Though each live-actionStar WarsTV show has brought us something different, there’s no denying that some episodes have something extra – a quality that makes them endlessly rewatchable. ThoughStar Warshas only been in the business of making live-action TV series since the launch ofThe Mandalorianin 2019, they’ve jumped in with both feet, giving us character examinations likeObi-Wan Kenobi,gritty tales of oppression and resistance inAndor, fantastical journeys like the one taken by Sabine Wren and Ahsoka Tano inAhsoka, and more.
Each ofStar Wars’ TV showshas positive and negative aspects, though some shows undoubtedly stand out above the rest,likeAndorandThe Mandalorian. That doesn’t mean the other shows don’t have something unique to offer. On the contrary – even a show as maligned asThe Book of Boba Fettgave us one ofStar Wars’ best live-action TV episodes; it’s just a shame it wasn’t about Boba Fett himself. If it’s time for aStar Warsrewatch, but you don’t want to rewatch absolutely everything, the following episodes may be just what you need.
Every Star Wars Live-Action TV Show Season, Ranked
Star Wars has dove into live-action TV in the last 5 years with much success, but some seasons have been better than others. Here’s how they rank.
13The Mandalorian Season 1, Episode 1
“Chapter 1: The Mandalorian”
It’s hard to believe thatThe Mandalorianonly premiered 5 years ago, isn’t it?Star Warshas changed so much since then. This pilot episode was the start of a new era for the franchise and brought with it a fresh, exciting atmosphere. This was the new beginningStar Warsdesperately needed after the divisive reaction to theStar Warssequel trilogy’s final installment,Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
It’s not just an important episode because of what it did for the franchise as a whole, though. This episode is just a great bit of TV storytelling, period. Din Djarin’s introduction, the mystery of the Mandalorian covert, his bounty hunting practices, and, of course, that fateful first meeting with The Child make this one ofStar Wars’ most rewatchable and most popular live-action TV episodes of all time.
12The Mandalorian Season 1, Episode 8
“Chapter 8: Redemption”
The first season ofThe Mandalorianreally did have it all, and that includes an excellently rewatchable season finale. Not only did it neatly tie together the rest of the season’s plot and give each of our favorite characters the hero moment they deserved, but it also set the bar high forfutureStar WarsTV shows– emotionally, most of all.
Din Djarin’s first face reveal is still one of the most impactful moments inStar Wars’ entire live-action TV catalog.Even five years later, it still hits us where it hurts, perhaps even more so, because of everything we’ve been through with the character since then. It wasn’t just about Din Djarin, though. Moff Gideon’s villain entrance is well worth a revisit, too. That Darksaber reveal really blew our minds.
11The Mandalorian Season 2, Episode 5
“Chapter 13: The Jedi”
Given how much Dave Filoni loves Ahsoka Tano, it was only a matter of time before she made the transition from animation into live-action. The result wasThe Mandalorianseason 2, episode 5, “The Jedi.” Little did we know what Rosario Dawson’s minor guest role would eventually lead to. Years later, Grand Admiral Thrawn has finally been found!
Not only did Dawson knock it out of the park in her debut, but her dynamic with Din Djarin and The Child – sorry, Grogu – was a joy to watch.Learning Grogu’s name was perhaps one of the most compelling moments inThe Mandalorian, not only because a piece of his past was finally revealed to us, but because it meant so much to Din, too.Let’s not forget the Lady Morgan Elsbeth b-plot, either. Her duel with Ahsoka is riveting.
10The Mandalorian Season 2, Episode 8
“Chapter 16: The Rescue”
Clearly, this episode was going to be included on this list all along. It is everyStar Warsfan’s dream come true. Not only did Din and Grogu team up with some old and new friends like Fennec Shand, Boba Fett, and Bo-Katan Kryze, but Luke Skywalker, of all people, got to show us just how powerful a Jedi he had become.
Despite some wonky facial CGI, there’s no denying thatLuke’s entrance on Moff Gideon’s cruiser was nothing short of spectacular. He’s graceful, powerful, and commanding – it’s no wonder Grogu was so drawn to him. Luke isn’t the only character that makes this episode worthy of a rewatch, though. Din Djarin and Grogu’s “final” goodbye is heart-wrenching in the best way. This episode really proved how far they’d come, and how much they love one another.
9The Mandalorian Season 3, Episode 3
“Chapter 19: The Convert”
This episode is probably a controversial addition to the list. It was undeniably jarring when it premiered – instead of being thrust back into the action with Bo-Katan, Din, and the rest of the Mandalorian covert, we were instead transported to Coruscant to learn a little more about the New Republic’s governmental system. And yet, it worked.
This is arguably the most important episode ofThe Mandalorianseason 3, which should tell us all something about the overall narrative trajectory in the show’s most recent season.Anything significant felt rushed, and anything that wasn’t significant was leisurely explored. Though “The Convert” was clearly a re-used storyline that was supposed to be part of the canceledRangers of the New Republicshow, it’s vital nonetheless. It proves that the New Republic’s grip on the galaxy is incredibly precarious and that they aren’t at all prepared for what is to come.
8The Book of Boba Fett Episode 5
“Chapter 5: Return of the Mandalorian”
Sadly,The Book of Boba Fettwasn’t the show that this iconic legacy character deserved. Despite some interesting additions, like Boba’s dynamic with the Tusken Raiders, much of the show felt rushed, irrelevant, and slow.One episode, however, stands out above the rest. It’s a shame that the episode isn’t about Boba Fett at all.
This episode may be a slow burn, but it’s a worthwhile one, as we are reunited with Din Djarin for the first time since his emotional goodbye with Grogu. As he struggles to come to grips with the legacy and the power of the Darksaber, we get to see a different side of Din and of the galaxy, too. The visuals are stunning, Din gets a shiny new ship, and best of all, this episode feels like a return to form. I only wish Din had stayed alone a little while longer.
7Obi-Wan Kenobi Episode 6
“Part VI”
Just likeThe Book of Boba Fett,Obi-Wan Kenobiwasn’t what we’d all hoped it would be, either. Though Obi-Wan’s relationship with Leia, his tense dynamic with Vader, and Reva’s devastating character arc are all worthy of praise, something was missing. The show being only six episodes certainly didn’t help matters, either.
One of those six episodes is, however, worthy of a rewatch. The finale not only brought us the gut-wrenching visual of Vader’s destroyed helmet after their (badly lit) duel together, but it also gave us a tense final showdown with Reva at the Lars homestead on Tatooine, a lovely final goodbye with a young Princess Leia, and Qui-Gon Jinn’s Force Ghost.It’s an intriguing, fast-paced episode. It proved what the show could have been if Lucasfilm had been willing to take more creative risks.
6Andor Season 1, Episode 6
“The Eye”
Andorreally is a marvel. Not only is it a fantasticStar Warsshow, it is an incredible show, full stop. Though Cassian Andor’s character arc came to a close inRogue One: A Star Wars Story,Andorproved he had much more to say. This is a show about perseverance in the face of great oppression, colonization, dictatorship, hope, love, and more. It’s everything that makesStar Wars,Star Wars, dialed up to 11. And they did it all without involving the Jedi.
“The Eye” is a perfect example of the kind of storytelling thatAndoris successfully trying to achieve. Every second is tense, every moment matters, and though you’ve only known these characters for a short while, you want them to succeed. This episode is also visually stunning.That moment when the ship finally leaves the planet will leave you breathless, no matter how many times you’ve seen it. It’s the Northern Lights on steroids.
5Andor Season 1, Episode 10
“One Way Out”
What is there to say about “One Way Out?“It’s a masterpiece. It will make you hate the Empire even more than you already do, root for a thousand unnamed prisoners, and curse whoever it was that decided Andy Serkis should be hidden behind CGI. His performance sells the episode. His speech alone should be rewatched a hundred times over, and that’s saying something becauseAndorincludes a lot of great monologs. This episode has two! Luthen Rael’s sacrificial speech at the end of the episode is also incredibly moving.
This episode is an emotional rollercoaster. Just when you think you can cheer because the prisoners are making their escape, Serkis’ Kino Loy reveals the saddest truth of all: he can’t swim. He helped his fellow prisoners escape to freedom, knowing all the while that he wouldn’t be able to do so himself. Rewatch this episode in his honor.
4Andor Season 1, Episode 12
“Rix Road” is the perfect finale for a near-perfect season. Everything works; Cassian’s emotional turmoil after his adoptive mother’s death, Maarva’s captivating and stirring speech as played during her funeral, the tension in the build-up to the riots, the music, the cinematography, and the action. That final tease with the Death Star is spine-chilling. Everything is in perfect sync – no stone is left unturned and no storyline is forgotten.With each rewatch, you’ll notice some new details you missed. It’s that precise.
It’s important to note, though, thatAndorwas able to have such an incredible series finale because it was given the chance to create such a powerful narrative over the course of 12 whole episodes. Few streaming shows are given that much free space, but when they are, the result isAndor. Hopefully,Star Warswill take that lesson to heart. Six episodes for a show likeObi-Wan Kenobijust wasn’t enough.
