About a year and a half later The Mandalorian season three ended, I discovered that my perspective on the latest – and most controversial – edition of the blockbuster Star Wars show has changed over time. The Mandalorian was, and still is, absolutely unbeatable in terms of its first two seasons, which completely revolutionized the way Star Wars and even many other franchises would tackle their live-action TV shows. For many, however, season three failed to reach the same standard, although that certainly wasn't the case for everyone.
As one of The MandalorianBeing one of the show's biggest fans, following the show since its debut in 2019, I was initially one of the viewers who avidly defended Season 3 when it was released. This continued for months after it had already ended, and I often found myself at the center of some heated debates about whether the third season was actually a success for The Mandalorian or not. Over time, though, I fully came to terms with my own feelings about last season and my perspective changed almost completely.
As a Mandalorian fan, I maintain high standards for the show
He raised the bar with seasons 1 and 2
Even before The Mandalorian season 3 was released, I had high standards for the third installment of the TV show, mainly because of how amazing seasons 1 and 2 are. This show really set a very high standard for itself in these first two seasons, and in the long wait between seasons 2 and 3 (well over 2 years), my standards for what was to come only grew higher and higher. Of course, before we even got to season three, we had the continuation of Din Djarin and Grogu's story in The Book of Boba Fettwhich is where the problems started for many viewers – and for me.
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The MandalorianRotten Tomatoes scores by season |
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|---|---|---|
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Season |
Critical score |
Audience Score |
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Season 1 |
93% |
92% |
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Season 2 |
93% |
91% |
|
Season 3 |
85% |
50% |
I didn't realize it at the time either, but the way those moments The Book of Boba Fett advanced the history of The Mandalorian really put season 3 in a difficult situation. It was expected that much of what happens in this spin-off series, especially the reunion between Din Djarin and Grogu, would happen in The Mandalorian season 3which made it difficult to even create true expectations for the next episode of the TV show. Despite this, I still held high standards for what was to come, keeping faith in my favorite Star Wars project.
It wasn't about not meeting expectations; it was about not being able to live up to your own high standards.
Unfortunately, those standards weren't really met in season three. It took me a long time to recognize this, but now, about a year and a half later, I am able to recognize it. There were story choices that still completely confuse me to this day, and the narrative didn't feel as cohesive and fluid as it did in seasons 1 and 2 – at least, not for me – and I even had a hard time believing this season emotionally. It wasn't about not meeting expectations; it was about not being able to live up to your own high standards.
The Mandalorian's third season let its titular character down
Din Djarin didn't have a good story of his own
Easily the biggest point of contention for me regarding The Mandalorian The third season is what completely disappointed its titular character, Din Djarin, in my eyes. Din Djarin has become my favorite character of all time, which means I am, and always have been, very invested in its history. In season 3, however, There's not really a story to it. Instead, Din lives in the shadows of Bo-Katan Kryze and his own son Grogu in Season 3, losing the character's arc progress from Season 2 in the process.
Again, this is not about The Mandalorian The third season didn't meet my expectations. I can often handle it well which is why I don't set high expectations in the first place. I even lowered my hopes of getting a real Mand'alor Din Djarin before Season 3, despite many of my colleagues The Mandalorian mega-fans putting a lot of faith in it. The thing about Din Djarin is that the story of season 3 disappointed him immensely. After getting his redemption, he just moves onremaining by Bo-Katan's side during her critical arc.
Perhaps Din was indeed the key to the Children of the Watch trusting Bo-Katan, but that was concluded as soon as Din achieved this in episode 4. After that, the Armorer took on the role of leader of the Children of the Watch in Bo-Katan. side, which left Din with no real purpose. He doesn't even decide to stay on Mandalore after he and Grogu help free the planet. The entire time, Din doesn't take off his helmet, not that that's necessarily necessary in his story. Overall, Din was extremely static in Season 3.
Season 3 is a good Star Wars story, not a good Mandalorian story
I couldn't lose focus on its two main characters
What I have come to embrace as my true view of The Mandalorian 3rd season is a good one Star Wars story, but it's not a good one Mandalorian history. There's still a lot in Season 3 that I really love, including the highly controversial episode “Chapter 22: Guns for Hire,” even if I still have a lot of criticism about other parts of the story. I will also continue to maintain my personal conviction that The Mandalorian season three isn't as bad as most other fans say it iswhy and still effective as Star Wars history.
The problem is that it lacked what seasons 1 and 2 of The Mandalorian had: a strong, emotional focus on Din Djarin and Grogu.
There are things outside of Din Djarin's arc and the overall Season 3 narrative that I have complaints about, including what appears to be a recreation of Bo-Katan's arc from Star Wars Rebels in live action about 10 years later, but Overall, it's still an installment of television that I really enjoyed. It disappointed me, yes, but given how many people still pick this season as their favorite, it clearly achieved some impressive goals. The problem is that what was missing The Mandalorian Seasons 1 and 2 had: A strong, emotional focus on Din Djarin and Grogu.
It's not too late for the Mandalorian to redeem himself
The Mandalorian and Grogu Movie Could Fix Things
Although my perspective on The Mandalorian season 3 could be shifted to a more critical lens from now on, it's not too late for that yet Star Wars subfranchise to obtain redemption. I have a lot of faith in The Mandalorian and Grogu film, even though we have so little to do at the moment. All the film needs to do is return to the heart of The Mandalorian giving Din Djarin and Grogu a gripping story that allows them to grow as characters and as people. Given the film's title, I have a lot of genuine faith that this will happen.
I initially defended The Mandalorian third season because I honestly, truly I wanted to love so much. We've been waiting a long time for this and I wanted to be a good fan of The Mandalorian proving that I could love him in any and every circumstance. Since then, however, I learned how to balance my genuine, never-ending love for this TV show with the disappointment it also brought me.. That's why I can still have faith in the future of The Mandalorianno matter what's in store for our beloved heroes.