On 12/13/2019 at 9:01 PM, whafrog said:

Bill Burr! That was a great episode, glad he's not dead

I liked his crack about not being a stormtrooper.

There are a couple comments regarding disrupting the cameras and "surveillance" somehow. I think it was from Zero. It's implied there will be no video footage of them somehow.

I find this whole “but what were they going to do about the surveillance footage?” such a weird notion. Of course they were going to take care of this.

Since when did we have to see every little thing to understand what happens in movies/tv?

I mean, hey, remember the MANDALORIAN STEEL/IRON/CHINA/RECYCLED PLASTIC debate that clearly has made such a difference in proper interpretation of this series? 😉

Anyway, triumph of an episode. So much tension in the beginning, nice twists later on. Just the right balance of everything. I could've done without the bigwig cameos, but Rick Famuyiwa deserved some face time after cowriting and directing the series' contender for best, and I think Dave Filoni needs to get used to the idea of taking a back seat and showing up as extras.

I have to agree with all the positive sentiment, such a great episode with the usual backstabbing twists we are coming to expect. Loved the slasher film vibe of Mando hunting the traitors down, and the final shot of the three of them in a cell 🤣

20 hours ago, P-47 Thunderbolt said:

I checked out the scene again, and I'm pretty sure it's a modified Rogue-class starfighter. It lost the pointy bits from the engine intakes (or whatever those things that look like engine intakes are) and added some weapons under the wings and to the side of the cockpit. There were a few various other bits that were added or changed, but I'm pretty sure it at least started out as a Rogue-class.

On second thought... AGH! I can't tell! There are too many close bits, but it's changed enough that it could be something different. The general shape is the same, but there are enough different details that it could just be a very similar ship.

I think it's a Rogue-class, but it's hard to tell.

The art panels at the end actually show it with the pointy bits. So, solved for me, it is a modified Rogue-class. They found an old broken down Clone Wars Rogue-class and fixed it up with parts and weapons they had. Inside possibly a droid brain waiting to be activated when attacked?

Just now, Sturn said:

The art panels at the end actually show it with the pointy bits.

I thought I'd seen that somewhere...

Thanks! I should've rewatched the concept art too.

I really like that they put the concept art at the end. Every time I watch it I'm like: "Oooo, I want that on my wall... Ooo, I want THAT on my wall... And that!"

Back to the tracking fobs, someone suggested that they only trigger when you are within a certain range, represented by giving the Mandalorian the last known location, from where he would have to try to track them down. This would resolve the question of why the Mandalorian thought that Baby Yoda might be safe on Sorgan, because he would assume that they wouldn't be able to find him.

Here is the video:

This makes a lot of sense.

Great episode, though it tickled me about how much a party of tools they were, from the leader who couldn't keep his bladder in check, never mind the team, to "I can't believe it's not Harley Quin" and the brute who had a huge ego. Then again, made it immensely satisfying to watch them be taken apart.

And yes; the kid apparently selected the job. In my campaign my character's bastard son is actually being raised amidst a clan of mandolorians, before that the lady carried the lad in a combat hampsack and had him kind of like a mercenary group mascot. Apparently the little fellow brought immensely good fortune to that mercenary band by selecting the assignments on a board; with pretty much every assignment being either really rich or relatively light on complications, at least until a inquisitor arrived and wrecked shop. So yeah, the idea of the Yodaling selecting jobs really made me chuckle.

50 minutes ago, LordBritish said:

Great episode, though it tickled me about how much a party of tools they were, from the leader who couldn't keep his bladder in check, never mind the team, to "I can't believe it's not Harley Quin" and the brute who had a huge ego. Then again, made it immensely satisfying to watch them be taken apart.

I liked that as criminals/roughnecks, they were portrayed as volatile and impulsive. Reminded me of Justified's parade of lowlifes. That tension on the way to the barge was intense!

1 hour ago, wilsch said:

I liked that as criminals/roughnecks, they were portrayed as volatile and impulsive. Reminded me of Justified's parade of lowlifes. That tension on the way to the barge was intense!

In contrast, I thought that they were portrayed as juvenile and idiotic. These are "professional" criminals yet their behavior was so amateurishly foolish that it quickly tiresome. Everybody had to do some kind of stupid dominance display, and the betrayal was inevitable as it was stupid. The writing of this show really needs to move past such basic tropes.

2 hours ago, HappyDaze said:

In contrast, I thought that they were portrayed as juvenile and idiotic. These are "professional" criminals yet their behavior was so amateurishly foolish that it quickly tiresome. Everybody had to do some kind of stupid dominance display, and the betrayal was inevitable as it was stupid. The writing of this show really needs to move past such basic tropes.

I think it *would* help to see some crooks with longer on-screen careers, especially when the actors rank as high as B-list, but...yeah. After Justified, you become accustomed to bad guys flaming out.

Star Wars, I'd like you to meet a frie....acquaintance of mine, Shadowrun.😉

8 hours ago, HappyDaze said:

In contrast, I thought that they were portrayed as juvenile and idiotic.

I told my wife; “First session of a beginner RPG group!”

7 hours ago, wilsch said:

I think it *would* help to see some crooks with longer on-screen careers, especially when the actors rank as high as B-list, but...yeah. After Justified, you become accustomed to bad guys flaming out.

I love Justified!

Also, having grown up knowing a lot of "professional" criminals, they're not the suave and slick people you'd think.

They're basically just "professional" at what they do, but pretty asinine on most other levels. And yes, those dominance displays and the juvenile behavior... that's pretty common amongst criminals, sadly.

Now, granted, these guys would be at a much higher level than what I've been around, but I don't think that kind of stuff just goes away... it's more that they get better at the "professional" bit.

It's a job. And like most jobs that require skill, it's also detached from personality and maturity in many ways. I've known people who are great craftsmen in their fields of work but are complete arseholes or incredibly juvenile in their personal behavior.

48 minutes ago, OddballE8 said:

It's a job. And like most jobs that require skill, it's also detached from personality and maturity in many ways. I've known people who are great craftsmen in their fields of work but are complete arseholes or incredibly juvenile in their personal behavior.

And unlike most of those jobs, these people deal with others that can and will kill them for jackhole behavior, so part of being a profession criminal is not acting like a jackhole towards other professional criminals that you're working alongside.

2 hours ago, Jareth Valar said:

Star Wars, I'd like you to meet a frie....acquaintance of mine, Shadowrun.😉

Yeah, I did get an RPG-vibe where most of the group are new players who've bought into the murder-hobo mentality, with The Mando being the seasoned player with an experienced PC that the GM invited to the session so that this new group doesn't get themselves killed in the first session, with one of the new PCs being stuck in the cell for "story reasons."

Unfortunately, the planned adventure went off the rails when the newbies turned on the seasoned player, and the GM at that point just tossed the planned adventure over his shoulder and told The Mando's player he had free reign to show these noobs why his character had the rep that he did.,

4 hours ago, HappyDaze said:

And unlike most of those jobs, these people deal with others that can and will kill them for jackhole behavior, so part of being a profession criminal is not acting like a jackhole towards other professional criminals that you're working alongside.

You'd be surprised how wrong that statement is.

I'd say it's more that the "professional" part is to be able to understand that much of this behavior is grandstanding and posturing and not something you actually kill people for.

18 hours ago, LordBritish said:

Great episode, though it tickled me about how much a party of tools they were, from the leader who couldn't keep his bladder in check, never mind the team, to "I can't believe it's not Harley Quin" and the brute who had a huge ego. Then again, made it immensely satisfying to watch them be taken apart.

And yes; the kid apparently selected the job. In my campaign my character's bastard son is actually being raised amidst a clan of mandolorians, before that the lady carried the lad in a combat hampsack and had him kind of like a mercenary group mascot. Apparently the little fellow brought immensely good fortune to that mercenary band by selecting the assignments on a board; with pretty much every assignment being either really rich or relatively light on complications, at least until a inquisitor arrived and wrecked shop. So yeah, the idea of the Yodaling selecting jobs really made me chuckle.

17 hours ago, wilsch said:

I liked that as criminals/roughnecks, they were portrayed as volatile and impulsive. Reminded me of Justified's parade of lowlifes. That tension on the way to the barge was intense!

15 hours ago, HappyDaze said:

In contrast, I thought that they were portrayed as juvenile and idiotic. These are "professional" criminals yet their behavior was so amateurishly foolish that it quickly tiresome. Everybody had to do some kind of stupid dominance display, and the betrayal was inevitable as it was stupid. The writing of this show really needs to move past such basic tropes.

5 hours ago, OddballE8 said:

I love Justified!

Also, having grown up knowing a lot of "professional" criminals, they're not the suave and slick people you'd think.

They're basically just "professional" at what they do, but pretty asinine on most other levels. And yes, those dominance displays and the juvenile behavior... that's pretty common amongst criminals, sadly.

Now, granted, these guys would be at a much higher level than what I've been around, but I don't think that kind of stuff just goes away... it's more that they get better at the "professional" bit.

It's a job. And like most jobs that require skill, it's also detached from personality and maturity in many ways. I've known people who are great craftsmen in their fields of work but are complete arseholes or incredibly juvenile in their personal behavior.

4 hours ago, Donovan Morningfire said:

Yeah, I did get an RPG-vibe where most of the group are new players who've bought into the murder-hobo mentality, with The Mando being the seasoned player with an experienced PC that the GM invited to the session so that this new group doesn't get themselves killed in the first session, with one of the new PCs being stuck in the cell for "story reasons."

Unfortunately, the planned adventure went off the rails when the newbies turned on the seasoned player, and the GM at that point just tossed the planned adventure over his shoulder and told The Mando's player he had free reign to show these noobs why his character had the rep that he did.,

25 minutes ago, OddballE8 said:

You'd be surprised how wrong that statement is.

I'd say it's more that the "professional" part is to be able to understand that much of this behavior is grandstanding and posturing and not something you actually kill people for.

I have run SWRPG for a group like this. It perfectly encapsulates the murder hobos that mainly threaten each other without ever backing it up with actions when not killing NPCs feel.

Mayfair condescendingly made fun of his crew

Shion and Burk growled and hissed at each other

Zero claimed mechanical superiority

Not one of them made a move against each other.

Then there's the newcomer Mando who has a good idea of how they are ahead of time, but when things happen he goes nah, I'm gonna friggin wreck them if they get in my way.

2 hours ago, OddballE8 said:

You'd be surprised how wrong that statement is.

I'd say it's more that the "professional" part is to be able to understand that much of this behavior is grandstanding and posturing and not something you actually kill people for.

I've had far more IRL professional exposure to criminal types than you seem to think, and from what I've seen, you're totally wrong. Of course, these are cinematic criminals, so they are not likely to imitate RL closely. Still, the overuse of tired tropes in this series is bothersome.

2 minutes ago, HappyDaze said:

I've had far more IRL professional exposure to criminal types than you seem to think, and from what I've seen, you're totally wrong. Of course, these are cinematic criminals, so they are not likely to imitate RL closely. Still, the overuse of tired tropes in this series is bothersome.

Sometimes tropes are fun. I get why some people have complained about them in this series, but I find them quite enjoyable. I think the show has handled them quite well.

2 hours ago, GroggyGolem said:

I have run SWRPG for a group like this. It perfectly encapsulates the murder hobos that mainly threaten each other without ever backing it up with actions when not killing NPCs feel.

Mayfair condescendingly made fun of his crew

Shion and Burk growled and hissed at each other

Zero claimed mechanical superiority

Not one of them made a move against each other.

Then there's the newcomer Mando who has a good idea of how they are ahead of time, but when things happen he goes nah, I'm gonna friggin wreck them if they get in my way.

They should have realized how outclassed they were when he took out those droids. There they were pinned down and not able to do anything against their opponents, while he sneaks around, and behind them, and takes them all down on his own.

2 minutes ago, baldwookiee said:

They should have realized how outclassed they were when he took out those droids. There they were pinned down and not able to do anything against their opponents, while he sneaks around, and behind them, and takes them all down on his own.

Mayfeld's face made it look like they did!

The classic. "Well, um... I had it all under control! I didn't need your help!"

Thoughts on Episode VI

I had to watch this one twice to distill my thoughts. This was a strong entry and fun to watch. I love Spaghetti Westerns and Chanbara films, but it was nice to see the team expand their repertoire and experiment with another genre. If this show is going to have legs they will have to be able to switch up the formula from time to time and this showed they can do that. This was a combination of heist film (which I also love) and horror film (which I usually dislike). It was executed very well. The classic "this job isn't how it was sold to you" and "you are working with a volatile and untrustworthy crew of homicidal thugs" tropes were handled nicely and made for a lot of tension.

The characterization we received in such a short episode was also very impressive. This not only made each of the supporting cast engaging to watch, but also gave us a hint at the Mandalorian's past and cemented the fact that his reputation is not an empty one. Watching him take his "confederates" apart was truly enjoyable. I really enjoyed Bill Burr and Clancy Brown's performances, and I disliked Xi'an strongly enough to recognize Natalia Tena pulled off a slam-dunk, too. Mark Boone Jr. is always solid. The script having his humor play off the facelessness of the Mandalorian was deft. And, Baby Yoda's cat-and-mouse to distract the droid when his compatriots needed him the most was fun to watch. I cracked up when Baby Yoda looked at his hand right at the same moment the Mandalorian shot the droid from behind. "Did I do that?!"

The timing of the cuts as took each of them down was perfect, and the visual effect as he came up behind Mayfeld was perfectly executed from a visual perspective. Also, the humor right when Zero (the only one he "killed") was ideal punctuation. I'll be looking forward to seeing the overall plot of this season advanced and some more answers to questions about Baby Yoda given. I will also be looking forward to seeing Cara Dune again. The Mandalorian is going to need allies now and again (despite his scary reputation and skills, and those kinds of connections will help build him as a character and open the door to new potential complications and plotlines. Also, Cara Dune is an easy opportunity to learn more about the New Republic. All-In-All, I'm pumped for VII.

However...

As I said before, I like a girl with a little bounce in her Leku. They need to work on that prop. These Leku did look too "plastic."

Also, Twi'Leks have pronounced incisors? It may just be my own ignorance or obliviousness, but I found that a little jarring.

The rebel soldier's uniform fit really badly and was a shade of blue I would expect in carpet, curtains, or upholstery.

I'm not sure whether Dave Filoni was trying to sound nonplussed or simply can't act, but his delivery fell flat for me. His "their launching a gunship" was practically somnolent.

Lastly, I found the assertion that Baby Yoda picked this job fun, interesting, and completely inexplicable all at once. How did that work?