The Mandalorian Flies High Again

 


"He means more to me than you'll ever know." --The Mandalorian

Few shows came with the weight of expectations that "The Mandalorian" faced when it debuted shortly after the Disney+ launch in late 2019. The first live action "Star Wars" show, it carried the weight of fan hopes and expectations. It dropped just before the final sequel film, a time when the fanbase was deeply divided and skeptical.

That final film, which dropped at the end of the first season of "The Mandalorian" didn't help much. I liked it, many didn't. And nearly a year later, "The Mandalorian" returned for a second outing. The first season defied expectations and creating something incredible, memorable, and brought fans out in droves. Could the second season keep that up?

It did, and more. We got classic characters, like Boba Fett and a special finale guest I won't name check here yet. And we got characters from the expanded universe, like Bo Katan and Ahsoka Tano. And all of it led to one of the best seasons of television of 2020, and has left the "Star Wars" universe in a wonderful place as we approach 2021.

Disney recently announced that a number of new films and TV projects are coming. A year ago, that announcement would have been received with eye rolls. Thanks to what we've gotten from Jon Favreau, Dave Filloni and this show, it is received with anticipation. That is a credit to this show, to its cast and to the world building that has legions of fans enraptured and craving more.

The second season finale was, perhaps, the best the show has had. It's opened a myriad of possibilities and also driven grown men, including myself, to cry. It was a powerful and beautiful experience, and I can't wait to see what they do for an encore next Christmas.

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