The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 1 Review: Chapter 17: The Apostate
The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 1, “Chapter 17: The Apostate,” eases us back into the world of Din Djarin and his travel companion/son, Grogu, as they embark on a new adventure to Mandalore.
“Chapter 17: The Apostate” picks up where our duo left off in The Book of Boba Fett after Din Djarin helps Boba Fett defeat the Pyke Syndicate, restoring peace to Mos Espa. Grogu chooses to forgo Jedi training with Luke Skywalker in favor of staying with Din, and Peli Motto gets the pair a new ship.
THE ARMORER: You have removed your helmet. What’s worse, you did so of your own free will. You are no longer Mandalorian.
The outing lays the groundwork for the rest of the season, which will ostensibly spend a good chunk of time on Mandalore. Narrative-wise, it’s nothing groundbreaking per the show’s usual standards, but it’s an enjoyable introductory episode that feels like reuniting with old friends.
The Mandalorian continues showcasing what it does best: immersive action sequences and eye-catching visual effects. The opening scene with the giant gator interrupting the Mandalorian oath-taking ceremony is a spectacle unto itself. “Chapter 17: The Apostate” doesn’t shy away from the blood and gore when Mando saves his fellow Mandalorians by crashing his ship into said gator.
There are a few brief, fast-paced sequences after the initial one, but they aren’t quite as biting (literally) as that entry point. The series maintains a classic yet polished approach to designing this galaxy far, far away’s fascinating creatures. For example, Gorian Shard looks like something plucked directly from the original Star Wars trilogy.
GREEF KARGA: You and the little one, you can settle down, you can hang up your blaster. Live off the fat of the land.
The series feels more like the Star Wars we grew up with than the sequel trilogy, and part of that feeling comes from intricate details like this. It’s comforting, in a way. Of course, the creatives are staying true to the period in which The Mandalorian takes place, regardless of our advanced technology.
“Chapter 17: The Apostate” reunites us with High Magistrate Karga and a revitalized Nevarro. Naturally, Din makes a splash during his visit with Karga because our favorite disgraced Mandalorian doesn’t know how to fly under the radar (and we love him for it). Nevarro’s progress and Karga’s new position are intriguing breeding grounds for narrative development, but with Mandalore looming, we might not see much by way of that this season.
The return of a jaded Bo-Katan Kryze, once brimming with purpose, lounges forlornly in a massive castle on Kalevala. Katee Sackhoff infuses Bo-Katan with the character’s signature sardonic edge and hardened persona, but an undercurrent of sadness ripples beneath the surface.
BO-KATAN KRYZE: Then, you lead them. Wave that thing around and they’ll do whatever you say.
As usual, Pedro Pascal seamlessly executes the challenge of conveying emotion solely through his voice and physicality. Mando spends most of the episode determined to seek redemption from the Living Waters on Mandalore, hoping to prove to the Armorer he can bounce back from disgrace and to Bo-Katan that Mandalore isn’t a poison-laced ruin.
“Chapter 17: The Apostate” displays a few lighthearted moments via its resident Force-sensitive little green guy, from Grogu trying to squeeze that Anzellan to him spinning in Karga’s desk chair. Who knew that a nonexistent “baby Yoda” could steal our hearts so … Force-fully?
It’s inexplicably cozy and warm, at least regarding the familiarity of it all. It feels more like a prelude to the season than a bona fide chapter, but it’s a solid setup nonetheless. Even a somewhat middling episode of The Mandalorian is still damn entertaining. Judging by where we’re going, it appears we’re in for a season steeped in Mandalorian lore, which should excite any Star Wars fan.
Stray Observations:
- The Anzellans are the definition of adorable. I don’t blame Grogu for wanting to squeeze one out of a sheer inability to handle their cuteness.
- Gorian Shard, the Pirate King, gives me Harley Quinn‘s Swamp Thing meets Pirates of the Caribbean‘s Davey Jones vibes, with Gremlins-like facial features. Don’t ask me why, but it’s these vibes specifically.
- The Mandalorian castle on Kalevala has the sterile appearance of a billionaire’s third home that rarely sees its owner. Could you imagine having to deep clean a place like that? It’s impressive, though.
- The Kowakian monkey-lizards are forever categorized under “jumpscare.”
- Something tells me we’ll see Gorian Shard again in some capacity. Mando killed four of his pirates without so much as breaking a sweat.
What did you think of this episode of The Mandalorian? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Mandalorian streams new episodes every Wednesday on Disney+.
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Melody McCune
Melody loves TV. Maybe too much. Besides being a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV, she's the Managing Editor for Geek Girl Authority, an Independent Contractor for Sideshow Collectibles, and a Senior Writer for Eulalie Magazine. Additionally, she has bylines in Culturess, Widget, and inkMend on Medium. To top it all off, she's a critic for Rotten Tomatoes and CherryPicks.