So I finally caught up in Disney+

4 Jul

Last year some time a lovely pal gave me access to their Disney+ account and I started watching the Marvel shows. But as happens… life happened and I only got through 1 and a little more before I returned to my binges of The Simpsons and Family Guy, etc. Bless that friend for the opportunity but I needed a real kick in the pants to actually sit down and watch things. Which happened recently as I got my own account and eventually shared with my family.

So I wanted to take a few minutes to jot down my thoughts and reactions to some of the shows. Basically everything is at least 6 months (minus Obi-Wan Kenobi) old, so expect there to be spoilers within. Also, this is going to be fairly random- stream of consciousness reactions here.

I started with the Marvel shows originally but when I sat down this more recent time, I wanted to do the Star Wars shows because I knew Obi-Wan was due to be released soon.

First off… The Mandalorian was brilliant. I stopped reading books etc 20 years ago and then when Lucas sold everything and said everything not in the movies was not cannon, I got irritated. So my knowledge of the the Mandalorian mythos was non-existent. I also didn’t have cable during grad school, so I was super behind on the animated shows. So I thought that Mandalorian was a) a nice way to learn mythos and b) an opportunity to meet characters and get interested in the worlds again.

One thing I especially loved was the dialogue. I am sure that there are people out there who specifically hated the show because it was casual, and let stormtroopers be snarky, but that was something that made it fun to watch. Those throwaway lines were always some of the best moments in the films, so giving a little more humanity and humor to characters in a TV show was smart, in my opinion.

Speaking of humanity… taking a character that is so honor and rule bound that he doesn’t even take his helmet off (a point of contention for the actor, I hear) and making him care for a muppet, was perfect. Especially because Grogu was so well done. Was Frank Oz in charge of him again? I never looked. But I remember seeing pics of the character when the series originally premiered and thinking it was cute. I was not prepared for how much I would want to take care of it! So it was good to see that the characters were also in the same boat.

I knew about the controversy with Gina Carano before I watched the show, which tainted my view of the character of Cara Dune before I watched anything. However, I did end up liking the character- though the acting was not as good as others in the cast. I enjoyed all of the cameos and “celebs” who appeared in different ways. It said to me that they were fans of Star Wars and wanted the opportunity to play in that world. Something I would love as well, so I respect that.

The action and effects were well done and overall, I liked the storylines a lot. I hope to see many characters in season 3 plus. Or even getting their own opportunity to shine.

Next up, for obvious reasons, was The Book of Boba Fett. Years ago, I had a lovely encounter with Daniel Logan (who played Boba in the prequel series) and that has forever colored my view of the character. When I finished watching and gave access to my family, my mother asked something along the lines of ‘but how can he have a show, he died in the Sarlacc pit?’ I had to tell her it was all explained, but she still doesn’t believe me. I liked how it was explained, by the way; especially because I had just finished The Mandalorian and they had explained/demonstrated the strength of the Beskar steel quite well. So, yeah, in my head I can accept his survival. And the flashback bits related to it. I did see a lack of the angry child he was, though. Not sure that little clone boy holding his fathers helmet/head would’ve been so willing to help others and ‘do the right thing’ as this adult Boba. But heck, he himself reported he wasn’t a true Mandalorian, so the rules didn’t apply to him, so maybe the rulebook Boba plays by is quite different from my own.

Ming Na is a favorite actress of mine since The Joy Luck Club, so seeing her back in a genre role again was a delight. Especially as one so buttkicky. Do not mess with her. (Gotta remind you in case you forgot after Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ended) I did like that her priorities did not change from her original introduction in Mandalorian and that though she had a humanish side, kicking ass and money remained at the top of her list.

I understand there is no season 2 in the plans and that is sad because there are several interesting characters that were presented in the series and I would like to see more of them. Also, I am very intrigued by the body mod thing… I cannot recall seeing much of this sort of thing in other presentations so… why? What’s the backstory with this? Why is it black market? Inquiring minds need to know. Hopefully these characters will make an appearance somewhere else.

Last of the Star Wars viewing (so far) (I am watching the animated series but I am slow) was Obi-Wan Kenobi. I watched the first two eps when they premiered but I don’t like waiting for new eps of things, so I waited until the series had finished before watching the other 4.

First of all, I want to say how nice it was that people came back. Not just Ewan and Hayden, but the actors who played Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru in the prequels. Other people too. It was nice. Better than having to get comfortable with someone new (even though since it’s been 20 years, if that’s what we had to do, we’d have done it, right?). Secondly, OMG how much does the little Leia actress know about Carrie? Because she did such a good job of capturing the bossy adventurer who gets the job done that we all love and miss dearly. There was a piece of me that was waiting for her to pull a handful of glitter from her pocket and throw it on people! (If you know, you know)

Third Sisters’ goal was obvious once I knew that they were former Jedi’s turned. But that’s fine. She did a great job, but wasn’t what I tuned in for. And I got what I wanted- the face off between Vader and Obi-Wan. As well as the equally important Anakin and Obi-Wan face off(s). Helped to tie up things that were lacking in the prequels. And damn, Obi, you gotta give up the guilt- he legit told you that he killed Anakin. Which really helps the later films because the prequel leaves it with Obi having been a major reason Anakin was gone and Vader existed (well, Obi and Anakin’s own failures as a man, husband, jedi, and future father- dude should’ve done major time for the domestic violence he did to destroy Padme from the vibrant strong woman she was to the wilting flower she became). Anyways, the short statement is that I liked that the series closed some gaps in the story but also that it didn’t allow Obi-Wan to remain the grumpy dick of the first episode. Because that is not the kind hearted old man that helps Luke rescue Leia in the Episode IV: A New . Also, I feel like he was back to being more of the light hearted Obi from the early prequels and I can see how/why he’d let Luke point a lightsaber directly into his face (with a cheeky look on his face!)

Also, I feel like Hayden got to make peace with his time as Anakin. Dude took a lot of flack back in the day for the role but I feel like in getting to step into the boots and cape, and also wrap some of those gaps I already mentioned, the haters have calmed down. At least I hope so. I think he was great (then and now).

I think that’s enough rambling from me today. Though I will be back with my take on the Marvel series.