The Mandalorian Episode 1 Review - 6 Ups And 1 Down

2. The Team Up Between IG And The Mando

Taika Waititi was kind enough to grace Star Wars with a turn as assassin droid IG-11, an IG unit who resembles one seen in 1980s The Empire Strikes Back. His voice is instantly recognisable and, while it's a minor role, he leaves one heck of an impression by the time he departs in the episode's final minute.

Chapter One included plenty of action, but director Dave Filoni saved the best set-piece until last. As the Mando approaches the compound holding his target, it appears as though an IG unit from his bounty guild has beaten him to the punch. The element of surprise is lost and so the Mando resolves to bargain with the droid to ensure he still gets paid. The bartering process is hilariously dry, while the novelty of seeing an assassin droid in action won't be lost on the Star Wars faithful, who've been dying to see how an IG-unit would actually work for a pretty long time.

This is also where the action reaches his peak. Pascal's gunslinging prowess really comes into focus, as does Filoni's direction and Greig Fraser's cinematography.

It's a tremendous sequence, and one that only hammers home the western vibe further.