The Mandalorian
I’m just going to come out and say it. One last thing The Mandalorian What was needed at this point was an episode devoted almost entirely to a minor character and former Imperial scientist Dr. Pen Pershing (Omid Abtahi). With which comparisons have taken place Andor only makes it worse like anything Andor-how about it just reminds us how much better that show is, especially in the complicated politics and espionage.
Basically, we learn that Pershing entered a New Republic rehabilitation program designed to help former Imperials integrate into society. He meets a former colleague, Imperial officer Elijah Kane (awesome name!), and he tricks him into setting up a mobile research lab, despite being told not to do so by his new bosses. When he gets the kit, he joins her and he’s straight out of a happy brain cure Clockwork orangewhile he is being rewarded for his service to the New Republic.
All this is telegraphed ahead of time. Clearly, Kane (Katie M. O’Brian) is an Imperial spy still working for the bad guys. Pershing, although a smart guy, is easily fooled. What could have been a three-episode arc carefully woven into a subtle spy game Andor here was rushed off with just one episode. Going this way, it’s hard to imagine why the show’s creators felt the need for an entire episode. It didn’t happen. This would work better as a few scenes interspersed with more Mando (Pedro Pascal) and Bo-Katan (Katie Sackhoff) adventures.
The Mandalorian
Speaking of our Mandalorian duo, it’s all in! that part of the episode, the two-part bookend to the rest of “The Convert,” was awesome. At first the dogfight was great. The return to Mando’s secret was even better, as Bo-Kata is also welcomed to walk the Path alongside them, much to her surprise (and mixed feelings).
I love that the episode title worked to describe Bo-Katan, whose encounter with the Mitosaurus last week left him reeling, and Pershing, who was more than willing to switch teams and work for the good guys. But, my goodness, the entire plot of Coruscant is poorly handled, right down to the more stilted dialogue than usual, especially from the side characters. After Pershing’s speech, there’s a scene where he’s greeted by various public figures that’s so awkward and creepy that I’m not sure what to think. Did they hire actors for this scene or did they just pull people off the street?
All that said, while this could indeed be a place for Moff Gideon’s return or other stories in a galaxy far, far away, I wasn’t impressed, especially after last week’s excellent. Dark Souls: episode I often watch them more than once, but not this time. Indeed, this may be the first episode The Mandalorian that I have no intention of watching a second time.
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In other Lucasfilm and Disney news Willow The Disney Plus series has been cancelled. I have a few things to say about that, and the many horrendous mistakes the show made, right here as well as in the video below:
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