created a page and are reviewing the episodes!
Cmdr. Jameson
@Eric, @Teregosa, I am the third one.
Rahul
I see so many glowing comments/reviews/ratings about "The Mandalorian" -- certainly seems to be kicking DSC's sorry butt. I've never been a big Star Wars fan. I've actually only seen the 3 original movies. My question is: Does one have to have seen all the Star Wars movies to be able to follow / understand / have the background needed to appreciate "The Mandalorian"?
The Chronek
@Rahul, I don't think you need to have seen much outside the original trilogy to appreciate The Mandalorian. There are references to characters in what was once the Expanded Universe. There are references to the prequels. But I don't think you'll be lost if you're not familiar with them before you watch The Mandalorian.
The Mandalorian's timeline is set a few years after the events of Return of the Jedi, but well before the sequel films (Episodes VII thru IX) if that helps you.
4Q2
This show should definitely be getting the level of attention and scrutiny that you allow that festerous pile of dreck known as STD to have.
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