Weekend Watch: The Mandalorian Season 3, Perry Mason Season 2
The return of the Bounty Hunter and the legal eagle
Image Credit: Disney+
Welcome to the latest edition of Weekend Watch, in which I recommend (or occasionally warn against) movies or TV shows I’ve been checking out. This week, Din Djarin is back in space and Perry Mason is going to court. Follow James on Twitter: @jamwhite
The Mandalorian, back when it launched in 2019, was the epitome of blending that old-school Star Wars style with new voices and fresh approaches. It was fun, it was dramatic, it was full of adventure and action.
Three seasons in, and there remains a lot to recommend, but I have started to notice some issues creeping in. Let’s start with the positive, shall we –– the central dynamic between Mando (Pedro Pascal, or at least his voice, with body doubles primarily in the suit) and Grogu the little green charmer continues to be one of the most fulfilling on TV. The show is technically still a marvel, pulling off movie-level visuals on a budget (admittedly bigger than many other series) for the small screen. And, though composer Ludwig Göransson has largely handed over musical duties to Joseph Shirley, the soundtrack remains a big highlight of the series.
On the story front, there’s just the creeping worry about being spread too thin, about the move towards such linked stories that even some snippets of The Book Of Boba Fett (which was nowhere near as satisfying as Mando’s adventures) can’t balance the fact that major plot turns were featured in Boba Fett, such as the big reunion between our hero and ahis tiny green charge, and are treated as already in place, which could leave some viewers lost. I’m as guilty as anyone in encouraging this behaviour in franchise creators; I watch all the Marvel movies and shows and (most of) the Star Wars output, so technically I’m part of the problem.
Also, though, the mission-based nature of the show, particularly in these episodes, has started to feel less like a thrilling throwback and more like watching someone complete video game quests Here, Mando needs a thing so a certain droid (who at least gets a fun reunion scene) can accompany him on his mission. There’s plenty of flying to planet A to find object B. His main motivation, looking to cleanse himself of the “sin” –– in his creed’s eyes at least –– of having removed his helmet, at least offers a little extra depth (and that’s taken literally in the second episode, about which I will say nothing more).
There are still pleasures to be found, such as a nostalgic battle against space pirates in an asteroid field and plenty of impish Grogu behaviour. So, welcome back The Mandalorian, even if your charms are a little tarnished, like your armour.
The first episode of The Mandalorian Season 3 is on Disney+ in the US and UK now. New episodes will arrive weekly on Wednesdays.
Image Credit: HBO Max
The first season of HBO Max’s new version of Perry Mason was caught in a peculiar dilemma. It aimed to be a different take on the character that audiences were used to seeing –– the Raymond Burr series about the genius lawyer who effectively tricks criminals into confessing while on the stand, usually as witnesses –– and focused more on Mason’s early days as a scruffy, down-on-his-luck private eye.
Though it was compelling and watchable, that first run felt like it was itching to become something else, which under new showrunners Jack Amiel and Michael Begler, it has evolved into. Mason still haunts bars and digs around places he probably shouldn’t, but he’s also showing off more of his legal skills.
Other elements that worked about Mason are still present and correct: the period settings are suitably grubby when called for and luxurious otherwise and it’s still firmly anchored by Matthew Rhys as the title character, Juliet Rylance as wannabe fellow legal eagle Della Street and Chris Chalk as cop-turned-investigator Paul Drake.
This time around the main duo is focusing on corporate law for ambitious grocery tycoon Sunny Gryce (Sean Astin) when they’re asked for help with the case of two Mexican-American men (Peter Mendoza’s Mateo Gallardo and Fabrizio Guido’s Rafael Gallardo) who are accused of murdering rich scion Brooks McCutcheon (Tommy Dewey). As per usual, the case is far from straightforward, as McCutcheon was wrapped up in all manner of dodgy dealings, hinting at a wider conspiracy spreading through Los Angeles.
It’s still gloomy and moody, and slow-burning but this second iteration of the new Mason is a leap ahead that makes it even more worth checking out.
Perry Mason Season 2 starts on HBO Max on Sunday. New episodes will arrive weekly.