Once again, I hate to be the one defending anything Star Wars, but... I just really, really enjoy these episodes, and enjoy the course the series is taking. Actually, the one thing I'm afraid of is that they are going to try to connect this to anything bigger and newer.
And this is coming from someone who was never a fan of the original trilogy - I actually saw those films once in my life. So, I'm not defending The Mandalorian in light of my love for the original trilogy, because I just don't have that.
I think the past 5 years of Star Wars truly hurt Star Wars. The new trilogy could've been something that drives the whole thing forward, for a new generation, but fan backlash completely ruined Episode IX - and, at the same time, fan expectation was pushed in the entirely wrong direction with spin-off movies built entirely on fan service, such as Rogue One and Solo (yeah, I didn't like Rogue One). So, right now we're at this weird point where The Mandalorian comes along, and truly tries to do something different - at least, in my opinion - and people just cannot appreciate the path it is taking, because of the bad rep Star Wars amassed in past years.
People like Matt Goldberg say that this is merely a fan service machine, and I couldn't disagree more. People are saying that the show needs a more prominent, overarching story, and I couldn't disagree more. What I think The Mandalorian is is an old-fashioned, '90s adventure TV show, and I just love it for this reason. It perfectly recaptures what a charming action-adventure TV show could do 30 years ago, but does all this while updating the looks and production value for the 2020s. I think this is a series that really doesn't want to look bigger than it is. The episodes are still 30-35 minutes long, they are episodic, almost repetitive, one dimensional, and I love the show for it.
Sometimes, going backward is the only way forward, right? I do believe The Mandalorian is taking the SW franchise in a new direction, and that it is a good direction, because for the first time in years, me, as a viewer, don't actually have to engage with the whole complicated (or convoluted?) lore and mythos of this movie-franchise. I can opt out if I want. The easter eggs, the references have so far been optional, and I hope that it stays that way. I imagine it won't, because as we near the end of the Child's story arch, we will have to take a deep dive into Star Wars lore for obvious reasons, but luckily we are still talking about a central plot point that can be easily understood and followed if you are only aware of the original trilogy (namely: if you've ever seen or heard of Yoda).
I really want to defend the series for what it is, because I want creators to keep this approach up. Looking at Season 1 and 2 so far, some episodes are weaker, there were a number of lame moments, but I honestly think this makes the whole thing charming. Once again, 90s TV at its best in 2020. And I do believe this was the intention of the creators.
And this is coming from someone who was never a fan of the original trilogy - I actually saw those films once in my life. So, I'm not defending The Mandalorian in light of my love for the original trilogy, because I just don't have that.
I think the past 5 years of Star Wars truly hurt Star Wars. The new trilogy could've been something that drives the whole thing forward, for a new generation, but fan backlash completely ruined Episode IX - and, at the same time, fan expectation was pushed in the entirely wrong direction with spin-off movies built entirely on fan service, such as Rogue One and Solo (yeah, I didn't like Rogue One). So, right now we're at this weird point where The Mandalorian comes along, and truly tries to do something different - at least, in my opinion - and people just cannot appreciate the path it is taking, because of the bad rep Star Wars amassed in past years.
People like Matt Goldberg say that this is merely a fan service machine, and I couldn't disagree more. People are saying that the show needs a more prominent, overarching story, and I couldn't disagree more. What I think The Mandalorian is is an old-fashioned, '90s adventure TV show, and I just love it for this reason. It perfectly recaptures what a charming action-adventure TV show could do 30 years ago, but does all this while updating the looks and production value for the 2020s. I think this is a series that really doesn't want to look bigger than it is. The episodes are still 30-35 minutes long, they are episodic, almost repetitive, one dimensional, and I love the show for it.
Sometimes, going backward is the only way forward, right? I do believe The Mandalorian is taking the SW franchise in a new direction, and that it is a good direction, because for the first time in years, me, as a viewer, don't actually have to engage with the whole complicated (or convoluted?) lore and mythos of this movie-franchise. I can opt out if I want. The easter eggs, the references have so far been optional, and I hope that it stays that way. I imagine it won't, because as we near the end of the Child's story arch, we will have to take a deep dive into Star Wars lore for obvious reasons, but luckily we are still talking about a central plot point that can be easily understood and followed if you are only aware of the original trilogy (namely: if you've ever seen or heard of Yoda).
I really want to defend the series for what it is, because I want creators to keep this approach up. Looking at Season 1 and 2 so far, some episodes are weaker, there were a number of lame moments, but I honestly think this makes the whole thing charming. Once again, 90s TV at its best in 2020. And I do believe this was the intention of the creators.
