This is the Way.
Beginning five years after the events of the film Return of the Jedi and the fall of the Galactic Empire, The Mandalorian follows a lone Mandalorian bounty hunter in the outer reaches of the galaxy. He is hired by Imperial remnant forces to retrieve the child Grogu, but instead goes on the run to protect the infant. — Wikipedia.
We realize this is truly TV we missed while many others jumped on the Mandalorian train. This is for those who, like us, were largely indifferent to the idea of Star Wars TV spinoffs. However, we were casting around for something new to watch a few months ago and thought "Jon Favreau, eh? Let's give it a try." Three seasons (and a Boba Fett spinoff) later, we're true fans. Of the Mandalorian, not so much Boba Fett.
Space Western is a category we've loved for a long time. Although the first season begins slowly we didn't mind. We were taking in the Western vibe and the truly great world building. For one thing, it was really interesting to see a part of the Star Wars universe where Jedis were considered almost extinct and no one mentioned Luke, Leia, or Han. This is truly the Outer Rim where they've got a hardscrabble existence and more to worry about than how the Empire went down.
As the season went along we saw there was another quality that is all too absent in television — optimism and a happy ending. This is the spirit of Jon Favreau's storytelling that also came across in Chef. I appreciate a story that makes me truly anxious for the hero's quest but also leaves me safe reminding myself in dark moments that everything will work out in the end.
Mandalorian belief is also a fascinating element. We're used to the Force in the Star Wars universe and it's similarity to Eastern philosophies. "The Way of the Mandalore" is a belief system that is more akin to Christian knighthood and we enjoy seeing that in the storylines.
It's a really enjoyable show and I look forward to rewatching it. We're definitely going to watch the upcoming movie and going to try a couple of the other spinoffs. And we've got our fingers crossed that Season 4, reportedly all written up and in Jon Favreau's desk drawer, will be coming our way soon.
