WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Star Wars: The Mandalorian, "Chapter 14: The Tragedy," streaming now on Disney+.

When the run time of The Mandalorian's latest episode leaked earlier this week -- a scant 33 and a half minutes, including leisurely end credits -- it was viewed in some corners as indication of filler, detour on the tourney of Din Djarin and Grogu to Tython. However, what the Disney+ series delivers instead is an emotional roller-coaster marked by the return of Boba Fett and Fennec Shand, the destruction of the Razor Crest, and ... the loss of Grogu. Viewers should have taken the episode title to heart.

Note we said "loss," and not "death"; Disney isn't about to kill its green-skinned golden goose (although it isn't above Baby Yoda wading into a genocide debate).

Directed by Robert Rodriguez from a script by Jon Favreau, "The Tragedy" brings proud papa Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu (we'll never get used to that name) to Tython and its Seeing Stone where, as Ahsoka Tano instructed, the little tyke could broadcast a message to any Jedi in the galaxy paying attention. Naturally, that's easier said than done.

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On The Mandalorian, Tython resembles any number of vaguely Southern California planets from Star Trek: The Original Series, and the Seeing Stone a hilltop site from The Lord of the Rings or The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. What unfolds there isn't as bad as you might expect -- it's worse. (It is "The Tragedy," all.)

The Seeing Stone on The Mandalorian

The jury is still out on whether any Jedi saw the message Grogu broadcast across the galaxy, but we know that Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) was apparently keeping an eye on Tython, while Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison) was presumably tracking the Razor Crest, with a very-much-alive Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen) sworn to his service.

Unfortunately, the joy of, first, seeing the iconic Slave I in flight again and, then, witnessing Morrison's Boba Fett in action, is short-lived.

After initial frustration in attempting to activate the Seeing Stone, Grogu becomes a living beacon, falling into a trance-like state as he's enveloped by a force field that repels Mando time and again. Thus, the Dadalorian is effectively shackled to the vicinity of the hilltop shrine, first in his initial standoff with Boba and Fennec, and then in their united confrontation with wave after wave of Gideon's stormtroopers.

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The remnant Imperial forces play their traditional roles as cannon fodder, for Fennec's sniper rifle, Boba's Tusken Raider-style fighting, Mando's arsenal and, then, Boba again, this time in full armor. However, just as it seems Mando and his newfound allies have carried the day -- Boba even shoots down two troop carries -- Gideon activates what we may presume was his real plan: the Dark Troopers, confirmed as flying battle droids (and not some kind of Force-fueled super-soldiers).

Moff Gideon in The Mandalorian: The Tragedy

The "Tragedy" of the episode's title, it turns out, is two-fold: Launched from Gideon's Arquitens-class Command Cruiser, the Dark Troopers rocket to Tython's surface and seize Grogu, who, conveniently, had completed his Jedi Radio broadcast, leaving him without the protection of the force field. Then, as the Child is carried through the sky by his abductors, the Command Cruiser adds insult to injury by firing upon the Razor Crest, leaving only charred ground, the beskar spear and Baby Yoda's favorite gear ball in the aftermath.

It's a double blow, to Din Djarin, and to the audience. There's little doubt that Mando, with Boba Fett and Fennec Shand now also pledged to protect the Child, will hatch a plan over the remaining two episodes of the season to confront Gideon and free Grogu. Heck, he's already started by paying a visit to New Republic Marshal Cara Dune (Gina Carano) in hopes of locating -- and freeing -- odious ex-Imperial sharpshooter Mayfeld (Bill Burr). But until he does, Baby Yoda fans will be on pins and needles.

Created by Jon Favreau, The Mandalorian stars Pedro Pascal, with guest stars Gina Carano, Carl Weathers and Giancarlo Esposito. Directors for the new season include Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Bryce Dallas Howard, Rick Famuyiwa, Carl Weathers, Peyton Reed and Robert Rodriguez.

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