The second season of The Mandalorian has come to an end and it's done so with some massive appearances, big changes, and questions about what the future of the series will be like. The episode, "Chapter 16: The Rescue," was also jam-packed with Easter eggs and references to all kinds of things you love in the Star Wars franchise.
Warning: The following contains spoilers for the Season 2 finale of The Mandalorian. If you haven't watched it yet, we're not even sure why you're here. Go away and come back after you check out the show.
From more Darksaber shenanigans to the first appearance on the show of Luke Skywalker via that weird Rogue One: A Star Wars story CGI technology that still doesn't look great, there was plenty happening in this episode. What's more, it ultimately set up yet another spin-off that will arrive next year.
Take a look at all of the Easter eggs and references we picked out of the episode below, then sound off in the comments with your own! Also check out the Easter egg galleries for the previous episodes this season.
1. Imperial shuttle
As we catch up with Dr. Pershing (Omid Abtahi), we see him being taken to Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) in an Imperial shuttle. The tri-winged transport is one of the more unique-looking ships in the galaxy.
2. "I was on the Death Star"
As Cara Dune (Gina Carano) trades words with Gideon's lackey on the Imperial Shuttle, he mentions he was on the Death Star. He doesn't reply, however, when Cara asks him which one. Of course, there were two Death Stars in the franchise and both were definitely destroyed.
3. Return of Katee Sackhoff and Sasha Banks Mandos
This episode saw the return of Mandalorians Bo-Katan (Katee Sackhoff) and Koska Reeves (Sasha Banks). The two were previously seen earlier this season in Chapter 11 and were off in search of Gideon and the Dark Saber.
4. "You'll be talking through the window of a Bacta tank"
When Koska and Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison) were trading barbs, Koska tells him if he pushes her much further, he'll be talking from within a Bacta tank. These healing tanks first appeared in The Empire Strikes Back, when Luke Skywalker (we'll talk about him later) was placed in one after being attacked by a Wampa.
5. TIE fighters
Everyone knows TIE fighters and they're one of the absolute easiest Star Wars references to throw into any project. That said, it doesn't make them any less cool.
6. Stormtroopers remain the worst shots in the galaxy
As Cara, Bo-Katan, Koska, and Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen) invade Gideon's ship, they do battle with an army of Stormtroopers who don't land a single shot. They are, however, all utterly destroyed. Honestly, what's the purpose of Stormtroopers anyway?
7. Death Star droid
Walking the halls of Gideon's ship is a familiar droid. The RA-7, otherwise known as the Death Star droid, is on the ship. It previously popped up in Chapter 7 of Season 1.
8. One last Dank Farrik
It's been a real dank farrik of a season and Cara throws out one last use of the space expletive with a mysterious meaning in this episode. We'll see you next season, dank farrik.
9. Moff Gideon wielding the Darksaber
Just as he did in the Season 1 finale, we see Gideon wielding the Darksaber. This time, however, he's using it to threaten Baby Yoda's life, which Mando will not stand for. What follows is a rather entertaining duel between Gideon and Mando, with the former using the Darksaber, while the latter swings the Beskar steel spear he took possession of earlier this season.
10. Rules of the Darksaber
It's explained to Mando that the rules of the Darksaber permit it to only be gained by defeating the person who holds it. Since he beat Gideon and took the saber, he can't simply give it to Bo-Katan, who wants it. To claim it in any other way is illegitimate. However, it's worth noting this wouldn't be the first time Bo-Katan took it without a fight. On Star Wars: Rebels, Sabine Wren hands it over to her and she accepts, with the support of her clan.
11. It's Luke Skywalker
You loved it in Rogue One and now there's more CGI-de-aging in Star Wars! Luke Skywalker is back, sort of! Toward the end of the episode, a hooded Jedi fights his way through Gideon's darktroopers before showing his face to our heroes. It's a young Luke Skywalker, post-Return of the Jedi. This was done similarly to how Princess Leia appeared in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. A body double was used for the physical parts of the role, while a de-aged version of Hamill's face was placed over the double's. He then takes Baby Yoda with him for training, which is like the saddest thing in the world for us and for Mando.
12. A change in music
What makes this scene so effective isn't the CGI Mark Hamill appearance. Instead, it's how the tone of the show's music completely changes. For this final stretch of the episode--and through the credits--the show's typical score is gone. In its space is orchestral music that sounds more in line with something John Williams would provide, rather than Mando's typical space flute. It goes a long way in demonstrating how big a moment this is.
13. Another maskless Mando
Twice in one season? Mando is getting lazy. Before saying goodbye, Baby Yoda placed his hand on Mando's helmet, wishing to see his father-figure's face. Mando then removes the helmet showing his face once more to, well, pretty much everyone--from Cara Dune to Luke Skywalker. It's a tender moment but really makes you wonder why he used to be so hung up about it.
14. R2-D2
Before Luke and Baby Yoda left, the episode had one more trick up its sleeve: R2-D2. The famed droid shows up next to his favorite Jedi and immediately forms a bond with Baby Yoda.
15. What about that post-credits scene
The Mandalorian decided to pull a Marvel Studios and throw in a post-credits scene setting up something exciting to come, but to get there we must return to Tatooine.
16. Bib Fortuna's return
In the scene, Boba Fett and Fennec Shand walk into Jabba the Hutt's palace and find Bib Fortuna on the throne. In the original trilogy the alien is played by Michael Carter. Here, though, Matthew Wood, who briefly appeared as the character in The Phantom Menace, plays him here. After he's dead, it's Boba Fett sitting on the throne.
17. Oh great, "maclunkey" is back
He also lets loose a controversial word to Star Wars fans, ordering one of his guards to check on what the commotion was, adding a final "maclunkey." What's maclunkey? How lucky you are to not be stuck in this weird portion of Star Wars fandom. When A New Hope debuted on Disney+, a new line was added in the standoff between Han and Greedo. Greedo tells his foe, "Maclunkey." It's a Huttese word that roughly translates to, "This'll be the end of you."
18. The Book of Boba Fett
Sure, why not add one more spin-off into the mix. The post-credits scene trumpets something called The Book of Boba Fett, which is a spin-off that will debut in December 2021. With the scene ending with Boba on Jabba the Hutt's throne, having killed off everyone else, it'll be interesting to see what the show is about.
What's more, if it arrives in late 2021, what happens to Season 3 of The Mandalorian? It typically airs late in the year and a third season is already in the works. Will it release even later? Why would we want to wait that long for more Baby Yoda and Mando adventures?
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