The Mandalorian Chapter 18
Disney+

Spoilers for The Mandalorian Chapter 18, “The Mines of Mandalore”

The latest chapter of The Mandalorian is a straightforward adventure with a sampling of action that feels a bit forced at times. Still, some slow-walking plot movement and character development come into play.

According to Jon Favreau, Grogu has been with Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) for around two years. The intentional vagueness helps our suspension of disbelief deal with the continuity crisis that’s simmering in the background and on social media. It’s almost as if there are multiple realities in the Star Wars universe.

We can ignore questions like, “Where’s Grogu during the sequel trilogy?” and enjoy the foreshadowing for introductions of Rebels characters in the live-action universe. We once thought Ezra Bridger and Thrawn’s spirited trip to the far reaches of the galaxy with a pod of Purrgil explained why they were absent during the First Order’s rise and fall. We may have a similar explanation for Grogu’s absence. Never mind the logic behind his character being invented after the fact. It’s looking more and more likely that Mando and Grogu will be headed far, far away to meet up with our missing Rebels characters rather than the other way around.

Mando intends to bathe in the Living Waters in the Mines of Mandalore to redeem himself and reclaim his status as a Mandalorian. Maybe the Mandalorian. Maybe the Mand’alor. He already possesses the Darksaber. The recap of what’s happened so far reminds us that the Armorer (Emily Swallow) told Din, “The songs of eons past foretold of the Mythosaur rising up to herald a new age of Mandalore.” Pay close attention to these recaps, as they remind us of what’s important but also foretell what’s to come.

We’re on Tatooine during the build-up to celebrations for Boonta Eve. You may remember the event from The Phantom Menace where Anakin wins his freedom in the Boonta Eve Classic Podrace. Jabba is no longer among us, so the race may not be happening, but the celebrations are a tradition all around the sandy globe.

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Din Djarin’s ally, Peli Motto (Amy Sedaris), greets Mando after swindling a Rodian with the help of local Jawas. Din is still looking for an IG memory circuit, but Peli talks him into taking R5-D4 instead (that droid gets around). It’s the one that faked a bad motivator to assure Luke got the right droid to get the reluctant hero to the Rebellion and finally has his shot at an exciting adventure. He’s now Mando’s astromech.

After a lesson in navigation, Din and Grogu land on Mandalore. Because of atmospheric conditions created by the fusion rays that decimated the planet, the landing is rough, and communications are impossible. The place is a glass parking lot filled with petrified debris from a previous lifetime. When R5-D4 doesn’t return from scouting ahead for air samples, Din is forced to look for him. As soon as he’s underground, he meets the first Morlock. Attacked by several, he wields a heavy Darksaber to take them out. Once he finds his missing droid, he gets the readings he needs. Mandalore is breathable.

Mando and Grogo head underground to look for the Civic Center, the entrance to the mines. Once they arrive at the bottom, Din finds a scorched Mandalorian helmet in a pile of ashes. There’s no time to ponder or mourn because he’s suddenly attacked by the Robot from Lost In Space (Netflix series). The lanky, spider-like droid takes our hero away to leave Grogu alone. It’s time for Baby Yoda to shine as a hero. When Grogu finds Din, he’s trapped. Din sends Grogu to find Bo-Katan with the little navigation he has under his belt. “Get help, Lassie!”

Grogu video-games his way through the tunnels, avoiding pitfalls and monsters. He’s suddenly trapped by a Morlock, but the hairy beast is no match for a Youngling disguised as a Foundling. He Force-pushes the creature back, and Grogu escapes to find Bo-Katan. Lucky for the little one, R5-D4 is already in his astromech port, ready to fly to Kalevala.

“Let’s get rid of him once and for all,” Bo-Katan mumbles when she sees the Naboo starfighter arrive. It seems she’s been hiding her cards, or at least her intentions. We knew she wasn’t keen on Din Djarin, but that line sounds like she wouldn’t mind seeing him dead. So, why does she decide he needs rescuing when she realizes Grogu came by himself? Possibly because it will lead her to the Darksaber.

Bo-Katan brings Grogu back to Mandalore immediately. She seems embarrassed by the state of the planet. Her history with the Mandalorian culture and infighting may have something to do with that. She seems to have lost hope in uniting her people again, but a little action always cures hopelessness. Grogu guides her to the underground location Mando was last seen. Action ensues.

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Bo-Katan finally identifies the Morlocks as Alamites after enduring an attack. They used to live in the surface wastelands beyond the cities. It’s hard to see how they’d survive, given that the planet is glass and ash far below the surface. But they did survive, and Bo-Katan wonders what else might have too.

Once they find the imprisoned Din Djarin Bo-Katan attacks the droid creature. It’s armed with Old Republic stun weapons, keeping her at bay. Bo-Katan sees the Darksaber on the ground and uses it to defeat the monster. This series of events begs the question: Who rightfully wields the Darksaber now? Since the mysterious creature defeated Mando by capturing him, the saber would belong to it. If Bo-Katan was able to use it to defeat the temporary owner, does that give her the right to claim Mandalore? It doesn’t look like it feels as heavy to her as it does for Din. Maybe she’s destined.

Din’s main objective is to bathe in the Living Waters of the Mines of Mandalore, so after a serving of Pog Soup, he’s on his way, but not before loading his weapons again, including the Darksaber. Bo-Katan won’t let him go alone. There’s something up her sleeve. After a short trek, they arrive at the mines. Bo-Katan explains that the mines were once the lair for the Mythosaur, tamed by the first Mand’alor. Quietly, Din steps into the Living Waters to recite his pledge to Mandalore. He’s dragged under, reminiscent of the Death Star trash compactor scene. Bo-Katan doesn’t think twice. The Darksaber is down there! I mean Din!

A long way down, she finds Mando unconscious at the bottom of the waters. She drags him up past what might be the culprit. He is still unconscious when a giant eye locates them, looking directly at Bo-Katan. It is unquestionably a Mythosaur! Once back on land, you can see her thoughtful expression through her helmet. The Mythosaur lives!

Judging by the style of storytelling this season, things are slowing down and getting to the good stuff. The plot is taking baby steps toward its uncertain conclusion but at times, its leaps and bounds. One important thing to note is that it’s not Favreau’s job to unite the fans or to reconcile muddled character plots from other stories to jibe with his own. Continuity is no longer king. Favreau’s job is to tell us the story of The Mandalorian and his charge. Week to week, that’s exactly what’s happening.

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