The Mandalorian Review: Chapter 14 “The Tragedy”

The Mandalorian Review: Chapter 14 “The Tragedy”

By Michelle Gonzaba

There are many themes sprinkled throughout the Star Wars universe. Good vs. evil, loss of innocence, the power of redemption, just to name a few. But almost every character has struggled with one theme: the search for a home. Anakin, Luke, and Rey went on journeys to try and find the place they truly belonged to. The Mandalorian, though it strays from the Skywalker family, plays with this concept as well. Mando and Grogu are both far from their own kind but have made their own home with each other. Though they have faced many challenges, they are now closer than ever to finding Grogu’s people. Will Mando be able to leave him behind? Will Grogu even want to be left behind? The closer we get to the end of the season, the closer the duo get to completing their journey.

Mando and Grogu land on Tython, the planet Ahsoka Tano suggested they visit. They find the Force-sensitive stone Tano spoke of and Mando places Grogo on top of it. Both are clueless as to what to do next; Mando thinks Grogu will know what to do and Grogu simply sits and gurgles like the baby he is. Finally, Grogu taps into the Force while Mando spots an unknown ship landing near them. Mando tries to grab him off the stone but the Force keeps pushing him back. With no other choice, Mando goes off to protect Grogu and defend him from the mysterious ship.

The occupants of the ship turn out to be Boba Fett and Fennec Shand. Boba Fett hasn’t been seen since the season’s first episode, and Shand was seemingly killed by a blaster shot last season. Fett explains he saved Shand’s life and they now work together. Mando is ready to take both of them out before they can get to the Child, but Fett doesn’t want Grogu. He wants his old armor! Mando refuses to hand it over; he says Fett isn’t a true Mandalorian, so he has no right to it. A calm Fett offers a deal: if Mando gives him the armor back, he and Shand will help protect Grogu. Before Mando can even think about agreeing, an Imperial ship lands and stormtroopers begin to attack.

Mando makes many attempts to grab Grogu, but the Force field throws him back over and over again. Meanwhile, Fett and Shand successfully fight off the stormtroopers. Unfortunately, their victory is short-lived as a second ship full of Imperial soldiers lands to continue the fight.

Mando decides his best option is to wait for Grogu to finish his meditation session and help the others fight off the stormtroopers. Him and Shand fight valiantly but become surrounded; fortunately, Fett comes flying in wearing his armor and helps them defeat the second wave. Unbeknownst to Mando, Fett snuck into his ship and took his old armor back. In his defense, Mando was a little busy getting thrown in the air over and over again.

Before they can decide their next move, Mando’s beloved ship is destroyed by an Imperial ship from above. Mando quickly runs to Grogu, but he’s too late: Moff Gideon’s dark troopers have grabbed him and taken off towards Gideon’s ship. For the first time, Mando seems defeated. Grogu is gone and his ship has been destroyed. But he isn’t out of options just yet. Mando discovers that Fett’s father, Jango Fett, was Mandalorian. This knowledge allows him to officially give back the armor to the former bounty hunter. Mando thinks he will leave after getting what he wanted, but Fett is determined to honor his side of the deal. He and Shand will help Mando ensure the safety of the Child, at any cost.

While Mando and his new allies head back to Cara Dune for help, Grogu is being held prisoner on Gideon’s ship. He isn’t exactly a model prisoner; he is throwing around stormtroopers left and right. However, his use of the Force has tired him out and Gideon uses the opportunity to fully knock him out with a stun gun. A stormtrooper puts the universe’s smallest shackles on Grogu and the Imperial ship sets off to continue their mysterious experiments with their star inmate in tow.

Highlights and Observations:

• The Mandalorian does a fantastic job of showing how strong the relationship between Mando and Grogu is. On paper, it sounds ridiculous: how do you show growth and emotion between a puppet/CGI creature and a man who wears a mask 24/7? Kudos to the writers — they don’t have an easy job.
• Before Mando left with Fett and Shand, he found the beskar spear from last week’s episode in his ship’s wreckage. This weapon could possibly be what he uses in the final showdown with Moff Gideon.
• Maybe Ahsoka Tano was right about Grogu; the kid was force choking stormtroopers! I don’t think that’s normal behavior for a baby. Maybe we should be on the lookout for Darth Vader, the baby version.