The Mandalorian Episode 1 Review - 6 Ups And 1 Down

1. The Ending Reveal Is Perfect

It was immediately apparent from Werner Herzog's speech to the Mando that their target would be controversial. No puck was issued, and the only identifying markers were their age and their last known coordinates. Given the Client was also a part of what appears to be the Imperial Remnant, it was pretty clear that, whoever the Mando was tracking down, their conscious would be muddied all the same.

After dispatching the mercenaries guarding the target, the Mandalorian and IG track their tag to a crib. Inside is a baby Yoda, or rather, a baby belonging to Master Yoda's species - which Star Wars has never actually revealed! While IG is eager to kill the baby, the Mando opts instead to murder his partner and protect the child, in a decision that's sure to put him at odds with the Imperial Remnant and potentially even his own guild.

But this is more than just a great premise for the ensuing nine episodes - it threatens to disclose one of Star Wars' great mysteries, and that is the origin of Yoda's people. They're said to be 50 years old, which places their birth in 41 BBY, nine years before the events of The Phantom Menace.

That's one old baby. But what does it mean? Are they related to Yoda? Yaddle? Are they force sensitive? One would assume the latter most question is true, given the Empire's demand to study the target alive or dead. Either way, what a fascinating start to the first live action Star Wars show. Let's see what comes next this Friday!