The Mandalorian S3 Episode 3, “The Convert” expands Dr. Pershing’s life after being captured, how the New Republic deals with war criminals, and the dangers of letting people with “former “Imperial allegiances be too close to important information.
Recap of the story so far
Din Djarin and Grogu visited Mandalore but they encountered something that captured Din. Grogu went back to Bo-Katan and she immediately came to rescue her ally.
Despite being so close to death, Djarin refuses to leave Mandalore until he fulfills his goal. Bo-Katan guides him to the mines, as she visited them once when performing a ceremony during her childhood.
Once there, Din Djarin bathes in the Living Waters but is pulled towards the bottom. Bo-Katan rushes to save him and when they’re on the way to the surface a live Mythosaur, a creature as old and legendary as the Mandalorian culture.
This review contains spoilers.
Bo-Katan and Din Djarin: A powerful duo
Bo-Katan Kryze is one of the most important Mandalorians during the Clone Wars and post-Galactic Empire eras. She was part of the Death Watch, a splinter cell that openly defied the government of her pacificist sister, Duchess Satine Kryze.
After the Empire took over, many Mandalorian clans rallied under Bo-Katan’s leadership to fight against this new tyrant. Eventually, the Empire bombed Mandalore and sent its people into hiding.
Din Djarin never knew any of this, he has always been part of the Children of the Watch. A group of Mandalorians considered zealots by many, including Bo-Katan. Despite their different origins and ideas about what makes someone a Mandalorian; faith, destiny, the Force, or however you wanna name it has brought them together.
At first, they helped each other due to mutual interests but now it has become something more than that. Their relationship is evolving and while I do not believe it is in a romantic way as many think, it’s obvious that it’s becoming something deeper.
Visiting Mandalore, bathing in the Living Waters, and fighting together against the Imperial remnants would make any relationship stronger and more meaningful. She might have kept the Mythosaur a secret but I don’t blame her for doing so. With no witnesses, it’s fair to think that no one would believe her.
Now that Bo-Katan’s home in Kalevala has been destroyed by TIE Bombers there aren’t many places to go. Whether she likes it or not, her future is directly tied to Din Djarin’s. Personally, I couldn’t think of a better ally for Din Djarin and Grogu.
The only thing that intrigues me is who sent the TIE Interceptors and Bombers. If an Imperial Warlord doesn’t have a fleet of such size then it has to be someone way more important. Perhaps… a Grand Admiral?
Reformed: Dr. Penn Pershing’s new beginning
The New Republic has something called “The Amnesty Program”. This program gives a new opportunity for former Imperial employees. Dr. Penn Pershing is among the many people that have been accepted into this new program. From Stormtroopers to Officers to Scientists, there’s room for everyone.
Pershing seems genuinely grateful for this new chance. I wasn’t too convinced at first but then I remember that it was he who kept Grogu alive when other Imperials wanted him terminated.
The former Imperial scientist gives a speech about how his research was twisted and that his intentions were good ones, an excuse as old as war. Some of the most destructive inventions done in both Star Wars and “real life” are the result of brilliant minds that had good intentions.
The Doctor understands that due to the nature of his previous work, it’s impossible for the New Republic to allow him to continue the research. Instead, he’s given a standard “office job”, Pershing is obviously overqualified for it but he doesn’t mind it and is happy to be of service. Or is he?
New Republic, old ways
On paper, the Amnesty Program sounds like something great. It’s no secret that the Empire used any means necessary to make individuals do their will, this included joining the Imperial ranks. After it was destroyed many people finally found freedom, but re-integrating people that have inflicted so much pain on trillions of people is easier said than done.
Obviously, not everyone in the Empire made the same atrocities, but if you’d ask the people of Lothal or Ferrix I’m sure that the vast majority would label everyone in the Empire as criminals. Being a victim doesn’t exclude anyone from also being a perpetrator, and the Empire’s list of crimes is all but short.
What is strange is the approach that the New Republic has with the accepted members of this program. Everyone has a designated number, the use of a distinctive uniform is mandatory, they can’t go to other areas of the city and there’s a droid that asks useless questions about how’s their stay.
If you ask me, I’d say they are prisoners. Of course, it’s nothing compared to the Kessel spice mines or the underwater prison on Narkina 5. But I get it, not everyone in the Empire was there against their will, many people were incredibly loyal to Palpatine so I don’t blame the New Republic for doing this.
At the same time, why would you give former Imperials access to information about anything related to Imperial technology and assets? Maybe they think that “help create something new over the ashes of tyranny” should be something more than just a metaphor. To be clear, this isn’t a slogan or phrase mentioned in the series, I’m just assuming.
Just like Dr. Pershing’s work, the New Republic’s intentions might be good but there are already many things that look odd. Maybe there’s something that I’m not seeing.
Long live the Empire
It’s almost funny to see how such a smart man like Pershing is still so naive after everything he’s been through. He never even considered the possibility that Elia Kane was into something else.
We’ve seen how abnormally loyal Moff Gideon’s men are, Pershing keeps touching his ear but apparently forgot how he got that scar when an Imperial pilot was willing to die rather than hand him over.
Kane didn’t even try to be subtle about it, she immediately throws the research theme into the conversation. It doesn’t take much to convince him and after just a few nights they start planning the heist.
He perfectly well knows what could happen if his research falls into the wrong hands (again) and even with this knowledge he continues with the plan. Deep inside him, Pershing knows that this isn’t the right thing to do at this moment but he justifies himself with the idea of “the better good”. It’s almost as if he hasn’t learned a single thing.
I can’t say for sure if it’s his ego or a real desire to do good, that motivates him to do this but it’s a shame that he falls for one of the most obvious setups.
At first, I thought that Kane wanted to kidnap Pershing but obviously, that’s not the case. My best guess is that she wants to get rid of the knowledge in Pershing’s head, it would be just a matter of time before high-ranking officers would take interest in the Dr.’s research.
Connecting the dots wouldn’t take too much effort and secrecy is essential. After all, this investigation is probably key to allowing Emperor Palpatine’s return.
It was very interesting to see how someone with Imperial allegiance can infiltrate the New Republic so easily. The Rebel Alliance was able to sabotage the Empire from the inside but now the tables have turned.
I have no doubt that Kane is just one of many agents and with the relaxed policies it feels like no one will be able to prevent it. This is already giving us some hints about how the First Order could obtain so much power under the New Republic’s watch.
This is the way
Din Djarin and Bo-Katan arrive at the hideout where the Armorer and other Children of the Watch members remain. Paz Vizsla doesn’t want to let them in but he’s not the one to decide their faiths.
I got the sense that Bo-Katan feels out of place, the former heiress is surrounded by those she partially blames for the downfall of Mandalore. Ironically, they are the ones that have kept the old traditions alive.
Maybe it wasn’t her intention, but Bo-Katan is now one of them. I believe this is going to take a very interesting turn, they might have very different views but they’re still her people.
It’s probably been a long time since she has been with so many Mandalorian warriors and feeling welcomed by them will only re-ignite the spark that has almost faded out. Add the fact that she and Din were in presence of the mighty Mythosaur and you get the perfect formula for a legend in the making.
Chapter 19 “The Convert” Easter Eggs
This episode’s easter eggs are connected to places, characters, and even clothes of other Star Wars eras. We also learn the parallelisms between Dr. Pershing and one of the most brilliant and controversial scientists in our history.
Opera House
The big hall where Dr. Pershing is giving his conference at the beginning of the episode is the Opera House where Palpatine mentions the story of Darth Plagueis to Anakin Skywalker in Revenge of the Sith.
Robert Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer is considered the father of the Atomic Bomb. His research was meant to be groundbreaking, and it was but not in the way that he intended it to be. He suffered deeply as his knowledge caused the suffering and death of thousands of people.
Just like Pershing, his good-intentioned work was used by the authority to acquire more power than anyone had ever witnessed before. Their hunger for knowledge was used against them but the difference is that Pershing didn’t learn the lesson.
Not that it mattered, the damage was done. Oppenheimer’s work changed forever how war looks and Pershing’s investigation contributed to the return of the former Emperor of the galaxy.
Nite Owls
Paz Vizsla refers to Bo-Katan as “Nite Owl”. The Nite Owls are mostly female Mandalorians that used to be led by Bo-Katan when the Death Watch still existed.
Rebel-inspired uniform
The New Republic officers that arrest Pershing are wearing uniforms that look very similar to what many soldiers of the Rebel Alliance used.
Star Wars The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode Reviews List
Reviews and Breakdowns of each episode from The Mandalorian Season 3. Each article details the events and analyzes how they affect and define the characters featured in the episode.
At the end of each article, there is a segment for Easter Eggs. There you can find interesting facts and references to and from other Star Wars media featured in the episodes of the show.
The reviews contain spoilers! We recommend watching the show first before reading the articles below.
The Mandalorian Chapter 17 Review: The Apostate
Din Djarin, Grogu, Bo-Katan, and more return to continue the story about the future of Mandalore. New faces, old enemies, and unknown dangers are yet to be revealed in the most anticipated Star Wars series of 2023!
The Mandalorian Chapter 18 Review: The Mines of Mandalore
In Season 3 Episode 2 of The Mandalorian, “The Mines of Mandalore” Din Djarin, Grogu and Bo-Katan are the main focus of an episode that brings back so many memories for fans of The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. We also see, for the first time, a mythical creature that has existed in the Star Wars universe since the original trilogy era!
The Mandalorian Chapter 20 Review: The Foundling
The Mandalorian S3 Episode 4, “The Foundling” shows how good of a leader Bo-Katan can be. Also, the big question regarding Grogu’s escape from the Jedi Temple is finally answered!
The Mandalorian Chapter 21 Review: Bo-Katan The Unifier
The Mandalorian Chapter 21 (Season 3, Episode 5) "The Pirate" is full of action, intrigue, and a final scene that teases where everything is heading up. This has been my favorite episode so far!
The Mandalorian Chapter 22 Review: Goffiness vs Epicness 2 in 1
The Mandalorian Chapter 22 (Season 3, Episode 6) "Guns for Hire" is an entertaining but strange episode that explores a goofy side of Star Wars rarely seen in live-action shows.
The Mandalorian Chapter 23 Review: An unexpected turn of events
The Mandalorian Chapter 23 (Season 3, Episode 7) "The Spies" is the best episode in the series so far. It has funny moments, great battles, epic music, and a nerve-wracking ending.
