The Mandalorian Season 3: Uncovering the Mind-Blowing Star Wars Connection
The Mandalorian Season 3's intricate parallels showcase the brilliant structure that mirrors Season 1 Critics fail to grasp the genius behind this deliberate storytelling technique
Summary
The Mandalorian season 3's structure mimicked that of season 1, with distinct arcs and standalone stories connected to the overall plot.
The parallels between seasons 1 and 3 demonstrate the meticulous planning involved in the show's structure, disregarding any criticism.
Season 3's structure was misinterpreted by critics who anticipated a linear progression similar to season 2 and other Star Wars series. However, the show defied expectations and revisited its original format by incorporating captivating storylines and enjoyable adventures throughout.
The Mandalorian season 3 has faced significant criticism, with its official ratings, social media buzz, and viewer reception all coming under scrutiny. Fans of the beloved Star Wars series had high expectations after the conclusion of season 2 in December 2020, but were left disappointed when season 3 premiered in March 2023 with a different approach.
One major point of criticism for The Mandalorian season 3 is its overall structure. Many viewers felt that the story was disjointed, jumping between Din Djarin's redemption journey on Mandalore and a droid problem on the Outer Rim planet of Plazir-15. This departure from the linear storytelling of season 2 left fans wondering about the direction of the season and how all the pieces would come together in the finale. Interestingly, there is a clever Star Wars parallel within the structure of the story that went unnoticed by the critics of The Mandalorian season 3.
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The Mandalorian Season 3's Structure Mimicked That Of Season 1
The structure of season 3 of The Mandalorian was misunderstood by critics who focused on the wrong season for clues. Just like season 2, season 1 of The Mandalorian also featured two distinct story arcs and a few standalone tales. Season 3 follows the same pattern. Both seasons kick off with a 3-episode arc that sets up and concludes the main storyline that viewers were anticipating, involving Mando's challenging bounty hunts and Din's quest for redemption on Mandalore. Each arc begins with Din embarking on a mission and ends with a pivotal event that changes his world.
From the third episode onwards, The Mandalorian introduces a series of three individual stories. Each episode showcases its own unique adventure that only slightly ties back to the main plot. In season 1, this includes the attack on Sorgan, the pursuit of Fennec Shand, and the heist on a prison ship. In season 3, we witness the rescue of the foundling Ragnar, the siege of Nevarro, and the investigation of droids on Plazir-15. Although these episodes can be enjoyed as stand-alone stories, they still contain moments that connect them to the overarching narrative. Season 1 focuses on the continuous hunt for Grogu, while season 3 sets the stage for the retaking of Mandalore.
The final two episodes of both season 1 and season 3 of The Mandalorian serve as exciting two-part finales. Each penultimate episode concludes with a heart-wrenching cliffhanger where a beloved side character meets their tragic fate, such as Kuiil in season 1 and Paz Vizsla in season 3. Additionally, a protagonist is captured, with Grogu being taken by Moff Gideon in season 1 and Din being captured in season 3. The ultimate episode of each season then resolves the major story elements while laying the foundation for future seasons. Season 1 concludes with Din and Grogu leaving Nevarro, whereas season 3 concludes with Din and Grogu finding a new home on Nevarro.
The Mandalorian Season 3's Parallels Show How Much Thought Went Into The Structure
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The structure of The Mandalorian season 3 should not be deemed as lacking in thought. Critics and audiences highly praised season 1 of The Mandalorian, despite it sharing a similar structure to the criticized season 3. In season 3, the series opted to reference the original western story influences that season 1 so beautifully embraced, rather than adhering to the conventional storytelling style associated with Star Wars. While some critics viewed certain aspects of The Mandalorian season 3's story structure as unnecessary, this perception is incorrect.
Every episode, including those with unexpected cameo appearances, serves a purpose and carries meaning, as demonstrated in The Mandalorian season 1. For instance, episode 6 of season 1 was often dismissed as mere filler, yet it ultimately played a crucial role in introducing Carson Teva to the Star Wars universe in The Mandalorian season 2. Additionally, it set the stage for the return of Migs Mayfeld, who aided in locating Grogu. Similarly, episode 6 of The Mandalorian season 3 has faced similar criticism, but considering the significance of "The Prisoner" for the series' future, it is likely that "Guns For Hire" will have a comparable impact.
Why Critics Aren't Understanding The Structure Of The Mandalorian Season 3
Critics had high expectations for The Mandalorian season 2 and other Star Wars series, anticipating a linear structure that would culminate in the retaking of Mandalore. They wanted each episode to be a clear step towards Din Djarin and Bo-Katan Kryze gathering their fellow Mandalorians for an epic battle led by the Darksaber. However, the series took a different approach, returning to its roots by offering an overarching story with some enjoyable side adventures. The long gap between seasons 2 and 3 added to the anticipation, leading viewers to imagine what the season would be like, only to be disappointed when the highly-anticipated reunion between Din and Grogu happened in The Book of Boba Fett, not season 3 of The Mandalorian.
It almost felt like The Mandalorian season 3 was destined for criticism from the start. Viewers expected a continuation of the season 2 formula rather than a return to season 1, and some were frustrated that they had to watch another Star Wars series to understand why Grogu was back with Mando. While season 3 had its flaws, much of the criticism was actually due to unmet expectations rather than the story's structure itself - and that's alright. Stories like The Mandalorian are meant to spawn further tales within the Star Wars universe and beyond, but they can't always adhere directly to those expectations. Approaching the latest season with this perspective will bring fans of season 1 back to the nostalgic charm of Star Wars' first live-action series.
