The Mandalorian Chapter 21: Coverts Rise and Republics Fall

The Mandalorian Chapter 21 is yet another thrilling installment in a (mostly) awesome season of TV. While the focus of this episode is the Mandalorian covert kicking some pirate ass, we’re also discovering exactly how the New Republic crumbles into the First Order. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse director Peter Ramsey makes his Star Wars directorial debut and really puts his stamp on it, giving us some of the best action in the franchise to date.

*Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Mandalorian “Chapter 21: The Pirate” ahead.*

The fall of the New Republic in The Mandalorian Chapter 21

This episode is essentially split right down the middle, and before we see our Mandalorian covert take on the (definitely) interesting and (incredibly) important pirates, we learn about life in the New Republic. The sequel trilogy alludes to how the New Republic becomes the First Order, but we really see the foundations of their failure here.

Greef Karga (Carl Weathers) and his people on Nevarro are in trouble, and he sends out a distress call, received by none other than Captain Carson Teva (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee). Fans of Star Wars: Rebels jump for joy when Carson answers the call, because standing by his side is Rebels series regular Garazeb (Zeb) Orrelios (Steve Blum). It’s second nature for Carson to help the people on Nevarro, but Zeb is quick to remind him that the New Republic is backed up and likely won’t answer his call.

When Carson visits Coruscant, he makes his pitch to the Requisitions manager, played by SNL icon Tim Meadows. The New Republic’s response to the distress call is nothing short of disturbing. They’re willing to sacrifice innocent lives, simply because Nevarro has yet to sign the petition to formally join the new galactic authority.

A true Republic that cares about its citizens would take this as an opportunity. You help innocent people (if you’re a good guy), save lives, show you’re fighting for the right reasons, and you win another planet to your cause. Their willingness to let people die for no reason, other than to prove a point, is exactly why this organization fails and molds into the First Order. Carson is right, this is “a very Imperial way of thinking”.

The covert is a force to be reckoned with in The Mandalorian Chapter 21

When the New Republic fails, there’s only one hope to save the people of Nevarro: Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and the Mandalorian covert. Din tries to convince his people that saving Greef Karga is to their benefit—giving them a new home and allowing them to step out of the shadows and live in the light. As usual, Paz Vizla (Tait Fletcher) has something to say.

When Paz stands up to make his counter pitch, we think all hope is lost for Greef Karga and Nevarro. Then, in a rousing turn of events, Paz says he will stand up and fight with his brother and his people for the idea of a better home. Why? This is the Way.

The battle on Nevarro that follows may be the most entertaining action set piece in the series thus far, and one of the more entertaining in Star Wars history. Fans were concerned that Pirate King (totally not confetti head) Gorian Shard (Nonso Anozie) and his crew would end up as the big-bad of the season, so it’s a relief to see them dealt with in episode five.

Din and Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) take to the skies, and the Mandalorian covert clear the streets below. The entire back half of the episode is an action-packed roller coaster ride. Watching the Mandalorians and the Armorer (Emily Swallow) pick off pirates is poetry in motion.

The Mandalorian Chapter 21 is a nice reminder that Din Djarin is a jack-of-all-trades. He’s a father, a warrior, and a killer pilot. Although Din is a competent leader when called upon, it’s Bo-Katan who consistently leads the covert to victory. By the end of it all, the Mandalorians have a new space to call home, and they no longer have to hide in the seclusion of caves and mountains.

A true leader in The Mandalorian Chapter 21

Bo-Katan’s performance commanding yet another mission in The Mandalorian Chapter 21 is the latest showcase as to why she would be a great leader for the Mandalorian people, and it’s not just the fans who are starting to take notice. At the end of this episode, The Armorer declares that she remove her helmet (gasp!) and go on the hunt for more Mandalorians, as she is to be the one to reunite their people.

Fan theories relating to Bo-Katan’s role this season have been evolving since the premiere. Many initially thought we were heading towards a showdown between Bo and DIn, and while this is still possible, it’s been only harmonious teamwork thus far.

Two things about Din Djarin to keep in mind: he respects authority, and he doesn’t fight without cause. It would contradict everything we know about Din as a character if he were to take up arms against Bo and The Armorer simply because he wants to be the leader. But will Bo-Katan, someone who’s very invested in the history of her people, be content to rule while someone else wields the Darksaber?

We only have three remaining episodes to find out.

The final stretch

To cap off a great episode, we get an eerie tease before the credits roll. Carson happens upon a ship floating in space that’s been absolutely decimated. It turns out this ship was transporting Moff Gideon. He was either set free, or captured before it reached its destination, with no survivors left behind to tell the tale. Our one clue as to who could have set him free: A small scrap of Beskar armor lodged in the hull.

Fans are already speculating that the captor is none other than Sabine Wren. She’s a Mandalorian who wears Beskar and once wielded the Darksaber…if the shoe fits? It is also possible the Beskar is being used to frame the Mandalorians in a poor light with the New Republic.

As we head into the home stretch, we’ll begin to tie up loose ends, and hopefully have all of our questions answered. A common complaint is that we have no direction, but the uncertainty just means we’re sure to be surprised regardless of what’s coming.

The Mandalorian Chapter 21 is now streaming exclusively on Disney+. Follow the Agents of Fandom socials for all the latest Mandalorian news.