4 things The Mandalorian must get right to avoid a sophomore slump
The Mandalorian is back for a second go, and we couldn’t be more hyped. But will season 2 prove the show has staying power, or was season 1 a fluke?
With the premiere of The Mandalorian season 2 right around the corner, it’s time to get the hype-train rolling! The first set of episodes brought fans back to a galaxy far, far away, but this time, from the perspective of a gunslinging Mandalorian. This provided a refreshing and exciting new adventure in the Star Wars universe, and hopefully it can keep that momentum for its second act.
We don’t want to see The Mandalorian suffer a decline in quality in its second installment like many other television shows and movie franchises sometimes do. The slow-paced, episodic, and sometimes mysterious nature of the show not only made it stand out among Star Wars stories, but other television shows; while The Mandalorian has an overarching story, many of its episodes stand alone, a welcome change from the rush of shows that are embracing the Game of Thrones-style serialized format.
We are eager to see what the second chapter of the show has to offer, but we hope it can keep its first year’s charm and mystery. Here’s what the show needs to do in season 2 to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump.
Push Mando and Baby Yoda to their limits
We spent the first season getting to know both Mando and Baby Yoda, and while we have a better idea of who the bounty hunter is, we still don’t know that much about the Child. Why is he so important to the Empire (or what’s left of it)? What do they want with him? Will this information cause Mando to doubt his mission?
It’s a dangerous galaxy out there. As Mando and Baby Yoda travel to different planets in search of the Child’s people, they will undoubtedly encounter many scoundrels and rogues that will put them in sticky situations. While it’s nice to see them bond and act like father and son, Mando’s mission — and its high stakes — cannot be ignored.
Things could get messy quickly once Mando learns that Moff Gideon has the Mandalorian Darksaber. He could also want revenge for the deaths of Kuiil and IG-11. The situation could become personal for Mando, and he could have to make some difficult decisions.
It would be a smart move to raise the stakes to keep the story fresh and thrilling. Mando and the Child have an exciting call to adventure in the first season. But now it’s time for the duo to face harsher challenges.