Inti Navia 
The beginning of March also means the beginning of “The Mandalorian” season three, but how does it compare to seasons past?
“Chapter Seventeen: The Apostate” is the first and so far only episode of the new season, dropping on Disney Plus at the exact same time as the new episode of the animated “Star Wars” show, “The Bad Batch”. At just 38 minutes in length, “The Mandalorian” already overshadows the other money-earning side of Disney’s cash grab.
Filled with goofy muppet Davy Jones-esque pirates, familiar characters from “The Rise of Skywalker,” and an absolutely dripped-out Carl Weathers as Greef Karga, the space western makes “Star Wars” feel right back at home. It even has a giant creature that they have to fight, as is tradition with every season premiere of “The Mandalorian”.
However, is it just as good as the premieres in the past? In season one episode one, the reveal of Pedro Pascal playing The Mandalorian finding a baby Yoda had fans losing their minds. In season two, they had a character from the books wearing the armor of Boba Fett, a fan-favorite from the movies, teaming up with Mando to fight a ginormous sand dragon.
This episode, it’s definitely not without its moments, including a reference to the obscure show “Star Wars: Rebels” within the first 10 minutes, but if you’re expecting to be blown away, don’t be. It’s nothing we haven’t seen before, but that’s because it’s doing something that Marvel isn’t: Catching fans up.
If you miss a Marvel show, the movies don’t explain it for you, understandably making it feel like a show for a lot of people. “The Mandalorian” does have a lot of tie-ins to existing “Star Wars” properties, but you don’t exactly have to watch all of them to know what’s going on. Episode one lets you know why Baby Yoda’s with Mando even though the end of last season showed them being forced to go their separate ways. You don’t need to watch “The Book of Boba Fett” to find that out.
While hearing The Mandalorian say his classic catchphrase: “This is the way,” might make you think the opposite, the episode’s job clearly isn’t to blow your mind. It’s to prepare you for the awesomeness that is to come.
With all that being said, “The Mandalorian” season three is off to a really solid start. After a year and a half gap between seasons, the adventurous exploration of characters growing as people makes you think one thing: It’s good to be back.
By Inti Navia, Senior, ChiArts
Every Platform: @intinavia
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