Summary
While I would considerThe Mandalorianto be one of the most rewatchableStar Warsprojects to date, I’ve found that I have a hard time going back to one particular episode from season 2. WithThe Mandalorianbeing my personal favoriteStar Warsproject, I’ve revisited the series plenty of times, especially its first two seasons. I prefer not to skip any episodes when I do a rewatch, though the temptation to get to my favorite episodes can make that difficult. While this wasn’t always a challenge, one episode in particular now gives me pause.
The Mandalorianseason 2, episode 4 “Chapter 12: The Siege” takes us back to Nevarro, where Carl Weathers' Greef Karga and Gina Carano’s Cara Dune had last been seen inThe Mandalorianseason 1 finale. This episode was Weathers' directorial debut inStar Wars, and it wasn’t a poorly received episode in the slightest, as it currently sits at a score of 8.3 on IMDb - making it the 14th most highly rated episode of the series on the site (out of 24). There are, however, a few behind-the-scenes factors that make it hard for me to rewatch this episode.
Rating (Out of 10)
9.8
9.3
9.2
9.1
9.0
8.9
8.8
8.7
All 24 Episodes Of The Mandalorian, Ranked From Worst To Best
As Star Wars' first live-action TV show, The Mandalorian is both historic and beloved. Here are all 24 of its episodes, ranked from worst to best.
Nevarro’s Crew Just Isn’t The Same Anymore
The Nevarro Trio Fractured After Season 2
The most painful thing about rewatching this episode, at least for me, is having to see the Nevarro crew that once served asThe Mandalorian’s leading castin season 1. By the end of season 1,Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin, Cara Dune, and Greef Karga had all become unlikely yet strong allies, and this episode was a sweet reunion at the time it aired. In the years since, however,this group’s relationship has become filled with a bit of awkwardness and tragedy, which has certainly affected the impact of this episode on me.
The first fracture arrived when Carano was fired fromThe Mandalorianand other Lucasfilm projects in the early part of 2021, just after season 2 had wrapped up. In the years since, she has filed a lawsuit in which she uses her co-stars Pascal’s and Weathers' social media posts against them, which has created an awkward sort of tension. The next fracture is more tragic, with Weathers' sudden passing in February of this year. While it’s wonderful that his legacy is forever cemented insideThe Mandalorian, it still hurts my heart to see him and his liveliness on screen.
The final element in this trio, at least for me, is Pascal himself - particularly in this episode. As a very talented actor, and my personal favorite thanks to him starring in this very role, having Pascal in theMandalorian’s beskaris priceless.Disney Gallery: The Mandalorianseason 2 confirms thatPascal was in the suit for most of this specific episode, as he was for many episodes in season 2, and it shows in his portrayal. It’s hard to watch Pascal in the suit knowing that now, in a post-season 2 world, he’s rarely ever in it anymore.
Another thing about this episode that I miss is “Jeans Guy,” the iconic crew member who was mistakenly in the background of a shot - which you can see in the gallery above.
Why Three Actors Play The Mandalorian (Not Just Pedro Pascal)
While Pedro Pascal stars in The Mandalorian as its titular character, Din Djarin, there are at least 2 other actors who also play him. Here’s why.
The Rangers Of The New Republic Setup Is Pointless
This Obvious Setup Makes Me Cringe, Knowing What Ultimately Happens
Carano’s firing didn’t only affect the Nevarro trio and their relationship. It also was a major factor in the spin-off seriesRangers of the New Republicultimately getting scrapped, which was set up in this episode ofThe Mandalorian.There’s an entire scene near the end of the episode dedicated to building a bridge between Captain Carson Teva and Cara Dune, where the former recruits the latter as aNew RepublicMarshal. It’s meant to foreshadow her future role as a ranger of the New Republic, though now it’s simply a reminder of what never came to be.
This was only the first wave in a wider ripple effect ofRangers of the New Republic’s cancelation.The Book of Boba Fett,The Mandalorianseason 3, andAhsokaall seem to contain elements clearly meant for that spin-off show, with one episode of season 3 focusing almost entirely on what was clearly meant to be a plot line in that show. All of that began here, in this episode where it was so obviously set up. Having to watch that back is difficult, especially knowing that series won’t ever move forward - and why that happened in the first place.
The Mandalorian Season 4 Updates: Cast, Story, & Everything We Know
After The Mandalorian season 3’s conclusion in 2023, the story of The Mandalorian season 4 is shaping up to be one of the show’s biggest yet.
It’s Hard To Enjoy This Episode Knowing What We Know Now
These Behind-the-Scenes Issues Permeate the Episode’s Impact
Altogether,I find myself way too focused on all of these behind-the-scenes issues and tragedies to actually sit down and enjoy watching this episodeback. It becomes especially difficult for me in the stretch when Din flies back to theRazor Crest, leaving us with Greef, Cara, and the Mythrol for a few minutes straight. All I can do is think about how none of thoseThe Mandaloriancharacters are returning to the galaxy, aside from perhaps the Mythrol one day, and how that moment was likely meant to be even more potentialRangers of the New Republicsetup.
Star Wars’next movie,The Mandalorian & Grogu, releases on August 20, 2025, and will hopefully at least pay tribute to Weathers and Greef Karga in its story - which will give his character more closure.
The Mandalorian
Cast
Released on August 21, 2025 The Mandalorian follows a lone gunfighter navigating the galaxy’s outer reaches after the Galactic Empire’s fall. As a skilled bounty hunter, he operates in a lawless universe, undertaking various missions on the fringes of the New Republic’s territories.
