Review: The Mandalorian Chapter 19 shows the New Republic’s true colors

WARNING: The following contains SPOILERS for The Mandalorian Season 3, Episode 3 – Chapter 19: “The Convert.”

The mythosaur will remain a secret — for now — at least according to Bo-Katan, who has seen the beast and confirms Din saw nothing as he sank to the depths of the living waters (because he’s Din Djarin and this is his brand).

So far this season, The Mandalorian has done a consistently superb job of growing its characters while keeping them true to their origins. Bo-Katan holds less resentment toward her friend, but when it comes to always making sure she has a future advantage tucked away in case she ever needs one, nothing much has changed.

Though not the only tragedy prominent in this episode, the destruction of Bo’s castle at the hands of a faceless enemy really hits where it hurts.

One day we will get to see Bo-Katan Kryze experience joy. She has now lost her home more than once, not to mention her parents, her sister, and apparently every other member of her bloodline (I ask again: Where is Korie? Is he safe? Is he all right?). She deserves a win, and well, she’s not getting any wins in this episode beyond surviving the fight for her life.

Perhaps it’s not a bad thing that we spend most of what remains of the episode on Coruscant, where the New Republic has created a façade of rebirth and progression despite clearly not trusting that the former Imperials it’s trying to reform won’t one day dismantle their entire operation. Maybe they’re not wrong to be worried, it seems.

Dr. Pershing and Elia Kane truly made the episode feel special — we all love the Mandalorian saga of it all, it’s the foundation the larger story is built on after all. But the era in which the show takes place is just as important — and will become even more important when shows like Ahsoka begin building out from where Mando’s story began.

It was essential that the show take an episode to show what’s going on elsewhere in the galaxy. To remind viewers that even though the Empire is supposedly gone, the new governing body trying to propel the galaxy forward may not have the best interests of everyone in mind.

Even in a post-war high, there are people playing dangerous games. It’s no secret (to us) that these games aren’t going to end well for the people currently in power, or the galaxy as a whole for that matter.

Which brings us back to Din and Bo, who have arrived back at The Armorer’s covert. They are so quick to rope Bo into their group. So convinced that having her on their side must be “the way” to ensuring their survival … possibly creating their own advantage later on if there’s ever another conflict between Mandalorians that needs top players to resolve.

All Bo wanted — much like Dr. Pershing — was to do something good. And look where that got her.

Sometimes, all you want to do is save a guy from drowning in a sacred pool but you end up in a cult as a reward. Totally normal, really. Everything is fine.

New episodes of The Mandalorian stream Wednesdays exclusively on Disney+.

Follow Dork Side of the Force for all your Star Wars news, reviews, and more!