The Mandalorian season three ended on high note

The past week gave us two finales: The Mandalorian season three and Star Trek: Picard season three. Although the Picard episode was more of a series finale.

I’ll be honest. The older I get, the less interested I am in talking about the things I hate. I had no intention of mentioning The Mandalorian finale because this third season really sucked. I have not been this disappointed in a TV show since Peter Capaldi’s final Doctor Who season.

I’ve seen people sugarcoat it by arguing that it had some high points, but ultimately fell short in many places. I don’t have that patience. This season was terrible. It started well enough, setting the stage for an epic showdown on Mandalore.

But then the primary plot froze as the series meandered through pointless filler episodes. The way they resolved the Din/ Bo/Dark Saber thread was nauseating. Seriously, what was that?

Part of me was sorely tempted to abandon the season halfway. I only stuck it out because season three was short. Star Wars fans praised the seventh episode, but it was only a mild improvement over the bland nonsense the show had thrown at us in previous weeks.

But then it happened. I watched the finale, and, as the young people usually say, it slapped. I suppose this is why Picard came out on top. We can dissect that show another time. But for now, this is what I will say.

While Star Trek: Picard went to great lengths to provide an emotionally satisfying conclusion to a well-plotted season, The Mandalorian finale was all style and no substance.

Interestingly, this is where I differ from other reviewers because most of them hated the episode. And I understand why. Like the rest of the season, the final episode was hollow.

But I don’t care because I had so much fun watching ‘The Return.’ My emotional response to a piece of content dictates my overall opinion, and I was practically skipping with joy while watching this glorious episode.

The show finally delivered the all-out Mandalorian/Empire war the trailers promised. I don’t understand how anyone could contain their excitement as all those Mandalorians streaked through the sky like crashing meteors or when Din smashed through that line of stormtroopers on the bridge in the best fight scene this show has ever given us.

I lost my mind when Grogu leaped into the fray to protect his surrogate father and then gasped in horror as those Pretorean Guards cornered the tiny, defenseless creature. What about that moment when Bo and the Armorer leap into action, Bo carving flying stormtroopers apart with her Dark Saber, the Armorer caving their skulls in with her hammer?

Did I mention the cinematography? ‘The Return’ was beautiful. And let’s be honest. Those final moments between Grogu and Din warmed our hearts. And yet, every review I have seen keeps tearing this episode down.

Yes, this season was terrible. But the finale was a 10/10. And we know season four is already written, so the show has plenty of opportunities to redeem itself. For now, look at the silver lining.

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