The following contains spoilers for The Mandalorian Season 3, Episode 2, "Chapter 18: The Mines of Mandalore," streaming now on Disney+.
Star Wars fans are fickle, and it can be difficult to determine what they will like and what they will disdain. Now some fans are saying that The Mandalorian is moving too slowly, even though there have only been two episodes of the newest season. This isn't the case at all though. The Mandalorian has had the same pace from its first episode until its most recent, if anything Season 3 is moving a little faster. The real problem is that fans are becoming extremely impatient.
The Mandalorian has always taken a more measured approach to storytelling. It has put the focus on world-building just as much as on telling a personal story about Din Djarin and Grogu's journey. Each time a new episode comes out, the Star Wars universe gets bigger and better. Yet, some audience members can't see that. They aren't looking to experience a series as much as they want a slideshow of plot points and cameos. This mentality is okay; everyone enjoys entertainment in different ways, but it doesn't mean that a show has poor pacing.
The Mandalorian Creates a Rich Galaxy for Its Plot
Star Wars is the incredible and immersive galaxy it is because of the small details, aka the "filler." Without movies, TV shows and books taking the time to explain the inner workings of a starfighter or showing an array of aliens and creatures, the galaxy would feel small and hollow. Without The Mandalorian taking its time, fans would have never seen the Tusken Raiders or the people of Freetown take down a Kryat Dragon. These are incredible moments that contribute little to the plot, but The Mandalorian wouldn't be the same without them.
The audience's impatience can be a big issue. Some people are willing to wait and see how the plot unfolds or just simply appreciate the tiny moments. This may stem from people becoming used to the binging model of streaming that was more common before Disney+ began doing weekly releases. Yet, TV shows are a communal experience, especially in the age of the Internet. People can get together online and express their love for the small quirks and weird aliens from the most recent episode. Being impatient and just wanting to rush the plot can lead to missing out on a deeper appreciation of the series.
The Mandalorian Season 3 Is Moving Fast, Yet Still Not Fast Enough for Some
The most confusing point about the pacing complaints is that it seems that Season 3 is moving faster than any of the previous seasons. Season 1 took its sweet time before it revealed where the story was headed, with Din and Grogu simply traveling the galaxy. Season 2 did much of the same. In just two episodes, Season 3 has already seen Din visit Greef Karga on Nevarro and Peli Motto on Tatooine, check in with Bo-Katan on Kalevala and cleanse himself of his "sins" in the Living Waters on Mandalore. And it has revealed a Mythosaur to Bo-Katan! Many people expected some of this to take the full season, but the series has much bigger plans on the horizon. The pace isn't slow, but people are eager to know what comes next.
Streaming has made audience members impatient with instant access to many shows and movies. The Mandalorian takes its time to explore the galaxy and show people something new. Even if not everything moves the plot forward, the journey and seeing the weird and wonderful side of Star Wars is a great time and should be cherished, not zoomed past.
Stream new episodes of The Mandalorian on Wednesdays on Disney+.