The darker side of the New Republic is revealed in the latest episode of Star Wars: The Mandalorian Season 3, ‘The Convert.’
This week’s episode of Star Wars: The Mandalorian Season 3 is a game of two halves, with ‘The Convert’ splitting the focus between Din Djarin’s ongoing quest for redemption and viewers catching up with former Imperial scientist, Dr. Pershing. (Spoilers ahead)
After Bo-Katan Kryze’s rescue of Din Djarin from the Living Waters last week, the two Mandalorian’s (plus Grogu) leave the ravaged planet, returning to Kalevala. Emerging from hyperspace, they’re suddenly attacked by a squadron of TIE Interceptors, resulting in a tense and fast-paced dogfight over the surface of the world.
Quickly exiting Bo’s ship, The Mandalorian reaches his N-1 Starfighter and the two warriors make short work of the Imperial forces. However, the fighters were merely a distraction while TIE Bombers laid waste to Bo-Katan’s castle home. Devastated by the assault, she attempts to purse her attackers, only to encounter a much larger group of TIE Interceptors, forcing them to retreat from the planet.
The story now shifts to Coruscant, where we catch up with an apologetic Dr. Pershing who is offering up his scientific abilities to the fledgling New Republic after successfully completing their Amnesty Program for former Imperials. Returning home, he catches up with a group of similar ex-Imperials, one of whom is Elia Kane, most recently seen onboard Moff Gideon’s ship in Season 2.
Kane convinces Pershing that he should continue his work in the field of cloning and to do that the doctor will need certain supplies. Travelling to a scrapyard for Imperial ships, the pair break into a decommissioned Star Destroyer to find what they’re looking for, only for the whole exercise to be revealed to be a sting operation organised by Kane to test Pershing’s loyalty to the New Republic.
Take for rehabilitation, the doctor is convinced he is being hooked up to a mind flayer, despite being told it will just be a gentle procedure to help him. The use of the machine by the New Republic on former Imperials is a worrying concept for a government keen to erase the crimes of the Empire’s past and one that could have serious complications further down the line…
What turns out to be the longest episode of Season 3 then pivots back to Din Djarin, Bo-Katan and Grogu, as they reach the Mandalorian covert seen in Episode 1. Meeting once again with the Armorer, Din is confirmed to have been redeemed at last and allowed to rejoin the clan, as is a surprised Bo-Katan Kryze.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian Season 3 is available to stream on Disney+ right now, with new episodes dropping each Wednesday.
Images: Slashfilm
