The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 7 Review: Chapter 23: The Spies
The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 7, “Chapter 23: The Spies,” is an action-packed, edge-of-your-seat thrill ride that introduces threads to future events in the galaxy. Unarguably, it’s the best episode of the season thus far.
Overall, Season 3 has been a bit of a bumpy ride on the narrative front, but “Chapter 23: The Spies” restores my faith in where the story can take us. Rick Famuyiwa returns to helm the episode with sleek direction, while Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau pen one of their strongest scripts yet.
MOFF GIDEON: We shall be rid of the Mandalorians once and for all. Long Live the Empire!
Giancarlo Esposito finally reprises his role as the formidable Moff Gideon. Damn, does he cut an imposing figure even in his few scenes onscreen. He infuses Gideon with malice and cunning with such ease that you wonder if he’s even acting at all.
Additionally, “Chapter 23: The Spies” ensures a few earlier narrative arcs in the season pay off. Elia Kane’s betrayal of Dr. Pershing yields fruit as we see she’s still loyal to Gideon. The introduction of the Shadow Council of the Imperial remnant is proof positive the Empire is on the rise again.
As a Star Wars fan, hearing the surviving Imperial warlords discuss Thrawn, Project Necromancer, and other hints at what’s to come in the galaxy is exciting. The Mandalorian brings together a cohesive, intricate mythos on the small screen.
BO-KATAN KRYZE: Mandalorians, it is time to retake our homeworld. Even though the planet is not cursed, there are still dangers.
Katee Sackhoff proves she’s a magnetic screen presence as Bo-Katan Kryze, giving her an unyielding strength of character while allowing subtle emotions to peek through her often tough faςade. We see her vulnerability when she’s unsure she can lead the Mandalorians to rebuild Mandalore.
Her evolving relationship with Din Djarin is a staple of this season. We see the product of that evolution in this episode, and it’s beautiful. “Unity” and “community” are significant themes for Season 3, and they’re especially applicable here as Bo-Katan tries to unite the separate (and conflicting ideologically) Mandalorian factions.
While there’s action and drama aplenty, “Chapter 23: The Spies” also adds a touch of humor to the proceedings. Usually, this show doesn’t make me laugh out loud, but Greef Karga gifting Grogu IG-12 is hysterical. Grogu transforms into a moody, warring toddler here as he refuses to listen to Din. Who knew Grogu controlling a robot to say “Yes” and “No” would be comedy gold?
Din Djarin launches into dad mode quite a few times in this outing. Despite the focus on a broader story and The Mandalorian‘s shift to more of an ensemble series, “Chapter 23: The Spies” hones in on Din and Grogu’s bond, albeit briefly. They’re still at the heart of this show. That’s what made Din’s capture by Gideon’s forces all the more heartbreaking.
DIN DJARIN: I only know of this weapon what you taught me. To be honest, it means nothing to me or my people. Nor does station or bloodline. What means more to me is honor. And loyalty. And character. These are the reasons I serve you, Lady Kryze. Your song is not yet written. I will serve you until it is.
The final moments of “Chapter 23: The Spies” are exhilarating, as the Mandalorians battle Gideon’s Imperial troops as one unit. In a way, the season has been steadily building to this scene. It filters the season’s earlier plot points in a new light and gives me a greater appreciation for them that I didn’t have before. Patience, you must have, I suppose.
Paz Viszla’s sacrifice holds weight to it since we’ve spent time with him this season, and he goes out like a true hero. The fight choreography is tight, keeping your attention captive as you sit on the edge of your seat. Throw in the beskar alloy-armored Gideon, his Dark Troopers, and the Praetorian Guards, and you’ve got a recipe for sci-fi success.
“Chapter 23: The Spies” is a compelling, immersive episode of The Mandalorian that deftly sets the stage for what’ll surely be a nail-biter of a season finale.
Stray Observations:
- Fun fact: Commandant Brendol Hux is the father of General Armitage Hux, played by Domhnall Gleeson in the sequel trilogy. Brian Gleeson, Domhnall’s brother, portrays Commandant Hux in this episode. His name may or may not be a nod to the Gleeson brothers’ real-life father, Brendan Gleeson.
- Project Necromancer might hint at the resurrection of Emperor Palpatine, as seen in the sequel trilogy, especially since Moff Gideon was tasked with overseeing Dr. Pershing’s clone research.
- Since The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka comprise the “Mando-verse,” it only makes sense for this episode to introduce a tie-in to the latter with the mention of Grand Admiral Thrawn. We know he plays a significant role in Ahsoka. Ahsoka Tano is hunting for Thrawn, so it’s no surprise that Gideon has the same question: Where is he?
- Captain Gilad Pellaeon was first introduced by Timothy Zahn’s 1991 novel Heir to the Empire, which also appears to inspire Ahsoka. He’s loyal to Thrawn through and through.
- RIP, Paz Vizsla. You badass, you.
- We last saw the Praetorian Guards in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. They were Supreme Leader Snoke’s protectors.
- Ludwig Göransson and Joseph Shirley’s score might be my favorite from the series yet. I love how they incorporate the Mando theme into the fight sequences.
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.