I've started to get disenfranchised with the Star Wars series because the focus of late has been more on recreating the formula while shoe horning in political / social justice considerations instead of really expanding the story. I think Star Wars had a really good handle on diversity to begin with. Lea wasn't a weak female lead, she was a badass. Sure she looked good in a bathing suit but that wasn't the focus of Jedi. As far as race, it's freaking star wars; black, white, brown, blue with gills, green, short whit glowing eyes, reptilian.... diversity was never an issue as far as I'm concerned. I don't care about color, sexual identification / preference, body type; I want the focus on memorable charismatic characters, not Disney checking off boxes.
Enter the Mandalorian. It's different, and even a bit underwhelming on the surface. All the glitz has been stripped out and the desert environment / lack of epic space battles makes for a seemingly cheap production but I think that adds to it. I'll also cop to the weird character development - leaving the Mandalorian in a helmet makes things challenging but I think it's kinda working. Its definatly harder to develop an attachment to a faceless character but emotion is slowly being built through the story.
It's a slow ride, reminiscent of how Game of Thrones started. For my tastes it's different, and I like it. it doesn't follow the space opera, plucky rebellion heros facing insurmountable odds to finally blow something major up formula. Instead its focused on something much smaller.
I love all the Star Wars movies and series (sans those animated droids and ewoks mockeries) and admit many have their faults (jar jar, anikin and amadala's putrid chemistry, formulaic story line, overly heavy social justice inclusion). I think Favreau is aware of these faults and stepping lightly into his series, finding a really nice balance of new and old. I'll admit the trailer made it look more action packed then it is but when there is action its pretty awesome.
It'll likely be a slow build but I think it's only going to get better and better. The recent developments (i'm only through the first 3 episodes) seems like it could open up a whole new piece of the Jedi puzzle. I'm excited and while it's not what I expected either the Mandalorian is what I've been wanting.