Twin Suns Outpost is pleased to bring you a weekly write-up covering each episode of The Mandalorian Season 2. Each week three members of the TSO team will prepare a short reaction to the most recent episode of the award-winning series.
THE SIEGE - Directed by Carl Weathers - Aired November 20, 2020 on Disney+
*SPOILER WARNING*
ERIC PFEIFER: TSO Founder, Podcast Host, Writer
We’re now halfway through Season Two and this episode continued The Mandalorian’s tradition of kicking butt - what a fantastic thirty-nine minutes! The Siege was Carl Weathers’ first crack at directing an episode for the Emmy Award-winning show, and he pulled out all the tricks! This episode had action, comedy, and information that led to furthering the plot of the show.
Gina Carano’s Cara Dune character made her Season Two debut in this episode and as one might expect, she kicked some major buckethead (and Aqualish) behind. The beginning sequence involving Mando’s and The Child’s red and blue wire debacle reminded me very much of Rocket Racoon trying to explain things to baby Groot in the Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 film. Baby Groot and The Child must be distant relatives or brothers separated at birth; both toddlers puked after their wild rides in their respective space vehicles...I’m just sayin’.
I thoroughly enjoyed the nod to Star Wars: A New Hope with lines like, “All right, men, load your weapons” and “There they are, blast them!”. Our group running through the Imperial lab’s hallways while blasting Stormtroopers had a very Death Star escape feel to me as well. Moff Gideons experiments and his new troopers have been a big topic of debate over the last week within my friend group.
Season Two has many directions it could take us. Ahsoka Tano is likely showing up at any time, Boba Fett walked off in a sulking manor in the first episode of the Season, Moff Gideon is going to want The Child for his experiments now more than ever, and will we see Bo-Katan again? Always more questions than answers.
KYLE SCULLY: Blog Writer, Comic Reviewer
“The Siege” offers a lot of familiar elements and some new revelations. The Razor Crest needs repairs so it’s off to Nevarro and old friends Cara Dune (Gina Carano) and Greef Karga (Carl Weathers). Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) has time to kill while he waits for so Karga and Dune drag him off on a dangerous mission to destroy an Imperial base.
Carl Weathers also serves as the episode’s director and he handles it well offering smartly crafted action and patient character moments. The episode features strong “New Hope” vibes as the base invasion is incredibly reminiscent of Princess Leia’s rescue. Karga and Dune remind us why they were so memorable last season. Weathers is loud and almost swashbuckling in his performance. He nearly winks at the audience with all the joy he’s giving this role. Carano is a bit more one-note but gets some needed depth when she’s offered a chance to rejoin the Alliance. It’s worth mentioning that the show once again showcases under-utilized characters. This time it’s the Aqualish. They remain thuggish as ever but it was nice to see them have a moment.
The show is beginning to find itself stuck in some repetitive situations. Each episode seems to find the Mandalorian getting stuck on some sort of side-mission before getting back on track towards his real goal. The show remains thoroughly engaging but it has become somewhat redundant.
It’s also predictable that the Child gets shuffled off to a babysitter. Don’t worry though he’s still cute. He steals macaroons and cheers on his surrogate father. Despite his macguffin status it would be nice to see the Child more engaged in the plot. I understand he doesn’t speak but it would be more fulfilling to see him function as a character rather than a prop.
The revelations are strong with this episode. It’s a little difficult to discern the exact purpose of the Imperial lab but it certainly involves trying to create some kind of force-adept Imperials. Snoke’s theme can be heard during the scene but whether that’s actually important is hard to say at this juncture. Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) makes a late appearance but it’s incredibly savory and delicious. He remains tremendously confident and has a stable of Dark Troopers at his disposal. If the Dark Troopers are becoming more entrenched into canon is there a chance we could see Kyle Katarn down the line? I’ll keep dreaming.
Overall, it’s a great episode that rises above its predictable nature through strong plot advancement, smart character growth and stylish action. Bring on Ahsoka Tano.
NICOLE MARIE: Blog Writer
Chapter twelve is directed by Carl Weathers. It is action-packed and satisfying. Carl Weathers did a fantastic directing job of combining thrills, sweetness and suspense.
The Child steals our hearts and macrons. The episode opens with a fatherly moment between Mando and The Child chatting about wires. This moment reminded me of my own moments with my dad working on a car. Segway to another adorable moment of Din Djarin and The Child sipping soup together.
We are reunited with Cara Dune and Greef Karga on Nevarro. Nevarro seems to be doing much better. Cara Dune is presiding as the Marshal. She is kicking butt, taking no names and making friends with a space Meer Cat. I was thrilled to see Cara Dune and Greef Karga meeting the Razor Crest. Greef Karga officially will be known as Grandpa Karga as we witnessed an adorable moment between him and The Child. Enter the school room and I do wonder how the other students weren't falling in love with The Child. I personally would've shared my blue Galactic macarons with The Child but sadly in the show it is faced with a "NO." Showing continued love for food The Child utilizes the Force for the good of it's stomach. Snatching the macrons and showing no remorse.
With The Child safe at the school ,Mando, Cara, Greef, and Mythrol set out to take what they think is an old base. Greef has a good heart and wants to make Nevarro safe. Cara and Greef are doing just that. This mission turns out differently as they learn it's a lab! My jaw dropped when I saw the tanks. Trying to decipher if it was Snoke or a clone. I feel the Sith have involvement in this "lab". A hologram gives us more hints of what is to come with mentions of M-Counts and The Child. Moff Gideon returns and I noticed over his shoulders there are dark armor suits.
The Mandalorian wouldn't be complete without action. We got awesome shots of Scout Troopers on speeders, Cara Dune driving a Trexler Marauder and taking it over the cliff! I can't wait to see the next episode of The Mandalorian.