The Mandalorian Episode 1 Review - 6 Ups And 1 Down
5. A Darker, More Visceral Kind Of Star Wars
By far the most exciting thing about The Mandalorian is its setting. The gap between Episodes VI and VII has been charted in books like the Aftermath Trilogy and in a select few media tie-ins, but nothing as visually detailed as what we've seen in this first episode. The end result is something fascinating, as we're treated to a version of the galaxy far, far away that feels pretty much uncharted; there's a new edge present, and while the political fallout of the Empire's dissolution never takes centre stage, it represents a lingering threat all the same.
In the vein of Rogue One, The Mandalorian works hard to restore a sense of grit and roughness to the franchise. There are no lightsabers, the Republic is distant and there is as of yet no discussion of the Force either. What we're left with instead are blaster marks, carbonite vaults, and a suitably perilous atmosphere that intimates danger even when things should feel relatively secure.
It makes for a fantastic change of pace compared to the films, and the freedom afforded by the new setting only ups the intrigue factor even further.
I'll get to how great the world building is later, but the important thing to bear in mind for now is that The Mandalorian is genuinely something new and compelling. We've never seen Star Wars done like it's being done here.