‘The Mandalorian’ Season 3 Episode 7 Review - A Battle to the Death

Warning: Contains Heavy Spoilers for The Mandalorian Chapter 23

The latest episode of the show sets a grim tone right from the start. We're taken to Coruscant, where a shocking revelation unfolds. G-68, who we thought had defected from Moff Gideon's forces, turns out to be still working for him.

As we watch Moff Gideon leading a meeting called the Shadow Council, we begin to realize the extent of the conspiracy at play. The council members discuss the seemingly random attacks that have occurred throughout the season, and we come to the realization that they were all part of a coordinated plan. The commanders in this meeting have their eyes set on replacing Grand Admiral Thrawn for leadership.

But their biggest concern seems to be the Mandalorians. They fear that the Mandalorians will reclaim their home planet, Mandalore, which would jeopardize the Empire's resurgence. Chapter 23 of the Mandalorian, ‘The Spies,’ follows the Imperial introduction with Bo-Katan and her Mandalorian crew as they roll up to Navarro in a bunch of raggedy old Imperial ships, you can cut the tension with a knife. But that doesn't stop them from setting up shop in the area for a little while.

And as luck would have it, they stumble upon a gift waiting for them in the High Magistrate's palace - none other than IG-11 now rebranded as IG-12, who's been stripped of his memories and is now piloted like a regular vehicle. You can practically feel the excitement radiating off of Grogu as he hops into the cockpit of IG-12 and starts pestering Mando by being taller than him.

But things quickly take a more serious turn when Bo-Katan rallies the troops to inspect and eventually retake Mandalore. With Mandalorians from both sides stepping up to lead the charge, you can't help but feel like this could finally be the moment when the two factions come back together again. And wouldn't you know it, Mando, Grogu, and the Armorer are all ready and raring to go.

Back in Mandalore, the anticipation of returning to their homeland is written all over the Mandalorians' faces, even on their masks. Bo-Katan leads the way to the ancient capital, but their progress is halted by the Night Owls - Mandalorians and old soldiers of Bo-Katan's forces. It's Mandalorian central in this episode!

As it turns out, Bo-Katan had surrendered to Moff Gideon to save her people, which is how he came to possess the Dark Saber. Unfortunately, he betrayed her, and the purge of Mandalore couldn't be prevented. Bo-Katan is left riddled with guilt, wondering if she had a hand in dividing the Mandalorians. But ever-loyal Din Djarin is there to pledge his allegiance to Lady Kryse, promising to serve her and help rebuild Mandalore. It would be an honor for him to do so.

 

The Night Owl Mandalorians take charge and lead the others to the Great Forge, but their journey is interrupted by a heated argument between Paz Viszla and Axe Woves, which quickly turns into a physical brawl. But amidst the heated conflict, Grogu emerges as the peacemaker, diffusing the tension with his innocent charm. Mando watches with pride as his little one once again proves himself to be the heart of the group.

However, their moment of respite is cruelly cut short as a monstrous creature breaks through the ground, forcing them to abandon the ship. Finally arriving at the Great Forge, they are met with a barrage of blaster fire from Moff Gideon's stormtroopers, signaling that the danger is far from over.

The Mandalorian theme blares as our heroes appear to emerge victorious, but their triumph is short-lived. They are ambushed by even more stormtroopers, including Moff Gideon in a Beskar alloy suit, and Din is captured. The tension builds as a second purge of Mandalore looms, and Bo-Katan laments not killing Moff when she had the chance.

She leads the Mandalorians to safety, wielding the Dark Saber in a thrilling battle, but not all survive. The episode takes a heartbreaking turn as Paz Vizsla stays behind to sacrifice himself for the others, adhering to the Mandalorian code of 'this is the way'. We can be assured, however, that our brave Paz will be avenged.

As the episode ends, we are left with a sense of urgency and dread for what's to come. This is what The Mandalorian does best: combining action, emotion, and storytelling to create an unforgettable experience. From start to finish, "The Mandalorian" has consistently delivered high-quality episodes, but this penultimate episode sets a new bar for the season.

With the stage now set for the final chapter, it's hard not to feel a sense of anticipation and excitement for what's to come. Will our heroes triumph against the Empire and take back Mandalore? Or will they face even more devastating losses along the way? Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain: The Mandalorian has once again proven itself to be a true force to be reckoned with in the world of television.

Final Score - [9/10]