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The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 2 (Disney+): Similar to The Flash (see below) it is interesting that this season of The Mandalorian is moving through what was thought to be the season-long arc by the end of episode three. This episode does a great job of setting up the new dynamic between Grugu and Din Djarin as they go off to Mandalore. The inclusion of R5-D4 from A New Hope was a nice touch and showing that Grogu is not just tagging along with Din but actively learning and applying what he learned to help out the situation. The design of the monster in the mines of Mandalore feels like something that blends the original trilogy and the prequels while the monsters that guard the entrance look like they stepped out of Land of the Lost. Getting to see Bo-Katan in action was a nice treat as well, especially when her and Din’s fighting styles with the Darksaber are juxtaposed.
The Bad Batch Season 2 Episode 12 (Disney+): This week there is a break from the continued adventures of Omega and the rest of the team to fill the viewer in with what’s been going on with Crosshair with a truly heartbreaking story that was almost Andor-esque in its portrayal of the causal cruelty of the Empire. Showing the human cost of the swap from clones to a conscripted army is a great choice and it appears that it is possible that this show could be culminating in a clone rebellion against the Empire.
The Last Of Us Season Finale (HBOMax): The key difference leading into season two from how this season ends compared to the game is how much autonomy Ellie has in the show instead of the game. Ellie in the show is a more active member of the team-up and is less of just the object that has to be brought from point A to point B. The decision of whether or not to sacrifice herself for the rest of humanity is still taken away from her, however, the idea that Joel lied to her repeatedly about that is doing an excellent job of lighting the powder keg that will ignite the plot of The Last of Us Part II when that gets adapted next season.
The Flash Season 9 Episode 5 (CW/The CW App): It is actually a good idea that they wrapped up the Red Death storyline in the first five episodes so it does not drag on into a full season arc, even if it is only a half-season. It is a shame that Chillbane is still around and it is also a shame that Joe is leaving Central City, but hopefully moving into the next batch of episodes they continue the trend that has worked for them over the last few seasons to convert the seasons into smaller batches of episodes that follow smaller arcs (something they should have learned from Agents of Shield). In the next batch, they definitely need to bring Allegra and Chester into a more active role because they’re being sidelined for no good reason.
You May Have Missed:
The Elephant Whispers (Netflix): Following its win for Best Documentary Short, The Elephant Whisperers is available to watch on Netflix. It tells the story of a couple in South India that cares for an orphaned elephant.
This Week In Theaters:
Shazam!: Fury of the Gods: The other studios have bowed off this St. Patrick’s Day weekend to allow Shazam!: Fury of the Gods to run the board. It is a sequel to 2018’s Shazam! and will follow the continued adventures of Billy Batson and his family as they face off against the Daughters of Atlas (played by Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu, and Rachel Zegler) with the possibility of a surprise cameo from another major DC hero.
Last Week At The Box Office:
Scream VI: $44.4 Million
Creed III: $27.3 Million
65: $12.3 Million
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania: $7.1 Million
Cocaine Bear: $6.2 Million
Programming Notes:
This week marks the debut of what could very well be the final DC show to arrive on the CW in the form of Gotham Knights. It is scheduled to premiere at 9 PM, following a lead-in from the new season of Superman and Lois at 8 PM. Following the acquisition of the CW by Nexstar, the flow of new content has slowed with very few new projects on the horizon. Either way, the new show follows Turner Hays (Oscar Morgan), the adopted son of Bruce Wayne who has to team up with the children of Batman’s enemies after Batman is murdered. The cast includes Navia Robinson as Carrie Kelly, the current Robin (from Frank Miller’s iconic The Dark Knight Returns), Misha Collins as Harvey Dent, Olivia Rose Keegan as Duela (daughter of Joker), and Fallon Smythe as Bluebird.
