The Apostate, the season 3 premiere of The Mandalorian, is wonderful because it serves as a reminder of the adventure-centric nature of the program. It’s a carefully constructed episode with a few action climaxes, some nice bonding time among Din Djarin and Grogu, and some intriguing season-long setups. Their reintroduction to the major Star Wars series is the much palate cleanser after the pair’s appearance in the underwhelming The Book of Boba Fett.
A nice method to emphasize this year’s quest is through the sun-drenched opening scene with the Armorer and the Tribe’s helmet bestowment ceremony, which reaffirms the significance of the Mandalorian oath never to remove one’s helmet. The Mando armor and weapons are immediately put to work in the play. The massive alligator combat is amazing, and the computer-generated imagery carries a feeling of heft, which the program has already shown is adept. Then, as Daddy Din and Grogu arrive to make the rescue, we get to enjoy his slick, upgraded Naboo N-1 Starfighter once more. It has got to be one of the neatest signature starships in the franchise’s history.
In the meantime, Emily Swallow reprises her role as the enigmatic Armorer to remind viewers that Din’s sin of removing his helmet can only be atoned for if he visits Mandalore’s mines once more and takes a bath. Our brave couple is now on their journey, but this isn’t just some random side job on the way to reclaiming Mandalore. Din’s need for atonement and salvation with his family of religious zealots and his obvious need for connection, which is the reason he initially revealed his face, are both deeply ingrained philosophical conundrums. He hoped that his journey to Mandalore would provide answers to these broader issues.
Since he seized control of the Darksaber from Moff Gideon, Din Djarin has been headed toward conflict with Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff), and their tense encounter in Kalevala keeps that plot rolling. These two seriously disagree on what it is to be a Mandalorian, and it is nearly certain that they will one day engage in combat not only over the Darksaber but also over who is viewed as having the higher moral ground.
It’ll be fascinating to see how the interaction between Kryze and Din develops as the season progresses because it’s quickly becoming one of the more interesting aspects of the plot. Naturally, Sackhoff is fantastic as usual in part; this time, when she reclines in her lone throne room, she exhibits a fit of subtle anger.
The episode has no major flaws, but it primarily feels like preparation for the rest of the season. The rest of the reasons for Din and Grogu’s trip to Mandalore and the impending confrontation with Bo-Katan were somewhat known to us before the IG-11 reveal. Yet, “The Apostate” is a good approach to reintroduce the plot and raise the stakes. Let’s hope that story ahead brings on some serious heat. To know that stay connected!!
