One of the most consistently interesting things about showrunner Jon Favreau's approach to bringing The Mandalorian to life is the way he is subtly redefining just what Star Wars is and what we can expect it to be.
While the mainline movies have more or less always been labeled as "episodes," Star Wars has rarely felt truly episodic. But with this show, Favreau is leaning hard into the episodic nature of television, fully embracing the ability to take storytelling risks and tread in fresh directions in a way that film often simply won't cohesively allow. Nowhere is this more evident thus far than in the show's fourth episode. Titled "Sanctuary" and directed by Bryce Dallas Howard, you would think "Chapter 4" four would be, well, something a bit different than what it is given where the preceding episode left off. With the parsec's bounty hunters chomping at the bit to get a taste of Mando and his new ward, the chase, as they say, is on. You'd be forgiven for thinking this would lead to a follow up moving at breakneck speed as our stoic hero desperately but deftly avoids a wave of hunters.
Instead, he mostly chills out in an idyllic fishing village on the outskirts of an already seemingly remote part of the galaxy.
Granted, it's not long before Mando is recruited by the village locals to help ward off a band of murderous, pillaging bandits but on the whole it offers far more moments of tranquility and silent introspection for Mando than other shows would likely put up. A friend noted that the slow pace, the focus on village life and fending off attackers felt more akin to an episode of Star Trek. And while that's not necessarily wrong as those are certainly hallmarks of Trek, I'd say it speaks more to the idea that Star Wars for so long has only ever focused on matters more galactic in nature. But a more planet-level crisis like this is essential. There are only so many times you can blow up planets before it becomes a rote gesture. Granted, it seems odd to denote complete terrestrial annihilation and accompanying mass-scale genocide as "meh, old hat" but when you never really know or feel or otherwise understand the people and ecosystems that make up those planets, why should anyone really care all that much? "Chapter 4" is precisely the kind of approach that's needed right now, serving up a reminder of what all this galactic conflict is being fought over. Star war, what is it good for?
This does, however, tie into the lingering issue that ultimately leaves "Chapter 4" as the weakest episode yet. More specifically, Howard and Favreau try to accomplish too much in too little time. There's been a tremendous economy of storytelling thus far in the show, but this is the first time where it feels like the immediate story would benefit from double the length. You see, in keeping with the ongoing list of samurai movie influences, "Sanctuary" is an obvious lift from Seven Samurai as Mando and former Rebellion shock trooper Cara Dune (Gina Carano) are hired (or in Mando's case, guilted) into training the villagers on how to defend themselves from the inevitable return of the bandits. This basic premise doesn't necessarily require a lengthy run time to be effective, but the proceedings feel rushed. The emotional hook of the episode is convincing the audience that maybe, just maybe, Mando might find a new life and leave behind his life of danger and violence in exchange for raising The Child as his own. But there's so little time between when he is confronted with this new potential path and when he inevitably turns it down that the implied emotional weight and indecision (however brief) never really lands. It's a shame, too, because while I think the decision to keep each episode at around 30 minutes has been a net benefit, this is probably the one time an exception should have been made.
Still, while it's the overall weakest of the show so far, there's still a lot it does right. If nothing else, the daughter of Solo director Ron Howard delivers one of the most sinister and intimidating visuals I've yet seen in Star Wars with the incredible moment an Imperial AT-ST reveals its nighttime presence in a forest. If nothing else, that moment alone should merit Ms. Howard returning to direct at least a few more episodes of the show. She also helps craft some of the most touching moments we've yet seen with Mando. The character's magnanimous nature still manages to surprise, as does the occasions when he drops his guard both literally and figuratively. The ways Favreau and his directors quietly expand upon Mando's character are almost always thoughtful, but here when we see Mando truly find a moment to relax feels borderline momentous. Instances of quiet thought are rare in Star Wars and Howard makes it count here.
If nothing else, "Sanctuary" further solidifies that Favreau's instincts and approach are correct and leaves me all the more curious for what shifts and lateral moves he'll make further this season and beyond.
Some random episode thoughts …
— Yiddle Sipping Soup is now the new Kermit Sipping Tea meme. I have spoken.
— It's a low bar, sure, but this episode has Gina Carano delivering what is almost certainly her best acting to date.
— Mando's quiet meal seems to indicate we'll almost certainly see him sans helmet at some point, though part of me kind of hopes it doesn't happen until the final shot of the final episode of the final season.
