– Spoiler Review –
The Mandalorian “Chapter 19 – The Convert” manages to both push Din Djarin and Bo-Katan’s story forward in bookend moments, while it packs the middle with an absolutely intriguing glimpse inside the New Republic’s process for ex-Imperials, though it stumbles a bit with its comments on morality.
I have my issues with The Book of Boba Fett, though less about the show itself and rather how it was hijacked to fill in vital The Mandalorian moments they didn’t want to bother with in the main show, and while “Chapter 19 – The Convert” swinging The Mandalorian towards Dr. Pershing (Omid Abtahi) and Imperial Comm Officer Elia Kane (Katy O’Brian) might feel like the same thing at first, there’s enough hints this is all connected to the larger story of not only this show, but where all the shows in the Mando-verse are heading. If they want to pepper in these world-building moments, which The Mandalorian and other shows in this era desperately need, “Chapter 19 – The Convert” should be the framework going forward, as it focuses on the characters and ideas already in the narrative.
The episode’s main chunk takes place on Coruscant, which is now under New Republic control, and follows Dr. Pershing’s acclimation to his new purpose via an Amnesty program for ex-Imperials. We’ve seen similar ideas across canon to this, mainly in the stunning trilogy of novels everyone should read, Alphabet Squadron, and much like those other sources, all seems to be going well. Dr. Pershing is uncomfortable with all the praise and excitement over what his work can bring to the New Republic, though he seems happy to have a chance to do something for the greater good regardless, which seems to be the case for others in the Amnesty program he runs into enjoying a night outside of their specific housing situation on the planet. The group is happy to have left the Imperial life behind, only reminiscing about the food they ate and not the orders they followed, but one person at the table in particular makes Dr. Pershing more uncomfortable than everyone thanking him after his speech this episode: the Imperial Comm Officer, her named (finally) revealed as Elia Kane, aboard Moff Gideon’s ship. She’s just as cheery about the New Republic and her new lot in life as the others, which starts to put Pershing at ease, and she later (mysteriously, but it wasn’t surprising it ends up being her) gives him a pack of the rations he’s missed.
Pershing doesn’t currently have a chance to continue his life’s work, relegated to archiving old data tapes for the time being, and Kane picks up on his dissatisfaction as the two start to spend time together. Enjoying sweets in a big public square, chock full of aliens and humans where fun magic shows and general merriment really make the New Republic feel welcoming, Kane continues to hype up the NR, revealing bits of her history and how happy she is to see Coruscant like this, though how different it feels. This prompts Pershing to admit he thinks about his work going unfinished and, knowing from his speech it could benefit the worlds of the NR, she askes him if it’s worth trying to continue it. He’s too concerned it won’t be allowed, but she’s eager to see him fulfilled like she feels, offering him the chance to get materials to continue it, in the interest of the NR of course, though he declines still. After his droid case manager confirms his work is outlawed so they would never allow him to do it and he’s seeing valuable equipment decommissioned the NR could use but no one cares, he changes his mind and Kane tells him she’ll take him the next night.
They sneak away to a train depot, social engineering their way onboard, and end up jumping off as the security droids start requesting tickets, but it all works out, as they land in front of one of the Star Destroyers being decommissioned. As he gathers up supplies, for the first time all episode he’s happy, as he’s had a bit of a tick throughout, like something was in his ear, something always nagging at him and now it’s gone. He shares about his past, about wanting this lab, and his excitement over doing something more rewarding than data entry to help the NR, though noises throughout the ship cut their time short and they have to flee so they aren’t caught. Thinking they’ve evaded whomever else was inside, NR officers surround them, asking Pershing to put his hands up and drop the cargo…and then Kane picks it up and walks away as he’s arrested! After this breach, Pershing is hooked up to a Mind Flayer (first referenced in season one but certainly feels more like a wink and nod at Stranger Things at this point) to help condition him since the traditional, non-evasive means haven’t been working. As the process begins, everyone leaves, but Kane says she’d like to stay and watch, to see him be renewed since they are friends…and then she turns the machine past its limits, and their segment of the episode ends as she watches on, Pershing squirming in pain as the machine does it worst.
What really makes these interactions work, this betrayal hit, and this entire segment so enthralling starts with the performances by Abtahi and O’Brian. Both do some incredible work, taking side characters we’ve seen throughout the series and elevating them into some of the more memorable character work in the show so far. While both impress, O’Brian’s subtle performance is what shines the most, as while I spent the entire episode wondering why something felt wrong with Kane, she also had me doubting myself throughout. Kane seems genuine in her newfound appreciation of the New Republic and what it has to offer them, what it can do for them the Empire couldn’t, but there’s little looks here and there, like a smirk fading into a stone-cold face, while certain lines are delivered without the perky emotion, more Imperial-like, and she even mentions “we” will get Pershing the parts he wants a few times but doesn’t bother to expand, which all leave one wondering how truthful she’s being. But for all those little breaks, O’Brian has scenes of overwhelming delight over the little things, from telling Pershing how he can help the NR by pursuing his work or her funny prank when they hangout, it’s hard to imagine she’s anything but authentic. I have a funny feeling, given the little line of a rumor Moff Gideon escaped from his War Tribunal proceedings, she’s working for him still, either to take out Pershing so he doesn’t reveal what he was up to for Gideon or to get him reconditioned/Mind Flayed to forget everything. For O’Brian’s performance to work as well as it does, Abtahi as Pershing has to deliver one just as good, and her certainly does here. Even in his opening speech it’s clear he’s excited about his new possibilities within the NR, but from the little tick of something in his ear to his still hunched over and quiet demeanor, something is bothering him. It becomes exponential as the episode goes on and Abtahi ramps up all the signs of his disquiet as well, while his discomfort at getting in trouble is palpable. When he’s in the Star Destroyer, getting his equipment and about to restart his work, his whole demeanor changes, excitement matching Kane’s from earlier, his eagerness seeping through the screen. So when the security officers arrive, the range of emotions as he processes what’s happening only make her actions hit harder, as his desire to help people of the NR with his work was real, and his scrambling on the table before the Mind Flayer turns on only heightens how wrong this all feels. Two brilliant performances to anchor such an intriguing glimpse into the post-war galaxy and the governments efforts with ex-Imperials.
As for the Amnesty program and what happens to Pershing in the end, the moral implications lack any flexibility or nuance. The Mon Cal telling Pershing how the Mind Flayer isn’t as intrusive as the Empire’s methods, having done it himself and he feels it was quite pleasant, rings hollow as Pershing squirms on the table, the process having a cult-ish, less than savory feeling to it. It takes no time to see the New Republic as a reskinned Empire, despite all the joyous citizens in earlier scenes, highlighted by their flag literally hanging over a building, just covering up what’s already there, or how all the ex-Imperials are addressed by operating numbers like they were in the Empire (as if the NR sees them as numbers, not people). There’s more nuance to the NR’s approach to things in this era, but those watching the show might not feel that here, as it only seems content to say one authority figure replaced the other and both are just holding its people hostage in their own way. The aforementioned Alphabet Squadron Trilogy and even the sequel trilogy era novel Bloodline do a much better job digging into this, presenting a more layered and nuanced discussion about how the new government is handling things, so I’m hoping further scenes within Coruscant could illuminate what the show’s already done and add in something more interesting and impactful then simply saying no matter who is in charge, it’s all a bad system; which, especially in a world where politics are hard to ignore and shouldn’t be, with rights on the line for all types of marginalized people, is a rather tone deaf message to send.
As for Din and Bo-Katan, bookending the episode, they open “Chapter 19 – The Convert” with a thrilling dogfight, escaping Imperial Remnant who appear seemingly out of nowhere to pester Bo-Katan because of her actions raiding them in the past (or at least she assumes). This leads to a stellar dogfight sequence that begs the question how this isn’t a big screen production, from the moment of Din jumping out of Bo’s ship to quickly climb into his and join the fight, her slick flying over the surface of the planet, to both of them pulling off some sick moves to take out the TIEs, making for a riveting opening before the more subtle intrigue of Pershing and Kane takes over. Despite their victory, it’s short lived, as TIE Bombers wreck Bo’s sick brooding throne room and tons more TIE Interceptors show up to take them out, causing them to flee. Din of course takes them to the covert and presents his evidence, and while everyone is skeptical, the Armorer is able to confirm it when she pours the vial of Living Waters into a vat and it sparkles like it normally does when she pours in her own supply. I’m curious if the Armorer was eager to test Din this way to confirm she can get more of the water…or if she’s trying to see if the mythosaur is real as well? Bo barely believes what she saw, though she decides not to tell Din about it before they leave the surface of Mandalore, so I’m curious what she plans on doing with the knowledge. To tame the mythosaur or defeat it to take back the title of leader instead of relying on the Darksaber? The Armorer not only redeems Din, but considers Bo-Katan one of theirs by creed, and while she goes along with it, it certainly seemed like she was doing it because saying no or walking away probably wasn’t in her best interests, the cult vibes crossing over with the New Republic stuff. Where they go next is anyone’s guess, but I’m assuming investigating or getting revenge against the Imperial Remnant which attacked her home will be top priority. Could this lead us to a season finale reveal of a certain Grand Admiral Thrawn? I know the Ahsoka show will focus on the search for Ezra and Thrawn, but I’d not be surprised, with it being the next one to air this year, we’ll see more teases beyond the purrgils’ shadows in hyperspace in The Mandalorian.
The Mandalorian’s “Chapter 19 – The Convert” has riveting action and intrigue, as a glimpse into some side characters opens up the show’s galaxy in a big, exciting way, even if it stumbles in its messaging.
+ Katy O’Brian and Omid Abtahi’s performances
+ Opening up the galaxy
+ Riveting opening scene
+ Season pushing forward at great pace
– Questions on moral message
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website on Twitter @MynockManor and Instagram @mynockmanor.
THE MANDALORIAN REVIEWS
Season Three: Chapter 17 – The Apostate | Chapter 18 – The Mines of Mandalore
The Book of Boba Fett: Chapter 5 -Return of the Mandalorian | Chapter 6 – From the Desert Comes a Stranger | Chapter 7 – In the Name of Honor
Season Two: Chapter 9 – The Marshal | Chapter 10 – The Passenger | Chapter 11 – The Heiress | Chapter 12 – The Siege | Chapter 13 – The Jedi | Chapter 14 – The Tragedy | Chapter 15 – The Believer | Chapter 16 – The Rescue
Season One: Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 – The Child | Chapter 3 – The Sin | Chapter 4 – The Sanctuary | Chapter 5 – The Gunslinger | Chapter 6 – The Prisoner | Chapter 7 – The Reckoning | Chapter 8 – Redemption