As the flagship series sweeping Disney+, The Mandalorian has proved to be an adventurous space western worthy of the Star Wars franchise. With practical effects combined with CGI wizardry, an all star cast, and the most talented writers and directors in the industry, Jon Favreau's series shines as a contribution to the franchise.
Star Wars fans have rarely been so excited about an installment since Disney's sequel trilogy was announced after the company purchased Lucasfilm, and those films have only proved to divide the fanbase with their narrative risks. With the first live action Star Wars series being such a hit, evoking the feel of George Lucas's classic trilogy, it may be able to reaffirm fans' faith in its ability to safekeep the galaxy far, far away.
FANS UNITED
As strange as it might seem, The Mandalorian has managed to please not only fans of Star Wars, but science fiction fans across multiple fan bases. It's deft blend of action, visual effects, and character-driven pacing has united fans of the Prequels as well as fans of the Original Trilogy.
With many Star Wars fans being deeply dissatisfied with the Disney made sequel series of films and taking to the internet to voice their vehement dislike, it's rare when they have something good to say about the Star Wars franchise. The series has renewed their faith in Disney's ability to creatively guide the brand, as well as oversee its future.
WAYS TO OFFEND A MANDALORIAN
While George Lucas's original Star Wars trilogy remains beloved by fans of the franchise, it did introduce Stormtroopers, the elite Imperial fighting force, as terrible shots. Despite supposedly being one of the most deadly and highly trained militaries in the galaxy, they are bested by Ewoks and frequently unable to hit Rebel troops at close range.
Lucas also made the first Mandalorian fans ever saw, Boba Fett, something of an ineffectual shot in the end, along with his father Jango Fett in Attack of the Clones. That being said, both of them had more in common with the Mandalorians seen in The Mandalorian than with the Empire's jarheads.
SOMETHING TO CONSIDER
Disney+ is the latest streaming service to sweep the nation, with thousands of Disney fans signing up for it every day. Boasting a catalog of Disney favorites both old and new, it's the only platform where Disney created content will be exclusively released.
That being said, many Star Wars fans are deciding to wait to sign up until The Mandalorian has finished, taking advantage of the 7 day trial to binge watch the series all at once. While this may seem like a novel idea, they'd have to stay off of social media for several months while it airs to avoid spoilers.
SAY IT ISN'T SO
When Star Wars fans first got word of The Mandalorian, they were cautiously optimistic. Hearing it was created by Jon Favreau, included a team of talented writers and directors, and boasted a top-tier cast of talented actors encouraged their faith in its ability to echo the brilliance of the classic trilogy.
Unfortunately, it was set in the "Sequel Era", five years after Return of the Jedi. This made fans hesitant to embrace the series, knowing every event in it would march steadily toward the situations outlined in Episode VII: The Force Awakens. Luckily, they've found it to capture the feel of the classic trilogy with practical effects, a pertinent visual aesthetic, and many of George Lucas's influences.
IG-11 SELF DESTRUCT
The sight of a IG-series Phlutdroid appearing in The Mandalorian was one of several callbacks to the original trilogy that peppered the series. Star Wars fans remember IG-88, the deadly bounty hunter present when Darth Vader opened a contract on Han Solo, which also included the Mandalorian Boba Fett.
IG-11 seemed particularly prone to initiating his self-destruct sequence whenever he encountered something mildly irritating, which in turn seemed to initiate nothing but the Mando's irritation at his recklessness. The character wasn't around long enough to make a huge impact on the series, but he was able to become meme fodder.
ATTACK OF THE CATCH PHRASES
The series introduced fans to a wider Star Wars Universe by expanding the galaxy far, far away with its world building. It expanded the culture and lore of the Mandalorians, while also including some insight into seemingly background only characters, like the Ugnaughts.
The Mandalorians catch phrase is "This is the way", stated with solemn reverence by one Mandalorian to another. The Ugnaught's catch phrase is "I have spoken", uttered with definitive integrity by the elderly Ugnaught hermit who helps the Mando. There have been few catch phrases in the Star Wars franchise that have caught on so quickly or been so memorable.
JEDI MIND TRICKS
While many Star Wars fans dutifully and begrudgingly signed up for Disney + in November, many others felt the push to obtain yet another streaming service incredibly cajoling. They decided pirating items off of it would be better, unaware that Disney would make this increasingly hard to do.
The Star Wars films have notoriously been difficult to stream anywhere other than Disney+ and Netflix ever since Disney purchased Lucasfilm. So unfortunately no matter how many Jedi mind tricks fans attempt, the only copies of the series they're seeing are Bantha poodoo.
THE ORIGINAL MANDALORIAN
As thousands of Star Wars fans flocked to Disney+ to see the series, so too did the casual Disney fan curious about the service's flagship show. Due to the crossover demographic, there's quite a few people who have no idea what a Mandalorian is.
It remains to be seen whether or not the series will make mention of the original Mandalorian seen in the Star Wars franchise, Boba Fett, but we're sure if they do a lightbulb will go off in a few viewer's heads. Until then, everyone can enjoy finding out more about Mandalorian culture together.
THE MANDOLIN
One of the key components of any Star Wars film or series is its musical score. The legendary composer John Williams originally composed the score for George Lucas's Star Wars Saga, which he'll complete with Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker.
The Mandalorian has elements of Williams' score as well as composers who have contributed to those classic films from which the series draws its Western inspiration. Aspects of Ennio Morricone, Jerry Goldsmith, and Elmer Bernstein's works can be heard in every episode, as created by Ludwig Goransson (Black Panther).
THE FAMILYDALORIAN
If there's one thing the series makes clear, it's the importance of family. Mandalorian society is built around clan identity, with each house having a special sigil. Even though the Mandalorians aren't as frequent as they once were when the series takes place, but their clan-like mentality has enabled them to stick together and stay out of the Galactic Civil War.
Our mysterious Mando makes his own family when he decides to safeguard his former mark, an "infant" appearing alien that appears to be of the same race as Jedi Master Yoda. The little bouncing bundle has already come to the Mando's aid with its strong Force abilities, making it a worthy asset.