So far, this has been the episode I’ve seen the most people on Twitter be split on whether or not they liked. It was definitely a slower episode in that it did more to introduce characters than move the plot along, but I loved that and how vibrant this particular world was compared to the dusty, dead planets we’ve been on. The Mandalorian (at least this first season) is only a few episodes, so it gives the expectation that each one really has to mean something versus other long running sci-fi series that are upwards of 15 or 20 episodes long.

Either way, this episode provided us with some really wonderful (and gif-able) moments, and that’s the soup.

Things I Loved

There wasn’t that hurdle of distrust Cara Dune and Mando had to work through. Once they realized they weren’t a danger to each other, they shared soup and were very respectful. They worked together easily and neither of them doubted the skills of the other. It was great!

Things I Would Like More Of

CARA DUNE. She’s absolutely amazing. She has a blaster but figured she should just straight up punch beskar armor – and it actually works! She’s also intelligent, brave, kind, and funny, and we are so lucky to have her in the Star Wars universe. Plus, reading interviews with Gina Carano, where she explains that Cara Dune’s confidence in herself inspired her to be more confident, is so heart warming.

Things I Could Do With Less Of

Less shaming of Yoddle eating frogs! I know the kids and Yoddle are just getting to know each other, so I hope once they get to know each other better, they can accept their differences.

Wait, I’m Confused

So, Mandalorians can only take their helmets off in front of other people when they’re done being Mandalorians. Considering all of the canon content we’ve had (besides movie Boba Fett) where Mandalorians take their helmets off, I am very confused. I hope we get more backstory about what happened to the Mandalorians after Star Wars Rebels because what we’re seeing here and what we’ve been shown before doesn’t connect. There are many theories going around, but the one I’ve come to like best is that the “helmet rule” only applies to foundlings – an extra step they need to do to show their dedication to the Mandalorian ways.

I Need to Know More About

Omera, and not just because I personally, deeply relate to Omera (taking care of space babies, being attracted to people who are hard on the outside and soft on the inside, etc.). Give me an entire show about Omera and Winta and the two of them living a nice life with their shrimp and distillery. Give me a scene of Winta asking her mom why she’s talented with a blaster rifle. Is she actually a widow? If so, what happened to her partner?

Most Relatable Moment

Yoddle causing trouble so the person she’s with pays more attention to her. Look, sometimes you need to be held, but you don’t know how to communicate that. All Yoddle knows is that when bad things start happening, she gets held by her new dad. Therefore, push buttons to make something happen until new dad holds me. I get it.

What was Mando Thinking…

When he tried to leave Yoddle behind in the village with Omera and Winta? Did he really believe she would let that happen? When he got back to the Razor Crest, Yoddle would be sitting in the copilot chair waiting for him.

This Episode Reminded Me Of

Stargate SG-1. Yes, the plot is based off Seven Samurai, but its related media like The Magnificent Seven (I really loved the recent remake) has made it into a trope you pretty much see in all exploration related sci-fi TV series. This episode particularly screamed SG-1 at me because

• The setting looked like beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia.
• The male lead is tired, the female lead is perfect, and the alien companion is sassy.
• There were actors from other currently running beloved shows (shout out to Pillboi from The Good Place!).
• Possible romance between the male lead and one of the people he is helping, opening up the possibility for a place our tired hero can retire.

I think things are going to get serious again in Chapter 5, so I’m glad we had this chance to rest and make some friends.