You really know how to set the hook, don't you? You had me at Mandalorian.
I tried to watch it last year, and couldn't get going on it. Granted it was a half assed attempt, but until the buzz (from you among others) of this year I let it be. Silly me. It's had the hook in me from episode 1 this time around (I'm watching in prime time for me, not at the don't fall asleep before bedtime slot) and I'm really liking it. To the point I've not watched your video clip because chapter 14 is today!
I agree with your assessment of Cara Dune. I think it was in 13 when I realized she was from Alderon and remember it being the first world killed by the first death star in the real first movie (IV).
Is Fennic Shand the woman in the GIF? If so, she left a mark, too.
I saw Titus Welliver (real name) in that episode. He's the commander of the freighter that tries to crash it rather than have it fall into Republic/Fennic Shand's hands. He's played a couple of really favorite parts in other shows for me. Adams in Deadwood and Harry Bosch in the series by the same name on Amazon.
I could go on, but I'm really interested in your ending difficulties. Are you certain they are endings that are the problem and not new beginnings? That you only think you are writing a duology and not a trilogy?
Commenting can also be a form of procrastination. Just sayin'
HA! Commenting is an excellent form of procrastination, and you're a pro at it. ;)
I've actually written the ending of the duology now, so not too much procrastination. It is not a trilogy... or it won't be for a while. I have another duology set in the same world to tackle before writing anything more in this part of the series.
As for the Mandalorian, you'll meet Fennec again in episode 14. The female Mandalorian in the gif is named Bo-Katan. Brace yourself for Chapter 14—that one hurt the first time I watched it. Mind you, it's a masterpiece. Pure genius storytelling. But it still hurt. Chapter 15 will pick you up after that, and then Chapter 16 is mind-blowing amazeballs. (This is me describing them without spoilers.)
It's funny, I didn't get into the Mandalorian last year either. Then I binged season one this year and haven't actually stopped watching them. I keep rewatching my favorite episodes, seeing if I can find details I missed before. You know you're a fan when. ;)
Thanks for the fabulous comment! Happy holidays to you and yours.