“The Mandalorian” – Season 2, Episode 7: “The Believer” Review

Audio/Story posted December 15, 2020 in CommRadio, Arts & Entertainment by Colton Pleslusky

SPOILER WARNING: Both this article and podcast feature heavy spoilers for "The Mandalorian." Read at your own discretion.

In the seventh episode of the This Is the Way Weekly podcast, Colton Pleslusky and Sam Roberts review "The Believer," the seventh episode of Season 2 of "The Mandalorian."

Season 2 of “The Mandalorian” is the season that keeps on giving.

Following the loss of Grogu (Baby Yoda) to Moff Gideon and his imperial remnant, Mando elects to talk to the now-Marshal of the Republic Cara Dune about releasing a particular prisoner: Migs Mayfeld from Season 1.

Played by comedian Bill Burr, this episode deepens Mayfeld’s character and is an example of how good Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau are at introducing someone or something, then giving it true purpose later.

On the hunt for the location of Moff Gideon, the team that Mando has once again accrued finds itself on a mining planet called Morak.

This episode contains a great hand-to-hand fighting sequence between Mando and a gang of rather persistent pirates. Donning stormtrooper disguises and driving a massive vehicle filled with an explosive element, Mando fights off the pirates as they make their way to the Imperial stronghold.

This fight alone is extremely well choreographed. Being entirely melee, it shows off Mando’s ability to hold his own against multiple opponents even without his treasured armor. The fight feels vigorous and is certainly entertaining.

On the topic of movement, body language is something that “The Mandalorian” as a show seems to have locked down since the start. The conversation between Mayfeld and his former Imperial officer showcases it amazingly, with Mayfeld leaning back in his chair like he can’t believe what he is hearing, and the officer sitting with an authoritative smug look on his face.

Combine all that with Mando constantly looking back and forth between the two, with slight head-shaking to convince his partner to stop, it all comes together into a beautifully acted-out scene.

“The Believer” is also very dark when put under a microscope and dissected. The conversation between Mayfeld and Mando on the transport is one of the best scenes of the episode, and it really shows the viewer who Mayfeld is while also acting as another source of questioning for Mando’s personal worldview.

If anything, It gives Mando another opinion that may change him in the near future.

A nice connection in the grand scheme of “Star Wars” is the mention of Operation: Cinder, which was one of the primary plot points in the early missions of “Battlefront 2’s” campaign.

The set design is also gorgeous. Morak is a lush, tree-filled planet that is often showcased during the driving and fighting sequences. The transport is brought seamlessly into it all, being given the appearance that it is actually there instead of animated.

The Imperial base is as expected: gray, dreary and very authoritative in design.

It goes without saying, honestly. Like every episode of “The Mandalorian,” the cinematography of “The Believer” is done beautifully. There are lots of moments that make for epic screenshots or make the viewer go, “Whoa, that’s epic.”

All of that is paired with the usual score, done to fit the episode. It is thrilling, and the audience knows that once that theme starts playing, Team Mando is going to make a major move.

Each character also has their own role in this info heist. Cara Dune and Fennec Shand act as overwatch, Boba Fett is the “getaway driver,” and Mando and Mayfeld are the boots on the ground.

The episode feels like an elaborately planned “Grand Theft Auto V” heist, just set in the “Star Wars.” universe. This is something that “The Mandalorian” has proven time and time again: the show is capable of giving different feelings each episode and grasps the concept of a space western, seasoning it with all the various vibes that it is capable of capturing.

Overall, this is another great episode that leads the audience down the path of what should be an explosive finale. “The Believer” doesn’t disappoint with its gritty-ness, action, dark undertones, character development and, of course, a seismic boom to top it all off.

 

Colton Pleslusky is a junior telecommunications major. To contact him, email csp5289@psu.edu.

About the Contributors

Sam Roberts's photo

Sam Roberts

Sophomore / Telecommunications

Sam Roberts is a sophomore majoring in telecommunications who is a member in the Commradio arts department. He is usually writing reviews for singles, albums, movies, and TV shows.

Colton Pleslusky's photo

Colton Pleslusky

Fourth-Year / Telecommunications

Colton S. Pleslusky is a fourth-year from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania majoring in telecommunications at Penn State. He is a director and writer for the CommRadio Arts & Entertainment Department as well as the host on Nittany Stories and a co-host on Nittany Record Club alongside Emily McGlynn. He does behind the scenes tasks, including directing, producing, programming and more for the Centre County Report. To contact him, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).