Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm was a necessary move for the Star Wars saga to replenish itself with original content for the franchise. Indeed, the 2012 announcement following the merger between the Walt Disney Company and Lucasfilm brought about a significant Star Wars renaissance, ushering in a contemporary phase of projects for the ongoing space opera. More risks were taken when creating the next chapter in the Star Wars universe: stylistic varieties in storytelling, character development, and cross-galaxy expeditions enhanced the new tone of the intergalactic epic.
The popularity of streaming services resulted in the birth of Disney+, which permitted the Walt Disney Company and its conglomerates to create in-house original content. Lucasfilm was enthusiastic to utilize this opportunity to broaden the scope of their ever-growing universe through television. The Mandalorianwas the flagship Star Wars series to grace the digital platform and struck nearly-instant success. The series brings the Star Wars franchise back to its space-western roots, following a lone bounty hunter as he makes his way through the outer reaches of the cosmos. Brimming with sharp and captivating performances backed by engrossing narratives, the high praise that was given to The Mandalorian is rightfully earned. The two current seasons of the series are prosperous with memorable moments, though these specific scenes stand out above the rest.
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6 Din Djarin Meets Grogu for the First Time (Chapter 1: The Mandalorian)
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The Mandalorian was the first live-action Star Wars series to come into fruition after years of false starts and discontinued projects. It was with great self-confidence that the series acted as an intersection for the production values of Star Wars feature films as an incentive to increase Disney+ subscriptions. From its pilot episode, The Mandalorian embodies the true authenticity of Star Wars from cantina-like bars to carbonite-freezing action. At the heart of the excitement of it all lies The Mandalorian himself: a world-weary bounty hunter clad in armor that catches the flare from the twin suns of Tatooine just right.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
On the hunt for his bounty, The Mandalorian is quickly made aware that he is not alone on his quest. While scouting the compound, he is suddenly in the company of IG-11 (Taika Waititi), who declares himself as a friend instead of a foe. Each believes that they are the only bounty hunter on the same assignment before joining forces to take down Nikto threats in a histrionical shootout. Upon reaching their asset, the pair is surprised by their sought-after loot: a 50-year-old infant bearing a striking resemblance to Yoda. Overlooking the fact that an unnamed, unidentified being appeared to be a child, IG-11 makes attempts to kill his target. In The Child’s defense, The Mandalorian eliminates the droid altogether.
This impulsive split-second decision is the understructure upon which the relationship between Grogu and The Mandalorian grows. Their fated meeting results in The Mandalorian taking The Child into his care, henceforth assuming the role as The Child’s guardian. His unspoken vow to protect Grogu roots from his choice of killing the droid and sparing the Force-sensitive being. From there, The Mandalorian accepts his newfound way of life and understands that is his moral obligation to keep The Child free from harm from the greatest intergalactic threats. As their journey carries on, the bond between the dyad deepens.
5 “This is the Way” (Chapter 3: The Sin)
“This is the Way” held a deeper significance being a mere catchphrase parroted by Star Wars fans following the release of “Chapter 3: The Sin.” The Way itself is taken from Mandalorian history, religion, and culture. The third episode of the first season brought prominence along with The Way, a unbudgingly strict code of conduct dictating how the Mandalorians should live. The Way of the Mandalore is closely followed by Mandalorian zealots who have dedicated their lives to extremist teachings, such as those who belong to The Children of the Watch.
“This is the Way” doubles as a decree that has been passed down from generation from Mandalorian to Mandalorian, carrying on their tradition. The inclusion of The Way and its companion affirmation unearth more about the Mandalorians, their way of life, and their unwavering allegiance to embrace the expectations of The Way. Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) seemingly experiences a sense of ease when confirming “This is the Way” throughout the first season as it becomes an integral part of his identity.
4 Ahsoka Tano Practices the Force with Grogu (Chapter 13: The Jedi)
The coming-of-age of Ahsoka Tano has been told twice over through Star Wars: Rebels and Star Wars: The Clone Wars as the young Torguta Jedi faces the greatest threats across the galaxy. Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) mentions that Din Djarin must come across a Jedi during his journey, leading him to Ahsoka. She then realizes that Grogu is Force-sensitive and tests his ability, though declines the offer to train him. Ahsoka, in the company of her signature silver sabers, makes an expectedly grand self-introduction in the later episodes of The Mandalorian Season Two.
Originally tasked by the Magistrate to kill the Jedi, Din Djarin and Ahsoka’s meeting reroutes itself as a less-fatal resolution. She does not offer an explicit explanation after refusing the offer to teach The Child how to use the Force. Considering her past as a Padawan studying under Anakin Skywalker, her choice to dismiss the invitation may come from the fear that she, or Grogu, may follow the same path of darkness as her Jedi Master did. Ahsoka later revealed more details of Grogu’s past and informed Din Djarin that The Child’s residual trauma makes him more vulnerable. It is then when he argues in favor of Grogu receiving the proper training for a Jedi that Ahsoka warns The Mandalorian that fear has an effect on “fully-trained Jedi knight, to the best of us.”
3 The Darksaber is Turned Over to The Mandalorian (Chapter 16: The Rescue)
Moff Gideon’s (Giancarlo Esposito) most powerful and unpredictable move was presenting The Mandalorian with the Darksaber at the end of Season Two. The act of “surrender” now pins the responsibility of being the ruler of Mandalore and effectively lays down the foundation for The Mandalorian Season Three. Still raw from sending off Grogu with Luke Skywalker and R2-D2, Din Djarin is faced with the residuum of his unsought new title. The Darksaber must be won in battle, meaning that The Mandalorian is left with a target on his back for those who are in the pursuit of commanding the Outer Rim Territories planet.
The Darksaber was a creation by Tarre Vizsla, a Mandalorian Jedi in the ages of the Old Republic, and its origin dates back thousands of years. It belonged to thousands across Star Wars lore and history, though in recent events, was wielded by Kryze before it was relinquished to Gideon. There is little to account for the details surrounding how exactly Gideon claimed the Darksaber—and in consequence, Mandalore—as his own. In spite of no clear reasoning as to how Gideon was granted the ownership initially, his actions have resulted in a complex journey ahead for The Mandalorian.
2 Luke Skywalker Arrives (Chapter 16: The Rescue)
Mark Hamill’s return to Star Wars is perhaps one of the most unexpectedly surprising moments in Star Wars yet. Skywalker slashing through Gideon’s throngs of Dark Troopers and assuming guardianship over Grogu is simply one of the best moments in The Mandalorian. It remains to be one of the franchise’s best-kept secrets to date and surpassed those who were determined to leak the finale’s most electrifying moments. “It was very tricky," The Mandalorian creator said to Good Morning America about keeping details surrounding Skywalker’s reveal air-tight, “because it’s very hard to keep a secret nowadays, especially with Star Wars because people are so curious about it. And there are so many people involved with the process with visual effects finishing, making it, filming it, the studios everything. Every piece of casting leaked, and we were so scared right up until it aired that our surprise cameo was gonna leak too.”
Ahsoka previously suggested that The Mandalorian and Grogu visit the Jedi Temple on Tython in hopes The Child could reach out to another Jedi through the power of the Force. As a result of Grogu using the Seeing Stone, he was capable of bonding with Skywalker after communicating with him through a meditative, trancelike forcefield. His arrival is announced through the presence of a single X-Wing, and it is then that it becomes clear that Skywalker is to attend the monumental rescue of Grogu. The Mandalorian sends off its second season with Skywalker taking The Child into his care with the probability that he will train him to how to practice the Force.
1 Din Djarin Removes His Helmet For Grogu Before Saying Goodbye (Chapter 16: The Rescue)
It is well-established that Mandalorians are not to remove their helmets under any circumstances, as it is viewed as a direct offense against their societal code. Din Djarin does not ethnically belong to the Mandalore race, though he takes great pride in The Way and its teachings. After he removes his helmet, The Mandalorian is given a more personal identity beyond just his bounty hunting past and his Beskar armor. There is a greater sense of individuality associated with an unhelmeted Din Djarin, who chooses to reveal his face at principal times. The ability to now put a face to a name is a humanizing aspect for the character and for the series.
The Mandalorian finally reveals his face to Grogu in the closing moments of The Mandalorian Season Two out of Din Djarin’s free will alone. In the pilot episode, he informs IG-11 that removing his helmet is forbidden, and no living being has caught a glimpse at him without his helmet. He remained insistent that he had revered by The Way since swearing an oath of promise. The series features a few brief glances under the helmet, The Mandalorian lifting his helmet in order to properly state his farewells to The Child is an impeccable mean of sending Grogu off with Skywalker. Din Djarin, for the first time in the series, makes no attempt to hide his emotionally vulnerable state. The reveal is a testament to the bond between the two, and the love felt for The Child.
