The Mandalorian Chapter 22: ‘Guns for Hire’ Review | Searching for purpose amidst a sea of cameos

Bo-Katan continues to bask in the limelight. However, at least Guns for Hire allows Din Djarin to share Bo-Katan’s spotlight.

Unfortunately, a trio of cameos almost takes away from an interesting mystery that features Bo-Katan and Djarin investigating violent droids. Also, with only two episodes remaining, it still feels like the series is wandering aimlessly toward a conclusion. The wayward course mostly has to do with Djarin. He has no drive or really a reason to be involved in the story other than to have someone for Bo-Katan to interact with.

Following the events in Chapter 21, Bo-Katan and Djarin set out to recruit more Mandalorians with the goal of retaking Mandalore. They land on Plazir-15. Similar to Nevarro, Plazir-15 is an independent planet that prides itself on direct democracy. Bo-Katan and Djarin receive a warm reception from The Duchess (Lizzo) and Captain Bombardier (Jack Black). They ask Bo-Katan and Djarin to investigate a problem with the droids. There are imperial droids who were reprogrammed to serve as the planet’s workforce but are starting to act hostile. Rounding out the shocking cameos is Christopher Lloyd as Commissioner Helgait.

The inclusion of Black, Lizzo and Lloyd took me out of the episode. Out of the three, Lloyd feels at home in the universe. Black’s 2nd scene in the episode wasn’t as jarring. Black’s performance may have been easier to take in if he was Mon Calamari or another type of alien creature rather than a human. Unfortunately, Lizzo is terrible in every scene. All of the talented musician’s lines sounded unnatural.

Overall, the ending of the episode is pretty strong, but as a whole, there’s little about Guns for Hire that feels consequential. Bryce Dallas Howard does a solid job as director, but can’t quite overcome Jon Favreau‘s odd tonal shifts. On the positive side, Katee Sackhoff continues to shine as Bo-Katan, the action sequences work well and Plazir-15 is a gorgeous wonderland that bares a resemblance to Disney’s Epcot.

With the overview out of the way, let’s dive deeper into Chapter 22: Guns for Hire. There may be some minor spoilers. The Mandalorian is streaming on Disney Plus.

Direct Democracy

Chapter 22 continues the 3rd season’s expanded look at the state of the galaxy after the fall of the Empire. In Guns for Hire, Bo-Katan, Djarin and the barely-relevant Grogu arrive on Plazir-15. The planet is a pristine paradise with buildings and even a monorail that looks like Epcot.

Bo-Katan and Djarin meet with The Duchess and Bombardier. They describe the political structure in broad strokes. Plazir-15 is a democratic planet where The Duchess was appointed as the leader while her husband Bombardier is in charge of the planet’s economy. Bombardier is a former imperial officer who went through The New Republic’s amnesty program.

Since humans aren’t required to work in order to make a living, most of Pazir-15’s economy comes from the droid workforce. As Helgait points out, nobody wants to work anymore. When some of the remodeled imperial droids start to revert to their more violent tendencies, The Duchess and Bombardier ask for Bo-Katan and Djarin’s help.

Bo-Katan and Din Djarin are the Guns for Hire

Bo-Katan and Djarin arrive on Pazir-15 in search of more Mandalorians. Specifically, Bo-Katan is trying to find her former Mandalorian companions from last season. In exchange for information about their location, Bo-Katan and Djarin agree to investigate the droid problem.

Their investigation eventually leads them to a droid bar. They obtain some crucial information about how droid protocols can be overwritten. Eventually, the trail leads to Helgait.

He was a supporter of Count Dooku. Bo-Katan and Djarin arrest Helgait. They receive high honors and the Mandalorians’ whereabouts from The Duchess and Bombardier.

The investigation is actually pretty interesting overall and does good job of continuing to develop Bo-Katan and Djarin as a team.

Mantle reclaimed

Guns for Hire takes time to explore how Bo-Katan’s former crew is fairing as mercenaries. While they do take high-paying jobs, these Mandalorians have a code. Once they take a job, they see the job through. If someone offers a higher amount, they will choose to fulfill their original agreement. Simon Kassianides and Mercedes Vernado reprise their roles as Axe Woves and Koska Reeves.

With the location in hand, Bo-Katan, Djarin and Grogu approach this group of Mandalorians. Bo-Katan challenges Axe to a fight. The winner will serve as the leader of the team. Bo-Katan eventually defeats Axe. The group is still reluctant to pledge fielty to Bo-Katan and support her cause to retake Mandalore.

Djarin puts the icing on the cake. He offers Bo-Katan the dark saber. Not only does she refuse, but the other Mandalorians aren’t comfortable with Djarin handing the saber over. However, Djarin explains he was disarmed by the robotic creatures on Mandalore. Bo-Katan used the dark saber to save Djarin. Thus, the saber rightfully belongs to Bo-Katan. She accepts the saber and ignites the blade to end the episode.

The ending and the sequences involving the Mandalorians were the highlights of Guns for Hire.

Guns for Hire final thoughts

Chapter 22 is an uneven installment of The Mandalorian. The odd cameos and lack of purpose for Djarin hurt the episode. However, the investigation into the droid protocols and conflict between the Mandalorian factions worked well. Here’s hoping Favreau can right the ship in the next couple of episodes because the ship’s looking a little rocky at this juncture.

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