I Re-Watched The Mandalorian Season 1 For The Fifth Anniversary, And There’s One Thing About Pedro Pascal’s Character I Appreciate Way More The Second Time Around

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As a seasoned gamer and Star Wars enthusiast with over two decades under my belt, I can confidently say that The Mandalorian has been a standout gem in the ever-expanding universe. Re-watching Season 1 five years later, I was initially skeptical about whether it would still hold up, given my deep knowledge of Star Wars lore. But boy, was I pleasantly surprised!

Initially, as I resumed viewing The Mandalorian’s first season with my Disney+ membership, I had a specific aim in mind. Given how deeply invested I was in the series’ mysteries and connections to the Star Wars films, I wondered if there was more to the show than just that, and if it would continue to be engaging given all the subsequent events. I can confirm, five years on, it has, and my admiration for Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin character has grown significantly as a result.

In light of discussions revolving around the future Star Wars movies and series, it might be beneficial to remind readers planning for shows airing in 2025 that there are still many gems from D television worth revisiting. Let’s stroll down memory lane and delve into the character who has held center stage in the franchise discussions over the past few years and the impact he’s made. His transformation is truly fascinating!

Din Is Not Nice In The Mandalorian Season 1

Previously, I labeled Din Djarin as a “reluctant paternal figure” in an analysis drawing parallels between him and Joel from HBO’s The Last of Us. It’s amusing how ill-equipped he appears to be for nurturing duties in the first season of The Mandalorian. From the very first episode, it becomes strikingly obvious that Din lacks effective methods for resolving issues when force isn’t an option. He struggled so much with negotiating with Jawas without resorting to using his flamethrower and threatening to incinerate them all because they allegedly took his possessions.

In addition, we should recall the initial sequence where he catches a fleeing assailant and inadvertently sees him sliced in two by a closing door. What makes this scene particularly unsettling is that his propensity for violence isn’t confined to his bounty hunting duties. Instead, it seems he was molded by his fellow Mandalorians into a ruthless instrument of death, serving the remnants of their cult with the ultimate goal of restoring the honor they once held as a people on Mandalore.

In his latest scenes with Grogu, Din Djarin appears strikingly distinct compared to earlier portrayals. If you’ve just finished Season 1 of The Mandalorian and were told that these two characters would share a movie in 2026, I’m sure you’d be intrigued yet puzzled about Grogu’s role in the film. However, subsequent seasons and appearances have expanded their characters, making them more complex and deserving of their own feature, rather than just entertaining additions to the Star Wars universe.

Din Is Woefully Incapable Of Caring For Grogu

It’s evident right from the start that Din, upon acquiring Grogu, was ill-suited for childcare. In fact, mechanic Peli Motto criticizes him for leaving Grogu unattended on the spaceship while he embarks on a mission. Regardless of Grogu being nearly 50 years old in “The Mandalorian,” at that time, we didn’t know his name, he was too young to be left alone on the ship.

One time when Din Djarin seems to bond with Grogu in a meaningful way is when he removes a toy from a lever on the Razor Crest and gives it to him as a gift. This particular scene, I must admit, didn’t grab my full attention during my initial viewing due to my excitement over Moff Gideon possessing the Darksaber.

Reflecting on it now, one could argue that Din Djarin’s role as a surrogate father to Grogu is among the primary narratives unfolding within “The Mandalorian”. This becomes particularly clear at the end of Season 3 when Grogu officially becomes a Foundling. However, it seems we were more engrossed in CGI battles and surprises during our viewing experience, perhaps overshadowing the heartwarming tale that was unfolding before us. It’s a shared responsibility between viewers and Disney’s marketing tactics, but this topic might be better explored in a different story at an appropriate time.

I Need To Give The Mandalorian Credit For Developing Din Djarin’s Character More Than I Assumed

Due to my habit of noticing hidden appearances and references in Marvel and Star Wars productions, which Disney often includes, I might have underestimated the powerful narrative development in The Mandalorian. Initially, it seems like this series is primarily serving as a bridge between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, explaining Emperor Palpatine’s resurgence. However, considering similar projects usually prioritize movie continuity, I suspect it’s also designed to deepen the overall Star Wars saga.

The aspect I neglected initially was how this narrative revolves around an isolated and extreme-minded character gradually shifting his perspective on various aspects of life, such as droids, the Rebel alliance, and Mandalorian identity, as he takes care of a child. Over time, we observe these transformations. While it’s not definitive to pinpoint all of these changes solely on his bond with Grogu, it’s clear that this relationship has played a significant part in shaping him.

It’s a point of view I’m thankful I identified before watching the upcoming The Mandalorian and Grogu. Although I can’t guarantee Din Djarin’s character development in the movie will result in a significant climax, it seems likely that if you watch the first episode of The Mandalorian before the upcoming film, the difference in his character will be striking. Reflecting on it more, he might even contend for one of the most dramatic character transformations within the Star Wars universe, although I doubt any character will surpass the metamorphosis undergone by Anakin Skywalker.

If you’re eager to revisit Season 1 of “The Mandalorian” once more, it’s readily available on Disney+ for those seeking to recall “The Way.” Keep an eye out here as we’ll be sharing updates about the upcoming movie featuring the Star Wars duo, which is projected to release in May 2026.

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2024-11-20 14:07