This Is The Way

Season 2 of "The Mandalorian" soared even higher than its predecessor, further cementing it as one of Disney's best ventures since taking over the Star Wars brand

Disney's marriage with Star Wars has been a rollercoaster ride akin to something you might find at one of their amusement parks. The franchise has hit its highest highs and lowest lows in terms of global box office receipts under their care. While goodwill towards the franchise virtually capsized with its last two film installments, positive reception for "The Mandalorian" was a constant. As the flagship show for Disney's streaming service, it became exactly what execs likely envisioned when Lucasfilm was acquired in 2012; a hit with critics, an even bigger hit with fans and a merchandising goldmine, courtesy of one cherubic, little, green sidekick. Its initial wave of success may have caught some by surprise, but that wouldn't be a luxury afforded to its second outing. Could the follow-up season match the excellence of the first? The answer is a resounding yes and then some.

In his second round of adventures, the titular protagonist (voiced by Pedro Pascal) continues his quest to deliver The Child to the Jedi, if there are any still in existence. As was the case in the first season, his trek leads him across the galaxy, encountering an assortment of allies and adversaries alike. Familiar guest stars like Amy Sedaris, Carl Weathers and Gina Carano return from last season and a few new faces pop up to provide some pleasant surprises. Likewise, familiar names from last season return to direct (Bryce Dallas Howard, Rick Famuyiwa and creator Jon Favreau) and a few unexpected creatives take turns behind the camera as well.

"The Mandalorian" continues its delicate high-wire act of drawing new eyes to the product and satisfying one of the most ardent fanbases in the world. With Disney seemingly sparing no expense (Season 1's budget was estimated between $100-120 million or roughly $12.5-15 million per episode), it further pushed the envelop in terms of the scope and scale possible for event television. The space western series also strengthened its connectivity with other Star Wars material, mainly "The Clone Wars" and "Rebels" animated programs. The first season operated more in a standalone capacity, but part of the show's brilliance has been its ability to seamlessly interweave pieces of the franchise's comprehensive mythology into its ever-evolving narrative. This season's cache of directors delivered and exceeded expectations, with the only blemish being a couple of the episodes (while still entertaining) were nothing more than filler. An effective mix of storytelling, nostalgia, cutting-edge visual effects and a masterfully crafted score by Ludwig Göransson, the sophomore season of Star Wars's first live-action series is a triumph worthy of its hype and critical acclaim. A