Pedro Pascal does it again for "The Mandalorian" season three

by Calvin Bonn

Three minutes in and I was a little worried. Sure, the start of the third season of “The Mandalorian” was interesting, with a jump scare (and of course, Mandalorians) but there was no sign of the show’s true star. Finally, after seven minutes and 27 seconds of anticipation, the adorable green ears of Grogu peaked out of the cockpit, accompanied by the titular Mandalorian–phew!

Fortunately, the show had much more to ofer than just Baby Yoda content. The action-packed and beautifully crafted beginning of the third season of “The Mandalorian” hooked me in from the start, efciently developing its plot for its fan-favorite characters, recognizing the original appeals of the Star Wars franchise.

The last time audiences saw Din Djarin, aka Mando (Pedro Pascal), and Grogu, aka Baby Yoda, together was in “The Book of Boba Fett” last year, which ended with Grogu reuniting with Din, who was recently exiled from his clan of Mandalorians for removing his helmet. This is all summarized in the must-watch recap for viewers who, like me, likely forgot all of the frst season connections in the complex tangle of the “Star Wars” universe.

With audiences caught up, the frst episode of the new season picks up where this plot line left of. We follow Din as he seeks help in his quest to return from exile by visiting the sacred waters of his decimated home planet, Mandalore.

Immediately, a dramatic fght scene breaks out, forcing viewers on the edge of their seats. This fast-paced and eventful standard is met throughout the rest of the initial episode as viewers get a taste of creature attacks, a blaster fght and a spaceship battle, among other surprises. The blaster shootout in particular characterizes the traditional space-western vibe of the original “Star Wars” movies, with the cowboy-esque standof and cinemagraphic focus on the twitches of the characters’ fngers towards their guns building tension throughout the scene. Thankfully, “The Mandalorian’s” quick plot pace does not slow in the second episode, unlike other “Star Wars” shows like “Andor.”

The many diverse planets where Din and Grogu visit adds to the quintessential adventure of a good Star Wars show. In just the frst two episodes, the duo travel to at least fve planets, each with unique lighting and music. The attractive colors, wide angle shots and hopeful scores introduce the audience to the new and improved Navarro, a planet recovering beautifully from the Empire’s rule. Contrast this with the exceedingly dark mines of Mandalore, where Din’s fashlight is sometimes the only source of illumination and tense, foreboding music plays in the background. While suspense is readily built in Mandalore’s atmosphere, it is difcult to follow some of the subterranean fght scenes. Regardless, the set choices capture the versatility of the

“Star Wars” universe and is appreciable to general audiences in addition to the fans.

Die-hard “Star Wars” fans have nothing to wor ry about either. The show rises to the occasion and contains many referenc- es to the larger franchise. Popular characters from the original seasons return, such as ex-bounty hunter turned High Magistrate, Greef Karga (Carl Weathers), and Tatooine repair-woman Peli Motto (Amy Sedaris).

Fellow Mandalorian Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackof) also returns, landing a recurring character credit this season, as she takes on an increasingly important role in season three. Subtle connections to other “Star Wars” projects are also seen, such as the debut of “purrgil” in live-action, which are space whales whose shadows are briefy seen by Grogu outside of Din’s ship, a nod to the “Star Wars Rebels” series.

More connections to the previous “Mandalorian” seasons were seen through the development of Din and Grogu’s characters as they explore their father-son relationship. Besides just seeing Din Djarin as the talented and fearsome fghter or the begrudging babysitter, we now get to see him as the parent, educating his adopted son in the skills needed to survive and nav- ing humanity's last hope, a 14-year-old girl named Ellie. Whether your enemies are fungus-covered zombies or bandits who will stop at nothing to take both your life and belongings, the game allows you to see the world of "The Last of Us" through Joel's lens and perspective, something the show cannot mimic.

Although my preference leans towards the game rather than the show, both are exceptional and one-up each other in certain categories. The series precisely captures the raw emotion and depth of Ellie and Joel throughout their journey of fear, anger and loss. Ramsey and Pascal's chemistry, both on and of set, contributed to their phenomenal performances, something I didn't doubt after watching their roles in the drama series "Game of Thrones." Whenever I heard an iconic voice line from the game in the show, I cheered Joel and Ellie on, as Ramsey and Pascal's delivery and ability to portray the complex father-daughter relationship between the two main characters was unmatched.

“The Last of Us” is brutal and inevitably tragic. But despite violent rampages and gory fesh-eating infected, Joel and Ellie's relationship shines bright even in the darkest of times, defying all odds. While most video games are untouched by any remakes, “The Last of Us” TV show adaptation is a defnite must-watch for anyone looking for a series that will leave them speechless and craving for more (pun intended).

Even though Din guides Grogu, he actually gains more independence this season, cooperating and respecting Din more than in the past. In addition, Grogu’s time spent with Luke Skywalker seems to have had its efect, as he is now much more capable in the Force, and can even fip—somewhat comically—in and out of the cockpit.

This crucial familial relationship is one that anchors the plot of “The Mandalorian” and the fantastical “Star Wars” galaxy in general. With bizarre creatures, space fghts and breathtaking planets, these relatable characters allow the audience to connect to the otherwise outlandish sci-f universe. Luckily, the new paternal role of Din Djarin and the iconic face of Grogu are up to that challenge as the frst few episodes of the “The Mandalorian’s” new season prove to be a stimulating addition to the series and universe.