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Reviews
The Mandalorian: Chapter 22: Guns for Hire (2023)
More filler
We now have 2 episodes left in the season and pretty much every episode apart from episode 2 has been a filler episode. After the odd choice to reunite Mando and Grogu in a completely different show you might've thought that they had big plans for season 3 and that they had no time to waste by reuniting them in their own show. But apparently not, instead we get basic uninspired episodes like save kid from big monster or protect planet against pirates. This week we get treated to cringy celebrity cameos and a goofy sideplot that make it feel like a parody of itself. But at least we get 5 minutes at the end of the episode dedicated to the actual plot. It seems like the writers had no clue about what direction to take the show after season 2 so the relatively simple task of returning to their home planet has been saved for the last 2 episodes which will probably end up feeling rushed because barely anything of importance happened in the first 6 episodes.
Doctor Who: Flux: Chapter One - The Halloween Apocalypse (2021)
Very solid opener
People will complain for the sake of complaining but this is easily the best series opener of the Chibnall era. It feels a little bit overstuffed and messy at times with the inclusion of the Weeping Angels and the Sontarans but you've got to remember that this series is one long story so I'm sure it will make more sense once every episode is out. Some decent comedy as well which seems to have been missing from the Chibnall era. Jodie's best performance as The Doctor so far and the new characters introduced are all very interesting particularly the main villain Swarm who seems to have some sort of backstory with the Doctor. Looking forward to the next episode so let's hope this level of quality can be maintained for the rest of the series.
Black Widow (2021)
Unnecessary
The acting was solid all round, the score was also pretty good and the story was okay for the most part. The problem was the villains: Taskmaster who was marketed heavily as being the main antagonist turned out to be nothing more than a Winter Soldier knockoff with very little screen time. And the reveal of her true identity was very predictable after the Budapest flashback. The real main villain was so unimportant and uninteresting that I can't even remember his name but he was basically hiding in a flying fortress influencing world events with his spies and assassins from the shadows (which seems like a very overplayed plot point as it has already been used in The Winter Soldier with Hydra). Natasha's 'family' were a great addition, but I wish Red Guardian got an action scene where he wasn't just getting shot or beat up. There weren't really any stakes in this movie as the Red Room had supposedly been operating throughout the entire MCU and hadn't caused any real trouble. There were no heroic sacrifices or deaths of any of her 'family' which left little room for any character development that Natasha might have undergone in her own movie which is quite disappointing as this is the last time we will see her. The post-credit scene shows how unimportant this movie is in the grand scheme of the MCU when all it does is set up the Disney + Hawkeye show. If you watch the movie you will probably enjoy it but if you don't you aren't missing out on anything that is likely to affect future movies.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Battle Scars (2021)
Great Episode
Easily the best episode of the series so far besides the premiere. After a few filler episodes finally we're back on track with the return of Rex, and Wrecker's inhibitor chip activating leading to some intense scenes. Still no Crosshair but I imagine we'll be seeing him soon now that the Empire will know where they are. Also some great callbacks to other pieces of Star Wars media like the planet Bracca which is where Cal Kestis is hiding on at the start of Jedi: Fallen Order and a Dianoga (the creature in the trash compactor in A New Hope) lurking among the sewage in the Venator.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: The Star-Spangled Man (2021)
Boring
Whoever wrote this show must be the laziest writer of all time. Boring generic dialogue to go along with boring generic characters and a boring generic plot. After the first episode I thought it might get better each week like Wandavision but no it's even worse than the first episode. I would rather 40 minutes of mindless cgi and action than the poor excuse for a story they are trying to make you care about.
The Mandalorian: Chapter 16: The Rescue (2020)
This is what we wanted from the sequels
Favreau and Filoni prove once again that they fully understand Star Wars and what it's about. Season 2 of the Mandalorian is one of the greatest pieces of Star Wars ever created and easily the best thing since Disney took over Lucasfilm. This episode brought a beautiful conclusion to the story arc started in season one and I couldn't believe how emotional the ending made me. But that's how you know they've created something amazing when you actually care about the characters. As soon as I saw the X-Wing I knew it was gonna be Luke and boy did they deliver doing full justice to the character and honestly the one we all hoped we were gonna get in the sequels. I haven't been this hyped for the future of Star Wars in years but as long as Filoni and Favreau are in control they have my absolute faith.
The Mandalorian: Chapter 13: The Jedi (2020)
Epic
What an episode! An amazing episode all round, Ahsoka being Badass in live-action, we learn The Child or should I say Grogu's past as a Jedi youngling. Multiple callbacks and references like Grand Admiral Thrawn, HK droids and Tython from KOTOR. Hearing Ahsoka's theme was amazing and is easily one of the best pieces of music ever produced for Star Wars. My only quarrel with the episode is that Ahsoka's lekku seem too short, they look more like her in The Clone Wars than in Rebels and since the show is set 5 years after the ending of Rebels they should be even longer still. But nevertheless I can't wait to see the direction they take in the remaining three episodes because in my book they've already surpassed season one by a mile.
The Mandalorian: Chapter 11: The Heiress (2020)
Damn good episode but...
30 minutes?!!! I'm all for quality over quantity but after the season started with a 53 minute opener I was expecting at least 40 minute episodes each week. Anyway I didn't particularly mind in this episode because it was action packed from the start. But I hope the remaining episodes in the season are longer.
The Mandalorian: Chapter 10: The Passenger (2020)
Filler
This episode was clearly a filler which doesn't make much sense to me considering there are only 8 episodes a season and it wasn't even a particularly good filler. The first time The Child ate one of the eggs it was cute if not a little worrying but by the end of the episode he's basically devouring the lizard alien's children in front of her. I know he's an innocent child and it's meant to be funny but come on how many times do they need to overplay the same joke before you actually feel sorry for the poor lizard alien.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Shattered (2020)
Outstanding
Another amazing episode with an amazing score and full of emotion. Not as action packed as last weeks episode but I'm just happy they did justice to the character of Maul showing him absolutely destroying the clones even without a lightsaber even beheading, impaling and slicing off an arm in brutal fashion. Although part of me wishes we got to see Order 66 on a larger scale I understand that it wouldn't have been necessary as it was already shown in Revenge of the Sith and this arc is centred around Ahsoka and Rex. 1 more episode to go in what will go down as one of the greatest series finales of all time.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The Phantom Apprentice (2020)
Ironic
The only thing stopping Ahsoka from joining Maul was her faith in Skywalker and the only thing that would've stopped Anakin from turning to the dark side was Ahsoka. Wow what a phenomenal piece of storytelling. The way it is interconnected with Revenge of the Sith is perfect, the action and score was amazing and the lightsaber duel was on a completely other level from the rest of the duels in the show. Sam Witwer absolutely nailed Maul's dialogue. I can't wait for next week where inevitably Order 66 happens and everything falls apart.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Old Friends Not Forgotten (2020)
Near perfect
Although the last 4 episodes have been tedious and pointless I am willing to forgive since they are clearly not holding back on the final arc. This is only the first episode and it is already one on of the best episodes of the entire series and I have a feeling the best is yet to come. The montage of the Jedi at the start makes me think that we are going to see Order 66 once again hopefully with some additional Jedi. I just wish we got to see Grievous duelling Shaak Ti and capturing the Chancellor since it was mentioned but we can't have everything I guess.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Together Again (2020)
Okay...
This episode was much better than the previous 3 but the fact that 4 whole episodes in a 12 episode final season was used to set up one scene so we know how Ahsoka gets to Mandalore is utterly absurd. There is no way this couldn't have been covered with a couple lines of dialogue in the Siege of Mandalore arc and we could've actually gotten another proper arc instead to tie loose ends and bring a fitting conclusion to all of the various characters and storylines of the show. The Bounty Hunter arc would've been the best choice showing what happens to Cad Bane and Boba taking the mantle of best bounty hunter. Or even the Yoda on Kashyyyk arc if not only to explain how Yoda has good relations with the Wookiees.
Star Wars Rebels: Twilight of the Apprentice: Part 2 (2016)
One of the best pieces of Star Wars media ever
Whilst The Clone Wars was the better show overall, this episode was the best episode of either of them but I guess it wouldn't be possible without the already established characters of The Clone Wars which culminated in this beautiful crossover of the two shows. Everything about this episode was perfect we see elements of the Old Republic with the ancient Sith temple/ superweapon on Malachor and then The Clone Wars with Ahsoka and Maul. But the best moment by far was Vader and Ahsoka's long awaited meeting: the dialogue was meaningful and emotional and the score was beautiful.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Deal No Deal (2020)
Awful writing
Slightly better than last weeks episode just because they actually left the boring hangar bay but this time the plot is just stupid. They are delivering spice and then one of the sisters dumps all of it for no reason at all but they still go to the Pykes anyway. I'm really disappointed with this arc you'd think every episode would be near perfect considering they've only got 12 episodes to finish the story of the Clone Wars but instead we get a meaningless no-doubt Disney fueled plot about 3 females that adds nothing to the story at all. The Siege of Mandalore arc better be perfect to make up for this trash.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Gone with a Trace (2020)
Pointless....
Honestly don't understand why we're getting filler episodes when we're only getting 12 episodes. And we're getting 3 more of these I would take the Yoda on Kashyyyk arc or the Bounty Hunter arc over this boring story. Great we've seen Ahsoka cope with life now she's no longer a Jedi. One episode was enough time to actually move onto stuff that adds to the story. Especially when the Siege of Mandalore arc is gonna be mostly centred around Ahsoka anyway.
The Mandalorian: Chapter 7: The Reckoning (2019)
Lesson learned
If Deborah Chow is directing it's gonna be a really good episode. Finally the story has resumed from the 3rd episode and gave us possibly the best episode yet. We finally see just how strong with the force The Child is and get a new mysterious villain with what looks like a decent sized army despite the Empire being destroyed. We are left on a cliffhanger with The Child in imperial hands and Mando's crew in a seemingly impossible position. Can't wait for the season finale!
The Mandalorian: Chapter 6: The Prisoner (2019)
Getting worse each week
This weeks episode seemed like a fan film only with great special effects. The new characters were predictable and the acting was awful. The badass Mandalorian from the first 3 episodes has suddenly turned into a pacifist and the story once again has not progressed in any way so let's just hope they have been saving something big for the last 2 episodes.
The Mandalorian: Chapter 5: The Gunslinger (2019)
What is the story?
I enjoyed the episode because he was actually acting like a bounty hunter but after last week's 'filler' episode I thought we were gonna get some progression to the story. After the first 3 episodes they built up this story of him running away from the guild with this mysterious child but now he's just going to different planes and doing meaningless things. The season is only 8 episodes long so I don't understand the need for 2 filler episodes especially in a row.
The Mandalorian: Chapter 4: Sanctuary (2019)
Different...
Reminded me of a Clone Wars episode where they train the farmers to fight the droids. Not a bad episode but it didn't really fit the theme of the first 3 episodes. However there was some decent action and we were introduced to Kara Dune. Hopefully the story picks up properly next week.