The Mandalorian: Ranking Every Episode From Worst To Best
1. Chapter 8: Redemption
Somewhat unbelievably, The Mandalorian managed to save the best for last, with a season finale that is an emotionally satisfying joyride from beginning to end.
This is the first and only episode of the season directed by Taikia Waititi, and its as if Waititi shoved every once of his love for Star Wars into this thing because it's practically oozing charm from every orifice. From the side-splitting opening of the two scout troopers abusing Baby Yoda only to get utterly destroyed by IG-11, to the shootout between our heroes and Moff Gideon's firing squad, to Baby Yoda using the force to stop a flame thrower, to Emily Swallow's The Armorer getting to whoop some ass, to the final showdown between Mando and a TIE fighter, this thing kicks from beginning to end.
It is consistently surprising, featuring both the funniest (see: Baby Yoda riding on a speeder bike with IG-11) and most emotionally devastating moments (see: The Mandalorian covert being mostly killed off or Mando's genuine growth and sadness at IG-11's sacrifice) and feels quintessentially Star Wars.
By the time it reaches its final moments, with Mando and Baby Yoda blasting off to find Baby Yoda's homeworld and Moff Gideon slicing his way out of his TIE Fighter with a Darksaber, it guarantees the wait for Season 2 is going to be an arduous few months.