If you’re anything like me, you’ve suddenly been hearing people talk about Ted Lasso over the last few months. Probably not a lot of specifics, just mentions of how good it is, and a few references that you didn’t quite understand. And, if you’re anything like me, you’ve thought to yourself that it sounds like it might be fun, but haven’t watched it, because it’s only available on Apple TV+. (Seriously, who needs—or even can afford—yet another paid streaming service right now?) Well, I’m here to tell you: You need Ted Lasso in your life. And you won’t even realize just how much you needed it, until you’ve seen it for yourself.
It’s been quite the season for The Mandalorian, and, according to yesterday’s massive amount of LucasFilm announcements, this is just the start in the next chapter of Star Wars. While this week’s episode, titled “The Believer” and written and directed by Rick Famuyiwa (Dope, Confirmation), doesn’t have the internet-destroying reveals present in the last few episodes of the series, it has some of the most intense action sequences featured in the show so far and dives deep down into the dark heart of those who served the Galactic Empire.
Viewers may still be on an emotional high after last week’s much-applauded appearance of Ahsoka Tano on The Mandalorian, but, as this week’s episode makes clear, we ain’t seen nothing yet. Ever since actor Temuera Morrison made his stunning cameo on Tatooine at the end of the first episode of the season, fans have been waiting for the reappearance of Star Wars’ most feared bounty hunter ever. With this episode, courtesy of series creator Jon Favreau and director Robert Rodriguez, the wait is over.
Well, Star Wars has once again delivered for the holidays. The moment is upon us: the first live-action appearance of fan-favorite character Ahsoka Tano. And, while it’s always hard for moments like this one to live up to years of the build up of fan expectations, Dave Filioni and Jon Favreau have gifted us with another amazing episode in a season of amazing episodes, as well as a potential glimpse into the future of Star Wars.
While the mention of former Jedi Ahoska Tano will certainly have viewers on the edge of their seats, waiting for the next sign of this popular character from the Star Wars animated series, this week The Mandalorian takes a minor detour to visit some old friends, deal with some old enemies, and give Apollo Creed the chance to play in the Star Wars sandbox.
The Mandalorian continues to exceed expectations with its most recent episode, “The Heiress.” Written by series creator Jon Favreau (Iron Man, The Jungle Book) and under the guidance of returning director Bryce Dallas Howard (Black Mirror, Jurassic World), the third episode of the second season is just plain outstanding. It pushes the plot forward, hints at thrilling things to come, and delivers some of the best action sequences in the series yet. Even more exciting, it seamlessly transitions a popular character from Filioni’s animated Star Wars series fully into the live-action medium with impressive results. Let’s just be honest; some fans are going to be coming out of the other side of this episode with a new favorite Star Wars character.
After last week’s season premiere of The Mandalorian exceeded most viewers' incredibly high expectations, the second episode of season two certainly had an uphill battle ahead of it. While it’s near certain that some fans will be chomping at the bit to get to that next glance at a certain someone, this second episode sees Payton Reed (Ant-Man and The Wasp, Bring It On) in the director’s seat. It might not feature the infamous bounty hunter some are looking for, we do get a visually beautiful chapter that further explores the clash between the untamed Outer Rim and the encroaching establishment of the still youthful New Republic.
Expectations are high for the second season of The Mandalorian, especially in a year that's seen almost every notable feature film release delayed indefinitely. The Disney+ series was fortunate enough to complete the filming of its sophomore season before the global pandemic shut down production across the board in Hollywood, and now it seems it may be 2020's most anticipated release that actually, well, released. Series creator Jon Favreau takes on double duties in this premiere, both writing and directing the first chapter of Season 2, and if the rest of the season is anything like this first episode, it seems like we're all in for an even bigger and badder Outer Rim adventure than our last time out in the Razor Crest.
Growing up in the 1980s, I was raised with strong, female role models. Girls had their pick of strong women in movies, TV, music, and books. It was a time that we were proud to be young women, and we couldn’t wait to grow up. As a tomboy, I still looked to some incredible women to find strength in my own life, and front and center of those heroes was Wonder Women.
End of the road. Last episode of the season. Yes, there will be a season four, but it is as likely to be radically different from season three as season three was from season two, not the least of which because Dolores is now gone. Sorry – should have started by telling you, “Spoiler alert.” But if you’re here reading this, I have to believe you have seen the episode.