A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, the story of The Mandalorian shone a light on our lives. Dubbed the most “in-demand series in the world” by Forbes, The Mandalorian left fans eagerly awaiting a return after season one ended in 2019. The iconic duo of the titular masked protagonist and fan-named “Baby Yoda” dominated not only Disney+ but the entire internet as well. Now, even amidst a tumultuous 2020, the team behind the show gave us the gift of season two, of which the finale wrapped at the dawn of a new year.
Created by Jon Favreau, The Mandalorian is a Disney+ series set within the universe of George Lucas’ original Star Wars franchise. For those unfamiliar with the show, season one followed Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin, or “Mando” (Pedro Pascal), on his quest to capture a 50-year-old creature with powerful abilities in the Force. But when he learns the target is actually still a baby, Mando goes rogue against Imperial demands, kickstarting a far-reaching journey to return The Child to its home, all while escaping the corrupt Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) and other perilous remnants of the Empire.
Season two of The Mandalorian continues with Mando’s efforts to bring back The Child to its own kind, now seeking the help of others in his clan—the Mandalorians. As the duo rush through villages and dart between planets, they encounter characters and forces in their wake: a Frog Lady on the desert planet Tatooine, a krayt dragon, X-wing battles, and the return of the Darksaber.
After the wild success of the first season, fans reasonably had sky-high hopes for the follow-up, and Favreau did not disappoint. Season two gave us all the things we loved in season one and more: mesmerizing space Western action, stirring neon battle sequences, sweeping sepia and icy blue cinematography, new characters and deeper character arcs, and, of course, more of “Baby Yoda,” whom we finally learn his true name later in the season. While the adorable green internet sensation already made the show loveable, the story and its characters go far beyond The Child’s cuteness.
Season two excited not only fans who waited almost a year, but also fans of the original Star Wars universe. The Mandalorian expertly balances the old with the new, navigating its own story and still showing love toward the originals. Star Wars fans beyond The Mandalorian will be thrilled to see surprise appearances of familiar faces—played by Temuera Morrison and Rosario Dawson, among others—weaved within the narrative. Those who’ve just begun their Star Wars journey will have the chance to fall in love with these characters for the first time. And, just like the originals, stormtroopers can’t aim.
Whether original characters or budding favourites, family remains a constant presence as the bond between Mando and The Child grows, as well as their budding relationships with the allies they meet, from Greef Karga (Carl Weathers) to Cara Dune (Gina Carano).
Despite not fully understanding one another—“Baby Yoda” can only coo and babble—Mando and The Child form a special connection. Likewise, while we go through the series not understanding The Child and rarely seeing Mando’s face, we feel their deep connection and form our own. The complexities of these characters, even minor ones, accentuate every love and every sadness we feel as we follow them on screen.
Just like with season one, the joys and thrills of season two were fleeting. After the eight episodes ended, fans of The Mandalorian were left in eager anticipation, wondering and theorizing about what comes next.
However, when the season ends and the credits roll, do not lose hope. If you stick around until the very end, you’ll get a glimpse of what the future holds. This is the way.
