The Mandalorian Chapter 19: ‘The Convert’ Review | Political machinations on Coruscant

Like The Book of Boba Fett, The Convert takes a break from the title character to focus on issues in The New Republic on Coruscant.

Andor‘s terrific writing proves politics in the Star Wars universe can be just as scintillating as a lightsaber battle. Unfortunately, the results in The Convert are a mixed bag.

The performances are pretty solid and Coruscant is gorgeously recreated. Omid Abtahi delivers a compelling performance as the returning Dr. Penn Pershing, but the writing lets down the character. Katy M. O’Brian is phenomenal Ella Kane. Her evil turn in The Convert is easily the vilest act by a character in The Mandalorian franchise.

Unfortunately, the ultra-serious tone of Coruscant doesn’t mesh with the bookended sequences involving Din Djarin, Bo-Katan and Grogu. These two different storylines feel like different shows. Perhaps, at some point, these storylines will intersect, but for now, these storylines don’t belong together. Perhaps if the trio had escaped to Coruscant and discovered The New Republic’s sure-to-fail approach, then the tonal shift wouldn’t have been as jarring.

On the plus side, the 3rd season is only three episodes in, but so far the special effects and action sequences are better than ever. Also, the scene involving Bo-Katan and Djarin meeting The Armorer and members of The Way was terrific. Katee Sackhoff is continuing to shine with a more expansive role in The Mandalorian.

If Jon Favreau who co-wrote the screenplay with Noah Kloor can marry these two story elements together, then The Convert could end up being a positive turning point in the series.

With the overview out of the way, let’s dive deeper into Chapter 19: The Convert. There may be some minor spoilers. The Mandalorian is streaming on Disney Plus.

Leaving Mandalore

The Convert picks up right after the events in Minds of Mandalore.

Djarin is recovering from near drowning. Meanwhile, Bo-Katan is trying to figure out if the Mythosaur she saw underwater is real. Before they can catch their breath, they hear Tie Fighters and head back to Bo-Katan’s ship.

Bo-Katan is able to outmaneuver the Tie Fighters, which allows Djarin to eject and reach his ship. Djarin and Bo-Katan destroy the three tie fighters. As they approach Bo-Katan’s palace, more Tie Fighters emerge. They destroy the palace, which fuels Bo-Katan’s rage. However, Djarin convinces Bo-Katan to jump into hyperspace.

They eventually reconvene with The Way. Djarin’s sins are forgiven. Surprisingly, Bo-Katan is redeemed by The Armorer and Bo-Katan eventually utters the cult’s creed “This is the Way.

All of the Djarin and Bo-Katan sequences were terrific in The Covert. Unfortunately, stranding the sequences to the start and end of the episode separates Djarin’s redemption arc from the events taking place on Coruscant.

The Good Doctor

After Djarin jumps into hyperspace, The Convert immediately switches focus to Coruscant. Dr. Pershing, who was last seen working for The Empire in the season 2 finale, serves as the eyes and ears to the New Republic.

The New Republic has an amnesty program for former Empire soldiers. Pershing works a mundane job and communicates with his probation officer which is a droid in this case. Pershing is genuinely remorseful for his actions in the Empire’s cloning program.

He’s desperate to redeem himself and contribute in a meaningful way to the New Republic cause. Pershing starts by trying to pursue a supervisor to repurpose Empire technology instead of destroying it, which falls on deaf ears. Say what you will about The Empire, but they were smart enough to use rebel tech for their means and the same goes for the rebels who overthrew the Empire. Later, he wonders if the clone program could benefit the New Republic.

Abtahi gives a wonderfully sympathetic performance as Dr. Pershing. Watching him slowly become more desperate to help the New Republic is a frustrating, fascinating experience.

Framing The Convert

Pershing eventually finds a sympathetic ear in Ella Kane. He shares his idea for trying to restart the clone program for The New Republic. Ella is immediately on board. While he wants to help, Pershing is initially unwilling to break the terms of his amnesty agreement.

After Pershing meets with the parole droid for the 2nd time, Pershing decides he has no choice. Ella knows where to find the tools Pershing needs for the program. Pershing and Ella go on a stealth mission to retrieve the items but are eventually caught.

In the most predictable heel turn ever, Ella turns on Pershing. She makes Pershing look like he was restarting the program. Pershing is arrested and then put through a laser lobotomy device. The man in charge assures Pershing they’re only going to remove the bad parts. After all, this isn’t the Empire. Eventually, Ella is left alone in an observatory area and turns on the machine to full power which appears to vaporize Pershing’s memories.

Ella is a terrific villain and O’Brian delivers a breakout performance. The only issue is Pershing trusting Ella happens way too easily, which makes Pershing more gullible than sympathetic by the end of the episode.

The Convert Final Thoughts

Splitting The Convert into two separate storylines doesn’t completely pay off. Each of the respective storylines works well enough on it own but doesn’t intersect in any way. Thus, robbing the episode of truly sticking the landing.

However, O’Brian and Abtahi shine in carrying the bulk of the episode and the air combat was fantastic.

There’s enough in The Convert to make this a good episode. Unfortunately, Chapter 19’s dissonance keeps it from greatness.

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