The Success And Failure Of "The Mandalorian": This Is The Way Or Perhaps Not

As a Star Wars fan, I'm really disappointed with the sequel Star Wars trilogy, especially the last two films: Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi and Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker. The new trilogy is like a poor copy of the original Star Wars trilogy. When the first sequel, Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, came along, I thought this space opera was going to expand the universe and tell us more about the galaxy. It introduced new protagonists, a new timeline, and a new rebel movement, all making me feel that there was new hope. However, the last two sequels turned out to be primarily focused on the Skywalker family, emphasizing lineage above all else. Like other fans, I also wonder what's left of Star Wars after Disney bought Lucasfilm.

Fortunately, just one month before the premiere of the worst Star Wars film, The Rise of Skywalker, the first live-action TV series, The Mandalorian, was released. Created by Jon Favreau, The Mandalorian season 1depicts the meeting and adventures of the bounty hunter Din Djarin and Grogu, also known as Baby Yoda. After Din Djarin rescued Grogu on Nevarro, an infant he was supposed to deliver to a client, the two go on numerous missions together. During this journey, the Mandalorian and Grogu's relationship grows closer and changes their lives. The strong emotional bond between these two characters touched many Star Wars fans. Even though Mando, voiced and primarily portrayed by Pedro Pascal, removes his mask only once in season 1, we can still sense the emotional depth through his performance.

Even Disney didn't seem to have expected The Mandalorian to be such a success. Critics didn't get a chance to watch the first episode until it was released through Disney+, which typically indicates a lack of confidence from the studio. Interestingly, since Disney+ was initially available in a limited number of countries, there was no legal way to watch The Mandalorian outside of those countries, making it one of the most illegally downloaded productions of 2019, alongside Game of Thrones.

Apart from the emotional bond, what impressed me the most about The Mandalorian is the classic Western film tone. With music composed by Ludwig Göransson, Din Djarin travels and hunts between planets, resembling a space cowboy—silent and lonely. Series creator and showrunner Jon Favreau designed the titular character, who was partially inspired by Clint Eastwood and his "Man with No Name" character in Sergio Leone's Spaghetti Western films. The samurai films of Akira Kurosawa were another source of inspiration. The relationship between Din Djarin and Grogu is portrayed like that of a father and son, reminding me of another Japanese film, Lone Wolf and Cub. Worth mentioning, Brendan Wayne, one of the stunt doubles for the titular Mandalorian, is the grandson of legendary actor John Wayne, known for his frequent appearances in westerns.

In essence, the core and narrative theme of The Mandalorian are simple and classic, yet strong and intense. Throughout the episodes we witness how Din Djarin survives crisises one after another with the help of Grogu and other allies of the galaxy. He holds the belief that he must keep Grogu safe and find him a Jedi.

According to official sources, The Mandalorian is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. Specifically, it starts five years after the events of Return of the Jedi and six years before the birth of Rey, the main character in the sequel Star Wars trilogy. The main plot of season 2 revolves around Din Djarin's quest to find the Jedi and bring Grogu to them. Throughout this mission, we've encountered many familiar characters from the Star Wars universe, including Bo-Katan Kryze, Paz Vizsla, Boba Fett, and Ahsoka. The ultimate surprise for fans was the cameo appearance of Luke Skywalker, which marked the first time fans saw Luke in his prime on screen. This moment has generated great excitement among Star Wars fans, it’s a carnival and a real tribute to the Force.

The most tearful moment of Season 2 is the farewell between Din Djarin and Grogu. Dave Filoni, one of the series' producers and showrunners, once mentioned that he believed George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, enjoyed watching the show and appreciated it as a viewer. This farewell scene, to my knowledge, is one that is likely to resonated with George Lucas. After going through many adventures together, Din Djarin and Grogu have developed a bond akin to that of a father and son. The care and love Din Djarin shows Grogu make their relationship heartfelt.

As Din Djarin and Grogu appeared in another Star Wars live-action series, The Book of Boba Fett, we learned that Din Djarin and Grogu eventually reunite. However, as Season 3 of The Mandalorian progresses, there is a growing sense of disappointment. To the shock of many, the Mandalorian is no longer the sole protagonist in Season 3. In Chapter 20: The Foundling, we see the rise of Bo-Katan Kryze, who takes the lead in saving a child from a giant dragon. Bo-Katan Kryze becomes the leader of the Mandos and even becomes the central character of the series. This role is cast by Katee Sackhoff, who also voices the same character in animation TV series Star Wars: Rebels. During an interview, Katee Sackhoff gave a hilarious breakdown on fan reactions to the third season: "I don't know, 70% are super, super excited about [Bo-Katan], you got ten percent like 'I hated the whole thing,' you got five percent 'you just hate Bo’”. While many find her charismatic and enjoy her pairing with Din Djarin, it is worth noting that the series is called The Mandalorian.

Additionally, Chapter 19: The Convert focuses on the crisis faced by the New Republic. Neither Din Djarin nor Bo-Katan leads this episode. It is speculated that this episode may be connected to Moff Gideon's clone conspiracy. However, after watching the season finale, confusion arises as to why The Mandalorian dedicated an entire episode to the details of the New Republic if Moff Gideon's plan was so meticulously orchestrated, only to have the clones easily destroyed by Din Djarin.

As for the beloved character Grogu, he seems to have become a mascot of Season 3. He is portrayed as a cute foodie, adored by those around him. We catch glimpses of his memories of the Jedi Temple and how he was saved by a Jedi, but beyond that, there is little explanation. We are left uncertain about his proficiency in using the Force until the end of the third season. Some fans may argue that Grogu is just a child who cannot speak, but it is important to remember that every child has their own thoughts and emotions. They are not merely cute pets.

While The Mandalorian Season 3 concludes with a peaceful rest for Din Djarin and Grogu on Nevarro, it is also known that The Mandalorian Season 4 is in the works. At Star Wars Celebration 2023, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy confirmed that Dave Filoni, the executive producer of The Mandalorian and showrunner for Ahsoka, will direct a movie set in the New Republic era, which will pick up on storylines from The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, and Skeleton Crew. Rumors suggest that this film will likely take place after The Mandalorian Season 4.

Showrunner Jon Favreau has also confirmed that he has already started writing The Mandalorian Season 4, outlining a new adventure for Din and Grogu. The uniqueness of The Mandalorian lies in its portrayal of the trials and tribulations of a lone gunslinger and his adopted son in the outer reaches of the galaxy. It is rugged, cruel, yet grounded. It remains to be seen what role the beloved duo will play in the future adventures, including their potential involvement in the conflict between the New Republic and the remnant Empire.

This is the way, or perhaps not, for Din Djarin and Din Grogu. Only time will tell.