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Hollywood Reporter:‘The Mandalorian’ Fans Turn on Season 3: A “Massive Drop in Quality”

posted a year ago by Guitar King (4372)
24 replies | jump to latest

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/the-mandalorian-season-3-fan-backlash-1235369277/

Last week at Star Wars Celebration, Disney released a flurry of exciting announcements, such as an Ahsoka trailer and three new movies (which are really, truly going to happen this time, promise!). Yet while fans embraced the news, the crown jewel of Disney’s Star Wars TV universe — The Mandalorian — was arguably having its worst week ever.

The show’s latest episode, “Guns for Hire,” scored the drama’s weakest fan reviews (via IMDb) since the neo-Western sci-fi drama launched four years ago. The episode wasn’t entirely an outlier, as fan gripes about the show’s third season have been rising in general, with the series’ Rotten Tomatoes user reviews this season plummeting from their usual low-90s perch to just 57 percent and its IMDb average similarly (though not as sharply) ebbing downward.

Critics widely praised the show’s third-season premiere (Disney typically only provides one episode of The Mandalorian to critics at a time), yet some in the press have started to sound off, as well.

It’s rather surprising blowback for a show that’s been universally beloved since its launch, a rare title that is a family-friendly consumer hit, critically acclaimed and generates awards love (the first two seasons were nominated for best drama Emmys). So what’s happening?

Interestingly — and adding some credence to the blowback — the complaints aren’t centered around one thing, but are rather a miasma of grievances ranging from plotting and dialogue to unconvincing special effects to jarring cameos (a recent episode featured Lizzo, Christopher Lloyd and Jack Black, which gave off campy Star Wars Holiday Special vibes).

CNN critic Brian Lowry wrote that the show is “experiencing an identity crisis.” Collider has been pummeling Mandalorian with headlines like “Here’s what’s killing The Mandalorian season 3.” Forbes says the series fumbled a key storyline, and the “whole season seems to have lost its way, with both Mando and Grogu fading into the background and no clear overarching story to follow (or villain to root against).” That “lost its way” line is recurring, with Movieweb headlining, “How The Mandalorian has lost its way,” decrying “a sheer lack of anything to drive the story forward.”

Fans have, naturally, been even more brutal: “Massive drop in quality,” declared one on Rotten Tomatoes. Another: “This show has transformed out of all recognition. No longer is it the man with no name in space but the man with no purpose in space.” Another: “The show is not Mando’s show anymore, plot points are dropped for convenience, nonsensical quests and the worst, by far worst acting I’ve ever seen in SW.”

That bit — “The show is not Mando’s anymore” — brings up another chief complaint, as the season has given increased screen time to fellow Mandalorian Bo-Katan (Katee Sackhoff) and a bit less to protagonist Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal). One Mandalorian director, Rick Famuyiwa, suggested Din Djarin isn’t necessarily the show’s titular character anymore, which is rather odd. “Who is the Mandalorian at this point?” he mused. “And so I think it could be anyone.”

“This season is NOT Mandalorian season 3, its Bo Katan season 1 featuring Din Djarin and Grogu who just follow her around,” groused a fan. “Din Djarin is now a supporting character and Grogu is there for merchandizing purposes only.”

[–] DeckardB26354 (969) a year ago

Quote...

“This Season is NOT The Mandalorian Season 3, it's Bo Katan Season 1 featuring Din Djarin and Grogu who just follow her around,” groused a fan.

Unquote...

That hits the nail on the head right there.

[–] emori (3096) a year ago

I see no problem with it. Katee Sackhoff is great as always and at least Bo Katan has some personality and something going on around her. She has edge. While Mandalorian is one note character and they simply dont now what to do with him since season 1. He has no purpose in life. He just wonders around with nothing in his mind. Thats why they had to create "Adventure of the week" for him and make him come to new planet with locals asking him to take care of some problem they have. He does it and next week same repeats on another planet. Its repetitive and became boring pretty fast.

I assume writers saw no way out of this loop hole and decided to insert Bo Katan story to her plot going somehow. Because at least she has some purpose in her life - to rule Mandalor.

[–] emori (3096) a year ago

This is my favorite

Pascal was splitting his time filming HBO’s The Last of Us season one when Mando season three was being shot, though the show regularly uses stunt doubles — Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder — under the helmet, with Pascal providing voiceover in postproduction. This season, The Mandalorian began more prominently crediting Wayne and Crowder for their work on the series

.

At this point I fell like almost all scenes are being performed by doubles and Perdo only does voice over work. I wonder if he even met Katee Sackhoff on set at all. It would be hilarious if he didnt. Fans should actually demand from showrunners to reveal how mucn Pedro actually is on set in costume. Guy is being payed like enormous money for every episode and he only does voice work but get credit for "shooting show" while its just other actors inside the costume whole time.

I feel like there are whole episodes when Pedro was not in any scene at all.

Thats why they should stop with that "helmet on" nonsesne and show Mandalorian wit out helmet. That way Pedro cant cheat anymore and show up on set. Writers should have made Mandalorian to leave his cult back in season 1.

[–] FootOfDavros (6792) a year ago

“This Season is NOT The Mandalorian Season 3, it's Bo Katan Season 1 featuring Din Djarin and Grogu who just follow her around,” groused a fan.

LOL. What a load of garbage.

Sure episode 6 was absolutely horrible but let's not generalize one episode as the entire season...

[–] emori (3096) a year ago

Yeah, some people just dont understand that main character has to have people around him to support. To interact with someone. Like every tv show had at least 5-8 main cast actors. Its cant be Madnalorian and his puppet every time around. Show needs plot. When Mandalorian had his "adventure of the week" it became repetitive and boring pretty fast.

He literally clung to Bo Katan because he has nothing else to do. He was like sitting in that stupid cave with his cult for weeks probably. And she was bored too. So they found each other to have adventures.

[–] WhereIsRent (1017) a year ago

Agreed. Also just finished episode 7 and it’s great and has a good balance of Din, Grogu and Bo Katan screen time as well as a solid setup for the finale.

Also who cares that it’s not Pedro in the suit? I sure don’t.

[–] FootOfDavros (6792) a year ago

Also just finished episode 7 and it’s great...

Agreed! Excellent episode, all is forgiven...

I really like where they're going with this and the different threads it looks like they're starting to weave together leading into Filoni's film. Could turn out a lot better than any of the sequel trilogy efforts.

[–] WhereIsRent (1017) a year ago

Yeah absolutely. Filoni's film to me seems like it's going to have Grand Admiral Thrawn as the main villain with Din, Bo, Grogu, Ahsoka and perhaps even Luke Skywalker team up to take him on.

I just hope The Mandalorian, the Ahsoka series and this upcoming New Republic film don't get bogged down with explaining how the First Order happened or how Palpatine returned or whatever because I really couldn't care less as the sequel trilogy is pretty awful. I'd rather they'd just scrapped the sequels from canon but it's definitely not gonna happen. Oh well, it's still nice to be excited about Star Wars again.

[–] FootOfDavros (6792) a year ago

... and perhaps even Luke Skywalker team up to take him on.

I was thinking about that earlier - it's surely going to happen if this does pan out as an in cinemas movie rather than direct to Disney+. They've already de-aged him for that Book of Boba Fett, so surely they wouldn't pass up having him and probably Han and Leia as part of the battle against Thrawn.

People would love that and it could almost be done as a replacement sequel trilogy. I never watched Rise of Skywalker, so the sequels never really became personal canon to me anyway!

[–] Otter (24464) a year ago

The first two seasons were a slow build to a fantastic finale, so they're trying for another slow build, because face it - the main plot line has to start all over! The first one was resolved wonderfully - they finished the story of Grogu and Mando becoming a family, so now that they're a family...

Yes Bo Kataan is driving a lot of the action, but that can't possibly last! So maybe the overarching arc of the next few seasons is going to be some New Mandalore thing, which is obviously going to involve BK but which won't necessarily put her at the center of the action... and BTW I suspect that he and BK are going to separate a bit now that she's more established. He's going to be off on side quests or independent adventures, and while they're out there I want to see Grogu misuse his powers!

The one thing I do NOT want to see is Mando and BK falling in love! Because that would be the temptation for most writers, the first two seasons were about an isolated man learning to open his heart and love, and... well. You can see where a bad writer would take that cliche.

[–] Otter (24464) a year ago

ALL RIGHTY THEN!!! THE WRITERS LISTENED TO ME, AND THE RESULTS WERE AWESOME!!!

They did the right thing and separated Bo K and Din D for a while, and the results were separately breathtakingly awesome! Each had their great moments before coming together again for the finale, and then going on to their destinies without getting all mushy or anything. Bo Kataan will obviously always be on the show, and will probably send Grogu and Din after a new Dark Khyber Crystal at some point, but no more of Din following her around.

[–] LoveCatsHateDogs (1542) a year ago

The latest episode was at least a little more entertaining...

However, it still feels like everything moves too fast, everything is just skimming the surface, and that there is no "meat" to any of it (Andor was packed with it), no substance, and everything is over before you get a chance to appreciate it.

I am sure it wasn't just me that saw the "trap" a mile off, and the big dude's last stand was equally predictable.

It still feels like they just shot the first draft.

Plus, they have changed the format of the entire show. If you want to make a show about how Bo-Katan is awesome at everything, make a show called Bo-Katan.

[–] Guitar King (4372) a year ago

"If you want to make a show about how Bo-Katan is awesome at everything, make a show called Bo-Katan."

Yeah, Disney is up to their usual dishonest bait and switch tricks. They should have announced a Bo Katan spinoff show, but they know customers don't want that.

[–] FootOfDavros (6792) a year ago

...and that there is no "meat" to any of it (Andor was packed with it)

What, of any consequence, can Andor possibly have "meat"-wise?

I stopped watching that show half way through (at most) the first episode as I was finding it pointless. Yet I keeping seeing it had good reviews / was well received. So it's a genuine question - what makes it worthwhile watching? (Maybe I'll give it another go...)

[–] LoveCatsHateDogs (1542) a year ago

It's well written, well paced, feels substantial, like something that would be on BBC here in the UK. It feels like it was written for an audience with a triple digit IQ instead of for a bunch of drooling simpletons.

[–] FootOfDavros (6792) a year ago

I guess "substantial" is the follow up word you've used here after "meat" previously. What do you think plot-wise is substantive about Andor?

I think this is where I couldn't really get onboard with it. I mean - it's sort of a prequel to a dead end film isn't it? So what's the dramatic narrative involve? What are we rooting for him to do? What are the stakes?

I really thought Diego Luna was excellent in Narcos: Mexico, so I'm definitely somewhat of a fan, but I really just don't see what the point of Andor was. How would you sell it given the narrative limitation?

[–] LoveCatsHateDogs (1542) a year ago

What is the point of your existence?

[–] FootOfDavros (6792) a year ago

It feels like it was written for an audience with a triple digit IQ instead of for a bunch of drooling simpletons.

"What is the point of your existence?"

LOL, you couldn't make it up...

Thanks for that 👍

Now I know why to watch thanks to the superior reasoning of your, erm, "triple digit" IQ 😂

#fauxintellectualexposed

[–] LoveCatsHateDogs (1542) a year ago

Serious question tho.

[–] LoveCatsHateDogs (1542) a year ago

I see you edited your post after I replied.

Are you going to answer my question? You don't know the point of Andor, do you also not know the point of your own existence?

[–] FootOfDavros (6792) a year ago

You mean #fauxintellectualexposed? Yes, I added that in following your subsequent idiotic post just in case anyone missed the lunacy of the contrast of the two quotes I highlighted.

Anyway, we're done here - I was genuinely interested in your views, as a fan, as to why you thought Andor was so compelling but unfortunately you decided acting like an asshole was the "triple digit IQ" correct response to give instead.

Your unnecessary decision to descend into nastiness speaks for itself in this thread. Nothing further required...

Good day to you Sir 👍

[–] LoveCatsHateDogs (1542) a year ago

Yeah.

"We're done here" is what people generally say when they are struggling.

You are the one that turned hostile. You ask what is the point of Andor, I, in return ask what is the point of your existence, just like I could have asked what is the point in brushing your teeth or accumulating a lifetime worth of memories. Your response was to turn hostile.

Resorting to insults...that's also something that people do when they are struggling.

It's OK.

[–] WhereIsRent (1017) a year ago

It’s been a shaky season but I think this was a great episode that provided a bit of everything as to why I love Star Wars.

I really liked Andor and I’m excited for season 2 but it’s a very different show to The Mandalorian, the latter being a more fun action-adventure series whereas Andor is a more mature and political series.

[–] christomacin (4532) a year ago

Why is this surprising? It's a show about a guy whose face we never see and a sidekick who never speaks. They really aren't that interesting to justify a never ending series. If they start showing his face and allowing Grogu to speak what made it initially popular is over. The trouble is, they pretty much played out that string in the first few seasons. Trying to stretch this out interminably has lead to the inevitable result.