Firefly’s combination of humor, character-rich ensemble, sense of danger and ability to blend genres together (heist, period and horror are the most prominent) allowed the short-lived series to set itself apart from other space operas on tv. The Prisoner is the first episode of The Mandalorian to take on the characteristics of Whedon’s space western.
Rick Famuyiwa’s 2nd stint in the director’s chair is a step up from the last couple of lackluster episodes. Chapter 4 had moments that worked well, but chapter 5 was just a wholly underwhelming affair. His ability to balance the palpable amount of tension with an appropriate amount of humor elevates The Prisoner over the last few episodes.
Let’s break into the latest entry in The Mandalorian saga.
Please be aware this is a spoiler review. While I won’t recap every event that occurs in the episode, I will cover the standout action setpieces, plot points and character moments.
The Prisoner Starts in Light Speed
There’s very little setup in this episode. From the onset, Mando (Pedro Pascal) is shown agreeing to a job with Ranzar Malk (Mark Boone Jr.), a shady figure from his past. Christopher Yost’s script moves at a fast pace and never delves into why Mando is taking this job. While I usually prefer showing the reason behind a character’s actions, the previous episodes started slowly and had a hard time maintaining momentum throughout each chapter. In The Prisoner, the fast start helps the episode stand out from the rest of the series so far.
Famuyiwa is able to stage an effective heist plot that sees Mando and a team break into a Galactic Republic prison ship to recover a prisoner. The team members are outstanding for the most part. Each member is able to showcase their skills and personality that compliments Mando’s more silent but deadly style.
The episode drops out of light speed just long enough to help you understand the characters that make up the team. There’s a turning point in the episode where the rest of the team turns against Mando. You can feel the build-up throughout the episode. The climax is similar to Mando’s assault on the stormtroopers in The Sin.
However, since each team member demonstrates their personalities and skills, there’s a sense of accomplishment that feels earned in contrast to chapter 3’s stealthy action sequence.
Suicide Squad Meets Star Wars
There’s a turning point in the episode where the rest of the team turns against Mando. You can feel the build-up throughout the episode.
A Twi’lek named Xi’an played by Natalia Tena (Tonks from the Harry Potter film) is the only person on the team that has worked with Mando before. The episode doesn’t dive too deep into their previous jobs together, but it’s quite clear that Mando just wants to get this job over with as soon as possible. Xi’an is over-the-top, aggressively flirtatious and has her own motives. Turns out the prisoner they’re rescuing is her brother.
Mayfield played by veteran comedian Bill Burr is the leader of the mission. The character is the closest this series has come to a Han Solo-type (sorry Jake Cannavale). He’s skillful with a blaster, has murky ethics and handles the bulk of the comedy as well as the overall dialogue in scenes with Mando. Burr is tremendous in the role and is a great addition to the Star Wars universe.
While Mayfield has no problem with turning on Mando, there are multiple instances in which he shows signs of having a heart, something that can’t be said about the rest of the team. Near the end of the episode when Mando takes down Xi’an, Mayfield suggests to her brother that they should wait for Xi’an, the brother brushes off the suggestion. Mayfield then quickly retorts “Nice Family.” Furthermore, despite Xi’an’s wishes to kill Mando, it was Mayfield’s decision to leave our hero stranded on the prison vessel.
Veteran live-action and voice actor Clancy Brown voices Burg. He serves as the team’s muscle. Burg is the most conventional member of the team. A strong as an ox alien with below level intelligence. Brown does a good job with the role but is at his best combining a powerful voice with superior intellect.
Of course, no Star Wars mission can be completed without the help of a droid. Zero is voiced by Richard Ayoade and droid has a similarly sarcastic personality to K-2SO in Rogue One. Unfortunately, the performance doesn’t quite reach the heights of Alan Tudyk’s in the Star Wars spinoff film nor Taika Waititi’s performance as IG-11 in the pilot. The droid is the only member of the team that attempts to hunt down Baby Yoda.
Stealthy Sensibilities
We’ve seen Mando angry as well as his lighter side with Baby Yoda. However, The Prisoner is the first episode to truly show how calculating he can be even in a crisis. After the team turns on and locks Mando in a cell, he quickly concocts and executes a plan to take out each member of the team one-by-one.
Famuyiwa does a tremendous job shooting this sequence. He transforms the narrative structure from a prison break or heist genre into a horror show. Mando messes with the ship’s interior lights. Changing from fluorescent lighting to a strobing red neon light that adds to the sense of danger and suspense. Famuyiwa cleverly cuts before Mando lands his final blows.
The score by Ludwig Göransson is fantastic throughout this episode and has a very similar tone to Göransson’s Black Panther thanks to the percussion elements.
The ending of the episode is tremendous as Mando kills Zero before the latter can kill Baby Yoda. He returns to collect his reward but is clearly aware that Ranzar Malk has no intention of allowing Mando to escape alive. Mando plants a tracker and leaves just in time to watch a trio of X-Wings take out the duplicitous duo.
Chapter 6 shows how Mando has evolved as a character. The last shot of the episode shows all of the team members minus Zero are alive and locked away on the ship. In the past, it seems doubtful that Mando would have spared any of them as the rest of the team returning from the mission wasn’t part of the reward money.
Final Thoughts on The Prisoner
Just a tremendous episode. The music, action and chemistry between the cast all worked to deliver the best installment of the series. Are you excited about the prospects of Bill Burr and the other team members returning next season?
The Review
The Mandalorian Chapter 6 Review
PROS
- The supporting cast led by Bill Burr is outstanding
- Balances humor, action, suspense and even horror to create an episode that resembles Firefly.
- Mando remains calm, cool and calculating even under extreme duress. Simply put this character has never been cooler than in this episode.
- Göransson's score throughout the series is terrific. His work in The Prisoner is at an even higher level.
CONS
- Could use more details about Mando's history with Xi'an and a further explanation as to why Mando's taking this particular job. However, the faster pace certainly sets this episode apart from the rest of the series. I think the decision was the right one, but these are story omissions worth pointing out.
