The return of “The Mandalorian” has been an anticipation. While being more aware of its production process makes one look for the lines a little more, the texture is still interesting. Like the previous season, giving away too much of the plot belies the intention of the story. Needless to say after the end of last season, Mando is still on his path and his quest to reunite The Child with its own kind still stands. While not as thematically ethereal as the premiere episode, Episode 9 (“The Marshal”) keeps in tone with the Western motif while also still integrating into the lore. While a certain creature does create an interesting idea of why certain paces are the way they are, the reasoning behind this specific structure is not overtly clear (which is alright). The Marshal himself makes total sense as the misdirect serves well for later in the episode. The set piece for the episode also works well enough while paying harks to everything from “Dune” to “Game Of Thrones” while it treads on almost trying to scale up too much. There is an effort with some close ups and medium shots to make it more cinematic which makes sense since Jon Favreau directed this episode. The idea of shadows in the desert continues to be a motif but like last season with “The Mandalorian” it doesn’t feel the need to push or rush plot more than it needs to. The behavior of Mando especially with a certain species is telling but also makes one think if a deeper mythology is, in fact, authored by this.
B+
By Tim Wassberg
The Inside Reel 