**Spoilers for ‘The Mandalorian’ episode one below**
New Star Wars spin-off TV show The Mandalorian has aired its first episode today (November 12) as part of the launch of new streaming service Disney+.
Fans have been reacting to the launch of the new series, which is set to arrive in the UK, along with Disney+, in March 2020.
A synopsis for The Mandalorian reads: “After the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior emerges in the Star Wars universe.
“The Mandalorian is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. We follow the travails of a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy far from the authority of the New Republic.”
The story marks the first time Disney has taken one of its most popular franchises into the world of live-action television.
After a fan backlash against the direction of Rian Johnson’s The Last Jedi and poor box office reception for Solo: A Star Wars Story, some had suggested Star Wars was lagging behind the likes of Marvel and Pixar. The Mandalorian has been seen as a chance to return to form for the franchise. So how did it go down with fans?
The team behind Star Wars’ ‘The Mandalorian’ at Star Wars Celebration in Chicago. Credit: Daniel Boczarski
There’s a major cliffhanger ending
Fans and journalists have been discussing the first episode on social media, with one writer describing it as “very, very good” and many specifically referencing the ending, which includes a massive cliffhanger.
I have seen episode 1 of The Mandalorian. And it is very, very good. That ending! That action! That humor! That music! That we get 7 more hours of this in the next few weeks? Truly a gift. #TheMandalorian #DisneyPlus pic.twitter.com/nC8S6A29A3
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) November 12, 2019
The ending to episode 1 of #TheMandalorian pic.twitter.com/Pfr5Ivhyi2
— Leo (@Rikochet__) November 12, 2019
Another tweeter referenced the ending of the episode, saying that there are “lots of questions left to answer but the hooks are in deep.”
Pilot of #TheMandalorian is about as close to DUNE as I’ve ever seen from anything Star Wars-related, and I mean that as a total compliment. Music is great, I dig the stoicism, and that ending…lots of questions left to answer but the hooks are in deep.
— K.M. McFarland (@km_mcfarland) November 12, 2019
Baby Yoda is a big hit
Star Wars fans on social media are also delighted at the introduction of a baby version of Yoda in the first episode.
I haven’t known Baby Yoda for long, but if anything happens, I will throw hands. #TheMandalorian pic.twitter.com/08uOanOaD5
— Cifiriv (@Virific) November 12, 2019
Yooooo, they have fucking BABY YODA in #TheMandalorian #DisneyPlus !!!! pic.twitter.com/DZ2pvIVS1L
— BVK3SY (@BVK3SY) November 12, 2019
PROTECT BABY YODA AT ALL COSTS #TheMandalorian pic.twitter.com/OIg7aMCG0b
— ?Pizza Time ??☃️❄️ (@alwayspizzatime) November 12, 2019
UK fans aren’t happy they have to wait to watch The Mandalorian
Star Wars fans in the UK aren’t able to watch The Mandalorian episode 1 yet – Disney+ launches on these shores on 31 March 2020 – and have been showing their disappointment on social media.
@disneyplus Hi. Can you recommend any good sites for illegally downloading The Mandalorian? I was looking forward to being a subscriber but as you don’t give a shit about us in the UK and as there will be no point subscribing for old material, I thought you might help.
— JT (@JimboTheorist) November 5, 2019
“Game of Thrones airing a few hours early in the US was merely a test,” one wrote. “The true gauntlet is that people in the UK have to avoid Americans spoiling The Mandalorian for FOUR MONTHS.”
Game of Thrones airing a few hours early in the US was merely a test.
The true gauntlet is that people in the UK have to avoid Americans spoiling The Mandalorian for FOUR MONTHS.
— Joe Skrebels (@2plus2isjoe) November 12, 2019
Can’t put into words how backwards it is that we don’t get The Mandalorian in the UK until Match. pic.twitter.com/AMR7zlI0CO
— Liam Neild (@liamneild) November 11, 2019
