The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 3, or ‘Chapter 19: The Convert,’ further cemented how omnipresent and dominant the Empire was over the galaxy, even years after the rebellion’s victory in the Battle of Yavin. Each with unique ambitions and missions, Bo-Katan Kryze, Din Djarin, and Dr. Pershing just can’t seem to shake the Imperial forces in the latest installment of Star Wars‘ hit series.
The first two episodes were mostly focused on Din Djarin and Bo-Katan’s paths coinciding. The pair revealed they had similar aims to reunite with other Mandalorians, with Din’s redemption and Bo’s hopes of ruling. While Bo-Katan’s exact plan is still hard to decipher, coming face-to-face with the Mythosaur clearly left her with a lot to consider.
In the latest episode of the show, we see her question both herself and Din about what she saw in the Living Waters. Coming to terms with the idea of maybe taming the beast to fulfill her ultimate goal: reuniting the Mandalorian sects and becoming a galactic force again.
The Empire strikes back…at Bo-Katan
We start off with the trio returning from the Mines of Mandalore to Djarin‘s N1 Starfighter on Kalevala. They are expecting to part ways at her castle but, en route, are confronted by a squadron of TIE Interceptors.
Upon returning Djarin to his ship, we see the two expertly maneuver and dispatch the imperial troops in a dogfight, with some great displays of how versatile Bo-Katan’s Gauntlet starfighter can be. However, while distracted, another fleet of TIE Bombers destroys Kryze’s home, leaving her without a stronghold in the Mandalorian planet system.
As you might remember, Bo-Katan and the Nite Owls seized an Imperial Gozanti-class cruiser with the help of Din Djarin in Season 2. This is the most obvious explanation for why she and her castle were now a target for the Empire, but there may also be more to the story.
There could also be a link forming to the rise of Snoke and Palpatine in the sequel trilogy here. Almost ten years after the Battle of Yavin, it is possible that one of Palpatine’s clones could be controlling the Empire’s Forces from the shadows. Bo-Katan’s efforts to reunite the warrior clans could be viewed as a potential threat, to the rise of the First Order in the coming years, if she was to side with the New Republic.
Imperial corruption in Coruscant
While Mando and Bo traveled to the Children of the Watch, we got an extended update on Dr. Penn Pershing’s fate after Gideon’s defeat. We pick up with the cloning expert in Coruscant’s famed Opera House, the same one where Sidious sold Anakin on learning Dark Side techniques.
Pershing makes it extremely clear that his research and breakthroughs in cloning were manipulated and used for personal gain by the Emperor. He is then placed into an amnesty housing scheme with other former Imperial members.
It is there that he meets Elia Kane, a former officer from Moff Gideon’s ship and they reflect on some of the things they missed from the past, mentioning imperial yellow ration biscuits for one. Here we get to see Elia sizing up Dr. Pershing’s stance on the empire and the New Republic, testing where his loyalties lie.
Throughout the episode we see Elia manipulate him into sneaking out of their housing to retrieve old equipment and continue his cloning research, despite it being banned on the giant city planet. The former imperial officer plays her part to perfection, later framing Pershing for the crime and removing his capabilities.
It is here we get an idea of how corrupt the new republic is with remnants of the empire. It was revealed that high up in the New Republic, the empire’s brutal mind-flaying tech was permitted for experimental use. Just in time for Pershing to be its prime subject. Once Elia Kane is alone with the doctor, she cranks up the machine to dangerous levels, suggesting that his mind will soon be wiped of knowledge, that could be vital to the Republic.
The Mandalorian Chapter 19 verdict
Episode Rating: 8/10
Chapter 19 has progressed the plot the most of any episode so far and also did the best job of world-building. But it might have lingered a little too long on Pershing’s arc compared to the time spent with Bo-Katan and Din. It was, however, incredibly intriguing to see life on Coruscant in a new light. Seeing the carnival, the shipyards, and the opera all looked incredible on-screen.
Although this was mostly focused on the Empire’s lasting effects on the galaxy, there were plenty of intriguing moments in Chapter 19. The impressive dogfight and bombing of Kalevala provided us with some great action sequences. Plus, the acceptance of Bo-Katan as a Child of the Watch now sets up some interesting dynamics for The Mandalorian Episode 4.