The following conversation includes spoilers for chapter 3 and all previous episodes. To check out our conversations on the first two episodes you can click the link here.

The Mandalorian – Chapter 3: The Sin

Mark: Let’s jump right into it. I feel like we’ve both enjoyed the series so far. It’s been solid, but nothing super memorable. So when we found out that Deborah Chow (the future director of the Disney+ series Obi-Wan) was directing Chapter 3, we had high expectations. With both of us working full-time jobs, we started to notice a buzz around chapter 3 even before we got the chance to watch it. People were calling it the best episode so far. So does it hold up?

Dan: I have to agree with the masses here. Bravo to Chow. As you mentioned, this is definitely a phenomenal sign for things to come with the Obi-Wan series that is in the works. Episode 3 was paced wonderfully and really got the train back on the tracks. Episode 2 was magnificent television but seemed more like a half-hour filler episode to tell us Yodi has value to Mando and can use the force. Chow put us back on the rail and we’re moving full steam ahead.

Disney, LucasFilm Ltd.

Mark: Yeah, I understand why people were upset about chapter 2 being too side-questy, but it was still fun television. With Yodi in hand, Chapter 3 opens with Mando flying back to collect his bounty. I was curious to find out how this scene would play out. I didn’t want Mando to collect his bounty, but I knew that it was in a Mandalorians nature to collect and not ask questions.

Dan: Something we missed in our first watch of previous episodes was the foreshadowing patch on Dr. Pershing’s uniform. The symbol matches that of the cloning facility from Attack of the Clones. This opens up two potential motives for those paying the bounty on Yodi: They want to clone him, or he is an escaped clone from the old facility. The remnants of the Empire may have cloned Yoda in the past or could be dreaming of creating an army of powerful force users from Yodi. Either way, he is the centerpiece of this story going forward so I knew this wouldn’t be a smooth transaction for Mando.

Mark: Ahh I didn’t know that. Interesting. Contrary to what you thought, the transaction actually went kinda smoothly? No firefights. Nobody dead. What we did notice is a moral dilemma circulating inside the helmet of our main character. Mando asks, “What are your plans for it?” Totally uncharacteristic for a Mandalorian to ask questions after the transaction is complete. Yodi saved Mando’s life and he obviously has some attachment to the little green fella, but it is against the guild code to ask questions. An internal moral struggle is apparent.

Disney, LucasFilm Ltd.

Dan: The moral dilemma is an immense one. Mando’s flashbacks are evidence of how he relates to Yodi. We know he is a foundling, brought in to the Mandalorian clan as an orphan. His parents can be seen doing all they can to save him from some sort of attack, hiding him away. He sees the parallels between Yodi’s story and his own. Mando gives a portion of his earnings towards the foundlings each time he cashes in, so his attachment to Yodi is not a mysterious one.

Mark: So Mando has collected his bounty and gets some shiny new armor in the process. Our time with Yodi has been fun but now what? A twist? What? He’s turning off his ship and going back for him? No way! I’m obviously being sarcastic here.

Disney, LucasFilm Ltd.

Dan: We all saw this coming from a parsec away. My initial expectation was for the deal to go south and Mando to try to fight his way out with Yodi, yet the end result just involved a few extra steps. Luckily, it gave us the infiltration scene which is one of my favorites thus far in The Mandalorian. It felt tight, it felt dark, and it felt unique. I’ll say it time and time again, we are bound to deal with the burden of a Disney filter throughout the Star Wars universe. Mando’s sleuthing, stealth-kill filled entrance to the compound brought us the individuality this show needs, branding itself as an individual and not just regurgitation of the same Star Wars stuff we’ve seen a thousand times before.

Mark: Dude’s a bad-ass. He was pulling out all the moves in his repertoire. Mortal Kombat Scorpion style spear, “GET OVER HERE.” Tiny projectiles that looked like something Iron Man would use. These stormtroopers felt like enemies in a Metal Gear Solid game on easy mode. Ultimately he leaves with Yodi, sparing the life of the doctor who claims Yodi would already be dead if it wasn’t for him.

Dan: The Doctor is clearly working for the old Empire, but almost appearing to be there against his will. His claim to be the only reason Yodi isn’t already dead is one I believe. We talked briefly about the link to the cloning facility, and I would venture to say that this scene proves that theory. It looks like a DNA extraction has occurred, and perhaps the Empire already has what they need for whatever dastardly plan they have up their sleeve.

Mark: This episode did a phenomenal job at building tension through music and different angles of camera work. White-knuckle moments. Chow invites us to view the “dark side” of the underworld our main character explores. Tight, close-up shots make us feel like we are inside the action, never knowing what will come next.

Disney, LucasFilm Ltd.

Mando escaping with Yodi has the unfortunate side-effect of activating the tracker of every guild member who was unsuccessful in capturing him the first time. Another chance to capture Yodi is one that the guild will not take lightly. We didn’t think it would be that easy did we?

Dan: The showdown between the guild and Mando took on the identity of an old western. One “outlaw” against many. I loved the way it all played out, with Mando’s new armor making an immediate impact. He is so blatantly superior to the other guild members, demonstrating this with elite combat skills and prime decision-making skills. I was worried that the overwhelming numbers and insurmountable odds would be vaporized to another meaningless way for Favreau to shove Mando’s greatness down our throats. I was happy that he was unable to survive without backup again.

Disney, LucasFilm Ltd.

Mark: A gripe that I have is that this is only chapter 3 and two episodes have ended with an old western style. Perhaps this is what is expected though. A Star Wars twist on an old western shootout could be worse. With the other Mandalorians arriving to save Mando, it signifies the bond Mandalorians have with each other. To hurt one is to hurt all. This comes at a cost of relocating their hideout.

Before escaping with Yodi, Mando has a final showdown with Chubbs Peterson. I’m sorry, but Carl Weathers will always be the guy from Happy Gilmore to me. “DAMN ALLIGATOR BIT MY HAND OFF.” A shot to the chest of Chubbs was enough for Mando to escape, but not enough to kill him, as a well placed beskar ingot saved his life.

Dan: This episode is my favorite thus far. This superbly paced episode lands us in a spot where we now know what the series’ struggle will be. The remnants of the Empire will ruthlessly hunt down the Mandalorians. This won’t be a typical good vs evil, but a constant moral battle between clan and whoever is willing to risk their life for a bounty. I think we are in for some more stormtroopers, a plethora of bounty hunters, and new, morally-ambiguous characters who will either lend a hand to the Mandalorians or succumb to the allure of an enormous bounty. I’m overcome with excitement for what’s on the horizon.

Disney, LucasFilm Ltd.

Mark: I can’t believe the next episode will be the mid-season finale. I am enjoying the series and starting to wish the episodes were just 10 minutes longer. 40 minutes would be perfect. Anyways, I’m content with what has happened, and the direction the series is going. Maybe next episode we meet Cara Dune?

So let’s give it a rating. Dan?

Dan: My take: 9.4. I’m giving this episode such a high score because I’m a believer in where this story is heading, and Chow impressed the hell out of me in how she directed and paced this episode. Also… Yodi.

Mark: My take: 8.9. I think the hype got to me. I put unrealistic expectations on this episode before watching it. That’s not to say that I didn’t like this episode, I did. I just think I need to block out social media before each episode going forward.

That concludes our conversation on Chapter 3: The Sin. Feel free to comment below on what you thought of Chapter 3 and remember to stop by next Saturday for more conversations on The Mandalorian!