The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 6 Review: Chapter 22: Guns for Hire
The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 6, “Chapter 22: Guns for Hire,” finds Din, Bo-Katan, and Grogu exploring an opulent world in the Outer Rim Territories, where its leaders ask for assistance in quashing a deadly problem. It’s lighthearted, vibrant fare compared to its predecessor.
One might consider “Chapter 22: Guns for Hire” a “filler” episode. Some fans might also believe nothing of import occurs in the outing’s 40-ish minute runtime. While, yes, most of the episode is spent solving a rogue droid issue that has nothing to do with the Mandalorians’ new objective to reclaim Mandalore, it fits the show’s standard episodic format: Din and Grogu partake in galactic excursions, making pitstops on different planets where they remedy problems.
AXE WOVES: We are Mandalorian, and sadly, you’re too late to hire us.
Cameo City
If anything, the only difference is that Bo-Katan is along for the ride. “Chapter 22: Guns for Hire” boasts a few weaknesses, but one of them is its strength — the cameos.
Christopher Lloyd becomes the unexpected villain in”Chapter 22: Guns for Hire.” Lloyd is no stranger to genre media. He’s a sci-fi staple as the inimitable Doc Brown. Lloyd offers serviceable work here, adhering well to the episode’s tone. Admittedly, it’s just a delight to see him in general.
BO-KATAN KRYZE: You kicking droids was really not helpful.
DIN DJARIN: I figured out which one was malfunctioning, didn’t I?
That said, these cameos detract somewhat from the narrative. It’s difficult for these performers to lose themselves in these roles because their names are so familiar to us. Lizzo, in particular, is one of the most famous names in the world.
Will You Yield?
By the episode’s end, Bo-Katan finally wields the Darksaber. Din simply hands it over after pointing out that, technically, Bo-Katan used it to save him on Mandalore. He’s right; one could count that as a loophole. However, it also feels too … easy, like a plot convenience.
While it would’ve been more satisfying to see Din and Bo-Katan battle it out for the Darksaber à la Din and Moff Gideon, their relationship has evolved throughout Season 3. Their fight would’ve been a better fit for the season premiere when Bo-Katan was at her lowest.
BO-KATAN KRYZE: Enough Mandalorian blood has been spilled by our own hands. Mandalorians are stronger together.
Additionally, the sequence between Bo-Katan and Axe Woves is incredibly short-lived. It doesn’t hold the weight it should. These two worked together for a long time — you’d think their anger toward each other would’ve burned more brightly. You didn’t get a sense of the inner wounds they carried regarding their team’s separation.
On another note, Grogu is essentially relegated to the role of a droid now. Well, that and a cute creature who provides laughs and eats food with the occasional flip through the air. While his scenes with Lizzo are adorable, it’s clear the writers are struggling to find a place for Grogu this season. We’re getting less focus on his sweet bond with Din, which is a significant chunk of The Mandalorian‘s charm.
Where “Chapter 22: Guns for Hire” does excel is the camaraderie between Din and Bo-Katan. We get to see Din loosen up a bit. Pedro Pascal flexes his comedic muscles here with Din hilariously kicking the droids to pinpoint the malfunctioning ones and him defending his actions to Bo-Katan. Katee Sackhoff plays the “straight” character well, too.
Overall, “Chapter 22: Guns for Hire” is a beautifully shot, frivolous romp that expands this galaxy far, far away’s mythos and allows Din and Bo-Katan to tag-team for a sci-fi mystery. The cameos are fun despite the fact they pull away from the larger narrative at play in the episode. Moff Gideon is a free man, and it’s only a matter of time before our heroes reunite with him.
Stray Observations:
- This is the second episode of The Mandalorian with Bryce Dallas Howard at the helm where there’s an alien love story. Bryce, do you have something to share with us?
- Fun fact: in addition to the aforementioned star-studded cameos, Harry Holland, Tom Holland’s brother, plays the Mon Calamari prince on the Qaurren ship at the beginning of the episode. Saifir, the Ugnaught with whom Din interacts, is portrayed by Dale Dickey. Fans of Prime Video’s A League of Their Own will know her as Beverly. Seth Gabel, Bryce Dallas Howard’s husband, plays the Bartender Droid. Matthew Wood voices the B-1 Series Droid Foreman and is known for voicing General Grievous and various droid characters in several Star Wars properties.
- So, Grogu’s a Jedi youngling, a Mandalorian foundling, and a knight? Din will need to purchase a glass display case to showcase all of his green son’s achievements.
- It would’ve been too on the nose, but part of me was hoping Christopher Lloyd would utter “Great Scott!” at some point.
- I love the unique spins on common phrases in this outing, from “Let’s address the bantha in the room” to “If that isn’t the Quacta calling the Stifling slimy.” We heard Boba Fett utter that last quote to Koska Reeves last season.
- Commissioner Helgait’s veneration for Count Dooku hits Bo-Katan where it hurts, considering her sister Satine Kryze was murdered under Dooku’s watch.
What did you think of this episode of The Mandalorian? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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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.