Warning: Contains Heavy Spoilers for The Mandalorian Chapter 18
After the end of episode 1, it was very clear where Mando was planning to go. The second episode begins with Mando and Grogu making a visit to Peli Motto in search of an IG unit memory circuit to repair IG-11, which could play a vital role in exploring Mandalore. Although to Mando's disappointment, Peli doesn't have those parts and neither do the Jawas. Peli offers Mando an R5-D4, to which he reluctantly agrees and takes him on his mission.
Chapter 18 of The Mandalorian titled, The Mines of Mandalore follows Mando, Grogu, and R5-D4 on a mission to explore the ruins of the Mandalore planet. The setting of this planet is similar to sci-fi films like Prometheus and gives a horror vibe. Especially when Mando enters the mines, it feels like something gonna jump him and this is what exactly happens. These mines of Mandalore are filled with creatures that look like trolls and alligators with wings and give the same vibe as Aliens films have given.
The major highlight of this episode was Grogu. When Mando was captured in the mines by a creature that has a robotic body, he struggles to get out of the hold, and ultimately gives up and asks Grogu to get Bo-Katan for help. Grogu has always been accompanied either by Mando or Luke Skywalker wherever he went, and that is why his first solo mission comes as a surprise to everyone. Grogu escapes the mine while fighting Trolls and beating a flying alligator to his ship and turns out that he is an excellent navigator, who quickly finds Bo-Katan on her planet, Kalevala.
Although there were no full-blown action scenes in Grogu's fierce adventure, it did feel quite satisfying to watch Grogu on his first solo mission, which also turns out to be very successful.
Bo-Katan reunites with Mando after saving him from the creature's trap, but Mando insists on continuing his mission to explore the mines of Mandalore and find the Living Water to get redeemed. Bo-Katan reluctantly agrees but tells him that she will help him find the Living Waters.
The episode ended while teasing a giant creature beneath the Living Waters. It is not clear whether Bo-Katan knew about it and still let Mando go inside the water or if it was a surprise for her as well. Although this giant creature doesn't do any harm to anyone, it seems to be wakened up due to the small rumbles created by Mando and Bo-Katan. The creature is said to be Mythosaur, a dragon-like creature that has been considered extinct. This creature has been ridden by the Mandalorians in the past and its skull is known as the symbol of the Mandalorian people.
The 42-minute-long, second episode of The Mandalorian Season 3 was quite surprising. It not only jumps quickly to the Mandalore but also makes Grogu more mature in a short time. The first episode teased the buildup to the Mission Mandalore, but the second episode quickly dissolves it, while also seeming to finish it. The ending confirms that there are a lot of stories to tell about the history of Mandalore. Now the only question remains what's next for Mando after he dipped himself in the Living Waters?
Final Score - [8/10]