I expected The Mandalorian season 2 episode 4 to be a filler, so when we got just a little bit more than that, I was pleasantly surprised.
The Mandalorian Chapter 12 (aka episode 2×4) The Siege marks the halfway point of season 2. I fully expected this to be a filler episode after last week’s name drop, and knowing that Dave Filoni is directing Chapter 13.
What I didn’t expect was there to be some story arch stuff with Cara Dune coming to a head, and some big reveals on why the Empire wants The Child. Here is my recap and review of the episode! Enjoy, but be warned — spoilers ahead!
Warning: SPOILERS for The Mandalorian Season 2 Episode 4
The Siege
Baby In Danger
This episode starts out with The Child in some serious danger! The Razor Crest is still a little hard up and Mando sends Baby Yoda to do some wiring. When that doesn’t really work out (he electrocutes himself of course, but lives!), Mando decides they need to head to Navarro and fix the ship.
I had assumed since Carl Weathers was directing this episode that we would be seeing Greef Karga and Cara Dune in it and I was right. As Mando arrives they say they will help him get his ship all fixed up but since that will take a while, can he help them out with something. Shocker, another side mission.
A Familiar Face (Or 3)
Besides Greef and Cara, there is another familiar face in The Mandalorian season 2 episode 4 — Mythrol. You might recognize him as one of Mando’s former bounties from season 1. And just in case you didn’t, they include him in the recap at the beginning of the episode. He is currently working off a debt, and is tasked with driving Mando, Cara, and Greef to an all but abandoned Imperial base on the other side of the planet.
Greef claims there is still a skeleton crew there and he just wants them off his planet. There are a lot of weapons left as well, that would be sure to get a high price on the black market. However, the gang is in for a surprise.
Action, Action, Action
What we get as they plow through the base is a whole lot of action. I was clearly here for it, as I love this stuff, but the episode was shaping up to be exactly what I expected – filler. As they try to overload the reactor that controls it, they realize there is a lot more going on than they think. Experiments of some sort.
Then they see a holo recording that details just why they needed the The Child. If you remember back in season 1 they were able to take some of his blood. Well they are discussing a blood donor with very high “M levels” (we can assume Midichlorian level). This recording is directed to Moff Gideon and when they discover it is just three days old, they also discover that he is still alive — and clearly up to something.
Cara Dune Tempted To Join The Cause
After escaping narrowly because — Star Wars — the New Republic shows up asking all sorts questions. Of course Greef and Cara play dumb, although it is clear Cara is tempted to join the cause. And they ask her to. She declines for now but I feel like this might be revisited in the near future.
Dark Troopers
The final scene shows Moff Gideon being informed that while fixing the Razor Crest, a tracking device was successfully installed. He confirms that Mando still has the asset (The Child), and that they will be ready. Pan out and we see some black Stromtrooper armor. Could these be Dark Troopers? I guess we will have to wait and see.
Overall Thoughts
This episode of The Mandalorian is clearly a filler, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. We got a lot of great action and Carl Weathers did a fantastic job directing. We also got to finally see Moff Gideon back in the flesh and honestly, he gave me chills and goosebumps during his short scene. He is such a great villain and I cannot wait to see what he has up his sleeve!
Will be get Ahsoka next week? I sure hope so! With Dave Filoni directing it just feels right, doesn’t it? I am expecting The Mandalorian Chapter 13 to be HUGE and I cannot wait for it!
Check out my favorite quotes from The Mandalorian Season 2.
About The Mandalorian Season 2
The Mandalorian and the Child continue their journey, facing enemies and rallying allies as they make their way through a dangerous galaxy in the tumultuous era after the collapse of the Galactic Empire.
“The new season is about introducing a larger story in the world. The stories become less isolated, yet each episode has its own flavor, and hopefully we’re bringing a lot more scope to the show.” – Jon Favreau
The Mandalorian Season 2 is airing on Disney+ now!
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.