Review of Chapter 24: The Return

The Return is a satisfying ending to the season of The Mandalorian, with the focus on Bo-Katan and the reunion of the estranged tribes under the mantle of The Creed. Gideon's evil plans for Mandalore have been highlighted in the past two episodes, with him razing the planet, scattering its people, and using their sacred act of forging Beskar armor to bolster his own army of Imperial Mando-lites. Gideon violates, exploits, and violently misappropriates, making him one of the greatest villains in Star Wars history. Din Djarin and Grogu are the undisputed beating heart of the show, framing the conflict in this way. Bo-Katan is proving to be a worthy co-protagonist, but she is not yet there. Din Djarin and Grogu are the marquee players, and it is heartening to see them treated as such in the finale. Din Djarin and Grogu finally get their hands on Gideon, but they had to earn it by fighting through a grueling gauntlet of Imperial commandos and Praetorian Guards. The finale nails all of these sequences, from R5 having a hero moment to Din and Grogu tag-teaming to kick the crap out of the Praetorian Guards. The shot of the blast doors shutting as the Praetorians back a cowering Grogu into a corner is so heart-wrenching it makes you want to reach through the screen and save the little guy yourself. Din Djarin telling Grogu, "You did good, kid," is absolutely everything. This duo is what makes this Star Wars series unique and special, and they really get to shine here as they overcome serious peril as father and son. The theme of the season, "Mandalorians are stronger together," is encapsulated in this finale. The people of Mandalore work selflessly to defeat a villain who is so self-obsessed and egomaniacal that he tried to make a clone army of himself. ADGrogu saves Din Djarin and Bo-Katan with the Force bubble, and Din Djarin adopts him as his son and apprentice and settles down on Nevarro to start a new life as a bounty-hunting family. The final shot of the central duo is precious, as they finally feel like they're both where they belong. Jon Favreau has confirmed he's writing a fourth season. The emotional denouement of "The Return" is just as important as its action, with Din Djarin finally fully embracing Grogu as his son and apprentice. The finale foreshadows a return to form for the show, with the duo heading on adventures together to follow the Way of the Mandalore. It also offers the chance to use some of the plot from the scrapped Rangers of the New Republic show, with Din Djarin serving as an independent contractor solving problems in the Outer Rim. The finale is packed with excellent fight scenes but also devotes plenty of time to the emotional aftermath, showing how much the characters have grown and laying the groundwork for the series' future.