The 10 Best Episodes Of The Mandalorian, According To Ranker

The new Obi-Wan Kenobi series may be the most hotly anticipated piece of Star Wars content since The Clone Wars’ final season, or even since pre-The Force Awakens time. Qualitatively, in terms of Disney+ originals, the show has tough standards to meet. Those standards were set by The Mandalorian, which has some incredible episodes that fans on Ranker have voted on.

Amongst its chapters, the series has few weak episodes, making it hard to order the very best. Still, the Din and Grogu-loving users of Ranker have done just that, giving a consensus on the top episodes.

10Chapter 11: The Heiress

One of the best aspects of The Mandalorian is how it brings in characters from the likes of The Clone Wars while expertly walking the fine line of not sacrificing the quality of the story or betraying the character in question. “Chapter 11: The Heiress” is a great example of this.

It is the long-awaited live-action debut of Bo-Katan Kryze, who is just a joy to watch throughout the episode. Her dynamic with Mando is terrific, and fans are excited to hopefully see more of it in season 3. The episode sets up a few different story points, such as Bo-Katan’s search for the Darksaber, the ruin of Mandalore, the live-action debut of Ahsoka Tano, and future team-ups between Bo-Katan and Din, all while concluding the ‘Frog Lady’ plot and debuting characters like Koska Reeves. Overall, it is a great, well-crafted piece of Star Wars TV.

9Chapter 12: The Siege

As rabid as fans got at the confirmed appearance of Ahsoka Tano in The Mandalorian, they had to wait a couple of episodes for her to appear. First, Din helped his friends on Nevarro destroy an Imperial outpost. It is a brilliant diversion.

The episode is relatively Grogu-less, with him left in a children’s class where he adorably steals macarons, but that does not affect the overall quality of the adventure. On top of the action side of the episode, what raises its reputation on Ranker is how it sets up future episodes, seeing Din jet off to meet Ahsoka and teasing the Dark Troopers and Gideon’s evil plot.

8Chapter 7: The Reckoning

The Mandalorian’s debut season gets a bit lost in its overarching story at points. There is some great, fun stuff in chapters 5-6, but in “Chapter 7: The Reckoning,” the series showcases its brilliance and builds to an epic finale.

This sees Din and Grogu return to Nevarro and begin a new relationship with Greef Karga before introducing the show’s powerful main villain, Giancarlo Esposito’s Gideon. It is full of twists, such as Greef’s betrayal turned embrace of the heroes, Kuil’s death, IG-11’s survival and a newfound purpose, and the Client’s death at the hands of Gideon, with all of it fitting into the place of the story well. It is an exhilarating, tension-filled episode, and unsurprisingly Ranker believes it to be in The Mandalorian’s top 10.

7Chapter 9: The Marshal

One character who hardcore fans did not think would appear in the show but who works so well within it is Cobb Vanth, someone who has become a cult icon in the Sar Wars fandom and whose introduction to the majority of fans comes in “Chapter 9: The Marshal.”

It sees Din searching for other Mandalorians, only to come across Vanth, who dons Boba Fett’s Mandalorian armor. The dynamic between the two and Cobb’s character, in general, shines in this episode, as does everything involving the Tusken Raiders and Krayt Dragon. This episode takes a lot from Star Wars lore, and it is great to see. It also sets up for the future, confirming the survival of Boba Fett and establishing Vanth as an ally.

6Chapter 3: The Sin

The first three episodes of The Mandalorian are like their own story as Din finds and forms a relationship with Grogu and rescues him from the Client while also betraying the Bounty Hunters Guild.

“Chapter 3: The Sin” is the peak of this story and is great from start to finish. Seeing a group of Mandalorians in action like this in live-action is outstanding, so too is seeing Din kick stormtrooper butt and retrieve his adopted 50-year-old son. Deborah Chow proves herself a powerhouse Star Wars director with this episode, well deserving of her future Star Wars projects – which include Obi-Wan Kenobi.

5Chapter 14: The Tragedy

Anytime Grogu appears to be in danger, the Star Wars fandom takes a collective gasp of worry. “Chapter 14: The Tragedy” lived up to its name when it finally had Grogu taken from Din and in the hands of Moff Gideon.

The episode is not just fantastic for this heartbreaking moment, though. The return of Boba Fett – and Fennec Shand – are the main talking points, as they are nothing short of badass as they fight and decimate legions of stormtroopers as Grogu adorably sits on a rock and calls out to Jedi through the Force – before the Dark Troopers get him, of course.

4Chapter 13: The Jedi

Ahsoka Tano may have the best journey of any Star Wars character ever, going from hated in animation to adored, becoming one of the greatest Star Wars characters ever, all before debuting in live-action in “Chapter 13: The Jedi.” With Dave Filoni in the director’s chair, it is no surprise that this episode is as good as it is. Taking heavy influences from the samurai culture that George Lucas drew from, the episode is full of fantastic action from Ahsoka and her iconic white lightsabers as she reveals that she is hunting Thrawn.

On top of that, her dynamic with both Din and Grogu – whose name is revealed in this episode – is a joy to watch. This episode has a lot more going for it than just an Ahsoka appearance. It is a beautiful contained story and an important one building to the future of Star Wars TV, setting up not only the future of The Mandalorian but Ahsoka’s own show and a Rebels sequel.

3Chapter 15: The Believer

Season 2 of The Mandalorian was a real step up. Season 1 was great but season 2 was next-level Star Wars television, and episodes like “Chapter 15: The Believer” prove as such.

Din, a returning Migs Mayfeld, Cara Dune, Boba Fett, and Fennec Shand infiltrate an Imperial Refinery, and it is an epic watch. Fans get to really know Migs’ character and see some fantastic dynamics between the others and Din. Also, seeing Djarin without his helmet is always a big moment in the show. The epic threat of Din to Gideon at the end of the episode caps off what is an action-packed penultimate episode of season 2.

2Chapter 16: The Rescue

“Chapter 16: The Rescue” will remain in the pop culture conversation for decades to come as fans relay to their children and their children’s children how they felt when Luke Skywalker shockingly appeared in The Mandalorian.

It is perhaps the most emotional and unexpected moment in The Mandalorian as the iconic green blade of the legendary Jedi cuts down Dark Troopers with ease. The episode is so much more than that, though. The fight between Din and Gideon is fantastic. The tension between Din and Bo-Katan, as well as all of the Mandalore conversation, sets up for some brilliant Mandalore-focused content in the future. Then, of course, there is the emotional goodbye between Din and Groogu that likely left the majority of the fandom in a puddle of tears.

1Chapter 8: Redemption

It is up for debate which was better between the two season finales of The Mandalorian, but Ranker has season 1’s ending “Chapter 8: Redemption” as not only the best of the two but the best that the show has to offer.

With the heroes trapped by Gideon and forced to find a way out, it is no surprise that this episode is rated so highly. It has everything from badass action as the heroes battle Gideon’s troops and the Armorer displays her might, quiet character moments as Din forms a bond with IG-11 and is willing to sacrifice himself, and emotion when IG-11 actually does sacrifice himself. On top of that, the episode reveals that Gideon holds the Darksaber, and the episode promises more brilliance to come in season 2.