Weekend Watch: The Mandalorian Season 2 And Somebody Feed Phil

Space drama and fun food

Image credit: Disney Plus

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, Mando returns and Phil Rosenthal is still peckish.

The Mandalorian was a huge critical, audience and pop cultural hit when it arrived on Disney+ last year, probably the reason many people chose to subscribe to the service and a huge boost to the streaming service’s early days. Creators Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni melded Star Wars mythology (both new and old), Western stylings, and Samurai warrior tales into something that is both fresh and faithful at the same time. Oh, and it also launched enough memes about a certain little green creature to fill two Death Stars.

With all that in mind, there were a lot of eyes – and even more pressure – on Favreau, Filoni and the team to deliver in Season 2. Could they keep the momentum up, show that the series continued to improve (the first run of episodes marked a show that started decently, and got even better as it went along) and add extra layers? The answer is a resounding yes. Though the basic plot of this initial offering saw Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) once again offering to help out a community while side-tracked from his main mission of looking for the home planet of his small companion, a theme the show has tackled before, there was more than enough here to make it work. Especially if you’re a fan of the series weaving in iconic Star Wars elements.

Add to that, some spectacular effects (Dune called, though, and would like its sandworm back, even if it is a giant callback to the Krayt Dragon skeleton seen on Tatooine in the 1977 original film) and a Deadwood reunion for Timothy Olyphant (as Mos Pelgo Marshal Cobb Vanth) and W. Earl Brown (as a Weequay bartender), with all the Tusken Raider and Bantha action you might have asked for. The instalment might have been light on the Child, AKA Baby Yoda, but he got a couple of typically sweet moments to shine. Plus – spoiler alert for those who have yet to see the episode – not only was Cobb Vanth sporting Boba Fett’s Mandalorian armour he’d bought from some Jawas), but Fett himself, played here by the Prequels’ Jango Fett, Temuera Morrison, appeared at the end, looking older, more haggard and certainly like someone who barely survived an encounter with a Sarlacc.

There were new aliens to meet (John Leguizamo’s gambling Gor Koresh, who was in the midst of a fighting arena that gave off serious Jabba’s palace vibes via the Twi’lek door guardian and the Gamorreans doing battle in the ring), and some hearty set pieces, plus the welcome return of Amy Sedaris as Peli Motto). The episode layered in hints that the show is about to expand its borders yet again, while hopefully not losing its grip on what works.

Image credit: Netflix

While the Mandalorian marked a welcome return of excitement and space drama, I was happy to see more of Phil Rosenthal’s Somebody Feed Phil arrive on Netflix this weekend. In a time when so much seems bleak, frustrating and frightening, the series is like a warm hug from an old friend. And we could all use a hug right now.

As with previous seasons, the show finds Rosenthal venturing to different cities, states and countries to discover delightful, delicious and occasional dangerous foods from both fancy restaurants and street vendors. Rosenthal is an engaging and engaged host, fascinated by the people and cuisine he encounters and always ready with a quip. Wide-eyed when enjoying something, he’s also not afraid to show his emotions, dispensing kind words and actual hugs. He’s almost always enthusiastic, except for the occasional moments where he’s scared (see his first zipline experience) or on the ocean, which doesn’t seem like his natural environment.

This time around, he visits San Francisco (and experiences his first-ever case of food poisoning on the series), Hawaii, the Mississippi Delta, Singapore and Rio de Janeiro, sampling such items as croissants, doughnuts, fried lobster and chicken, shave ice, Peranakan food and Feijoada. And, of course, there are the sweet, funny moments with his wife and father, who he chats to over video calls, his dad offering a joke per episode and updating Phil on his day.

If there are any downsides, it’s that you’re almost always salivating while watching the show (have snacks ready) and that now I’m concerned that Phil won’t be back for a while because of the current world situation. Would it even be safe to travel, be in close contact with people and share a meal? No decision has been made about a fifth season, but I’m keeping my fingers and toes crossed.

Somebody Feed Phil Seasons 1-4 are available on Netflix.