Considering how high the bar has been set by previous episodes, it is somewhat unfair to say that The Mandalorian Episode 5 is probably the weakest episode of the series so far. The latest installment of the show is by no means bad but lacks some of the wow factor present in previous episodes. Of course, that may be because the breakout star of the series, The Child (aka Baby Yoda), takes a backseat for much of the episode.
The most exciting part of “The Gunslinger” is how much is it’s willing to make callbacks to previous Star Wars films. While the series has certainly hinted to events from the movies, “The Gunslinger” most clearly connects the series to the larger Star Wars universe. These more obvious references may be grating or over-indulgent to some viewers, but I found these callbacks to be generally organic and rewarding for fans.
The problem is that, other than these Easter eggs, “The Gunslinger” largely feels like filler; the Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) quite literally takes a pit stop in this episode. “The Gunslinger” is also somewhat held back by its effects. While the comparison may be unfair given that The Mandalorian is not working with the same budget as the films, the episode’s space battle doesn’t meet the same visual standard established by the movies.
Meanwhile, the supporting characters this week fall short of what we’ve come to expect from the show. After seeing Mando make endearing and memorable allies like Kuiil (Nick Nolte), IG-11 (Taika Waititi), and Cara Dune (Gina Carano), Jake Cannavale’s Toro Calican is insufferable. Mando’s other ally this episode, Peli Motto (Amy Sedaris), thankfully makes up for Toro’s antics, and her interactions with The Child are easily the highlights of this episode. Unfortunately, she is largely relegated to the role of comic relief. Likewise, Ming-Na Wen shines as assassin Fennec Shand, but she is given far too little to do and does not get nearly enough screen time.
Despite these issues, The Mandalorian remains one of the most exciting new shows on any streaming service. The episode’s action sequences are exhilarating, and its final act is incredibly tense. Plus, Baby Yoda remains the pop culture phenomenon of 2019. Even with a few missteps, there is still plenty to love about The Mandalorian.
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