Unless you’ve spent the last two years under a rock, there’s a good chance that you’ve heard about The Mandalorian. One of the show’s characters — who is referred to by fans as “Baby Yoda” — can be seen on t-shirts, coffee mugs, and even pajamas. If you’re thinking about watching the show, here’s what you should know.
What Is The Mandalorian?
The Mandalorian is the very first live-action series set in the Star Wars universe. The show is centered around a mysterious bounty hunter — referred to by other characters as “The Mandalorian” — played by Pedro Pascal. He is a part of the Mandalorians, a group with a strict culture and code. Mandalorians are warriors and are forbidden from ever removing their helmet around others.
One of Pascal’s missions brings him to a mysterious alien child. He makes it his mission to protect the creator. The two of them travel across the galaxy, meeting all kinds of characters and collecting a variety of bounties. The show has been described as a sci-fi themed western.
Although the show has many original characters, it also features characters that have appeared in other Star Wars properties. Some of the episodes tell a standalone story, but there is also an overarching plot that viewers can follow along with.
The Mandalorian takes place approximately five years after the end of Return of the Jedi. Because the show has been enormously popular, there are several spinoffs in development. These spinoffs will expand on the show’s timeline.
How to Watch The Mandalorian
Jon Favreau created The Mandalorian for the Disney+ streaming service. If you want to see what this sci-fi series is all about, you’ll need a Disney+ subscription. Currently, no Disney+ original series have been released on DVD or Blu-ray. The only way to watch the show is to stream it.
If you’re on the fence about splurging on a Disney+ subscription, you can see clips and trailers for the show on the official Disney+ YouTube channel. Even if you weren’t a fan of the newer Star Wars movies, there’s a good chance that The Mandalorian will win you over.
Can You Watch The Mandalorian for Free?
When The Mandalorian premiered, Disney+ had a free trial. This made it possible for people to watch the show without paying for a subscription. Now, that’s no longer an option. Free trials have ended, and only paid subscriptions are available.
Thankfully, viewing The Mandalorian doesn’t have to be expensive. The cost of Disney+ can vary based on location, but the price is very reasonable. Hulu also offers a discounted bundle that includes a subscription to their service, Disney+, and ESPN+. While you have a subscription, you can also watch other popular shows that are exclusive to Disney+, like Wandavision and Loki.
How Many Seasons Are There?
Right now, there are two seasons of The Mandalorian, and a third season is in the works. Each season consists of eight episodes, bringing the total episode count to 16. If you’ve binged the entire show, and you need a Mandalorian fix before the third season comes out, there are also behind-the-scenes documentaries about the production of season one and two.
The length of each Mandalorian episode fluctuates from week to week. Some episodes are as short as 25 minutes, but there are also episodes that clock in at around 47 minutes. If you don’t have a lot of time to watch, you may want to check the runtime before you start a new episode of the show.
If you’re a Star Wars fan, you owe it to yourself to watch The Mandalorian. Even if you never got into the Star Wars universe, this show is a good starting point. While there are plenty of Easter eggs for long-time fans, this is a family-friendly series that anyone can enjoy.