'The Mandalorian, Season Two' – Episode 10: 'The Passenger'

Another Monday has come round and that can only mean that it's 'Mandalorian Monday' here in the Library'. I love kicking off the week with a bit of 'Star Wars' actually, it gives me a little mental boost just when I need it (and I have a horrible feeling that I'm going to need it this week...) and also, it's just nice to start off the week on a positive note. Which leads me onto 'The Passenger' and unfortunately, perhaps the first blip in the series as a whole. I don't think I've ever come across a series that was perfect the whole way through and maybe its a good thing, getting the dodgy episode out of the way early on, in this season, so there's more time left to get back to winning ways. We'll see how that turns out but for now, lets talk about 'The Passenger'... I'm going to try and avoid spoilers but to be honest, so little happens in this episode that you already know what I'm going to avoid going into detail on...

Our Mandalorian is still looking for other Mandalorians who might be able to point him towards the Child's home planet and people. A meeting with an old friend, in Mos Eisley, points our hero at someone who might be able to help; the catch is that he must transport this person (and her unborn children) to a neighbouring system where her husband is waiting. No hyperdrive travel though (that would kill her offspring and she can't have any more) so it's sub-light all the way which, of course, leads to trouble. One crash landing later and the Child's eating habits may well get all of them eaten...

You've got to wonder just what the Mandalorian is transporting once you see what the Child is happy to eat... I'm not sure if the show is playing it for laughs or not ('look what the cute little Baby Yoda is eating...! Isn't it sweet?') but it comes across as ever so slightly dark and a little nasty. It would be cool if we're looking at the Child going full 'Dark Side' but this is Disney and I don't think their merchandising people would let it happen. What we have then is a little bit grim and just ever so slightly out of place. A bit jarring for this episode then (although it does drive the 'monster scenes' so it does have that going for it) but 'The Mandalorian' does have some credit in the bank, as far as I'm concerned, so I'll wait and see if anything else comes of it down the line.

The thing is, there's not an awful lot to this episode. There's a chase with X-Wings and the aforementioned monster bit, both of which are very cool to just sit back and experience. These bits are classic 'Star Wars' and will always get a positive response. This is particularly the case with the monsters as the show dips a foot into horror territory, showing another side to the Star Wars universe that could do with more exploration.

What's missing though is any real connection to the main plot. We've had 'bridging episodes' before, taking us from one main plot point to another, but there's been that connection that is missing here. The Mandalorian is looking for other Mandalorian enclaves but the show is a little vague on what, if any, help they can provide. There's no significance to the planet that they crash on and by the end, the 'Razor Crest' is in a real mess and they still haven't made it to their passenger's destination. It could well be (and probably is) setting up some big stuff for next week but I couldn't get away from a feeling of 'what was the point of what I just watched?' Other than don't give anything to Baby Yoda, unless you're happy for it to be eaten, but that's not a lot to hang an entire episode on...

'The Passenger' was visually gripping (and I still can't get my head round what Baby Yoda likes to eat...) but felt strangely hollow at the same time. I'm hoping that this was just a 'one off' and we'll be back to normal next week. We'll see...

P.S Can we have more Dr. Mandible please? Thank you :o)