OCEAN'S ELEVEN (1960)

Once again, guest writer John Osif grabs an unexpected classic film that just maybe inspired the creative forces of THE MANDALORIAN. Here is his original write-up and photography....

The Mandalorian – Season Two – Episode Four

“The Seige” or as I like to lovingly call this episode, “Karga’s Eleven”.

This episode confounds me. I think I like it? Carl Weathers does a good job directing it? There are a few “placeholder” episodes in Season Two and for me, this is the most placeholder’y of the lot. I guess it advances the overall plot? It does reveal the name Ahsoka Tano and gives us a first glimpse at the Dark Troopers… Oh, and it gives nods to Snoke, midi-chlorians and, wait… is that a young Rey’s Mom in class with Baby Yoda??? Easter Eggs inside of Easter Eggs with a touch of space macarons.

Other than the obvious beat by beat storyline resemblance to A New Hope (down to a trench fight with tie fighters), this episode is about friendship and honor. The kind of odd, beautifully disturbing friendship where misfits band together to do something dangerous and stupid. Each one agreeing, no questions asked. Kinda like a Star Wars set in Boston:

“Who’s landspeeder are we gonna take?”

I liken this more to the “gathering of old war time brothers” vibe of the original Ocean’s Eleven. Weathers’ Greef Karga putting on his Danny Ocean suit and pulling some favors to get the gang to do one last job.

The Original Ocean’s Eleven is a time capsule of a movie, forever stuck in a distinct period of time, the 1960s. The buddy movie of all buddy movies. Each member with a different personal reason to pull off the heist. “The Seige” is also stuck in time, but what a time! It is drenched in New Hope nostalgia, tech, gadgets, Death Star callbacks and wartime comradery straight out of SW Ep 4. Each member of this posse having their own personal reason to pull off this caper.

Even though I find Karga’s dialogue delivery consistently clunky, I am appreciative of what Weathers brings to the series – class. Much like Frank and Dean, he has that old time quality style that cannot be acted or faked. The Rat Pack had a way of just “being” that held your attention on screen, whether holding a glass of scotch or giving an onlooking lady a quick wink. A timeless quality that is mirrored in Karga’s presence. When he is on screen, he has our attention. Effortlessly.

Oddly enough, I realize he is one of the few characters (so far) that I actually have empathy for. By the end of this episode, I really wanted Nevarro to be secure and Empire-free. Solely because of Karga. Much like how I wanted Sinatra and the fellas to get away with the crime. Usually unusual for the Rat Pack to show this much depth of character on screen. My favorite moment is when one last member reluctantly agrees to join the team solely to help his wife buy her way out of her seedy occupation he asks Danny, “What do I say to my wife?” Danny simply says, “Tell her you love her…”  

Who knew that in a few episodes from now my views on the so-far cold-hearted Din Djarin and even the cute little sociopath Baby Yoda would turn 180 degrees? This viewer going from a fascinated nothingness to empowering empathy in just a few short weeks. Ain’t THAT a kick in the head?

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.