MovieChat Forums > The Mandalorian (2019) Discussion > Bad writing, poor character choices

Bad writing, poor character choices

posted 4 years ago by DeeAbees (20)
25 replies | jump to latest

Why didn’t they just kill the dragon with the bait and detonator in the first place?

Why is Mando sometimes a cold blooded killer, and other times a Good Samaritan?

Why do they write episodes that completely leave out the big picture? literally 0 progression this episode

Why are the fight scenes so badly choreographed? And why are 70% of the extras so terrible?

So many problems with this episode for me, mostly being how the characters think and make choices. I don’t understand how this gets praised so much while the force awakens for example gets so much hate. Thanks for reading

[–] DracTarashV2 (4493) 4 years ago

I don’t understand how this gets praised so much while the force awakens for example gets so much hate.

It’s simple — many/the majority don’t see this series as a failure like you and other naysayers do. These criticisms you have? Most feel the exact opposite - and rightfully so. So needless to say, all this is, like, your opinion, man.

I love The Force Awakens btw (a film that did have its detractors since day one but in reality it was generally well-liked until a certain sequel made it kool to dislike it). But this show - a much fresher, badass and absolutely better crafted Star Wars story - is indeed superior. No? Ok b, well keep hate watching like all the real kool ones do.

[–] DeeAbees (20) 4 years ago

I’m a big force awakens fan as well, although I really do not like the other two films.

I could see how opinion is a big part of it for sure..but wouldn’t you concede that the plan to kill the dragon this episode was ludicrous?

Btw I do enjoy aspects of the show, I thought the very first episode was fantastic. I just feel that they don’t always use good writing to further plot points, and some episodes feel like this feel like filler to me. For example episodes 4-6 season one were a complete deviation from the story and honestly quite bad..second rate acting and writing.

[–] kukuxu (5409) 4 years ago

Force Awakens has many bad writing problems too. They're not that obvious, though.

JJ Abrams uses a technique which is called "mystery box" (not kidding, this is how he calls it). You create a lot of possible plots and possible mysteries and throw them in the story.

And that works very well: it feels like an open world. The problem appears when you have to continue that story.

Story development must be carefully thought, it's not easy. While that technique makes the first act look great, it makes extremely difficult to create a good story after it. That's why Abrams uses to launch some franchise and leave after a couple of movies/seasons. He's not stupid. In Star Wars he had to go back in the third movie and (as expected) it was a shitty one.

But the seeds of how shitty was the whole trilogy were planted in the Force Awakens.

[–] footlegger (1462) 3 years ago

I knew it will be shit just after they announced Jar Jar Abrams as a director for the first sequel. I actually hoped Rian Johnson will fix it in the second, but he actually ruined any hope for the third one, which made it obvious that it will inevitably be a turd.

[–] TheArgentinian (7072) 4 years ago

>Why do they write episodes that completely leave out the big picture? literally 0 progression this episode

Just in case you haven't realized it by now, this series is a procedural. Do you know what that is?

[–] Bateman (600) 4 years ago

Agreed. Honestly, I checked out around halfway through the first season.

I mean, so apparently the Mandalorians are a bunch of Boba Fett cosplayers who never remove their helmets, not even around one another? Yeah, no, sorry. I get that part of what made Fett cool was the fact that we never saw his face, but that's just not how human beings work.

[–] DeeAbees (20) 4 years ago

Here’s hoping the Kenobi series does it right.

[–] tonganprince (602) 4 years ago

Agreed on the dragon. I immediately thought... Why don't they just let him eat it.

Ah well. Still great.

I am not a overly huge Boba fan, never understood the fascination, but I am gld he's back.

[–] DeeAbees (20) 4 years ago

And when Mando and the Marshall say “ I don’t think it’s dead” but then proceed to just wait until it takes out a bunch of sand folks...

[–] RogueDemonHunter (2684) 4 years ago

I want to know how the Marshall was able to reload his jet pack rocket. Those rockets must be pretty hard to get a hold of if you're not a Mando. It's one thing coming across the armour but tracking down the missile? Which is launched in such awkward fashion I might add. Excuse me whilst I awkwardly bow forward a bit and make sure I don't take my head off. It should just launch vertically and then just correct with secondary boosters like a P-800 Oniks missile. That would be way cooler and allow for 360 degree target engagement.

[–] DeeAbees (20) 4 years ago

Yes! That too. And I am pretty sure boba fired his rocket before being sarlaac’d so the fact that he even had one to begin with. Decent show but they miss a LOT of minor details.

[–] RogueDemonHunter (2684) 4 years ago

Yup. He used it right after he got it, on the fleeing miners.

[–] DeeRagon (45) 4 years ago

The awkward launch was an Easter egg for older fans; it's a reference to the unreleased Kenner rocket-firing Boba Fett action figure. The bowing forward was meant to resemble the straight-legged figures that didn't have knee articulation, so that it was obvious they were referencing the toy: https://www.bobafettfanclub.com/bounty/toys/anh/anh_rocket/

[–] Filmtenk2 (4045) 4 years ago

This show is a gift. Idk what kind of rose colored glasses you usually view your tv with but please wear them next time.
1 The dragon was too smart to fall for a simple bait trap
2 he has a code. The boss in the begining admitted to liking other Mandos. He had to go. Marshal and his people needed help.
3 you're right in the sense that we don't know what's next for Mando and his quest but it doesn't bother me bc the episode we got was so stand-alone great. Besides, maybe Bobba's armor, that dragon egg thing, and enlisting a new ally in the marshal will come into play later
4 if you're referring to the fight scene in the opening with the 2 green pigs (forget their race name) I can forgive that, must be difficult to spar in those suits.
5 do you have anything good to say about it? Maybe add that next time so you don't come off like pissing on our parade.

[–] DeeAbees (20) 4 years ago

1. No it wasn’t, they literally baited it 3 times that episode and it didn’t learn, so not sure what you’re referring to.

2. Fair, I’ll give you that. Although I think they could tighten up the clarity of his “code”.

3. I see that I am the minority in wanting a solid progression every episode but what can you do.

4. Not that scene, but the one where Mando takes out those thugs right after, they all literally took turns being shit stomped by him the hand to hand choreographing is pretty laughable imo.

5. Great music, awesome western tone, loved seeing boba’s armour, narrative was pretty smooth this episode I thought, as well as top notch production. Doesn’t mean I can’t still have issues with it. I am a huge Star Wars fan, but I also like to see smart characters and a semblance of realism in my sci-fi.

Cheers

[–] Filmtenk2 (4045) 4 years ago

One fan to another, cheers to you too Sir.

[–] TandyMan (11097) 4 years ago

Show's all over the place tonally. First it seems like a goofy kid show, next thing you know we're just straight murdering fools. I also felt the new episode was just a rehash of themes already explored in the first season. Enjoyable to watch regardless.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

Because it is a good story. People don't want Save the Universe, or Save Middle Earth. They want little micro quests and good stories.