Welp ...
@Wor-Gar ... I watched the final episode. It's tough to unpack in some ways and I don't want to write a screed but I may write a screed.
I think this one episode sort of sums up the series for me in that I find it very, very uneven:
Not enough space combat, but almost certainly a budgetary constraint. As for the infantry battle, the initial -- by now common in Star Wars -- 16th century-style charge at each other on an open field firing gambit -- left me cold. But as the combat became more three dimensional, dynamic and personal it got more exciting. Somebody get the Armorer a gun already. Koska's scenes were great -- not just a pretty face.
(I'm not clear on how these Imperials were suddenly more susceptible to blaster fire but I guess that's "turn your brain off" time.)
Axe was a pleasant surprise. He went from being a blank extra to the guy that stole Bo's army, fought her for it, lost, followed their Law of Combat with no discernible grudge and made himself incredibly useful and competent. Really liked the common sense to blow out the window before the ship crashed. Won't catch him going full Laura Dern anytime soon. I really thought he was going to die at first.
The Praetorians could have stabbed up Din nice and quick but they just had to pause long enough to get Force-whupped LOL
As for Grogu ... he's like Vader as far as I'm concerned, less is more, but that's not Disney's way. Din putting him in combat was weird, as was placing him unprotected right in centre mass of that mech body but yeah yeah, Plot Armour.
I don't think Gideon is dead. Which is too bad. I don't like his overly expositional scenery-chewing and Saturday morning cartoon line delivery, I find his armour derivative and stupid; and it's clearly just traditional Star Wars plates over a body suit, so the Iron Man sounds and power-armour augmented strength were laughable. I actually laughed at it.
I quite like the design of the Anti-Mando troopers, although they're not particularly effective as usual ... the final scene was ... a cute end point but ********* Din, take the stupid bucket off your head.
As for Mandalore ... I'm really curious as to where the rest of its population is. They couldn't have all been exterminated? It'd be especially weird and inappropriate if the only survivors were warriors.
On the whole I was mildly entertained, but couldn't feel any stakes most of the time, and the execution felt rushed and cheap.
This series has lost The Way.
Looking forward to Season 2 of Andor!!
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