WATERWORLD (1995)

Here's another installment in our ongoing look at The Mandalalorian Season Two with guest writer John Osif...

The Mandalorian – Season Two – Episode Three

“The Heiress” or as I like to lovingly call this episode, The Confusion.

I love this episode. I love the authentic, sea salt-damaged look of the practical set pieces. I love the way they creatively utilized the Volume (one of the BEST uses of this mind-blowing filming technique IMHO in the entire series thus far). I love the direction. Bryce Dallas Howard, of all the talented directors this series has brought in, is by far my favorite and completely understands (in my view) what the essence of Star Wars is more than any other.

Whether it be the heartachingly-beautiful shot of a mother and her child submerged in water desperately hiding in silence in the episode “Sanctuary” to this episode’s perfectly imperfect shot of the Razor Crest being salvaged from the sea and plopped down unceremoniously onto the dock. From the quiet moments of humanity to the shrugged off mastery of incredibly impossible technology... Bryce gets it. Tell me the lock down shot of the three Mandalorians taking off into the sky as the sea barge is destroyed painted against an amazing sunset isn’t a visually gorgeous storytelling moment...   

Photo by Chris Mich

I love this episode. The confusing, almost disorienting beautiful mess that it is. In that sense, it does give an unintentional(?) nod to one of its cinematic grandfathers, Kevin Costner’s Waterworld. Obvious ocean-planet setting aside, both stories hide an intensely interesting narrative buried underneath an unnecessary quick paced full throttle dash from set piece to set piece. Days of story development and character introductions are blinked through at Kessel Run-like speeds.

A perfect example is that expertly blocked and filmed “cameo” that everyone talked about since its inclusion in the Season Two teaser trailer. A hooded figure stares at Mando and Baby Yoda, then disappears in an eerie Jedi-like manner. Only to be revealed as a fellow Mandalorian, who may or may not be a well-known Mandalorian from the extended universe named Sabine Wren. But as someone who knows not who the heck that is and what the implications of her appearance in this show… beats me. Oh, by the way, the BIG reveal is the inclusion of a character that sent a lot of SW fans into a frenzy, Bo Katan. Much less of a “huh?” moment for this writer simply because of, well, it’s Katee Sackhoff (duh).

In direct contradiction to this chapter’s breakneck confusing story developments, the one slow and steady thing I can depend on in the Mandalorian since Season One… A story point that hasn’t been developing at lightspeed but revealed action by action by action... Baby Yoda is a jerk.

Although most likely unintentional, he IS a baby by the way (whatever), almost all of the soon-to be-named Baby Yoda’s character actions and motivations have been to serve one purpose… to serve Baby Yoda.

In in this episode, in front of Mando and Baby Yoda, the amazing Frog Lady is reunited with her partner in a touching and perfectly captured moment of family and love. The Frog Man looks in awe and desperate relief at the container of eggs. Even through layers of prosthetics and animatronics, the feeling is earnest and honest. At that tender moment, Mando looks at the Child and coldly says, “I know you are hungry…” Um, sure... You monster.  

Additionally, one could argue that even when the Child uses his Jedi powers to save the day, he appears to do so almost begrudgingly. I always suspected the scripts to be written:

BABY YODA:

(with a look of almost disgust at what is transpiring. His internal monologue begins)

“Oh, you are having a tough time? FINE. Here ya go… (uses Jedi powers)”.

Which is pretty ingenious if that is the intended overall character arch so far (I am pretty sure I read too much into these things). But how cool would it be if he actually is a self-centered, unsympathetic jerk only to be “saved” and taught the actual way of the Jedi by L… oops (spoilers)… If you think this is fake news and my theory is absolute trash, do not forget that Yoda himself was pretty much a jerk:

 

I love this episode. Not only does the confusing information come fast and furious, this chapter sets up what most likely is going to be the main story lines for Season Three. If I am correct on that assumption, I am looking forward to it! I think The Mandalorian will benefit from transitioning into a, um, Mandalorian-centric season next year. 

The Heiress is beautifully filmed, never dull and full of galaxy lore. I neglected to mention the on-point representation of the last gasp, kamikaze remains of the doomed Empire. A failed regime that represents hate, division and fear. Desperately trying to lie to its few remaining followers that it is still relevant and holds power and relevance.  Hmmm…

This entry was written by John Osif. 

John Osif is a Father/Filmmaker/Writer who is currently working on writing new songs for his reunited high school band’s second reunion album. Conterpoint’s first reunion album was released in 2018 and is available online anywhere you buy music.