In 2019, with the launch of Disney’s streaming service, Disney +, came the first season of the show The Mandalorian. The show took place in the Star Wars universe after the conclusion of the original trilogy. It followed a bounty hunter on his journey through space to protect the now-famous “Baby Yoda.” The show was an instant hit among critics and fans, many even calling it the best Star Wars content since the original films. Now a little less than a year later, the entirety of season two has been released and it would be an understatement to call it less than amazing. 

 Since day one, Star Wars has been based on the westerns and samurai films of the ‘40s and ‘50s, but no other film or tv show that takes place in the universe has embraced that original influence like The Mandalorian. Like season one, season two feels like a cowboy serial with each episode seeing Mando take on a new task for different people. The first episode of the season is a great example of this as Mando helps a small town kill a large “sand-worm” like creature that keeps eating their cattle in exchange for the Marshal’s armor. Despite the show having an overarching narrative, each episode is its own self-contained story. I think some could find this repetitive or annoying because it can feel like the larger story is barely moving throughout each episode, but I feel that it gives the series a personality that a lot of current shows do not have. I also like this structure because it allows the audience to meet new characters and environments every week, which gives each new episode a freshness. That all being said, where the first season could be a little too self-contained from episode to episode, the second season opts to focus a bit more on the greater narrative, which I thought was a good choice by the writers.   

Looking closer at the bigger story, season 2 of The Mandalorian dives deeper into Star Wars lore as the bounty hunter searches for a jedi to train the child. Because of this, the show is able to inject characters from other Star Wars films and tv shows into the series, a delight for fans like myself. This could sometimes come off as just being fan-service, but I found that the creators of the show were able to make the returning characters and settings service the plot enough that they were necessary additions. The heart of the show is still the relationship between Mando and “Baby Yoda” as we get to see their bond strengthen throughout the second season. Mando truly becomes more and more of a father figure to the alien child, even to the point where he defies his deepest beliefs to protect the kid. Actor Pedro Pascal, who plays the title character, is able to convey great emotion through his voice and body language despite having to wear a metal can on his head through almost the whole series. His spectacular acting is what really makes the relationship work so well throughout the show. The puppeteers who bring to life the adorable “Baby Yoda” must also receive praise for being able to capture the hearts of so many with what is essentially just plastic and cloth. The connection between these two characters is so beautifully written that I even became misty-eyed during the season finale.

While I enjoyed season one of The Mandalorian, I did not share the overwhelming love for the show that many fans seemed to have. I thought it was very entertaining, but I found that not every episode completely landed with me. Season two on the other hand may be my favorite piece of Star Wars content after The Empire Strikes Back and A New Hope. Week after week, I would become gleeful with excitement as I watched Mando takedown fleets of stormtroopers and care for his lovable green sidekick. Season two of The Mandalorian stepped it up in every way possible from the first season, becoming greater than I could have ever imagined possible. Each new planet visited is a sight to behold and each new creature is detailed into being a believable part of reality. My expectations were exceeded to above and beyond and I can’t see anyone being disappointed with this season. Grab a seat, start a Disney + free trial (unless if you’re already subscribed), and get started watching. Season 2 of The Mandalorian is a perfect piece of television. As Mando would say himself, “This is the way.”