The Mandalorian season 1 episode 7 review: A proposition
When Greef Karga calls Mando with a “proposition,” fans know immediately that this week’s episode of The Mandalorian is about to bring suspense and action.
Last week’s episode of The Mandalorian was another episodic installment that saw Mando attempting to keep himself and Baby Yoda alive in spite of the obstacles thrown at them. But this week’s episode brings the series back to its main storyline — that of Baby Yoda and Greef Karga’s mysterious client — and it brings back most of the show’s major characters in the process. “Chapter 7” opens with Mando receiving a message from Greef Karga, who presents him with a proposition. He tells Mando that Imperial forces have taken over his city and that it’s impeding the workings of the Guild. He then suggests they team up to destroy the client and his men — ensuring both Mando and Baby Yoda’s safety and allowing the Guild to function freely once more.
Sensing a trap, Mando recruits his own help for the mission, enlisting Cara Dune and Kuiil, two characters that we definitely didn’t see enough of earlier in the season. The three formulate a plan that involves Cara having Mando’s back while Kuiil prioritizes protecting Baby Yoda. Their time together also reveals that Kuiil saved and reprogrammed bounty droid IG-11, much to Mando’s chagrin. It also shows a new side to Baby Yoda’s powers — yes, he totally did Force choke someone — meaning that the child may not be as helpless as Mando assumes.
The group’s rendezvous with Greef Karga is reminiscent of a classic Western, and it serves its purpose in building the episode’s suspense. As they plot against the Imperial forces, Mando and his comrades become increasingly suspicious of Greef Karga and his companions. And it seems the plan was to betray them — at least until Baby Yoda uses his Force powers to heal Greef Karga’s nearly fatal injury. The Guild leader fesses up after that, killing his own guards and finally being honest with Mando and the others about what they’re facing.
Unfortunately, though, Greef Karga truly has no concept of what they’re up against. When they meet with the client, there are far more Stormtroopers than any of them anticipated. Their plan to keep Baby Yoda hidden — which is a terrible plan by the way (he’s sleeping, really?) — immediately goes awry, and that’s before an attack from outside wipes out almost everyone in the client’s quarters. That attack comes from Giancarlo Esposito’s character, who appears to be the true villain of the season, and who certainly knows how to make an entrance.
Esposito announces that they have something he wants, all the while knowing that Baby Yoda isn’t actually with them. After interfering with Mando’s communications with Kuiil, he sends two Stormtroopers to intercept Kuiil before he gets to the ship — and they succeed, meaning the Imperial forces have Baby Yoda. The episode ends with Kuiil’s fate up in the air, Baby Yoda in the wrong hands, and Mando, Greef, and Cara with their backs against a wall. Talk about a cliffhanger.
The action seems to be amping up as the final episodes of the season arrive, and honestly, it’s about time. With new information about Yoda’s powers and clear ties to the rise of Imperial power after the revolution, The Mandalorian is raising the stakes and securing its place in the Star Wars universe. This episode is easily the best of the season, and with our characters in increasing danger, they’ll only get better from here.
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