The Mandalorian

[Captain Crimson]

Because let's face it, the Baby Yoda Species character and the memes surrounding it overtook the central character so that most fans retweeting their experiences and sharing out screencaps and memes didn't even know his name. Just think about that for a second, honestly.

I don't remember his name and it doesn't much bother me about the show. That's actually an argument people had when the first few episodes came out, that we don't see his face and it's largely impersonal, but nothing to that tune really held up for people watching the show.

And to me, that's why they are bringing back older characters, and it in fact reinforces what I'd said. While I gushed over Baby Yoda Species character, the fact I can't even remember the main character's name is not good storytelling, so it seems to me they are attempting to build an ensemble cast, which is a further validation, to me at least, that they don't have faith in their own original characters. And hey, let's also assume they will use Baby Yoda Species as a clone to bring back Yoda, or as some kinda essence transfer. To me, that'd be LIT AF. And yet it's also a way actions no longer have consequences - like how Maul was brought back from a non-canon comic after being bisected in two.

Honestly, my reaction is the same as everyone else in fandom. I love the Baby Yoda Species character, and I think it's where the true success of TM came from. But at the same time, even in an ensemble cast, you should know the main character's name. It seems more to me like they had rushed out TM, not expecting it to take off this way, and so are now course correcting in S2, bringing in more beloved characters to compensate for this detail. And I do think it was because it was a failed Boba Fett film. So yeah, that's how I see it. I just wanna see where this Baby Yoda Species plot goes. I guarantee you it's tied to Yoda, somehow. Possibly his nephew. But who knows.

[BridgeConsoleMasher]

Again, none of this is really coming off as problematic. I haven't heard of anybody that watched the show that said it was distracting not knowing his name.

The fact by itself is not a strong indicator of anything, it's a matter of how you see the show or movie. I saw Fight Club maybe 2-3 times before I learned that the main character isn't named. The point being that pointing to a matter of fact like that as an indication that Disney's head's up its ass with the marketing department isn't that convincing of an argument or very fruitful of a lens to look back upon the show.

[Captain Crimson]

Again, none of this is really coming off as problematic. I haven't heard of anybody that watched the show that said it was distracting not knowing his name.

The fact by itself is not a strong indicator of anything, it's a matter of how you see the show or movie. I saw Fight Club maybe 2-3 times before I learned that the main character isn't named. The point being that pointing to a matter of fact like that as an indication that Disney's head's up its ass with the marketing department isn't that convincing of an argument or very fruitful of a lens to look back upon the show.

Maybe it's just me, but I do find it worrisome. A good ensemble cast needs you to know the name of all of the main players, but especially the one whom the show is named after. If this is meant to be a glimpse into Mandalorian culture then it's not doing so very convincingly. Why couldn't they just hire Ms. Traviss as a creative consultant?

I certainly grant you the point about marketing insanity, like how the trailer for DOTM makes it look epic to the H, but you seem to be ignoring my larger point. Who is Jyn Darren, what is his story? Will we ever know? Do they got a plan in mind or is this just winging it more like they'd done with the ST? In any decent world, they would tie it to the Siege of Mandalore which TCW just wrapped up leading into ROTS. Because all we know so far is his backstory is like Batman, and he was saved by the Death Watch. Will they expand on it? I hope so, but given the Baby Yoda Species fervor and old characters coming in, I don't think they will. I think it is more likely they will hijack the focus.

[BridgeConsoleMasher]

It's not an ensemble cast. It also doesn't let you know about where Mandalorians reside.

[Captain Crimson]

It's not an ensemble cast. It also doesn't let you know about where Mandalorians reside.

Not yet. I'd be fairly confident it will be. I'd put down money on it.

[BridgeConsoleMasher]

The consensus of the show is that it left something to be desired and wasn't that much of this or that in terms of everything. The only thing that worked well for was Baby Yoda because there was no story behind him or anything, he's a macguffin. The rest of the show isn't bad because of it though, its design and approach are mostly considered appreciable. The show is well regarded especially considering the range of original shows available on streaming services.

[CharlesPhipps]

The consensus of the show is that it left something to be desired and wasn't that much of this or that in terms of everything. The only thing that worked well for was Baby Yoda because there was no story behind him or anything, he's a macguffin. The rest of the show isn't bad because of it though, its design and approach are mostly considered appreciable. The show is well regarded especially considering the range of original shows available on streaming services.

I'd argue the Mandalorian is an illustration of the concept "Less is more." It's a simple story that doesn't get overly bogged down in continuity or high minded ideas. Baby Yoda is a Maguffin but that's because he's a baby being protected. It's an argument that maybe the Star Wars new canon might have been better if it had focused a bit more on "pew pew, save the innocent from Nazis" and less, whatever the hell it was.

[Captain Crimson]

The consensus of the show is that it left something to be desired and wasn't that much of this or that in terms of everything. The only thing that worked well for was Baby Yoda because there was no story behind him or anything, he's a macguffin. The rest of the show isn't bad because of it though, its design and approach are mostly considered appreciable. The show is well regarded especially considering the range of original shows available on streaming services.

I'd argue the Mandalorian is an illustration of the concept "Less is more." It's a simple story that doesn't get overly bogged down in continuity or high minded ideas. Baby Yoda is a Maguffin but that's because he's a baby being protected. It's an argument that maybe the Star Wars new canon might have been better if it had focused a bit more on "pew pew, save the innocent from Nazis" and less, whatever the hell it was.

Oh yeah, definitely. That's the simplicity there. It's why it's so widely received, I feel. Some could make the claim the ST was such massive continuity porn, that's why it failed, but honestly, if so that's coming from people who talk a great game, but only know continuity in terms of broad strokes. Since it's quite a stunning accomplishment when you not only confuse your larger film base, but the built-in fanbase who have loyally supported it for years and decades. The casual film base found it perplexing Palpatine had survived that, which seems like insulting their intelligence, while the built-in fanbase, especially those with higher understanding to the source material they deny they have, know it is insulting given everything they have said and done since 2014.

That's what makes TM different. Everything you said is totally valid, and it's not like it has to be connected to ST or the EU. It's just an isolated pocket of this part of the galaxy. Baby Yoda Species is the breakout character the internet fell in love with, and it's why people are so hyped for S2. So with that said, how do you feel about all these older characters potentially popping up on TM? I personally remain skeptical, and not for reasons of continuity, either. Mr. Filoni seems to have the view that he's on a personal mission to put Ahsoka Tano into every SW content under the sun. She's been in TCW and in Rebels, he's tweeted out everything but explicit confirmation she is alive past TROS, and so on and so forth. So while TM might be a breath of fresh air, I do feel the larger management problems which had plagued the ST haven't gone away. Throw something into the wall until it sticks because it's the only bet you have until you've broken it. We shall see. I hope I am wrong.

[BridgeConsoleMasher]

The consensus of the show is that it left something to be desired and wasn't that much of this or that in terms of everything. The only thing that worked well for was Baby Yoda because there was no story behind him or anything, he's a macguffin. The rest of the show isn't bad because of it though, its design and approach are mostly considered appreciable. The show is well regarded especially considering the range of original shows available on streaming services.

I'd argue the Mandalorian is an illustration of the concept "Less is more." It's a simple story that doesn't get overly bogged down in continuity or high minded ideas. Baby Yoda is a Maguffin but that's because he's a baby being protected. It's an argument that maybe the Star Wars new canon might have been better if it had focused a bit more on "pew pew, save the innocent from Nazis" and less, whatever the hell it was.

And mind that when I say that the only thing it worked well for was Baby Yoda, I just mean in terms of what everybody was talking about. Realistically I'd think the show is appraised well just not necessarily as an entertainment piece that brings everyone together around Star Wars.

It's the same deal with the Joker movie. Not very interesting to talk about as a Batman universe movie, but just how it approaches who the main character is really.

[Draco Dracul]

It also takes Star Wars back to it's roots of semi-adapting Samurai films and westerns, with the primary one here being Lone Wolf and Cub.