It’s been a long journey to the season finale. Both Mando and Baby Yoda have been through so much. Now they’re pinned down in a stand-off against a horde of Imperial Storm Troopers and the big bad, Moff Gideon, played by the uber talented Giancarlo Esposito. Let me tell you, this guy scares the shit out of me. He’s a master of manipulation. Even though he’s dressed like the cousin of a Sith Lord, I’m convinced by whatever he says.

Mando, Cara Dune, and Greef Karga are held up in a bando being reigned on with heavy artillery. The odds are stacked against them and it seems like there is no hope. My blood pressure was high, this episode had me stressed. Thank God it was directed by Taika Waititi, who inserted humor at the right time. To date, this is one of the most meta episodes of the Star Wars property. It takes time to make fun of itself while still providing jaw-clenching action.

We learn the origin of our main protagonist and see him undergo a transformation of sorts. He sacrifices his pride and prejudice to overcome a deadly encounter. It’s truly a moment to behold and a payoff to an overarching story line throughout the season. Watch until the very end, because there is a cliffhanger for die-hard fans. The Mandalorian is worthy of the hype and earns a solid 9 out of 10.