Every episode of The Mandalorian season 2, ranked worst to best
The Mandalorian season 2, chapter 12
“Chapter 12: The Siege”
This episode is pure fun. After three episodes without any other characters from season 1 (aside from Amy Sedaris’ Peli Motto) we finally got two of our favorite heroes back with the return of Cara Dune (Gina Carano) and Greef Karga (Carl Weathers), not to mention the return of Horatio Sanz’s lovable Mythrol from the series premiere!
Carl Weathers is is one of the bigger stars attached to the show, and also directs this episode. His approach feels very influenced by his acting background, since it pays a lot of attention to characters.
“The Siege” is set on Navarro, where much of the first season took place. Karga and Cara Dune have built a well-functioning society that operates without the influence of the Empire or the New Republic.
The episode doesn’t have the same originality factor as some of the others. While it’s a very fun adventure, the quest is simple, the stakes aren’t extremely high, and the characters don’t change very much by the end. This season will be remembered for having the most hallway fight scenes I can ever remember seeing from one television show. But when compared to the last episode (“The Heiress”), the fight scenes in “The Siege” are a bit boring. The final chase scene is brilliantly executed, and I’ll watch Gina Carano barrel through Stormtroopers with her massive shoulders any day of the week. Seeing the Razor Crest back at peak form for the first (and only) time all season was very enjoyable as well.
The episodes strongest moment came when the gang of heroes discovered exactly what the Imperials were doing at the stronghold. They learn from a hologram of Dr. Pershing that the Empire is using Grogu’s blood in an attempt to create some sort of Force-wielding super-solider army, and have so far been unsuccessful.
The episode includes some great musical cues to hint at a connection between the Imperials Mando is fighting and the dark side of the Force. I also have to appreciate the way this episode makes me yearn for the blue macaroons Baby Yoda shoves in his face. Grogu’s appetite is one of the shows most hilarious comic go-tos, and here we have it at its best.