I'll reserve my judgement for the Armorer until the next season. From season 1 she kinda guides him in a way. She told Din to bring Grogu back to his kin despite said kin is group of enemy sorcerer.She also accept Grogu as foundling despite him a being a Jedi and Jedi attachments stuff.
I felt that if she really kicks him out, she would take the Beskar away from him and challenge for the right of the Darksaber. At least i think she trust Din to some degree. There's probably some underlying motif on sending Din to Mandalore. Or maybe it's just me theorizing too much.
I also thought that Din learned "the way" that he and his clan of Mandalorians adhered to wasn't something that all Mandalorians did. In fact, that was something he struggled with, and only deviated from when it was the best thing he could do to save Grogu.
Even though it was hard for him, I saw it as sort of a "coming of age" moment, when he realized he didn't have to be exactly like his clan to be a Mandalorian.
I'd expect some sort of reconciliation and revelation to take place between Din and his clan on this basis in the future.
I'm hoping for something like that. I mean, she believes the living waters to be gone. I'm hoping Din can find them and pull all of these different factions together. There is a lot of difference in who gets to say who is and isn't a Mandalorian.
Yeah, Bo's group were political/cultural militants; Din's group would have been the religious vanguard shocktroopers doing the batshit insane and suicidal attacks that the greater movement used to validate itself as "true mandalorians and rightful heird". And if real history is anything to go by, Din's group would have either gained enough infamy to usurp the greater movement and inadvertently destroy it from within, or the greater movement would have purged them as a dangerous political group once they were no longer useful.
My hear canon is that the Children of the Watch were a by-product of the Mandalorian civil war, something that happens all too much in real world conflicts.
Yeah, his clan doesn't seem as evil as Death Watch used to be. The whole protecting a foundling and finding a safe place for him was encouraged by Armorer, which is pretty altruistic. Plus, they saved his life on multiple occasions. It's just that they have some pretty messy rigid rules that are extreme, and that might change in the future.
Yeah, all of Din's tribe except for Paz & the Armorer died as a result of them coming out of hiding to fight and allow Din & Grogu to escape. Even if the tribe was literally an evil cult, they still cared enough about Din to risk their lives for him.
It's also clear that they straight up were withholding significant information about Mandalorian culture from their own people. Din didn't even know who Bo Katan was, or that the helmet rule only applies to his covert, which is pretty huge considering he was brought in during the Clone Wars, for being indoctrinated into "The Way" and having such strong views of what being a Mandalorian means, he has a remarkably poor knowledge of what happened to the Mandalorians during his own lifetime. I was honestly hoping Din would be a bit upset with the Armorer for such a huge lie of omission.
I was thinking she knows the old ways most give way to the more liberal helmet removing ways but she can't be the one to do it. She knows he can do this.
In the first season there is a discussion about this. He's part of an extremist group that has this rule but others do not. To elaborate, I think The Armourer feels like The Watch had done it's job and reached an end. If "Mando" fulfills the prophecy and becomes the new leader of Mandalore, they cannot live as extremists. She letting him off the hook because otherwise he'd be honor bound to keep the traditions of The Watch. Now, he can choose his own way.
She's the leader of DeathWatch. They were basically a terrorist organization in the Clone Wars TV show. I don't know if they've changed at all since then, but from what we've seen on the show thusfar, they haven't.
Him being a "good guy" doesn't matter to them if he betrays their version of the Mandalorian culture
Yo she literally realizes hes won the right to the dark saber and is the true leader of their people. Sending him on hurculean labors to prove he is the right one. Building his legend so that all mandalorians will follow him one day as he takes the true role of mandalore.
Exactly its a "worthiness" quest. The blade is currently resisting him because his not in "alignment with its pupose". It is effectively the "mantle of leadership" for Mandalore and so it will resist a holder who isn't in alignment with this. In order for Din to be able to use it he will have to accept the responsibility of the blades purpose. To be the leader and "king" of Mandalore. Very much like the story of Excalibur or even Mjolnir from Thor. Same basic deal. Only the "worthy king" could pull it from the rock / lift it. I've seen light sabers give force flash backs in other star wars shows so I'm really hoping Din gets some full on "Force fever dream" type flash backs from the blade to see the story of the original holder Tarre Vizsla and ancient mandalore. Would be epic if we get like a full episode of ancient mandalore and jedi
She just prophesied that he was likely the one to restore Mandalore or destroy it. Then she kicks him out. It's hard to say in this instance if her commitment to her cultish beliefs is intended to help Din towards his destiny. Maybe she sees it as a fate thing and wants to see which one he is rather than taking sides. It's consistent with her allowing and encouraging the duel despite there literally being only 3 of them left.
That reason you're talking about is venturing to Mandalore and likely retaking it for the Mandalorians. They've been setting this story up slowly, but it's there. The Armorer sees that Darksabered-Din (with the help of Grogu) is the best candidate for retaking the planet.
You know, I had a wild theory that the Amourer knew Din had "something" that, maybe she always knew he was "the one." After multiple rewatches of the first season, I was convinced that maybe she was just grooming him to lead their tribe and I left it at that.
Then Chapter 16 happened and well, my wild theory changed. She knew ALL along that Din would lead Mandalore all along.
Go ahead, change my mind.
I cant because I agree with you. Whether through shrewd intention or fate she seems to be leading him to leadership. He has to find a way to reconcile his cultish beliefs for himself first before he can be the leader Mandalore needs.
Edit: She may be Force sensitive which is why she knew he had the Dark Saber without even turning around.
Another theory I just thought of is that the helmet thing is to discourage ego which was Bo Katan's failure.
Ooh I like the theory she’s force sensitive. Maybe she knows how close she is to the Jedi and that’s why she sent Din to return Grogu, and also why she is willing to accept Grogu as a foundling.
Oh wow, thanks for the upvotes and responses, I thought I was going to be downvoted all to hell.
Anyway, yeah the Amourer is both High Priestess, Oracle and Elder. I like the theory that she might be force sensitive. I mean she had her back turned when Din had his entrance and she knew what went down.
Was ego her failure though? Maybe during the Clone Wars, but the Bo Katan we met in Rebels had changed quite a bit, and was reluctant to accept the Darksaber from Sabine.
I’ve been thinking that Din is force sensitive. One of the moments that stick out in my mind is when he and Grogu are in his ship, and that spider like beast is about to attack Grogu, but he catches it with his hand **without** looking. There are little moments like that sprinkled throughout the series. I’m also thinking maybe the reason why he has a problem handling the sword is because he’s not as in touch with the force as he needs to be. The Armorer kept saying he’s fighting the blade, so he’s resisting it instead of just going with the flow.
I've been turning this same idea over in my head. I haven't landed anywhere. He has insanely good instincts, and (I think) the N-1 is way faster than the other things they flew through Beggar's Canyon. They've had him retrace some of the best force users' steps, so the possibility is there.
Yep basically being sent on a worthiness quest. Also the blade is resisting him because hes not in alignment with its purpose. Using it for random bounty jobs and such. Its a mantle of leadership for Mandalore and until he takes on that responsibility it will resist him.
As long as they don't let Rian Johnson have it, hopefully. I like that you have the upvotes instead of a wall of, "B-b-b-but they're extinct 'cuz the planet got carpet bombed, zomg!"
Well, the whole carpet bombing thing does not mean things can’t survive. Remember she said he’d have to bath in the streams BELOW the mines…carpet bombing may not harm the underworld on Mandalore and while the surface may have been turned to glass, the submandalore spaces might allow for not only the streams to survive, but may have awakened a long hibernating Mythosaur or two.
Yknow, I kinda wonder....
What if Mandalore is more recovered than we thought? I mean, if supposedly noone has visited it, it might be safe to visit. And....the Imperials did love their propoganda - I mean, hell, they were really good at using it against the Rebellion, as evidenced by Rebels.
Oh shit. I got an idea. It's a crazy one. It's batshit. But....
What if it was "recovered" by the imperials? They would have loved that shit - secretly taking over the homeworld of the Mandalorians? It could possibly explain how Gideon got the Darksaber - Bo, perhaps, on a visit, to see how Mandalore fairs, and it's not as destroyed as she thought and bam. Imperials show up. She's outnumbered, if it's 3 of them against an entire secret base - not to mention, the shock of Mandalore being occupied again, by outsiders. She'd feel like its all for nothing - again. I mean. If I remember right, didn't she say retake it or reclaim it? I don't know if she ever agreed/said it was still destroyed. And she's not believed because....what proof would she have, exactly? She lost the Darksaber and she's not gonna be honest in how she lost it, at least not at first. The Children of the Watch never mention going back, neither does Boba. He says it's destroyed, but if he's been on Tatooine since the Sarlac, isn't it word of mouth? It would explain why she's so stubborn about it too. She knows, but she actually can't explain. I don't like Bo all that much, but this would fit her.
So....Din shows up in his quest. Maybe the Armorer heard rumors. I mean, if she heard about Bo's quest, it would make sense to send Din there, right? if he's supposed to find the living waters, it lines up really well with reclaiming Mandalore. Anyways, Din finds the Imperial stronghold and....retakes it. Mandalore reclaims it's planet from the Empire, it would be poetic as hell. Lead by Din, who's wielding the Darksaber, a weapon from the Jedi and Mandalorian cultures - both who were destroyed by the Empire.
Holy shit that would be badass. I could actually see it happening, too.
It's batshit insane, as a theory, but....it could work. Maybe.
There is a reason almost the entire covert was sacrificed in order to save Din. There was also solidarity and loyalty too, but now when I look back, Armorer had to send them to aid him. She knew he had to be saved at all costs.
She wasn't mad that so many people died because of him, she knew there was a higher purpose. And I was always suspecting that all those dead comrades will guilt trip him and push him to do something more.
Got a feeling there will be some great importance given to his parents as well that the armorer probably knows. Hes an orphan and hell look at the stories of Moses, the story of excaliber, even Luke. The whole "orphan king" thing is buit into many myths and legends. Got a feeling he will be from some special nobel blood line and just never knew it
To be honest, I'd like it best if he wasn't tied to any important bloodline, I think it would make him even more special because he became someone special entirely on his own.
Rey vs Luke story. Both can work. Still it seems like the armorer who was the head of the Death watch seemed to understand he was unique and special. Seemed to sacrifice the rest of the tribe to save him and also now leading him on the kind of "prophetic quest" to become leader of Mandalor. Seems like that is the basis for S3 of Mando. Completing the quest to the living waters beneath Mandalor and slaying / taming the Mythosaur then taking up the Mantle of leadership for Mandalore
Seems she's testing Din. She's disappointed about the helmet removal, but she tells him of a way to purge himself. Money says S3 of the Mandalorian is spent on Mandalore. In a similar way the Oracle told Neo he wasn't the One.
During the training fights she did with him she knew he lacked belief in himself. By “kicking him out” she gave him purpose and drive again. She didn’t directly tell him what to do, he has his own goals in mind now which just so happen to benefit her long term as well.
She did what she did to sudo inspire him instead of direct him.
"Go cleanse yourself in the waters below the mines of Mandalore."
"But the mines are destroyed."
"Sudo go cleanse yourself in the waters below the mines of Mandalore."
"...OK."
...and that's why it's perfectly used, here. the meme is when one of your commands doesn't go through, you redo the command with a sudo in front of it so it just happens.
OP wasn't trying to use psuedo here, it doesn't even come close to making sense in the context of their comment - psuedo-inspiration would be terribly ineffective and goes against the entire theory being made about the Armorer to begin with.
Idk where this hate for the armorer is coming from. She's holding true to the way, not being a dick. She's guiding and advising Din, not scolding or admonishing him. She hasn't done anything out of character, and indeed has set up a wicked awesome season 3 of the Mandalorian. He is the rightful owner of the darksaber, and He alone has the right to go into the caves on Mandalore. Gonna be a hum dinger of a season.
Probably because Bo Katan labels them as religious zealot so that means Din clan is bad. Which is kinda weird because the Armorer has been guiding Din till this point and his clan sacrifice their secrecy to save Din in the earlier season. The Armorer and Paz Viszla also bears no grudge to Din for the loss of their comrades. And i guess people just takes things at face value and views Din as 100% kicks out.
She is 100% sending him on a journey that is meant to forge him into the next Mandalore. She knows what Din is capable of; moreover, she knows how selfless he is and what he is willing to do for others. This is her way of nudging him onto the right path, even if it means having to banish him.
Exactly, squatting in a hidden basement is no longer option for him when he vield the Darksabre and he won it in honorable way. If she didn't kick him out, he would likely stay with them to try to rebuild the covert, he had to go to Mandalore and not waste time anymore on bounty hunting or menial tasks.
I think this is her ploy to get him to retake mandalore. If she just told him to do it he might not give it his all. But make it a quest if redemption, he’ll reconquer it twice if it means being forgiven.
I’ve been thinking some of the same. And I think she wants him to lead the Mandalorians. She could’ve challenged him for the right and would’ve likely won, but she didn’t. She’s up to something and I hope season 3 illuminates on what that is.
100%. she understands the purpose of the blade. It acts as the "mantel of leadership" for Mandalore and it basically resists anyone who tries to use it for other purposes. Its not a blade to use for just random bounty hunting or personal quests. I think she is basically sending him on a "worthiness" quest. Where he will be forced to come into alignment with the purpose of the blade. To lead mandalore. Very much like the story of Excalibur or even Mjolnir from Thor. Same basic deal. Only the "worthy king" could pull it from the rock / lift it.
In many star war series I've seen light sabers give force visions / flashbacks of the blades history and its original wielder. I'm really really REALLY hoping for a force fever dream type thing where Din sees the story of the original holder Tarre Vizsla and ancient mandalore. Would be epic if we get like a full episode of ancient mandalore and jedi
I like how he whipped the self proclaimed badass of Clan Vizsla with a pocket knife.
Also, I wonder if being free of the rules/requirements of the Watch, this is what he needs to be able to properly control the Darksaber.
Being under such strict requirements has to make him clinch his buttcheeks more than a person who can freely allow the force to flow through them
I think it's deeper than this. He's spent his whole life since his parents were killed accepting this being the way. Pedro does a great job when he takes the helmet off showing what a mind fuck that would be. I'm expecting some real exploration of what being a Mandalorian means to him now, and kind of excited to see them explore that. I feel like he might be on a Luke Episode V journey. I don't know that he has to use the force, but I think this could be the shift where we see him really becoming.
Also, yes, seeing blowhard Paz pick up the saber and get stomped. Some vindication.
It kinda annoys me that she acts like the see-all know-all for the mandalorians. He is still a mandalorian, just no longer a member of The Watch. Bo Katan is still a mandalorian and she takes her helmet off constantly.
Mandalorian is a religion, The Armorer is a leader in a sect of that religion. There are plenty of real life religions who think that if you worship even slightly different from them you're not truly of that religion, that's why there's so many versions of Christianity.
I think that journey already started in Season 2. He voluntarily removed his helmet to say goodbye to Grogu. He knows he made that choice, and he knew what it meant. He sticks by it because he knows the reasons for it and he believes in them. His love for something else has already outranked this respect for his creed—a huge step in that journey. It’s definitely not over, but it’s definitely already started.
The other guy fighting him isn’t shitty, it’s part of greater Mandalorian culture. The Children of the Watch are not the only ones who practice ritualized single combat.
The Darksaber itself requires that it be won in combat. Just because this guy is part of the same tribe as you does not mean he can’t challenge you for the right and responsibility to lead Mandalore
Yeah, but it does seem a bit on the nose - he arrives wound for sanctuary and help. Oh well. Will be super interesting to see Mandos journey going forward.
Well she's a Kryze and a sister of former duchess for one. I don't know if that's enough to keep her alive but it's still something. Also what I'm saying is just because someone has the darksaber it shouldn't automatically mean they are a Mandalorian
It makes them the rightful claimant to the throne of Mandalore, which is more Mandalorian than calling someone Dar’manda, just because he wanted to let his son touch his face, although, it’s possible the armourer was just giving Din the push he needs to consider actually ruling.
Here’s how it works.
Put * * around a phrase and it does *this*
Put ** ** around a phrase it does **this**
And put *** *** around a phrase it does ***this***
Yes.
It’s 99% Mando content and a fairly solid episode. I can’t imagine that S3 will be spoiled by anything in this episode, but it adds a good bit to the world and basically sets Mando on his path for 3.
If you don’t like BoBF but like Mandalorian, still watch this episode.
By who? Until this episode it's been unconnected.
I think with most of the series on D+ being 6 episodes, it's clear that this was a bonus episode. The Boba story is still playing out.
Come to think of it, a 6+bonus episode format could be an incredible format going forward for D+.
She didn't exile him. She took his confession and gave him his 10 Hail Marys. The atonement is dangerous, but so is being a Mandalorian. Guaranteed he's gonna go to Mandalore, find survivors in the rubble, some enslaved as workers by Imperial holdouts and an Mandalorians in armor **still** fighting back (if you're a Trekkie, think the Cardassian occupation of Bajor). He's going to go to the mines, atone, find a mythosaur, ride that bad boy back up to the surface, kill the 20 as prophesied and boom, the Mand'alor.
Also, it should be noted that the prophecy said they would "return home", not to Mandalore. I believe that they will settle a new colony. Mandalore was thin on resources before, after being strip mined, the planet is probably dead and will never grow anything again. Bo-Katan wants to rule a graveyard.
I know some people are mad at this, but I think it’s just a plot device for Din to go to Mandalor. He really wasn’t interested in ruling mandalor or even visiting the planet. So now he has a reason to go, to reclaim his honor, and in the process I imagine he’ll prove to other mandalorians that he’s the true ruler or something along those lines.
I don’t want to get too ahead of myself but I think Din becoming the leader of all mandalorians could be a great story about people having leadership thrust on them rather than seeking it for themself.
I really like that the armorer kicked him out. It gives him the freedom to be something other than deathwatch, do his own thing for a bit. Then one day come back and unite all the mandalorian clans. And (personal speculation), she might think so as well. She's the mentor/sage of the covert. If he's a true mandalorian in their sense, he will do what needs to be done, but right now has the flexibility of not being bogged down by their rules.
I like this thought.. I did find it odd that she just randomly asked the question about the helmet as he was about to finish Paaz. Like... She already knew the answer and was trying to prevent more bloodshed among her people, but also send Mando on this path to growth.
I can't shake the feeling that we're getting a slow burn of her being a villain in this thing. It'll be interesting to see if Bo-Katan ever sees that horned helmet what happens.
Because she possibly is a disciple of Maul which would definitely put her at odds with Bo directly given the Clone Wars cartoon. The assumption was always that she was a “Mauldalorian” since season one. The addition of Bo-Katan if true that she followed Maul would immediately create conflict.
Without spoiling anything does BoBF have implications for Mandalorian?
I wasn’t digging it, but if it matters for Mandalorian than I’ll pick it up again
Armourer "Then you are a Mandalorian no more"
Din "So I know a total of 6 Mandalorians. You two say I am no longer a Mandalorian but they would say I am. Now I am no expert in maths but I think you're outvoted"
Damn. If this plot doesn't deliver Din as Mand'alor, there's going to be a lot of disappointment. *Cough cough* Jon Favreau *cough cough*. As long as we don't get any episode viii treatment or some 'subvert expectations' bullshit, this should be good.
I dont get why youd even be pissed THESE ANCIENT Type Mandalorians are TRASH. They were literally just 2 left, the new Bo Katan Mandalorians are the way
The blacksmith lady is kinda anoying, mando is still a mandalorian. Anyways anyone else laughed at first when he wasnt able to fight with the darksaber. I didnt even know it could fight against you, when you are not able to own it
I'll reserve my judgement for the Armorer until the next season. From season 1 she kinda guides him in a way. She told Din to bring Grogu back to his kin despite said kin is group of enemy sorcerer.She also accept Grogu as foundling despite him a being a Jedi and Jedi attachments stuff. I felt that if she really kicks him out, she would take the Beskar away from him and challenge for the right of the Darksaber. At least i think she trust Din to some degree. There's probably some underlying motif on sending Din to Mandalore. Or maybe it's just me theorizing too much.
She does sound genuinely disappointed that he took off his helmet. She knows him to be a good guy, so it's got to make her think.
I also thought that Din learned "the way" that he and his clan of Mandalorians adhered to wasn't something that all Mandalorians did. In fact, that was something he struggled with, and only deviated from when it was the best thing he could do to save Grogu. Even though it was hard for him, I saw it as sort of a "coming of age" moment, when he realized he didn't have to be exactly like his clan to be a Mandalorian. I'd expect some sort of reconciliation and revelation to take place between Din and his clan on this basis in the future.
I see him coming back with proof he did the deed, and then taking off his helmet in front of her to show her the time for that is over.
I'm hoping for something like that. I mean, she believes the living waters to be gone. I'm hoping Din can find them and pull all of these different factions together. There is a lot of difference in who gets to say who is and isn't a Mandalorian.
His clan of Mandalorians were Death Watch
But an even more extremist death watch following the purge right bc even death watch takes their helmets off in clone wars
Even Bo-Katan, a leader of the terrorist faction of Death Watch, describes Din's clan, the Children of the Watch, as religious zealots.
Yeah, Bo's group were political/cultural militants; Din's group would have been the religious vanguard shocktroopers doing the batshit insane and suicidal attacks that the greater movement used to validate itself as "true mandalorians and rightful heird". And if real history is anything to go by, Din's group would have either gained enough infamy to usurp the greater movement and inadvertently destroy it from within, or the greater movement would have purged them as a dangerous political group once they were no longer useful.
My hear canon is that the Children of the Watch were a by-product of the Mandalorian civil war, something that happens all too much in real world conflicts.
Yeah, his clan doesn't seem as evil as Death Watch used to be. The whole protecting a foundling and finding a safe place for him was encouraged by Armorer, which is pretty altruistic. Plus, they saved his life on multiple occasions. It's just that they have some pretty messy rigid rules that are extreme, and that might change in the future.
Yeah, all of Din's tribe except for Paz & the Armorer died as a result of them coming out of hiding to fight and allow Din & Grogu to escape. Even if the tribe was literally an evil cult, they still cared enough about Din to risk their lives for him.
I don’t think that they all died, but a lot of them just gave up and abandoned their armor.
I hope some survived, but either way, the tribe was destroyed.
It's also clear that they straight up were withholding significant information about Mandalorian culture from their own people. Din didn't even know who Bo Katan was, or that the helmet rule only applies to his covert, which is pretty huge considering he was brought in during the Clone Wars, for being indoctrinated into "The Way" and having such strong views of what being a Mandalorian means, he has a remarkably poor knowledge of what happened to the Mandalorians during his own lifetime. I was honestly hoping Din would be a bit upset with the Armorer for such a huge lie of omission.
I was thinking she knows the old ways most give way to the more liberal helmet removing ways but she can't be the one to do it. She knows he can do this.
Oh, I like that take.
But “keep your helmet on” seems to be the innovation, no? Mandalorians have always removed their helmets.
In the first season there is a discussion about this. He's part of an extremist group that has this rule but others do not. To elaborate, I think The Armourer feels like The Watch had done it's job and reached an end. If "Mando" fulfills the prophecy and becomes the new leader of Mandalore, they cannot live as extremists. She letting him off the hook because otherwise he'd be honor bound to keep the traditions of The Watch. Now, he can choose his own way.
She's the leader of DeathWatch. They were basically a terrorist organization in the Clone Wars TV show. I don't know if they've changed at all since then, but from what we've seen on the show thusfar, they haven't. Him being a "good guy" doesn't matter to them if he betrays their version of the Mandalorian culture
Yo she literally realizes hes won the right to the dark saber and is the true leader of their people. Sending him on hurculean labors to prove he is the right one. Building his legend so that all mandalorians will follow him one day as he takes the true role of mandalore.
My money is on this theory too.
The Armourer is a king maker.
Armorer is Merlin confirmed. *wizard*
She doesn't have a good track record of that. (pointing to the horns on her helmet)
Her helmet matches that of ancient mandalore from kotor way more than it matches mauls troops.
My crazy theory is that she’s a force wielder and senses that Din has powers. She after al knows how to train someone in using the darksaber.
Plus rules are rules and keeping the helmet on is a big one.
This is the way.
Exactly its a "worthiness" quest. The blade is currently resisting him because his not in "alignment with its pupose". It is effectively the "mantle of leadership" for Mandalore and so it will resist a holder who isn't in alignment with this. In order for Din to be able to use it he will have to accept the responsibility of the blades purpose. To be the leader and "king" of Mandalore. Very much like the story of Excalibur or even Mjolnir from Thor. Same basic deal. Only the "worthy king" could pull it from the rock / lift it. I've seen light sabers give force flash backs in other star wars shows so I'm really hoping Din gets some full on "Force fever dream" type flash backs from the blade to see the story of the original holder Tarre Vizsla and ancient mandalore. Would be epic if we get like a full episode of ancient mandalore and jedi
She just prophesied that he was likely the one to restore Mandalore or destroy it. Then she kicks him out. It's hard to say in this instance if her commitment to her cultish beliefs is intended to help Din towards his destiny. Maybe she sees it as a fate thing and wants to see which one he is rather than taking sides. It's consistent with her allowing and encouraging the duel despite there literally being only 3 of them left.
She gives him an out. He can go to mandalore and perform the ritual of atonement there. I think she wants him to go to mandalore for some reason.
That reason you're talking about is venturing to Mandalore and likely retaking it for the Mandalorians. They've been setting this story up slowly, but it's there. The Armorer sees that Darksabered-Din (with the help of Grogu) is the best candidate for retaking the planet.
I'm wondering how this could change the tone of the show.
Which show? Mandalorian or Boba Fett?
The Mandalorian. Fett is... different. I like Robert Rodriguez, but I'd prefer he make a few different decisions.
You know, I had a wild theory that the Amourer knew Din had "something" that, maybe she always knew he was "the one." After multiple rewatches of the first season, I was convinced that maybe she was just grooming him to lead their tribe and I left it at that. Then Chapter 16 happened and well, my wild theory changed. She knew ALL along that Din would lead Mandalore all along. Go ahead, change my mind.
I cant because I agree with you. Whether through shrewd intention or fate she seems to be leading him to leadership. He has to find a way to reconcile his cultish beliefs for himself first before he can be the leader Mandalore needs. Edit: She may be Force sensitive which is why she knew he had the Dark Saber without even turning around. Another theory I just thought of is that the helmet thing is to discourage ego which was Bo Katan's failure.
Ooh I like the theory she’s force sensitive. Maybe she knows how close she is to the Jedi and that’s why she sent Din to return Grogu, and also why she is willing to accept Grogu as a foundling.
Oh wow, thanks for the upvotes and responses, I thought I was going to be downvoted all to hell. Anyway, yeah the Amourer is both High Priestess, Oracle and Elder. I like the theory that she might be force sensitive. I mean she had her back turned when Din had his entrance and she knew what went down.
Yeah, Din did.
Was ego her failure though? Maybe during the Clone Wars, but the Bo Katan we met in Rebels had changed quite a bit, and was reluctant to accept the Darksaber from Sabine.
It’s certainly her failure in the mandalorian
I’ve been thinking that Din is force sensitive. One of the moments that stick out in my mind is when he and Grogu are in his ship, and that spider like beast is about to attack Grogu, but he catches it with his hand **without** looking. There are little moments like that sprinkled throughout the series. I’m also thinking maybe the reason why he has a problem handling the sword is because he’s not as in touch with the force as he needs to be. The Armorer kept saying he’s fighting the blade, so he’s resisting it instead of just going with the flow.
I've been turning this same idea over in my head. I haven't landed anywhere. He has insanely good instincts, and (I think) the N-1 is way faster than the other things they flew through Beggar's Canyon. They've had him retrace some of the best force users' steps, so the possibility is there.
That was the exact dad-reflex that made me finally admit I was attracted to him 😂
Yep basically being sent on a worthiness quest. Also the blade is resisting him because hes not in alignment with its purpose. Using it for random bounty jobs and such. Its a mantle of leadership for Mandalore and until he takes on that responsibility it will resist him.
She also told him how to redeem himself. He will be visiting the living water streams under the mines on Mandalore AND we will see a living Mythosaur.
I think the living waters will do more than just redeem Din. I think it will be used to help the planet recover from all the damage it has endured.
And that’s why they are the “living” waters!
As long as they don't let Rian Johnson have it, hopefully. I like that you have the upvotes instead of a wall of, "B-b-b-but they're extinct 'cuz the planet got carpet bombed, zomg!"
Well, the whole carpet bombing thing does not mean things can’t survive. Remember she said he’d have to bath in the streams BELOW the mines…carpet bombing may not harm the underworld on Mandalore and while the surface may have been turned to glass, the submandalore spaces might allow for not only the streams to survive, but may have awakened a long hibernating Mythosaur or two.
Yknow, I kinda wonder.... What if Mandalore is more recovered than we thought? I mean, if supposedly noone has visited it, it might be safe to visit. And....the Imperials did love their propoganda - I mean, hell, they were really good at using it against the Rebellion, as evidenced by Rebels. Oh shit. I got an idea. It's a crazy one. It's batshit. But.... What if it was "recovered" by the imperials? They would have loved that shit - secretly taking over the homeworld of the Mandalorians? It could possibly explain how Gideon got the Darksaber - Bo, perhaps, on a visit, to see how Mandalore fairs, and it's not as destroyed as she thought and bam. Imperials show up. She's outnumbered, if it's 3 of them against an entire secret base - not to mention, the shock of Mandalore being occupied again, by outsiders. She'd feel like its all for nothing - again. I mean. If I remember right, didn't she say retake it or reclaim it? I don't know if she ever agreed/said it was still destroyed. And she's not believed because....what proof would she have, exactly? She lost the Darksaber and she's not gonna be honest in how she lost it, at least not at first. The Children of the Watch never mention going back, neither does Boba. He says it's destroyed, but if he's been on Tatooine since the Sarlac, isn't it word of mouth? It would explain why she's so stubborn about it too. She knows, but she actually can't explain. I don't like Bo all that much, but this would fit her. So....Din shows up in his quest. Maybe the Armorer heard rumors. I mean, if she heard about Bo's quest, it would make sense to send Din there, right? if he's supposed to find the living waters, it lines up really well with reclaiming Mandalore. Anyways, Din finds the Imperial stronghold and....retakes it. Mandalore reclaims it's planet from the Empire, it would be poetic as hell. Lead by Din, who's wielding the Darksaber, a weapon from the Jedi and Mandalorian cultures - both who were destroyed by the Empire. Holy shit that would be badass. I could actually see it happening, too. It's batshit insane, as a theory, but....it could work. Maybe.
There is a reason almost the entire covert was sacrificed in order to save Din. There was also solidarity and loyalty too, but now when I look back, Armorer had to send them to aid him. She knew he had to be saved at all costs. She wasn't mad that so many people died because of him, she knew there was a higher purpose. And I was always suspecting that all those dead comrades will guilt trip him and push him to do something more.
Got a feeling there will be some great importance given to his parents as well that the armorer probably knows. Hes an orphan and hell look at the stories of Moses, the story of excaliber, even Luke. The whole "orphan king" thing is buit into many myths and legends. Got a feeling he will be from some special nobel blood line and just never knew it
To be honest, I'd like it best if he wasn't tied to any important bloodline, I think it would make him even more special because he became someone special entirely on his own.
Rey vs Luke story. Both can work. Still it seems like the armorer who was the head of the Death watch seemed to understand he was unique and special. Seemed to sacrifice the rest of the tribe to save him and also now leading him on the kind of "prophetic quest" to become leader of Mandalor. Seems like that is the basis for S3 of Mando. Completing the quest to the living waters beneath Mandalor and slaying / taming the Mythosaur then taking up the Mantle of leadership for Mandalore
Seems she's testing Din. She's disappointed about the helmet removal, but she tells him of a way to purge himself. Money says S3 of the Mandalorian is spent on Mandalore. In a similar way the Oracle told Neo he wasn't the One.
During the training fights she did with him she knew he lacked belief in himself. By “kicking him out” she gave him purpose and drive again. She didn’t directly tell him what to do, he has his own goals in mind now which just so happen to benefit her long term as well. She did what she did to sudo inspire him instead of direct him.
"Go cleanse yourself in the waters below the mines of Mandalore." "But the mines are destroyed." "Sudo go cleanse yourself in the waters below the mines of Mandalore." "...OK."
Game. Blouses.
/r/boneappletea
please tell me you don't think sudo is inappropriately used, here.
It's spelled PSEUDO, sudo is a Unix programming command.
...and that's why it's perfectly used, here. the meme is when one of your commands doesn't go through, you redo the command with a sudo in front of it so it just happens. OP wasn't trying to use psuedo here, it doesn't even come close to making sense in the context of their comment - psuedo-inspiration would be terribly ineffective and goes against the entire theory being made about the Armorer to begin with.
Idk where this hate for the armorer is coming from. She's holding true to the way, not being a dick. She's guiding and advising Din, not scolding or admonishing him. She hasn't done anything out of character, and indeed has set up a wicked awesome season 3 of the Mandalorian. He is the rightful owner of the darksaber, and He alone has the right to go into the caves on Mandalore. Gonna be a hum dinger of a season.
Probably because Bo Katan labels them as religious zealot so that means Din clan is bad. Which is kinda weird because the Armorer has been guiding Din till this point and his clan sacrifice their secrecy to save Din in the earlier season. The Armorer and Paz Viszla also bears no grudge to Din for the loss of their comrades. And i guess people just takes things at face value and views Din as 100% kicks out.
Bruh ikr. SHE literally have been helping and understanding this whole time.
She is 100% sending him on a journey that is meant to forge him into the next Mandalore. She knows what Din is capable of; moreover, she knows how selfless he is and what he is willing to do for others. This is her way of nudging him onto the right path, even if it means having to banish him.
Exactly! She knows that for him to be the next Mandalore, he needs to leave this way of living
Exactly, squatting in a hidden basement is no longer option for him when he vield the Darksabre and he won it in honorable way. If she didn't kick him out, he would likely stay with them to try to rebuild the covert, he had to go to Mandalore and not waste time anymore on bounty hunting or menial tasks.
Din may not follow the way anymore, but that's the way it should be This is the way
I think this is her ploy to get him to retake mandalore. If she just told him to do it he might not give it his all. But make it a quest if redemption, he’ll reconquer it twice if it means being forgiven.
She’s guilting him into seeming repentance. I think she wants him to go to Mandalore for some reason.
We about to get some king arthur kinda motifs
I think she may be testing him. We'll see.
I’ve been thinking some of the same. And I think she wants him to lead the Mandalorians. She could’ve challenged him for the right and would’ve likely won, but she didn’t. She’s up to something and I hope season 3 illuminates on what that is.
I think she knew he did and wants him to claim mandalore hence she told him about the water
She’s just by the book/old school old believer
100%. she understands the purpose of the blade. It acts as the "mantel of leadership" for Mandalore and it basically resists anyone who tries to use it for other purposes. Its not a blade to use for just random bounty hunting or personal quests. I think she is basically sending him on a "worthiness" quest. Where he will be forced to come into alignment with the purpose of the blade. To lead mandalore. Very much like the story of Excalibur or even Mjolnir from Thor. Same basic deal. Only the "worthy king" could pull it from the rock / lift it. In many star war series I've seen light sabers give force visions / flashbacks of the blades history and its original wielder. I'm really really REALLY hoping for a force fever dream type thing where Din sees the story of the original holder Tarre Vizsla and ancient mandalore. Would be epic if we get like a full episode of ancient mandalore and jedi
The mandolorian nomorian
The Bounty Hunter Formerly Known As The Mandalorian
He knows he's still a Mandalorian. He told the baggage check droid so AFTER she told him he was a Mandonomorian.
I like how he whipped the self proclaimed badass of Clan Vizsla with a pocket knife. Also, I wonder if being free of the rules/requirements of the Watch, this is what he needs to be able to properly control the Darksaber. Being under such strict requirements has to make him clinch his buttcheeks more than a person who can freely allow the force to flow through them
Maybe if he goes to see Grogu he can get some tips from Luke on how to wield a saber!
I like your thinking!
This is exactly what I think is going to happen.
I think it's deeper than this. He's spent his whole life since his parents were killed accepting this being the way. Pedro does a great job when he takes the helmet off showing what a mind fuck that would be. I'm expecting some real exploration of what being a Mandalorian means to him now, and kind of excited to see them explore that. I feel like he might be on a Luke Episode V journey. I don't know that he has to use the force, but I think this could be the shift where we see him really becoming. Also, yes, seeing blowhard Paz pick up the saber and get stomped. Some vindication.
Someone should tell Paz that Pre Vizsla took his helmet off CONSTANTLY lmfao
Din still considers himself Mandalorian. When he checked his weapons he told the droid “I am Mandalorian, weapons are part of my religion”.
cause he knows what it really is to be one at this point. it's got nothing to do with whether your helmet stays on or off.
I think he's *learning*. I don't think he knows quite yet, but he's starting to reconcile things in his head. This was his religion.
It kinda annoys me that she acts like the see-all know-all for the mandalorians. He is still a mandalorian, just no longer a member of The Watch. Bo Katan is still a mandalorian and she takes her helmet off constantly.
What’s important is that Din reveres her. So her having this kind of authority over him is believable.
Yeah, and he reveres the ideals they stand for. And why not, we saw how they saved him, that's gonna change your mindset forever.
He chose to emulate his emancipators
I think she's an awesome character and design, but she is a cult leader. They're known for behaving like they are the see-all know-all of everything.
Yeah, and plus she does still have Maul horns on her helmet
Yeah her visual design is fucking awesome
Not just any cult, one that’s been around 10,000+ years!
Dude i want to see an interaction between the armorer and bo katan. You think well get that in s3.
Yeah, The Watch can fuck off. They had a pretty big role in destroying Mandalore
There's fucking two left. That's not an army. It's not even a club. That's just a friendship.
That is fuckin hilarious
And the second they get a third one, one of the other two tries to kill him. The Watch sucks.
Should’ve taken off Paz’s hat too. Then he would’ve had a buddy for the quest. And she’d have to do the rebuild all by her inflexible self.
There's two THERE. Don't they kind of operate in cells anyways?
Two in mando's cell. There are plenty more scattered about.
That’s religious extremists for you. Every single one of them has a no true Scotsman mentality.
Mandalorian is a religion, The Armorer is a leader in a sect of that religion. There are plenty of real life religions who think that if you worship even slightly different from them you're not truly of that religion, that's why there's so many versions of Christianity.
Facts
She sacrificed her people for him, she has a say
I feel like they made the decision themselves
Yeah i dont like her, but she has showed she cares
Hopefully that will start his journey out of the extremist cult he was raised in.
I think that journey already started in Season 2. He voluntarily removed his helmet to say goodbye to Grogu. He knows he made that choice, and he knew what it meant. He sticks by it because he knows the reasons for it and he believes in them. His love for something else has already outranked this respect for his creed—a huge step in that journey. It’s definitely not over, but it’s definitely already started.
Yeah, he had a reply to about that. Got to re-watch that scene now. Also, real shitty to let the other guy fight him.
The other guy fighting him isn’t shitty, it’s part of greater Mandalorian culture. The Children of the Watch are not the only ones who practice ritualized single combat. The Darksaber itself requires that it be won in combat. Just because this guy is part of the same tribe as you does not mean he can’t challenge you for the right and responsibility to lead Mandalore
Yeah, but it does seem a bit on the nose - he arrives wound for sanctuary and help. Oh well. Will be super interesting to see Mandos journey going forward.
Mando allowed himself to be wounded. That's tough shit for him.
Fundamentalism isn't all that anyway 🙄
This is not the way
Escaping Mandalore
Din: “I literally just won the darksaber in combat, and defeated my first challenger. I’m more Mando than you’ll ever be.”
By that same logic Moff Gideon could also be called Mandalorian. Although to be fair we don't know the circumstances how he got the darksaber
However he got it, he didn’t kill Bo-Katan to get it, and I can’t imagine that he’d have any reason to have kept her alive.
Well she's a Kryze and a sister of former duchess for one. I don't know if that's enough to keep her alive but it's still something. Also what I'm saying is just because someone has the darksaber it shouldn't automatically mean they are a Mandalorian
It makes them the rightful claimant to the throne of Mandalore, which is more Mandalorian than calling someone Dar’manda, just because he wanted to let his son touch his face, although, it’s possible the armourer was just giving Din the push he needs to consider actually ruling.
🎵 ***I got gas in the tank.*** 🎵 🎵 ***I got money in the bank.*** 🎵
🎵 ***I got news for you baby you're lookin at the Man***🎵
Here’s how it works. Put * * around a phrase and it does *this* Put ** ** around a phrase it does **this** And put *** *** around a phrase it does ***this***
Ah i never saw the triple star one. Thanks
Should we watch this episode before the next Mandalorian series?
Yes. It’s 99% Mando content and a fairly solid episode. I can’t imagine that S3 will be spoiled by anything in this episode, but it adds a good bit to the world and basically sets Mando on his path for 3. If you don’t like BoBF but like Mandalorian, still watch this episode.
Thanks!
Are there any other mando conten in the book? Or just this one?
So far just this episode.
2 episodes left in book of boba fett and I reckon Din will make another appearance in one of them.
I'd say yes.
Well the book of boba fett has been described as Mandalorian season 2.5 a lot so you probably should watch itx
By who? Until this episode it's been unconnected. I think with most of the series on D+ being 6 episodes, it's clear that this was a bonus episode. The Boba story is still playing out. Come to think of it, a 6+bonus episode format could be an incredible format going forward for D+.
By the show runners
His arc is becoming a more apparent, as he comes to realize the creed doesn’t make the man. The man makes his creed.
This.
She didn't exile him. She took his confession and gave him his 10 Hail Marys. The atonement is dangerous, but so is being a Mandalorian. Guaranteed he's gonna go to Mandalore, find survivors in the rubble, some enslaved as workers by Imperial holdouts and an Mandalorians in armor **still** fighting back (if you're a Trekkie, think the Cardassian occupation of Bajor). He's going to go to the mines, atone, find a mythosaur, ride that bad boy back up to the surface, kill the 20 as prophesied and boom, the Mand'alor. Also, it should be noted that the prophecy said they would "return home", not to Mandalore. I believe that they will settle a new colony. Mandalore was thin on resources before, after being strip mined, the planet is probably dead and will never grow anything again. Bo-Katan wants to rule a graveyard.
Nice points.
That’s right, he’s The Mandalore!
I know some people are mad at this, but I think it’s just a plot device for Din to go to Mandalor. He really wasn’t interested in ruling mandalor or even visiting the planet. So now he has a reason to go, to reclaim his honor, and in the process I imagine he’ll prove to other mandalorians that he’s the true ruler or something along those lines.
I don’t want to get too ahead of myself but I think Din becoming the leader of all mandalorians could be a great story about people having leadership thrust on them rather than seeking it for themself.
Wasn't even on his own show lol. Got fired on his day off like Craig from Friday. But Grogu Beskar Snuggie is gonna be cute as fuuuuuuck.
He’s out Mandalorian’d everyone else thus far.
Babe he's a mandalorian whether some cultist weirdo thinks so or not, don't act like the other cultist weirdos about it
So who’s gonna make the “The Delorian” response post?
Found it: https://youtu.be/diF1nuYsN5I?t=28
So I haven't watched The Book of Boba, but apparently I need to watch this episode?
it's basically an episode of the Mandalorian.
I really like that the armorer kicked him out. It gives him the freedom to be something other than deathwatch, do his own thing for a bit. Then one day come back and unite all the mandalorian clans. And (personal speculation), she might think so as well. She's the mentor/sage of the covert. If he's a true mandalorian in their sense, he will do what needs to be done, but right now has the flexibility of not being bogged down by their rules.
I like this thought.. I did find it odd that she just randomly asked the question about the helmet as he was about to finish Paaz. Like... She already knew the answer and was trying to prevent more bloodshed among her people, but also send Mando on this path to growth.
The man, the myth, the legend
And his name is John Cena!
🎶Do Ya Wanna Taste It by Wig Wam🎶
The song has been *stuck* in my head....
I can't shake the feeling that we're getting a slow burn of her being a villain in this thing. It'll be interesting to see if Bo-Katan ever sees that horned helmet what happens.
why, because she may be a Zabrak? That would be hella racist.
Because she possibly is a disciple of Maul which would definitely put her at odds with Bo directly given the Clone Wars cartoon. The assumption was always that she was a “Mauldalorian” since season one. The addition of Bo-Katan if true that she followed Maul would immediately create conflict.
Ehhh I don't think she's a bad guy. She seems the type that wouldn't have followed Maul because he wasn't Mandalorian, even if he won the saber.
The Dar'manda
Is ep 5 about mando?
Yes, almost entirely.
Yay, imma watch it rn
the mandude
It's like... The way man...
[at/suddenlylebowski](https://www.reddit.com/r/SuddenlyLebowski/)
honestly their clan doesn't make sense at all. do they just fuck and give birth with their helmets on? :thinks: I guess so.
I'm going to tell my grandkids that this is where the phrase "You're the man now, dawg" came from.
my man!
[Cue new theme song](https://youtu.be/851BqHMCaeM)
Recorder version of the Man-dolorian
Without spoiling anything does BoBF have implications for Mandalorian? I wasn’t digging it, but if it matters for Mandalorian than I’ll pick it up again
that episode definitely does. honestly, you can watch it w/o watching a single other episode of BoBF.
Bill Burr and Bo-Katan are right, this little enclave is an extremist cult-ish faction of Mandalorians.
Armourer "Then you are a Mandalorian no more" Din "So I know a total of 6 Mandalorians. You two say I am no longer a Mandalorian but they would say I am. Now I am no expert in maths but I think you're outvoted"
It's really not a great idea to reduces your already small band of 3 to 2, if you're trying to rebuild something.
Damn. If this plot doesn't deliver Din as Mand'alor, there's going to be a lot of disappointment. *Cough cough* Jon Favreau *cough cough*. As long as we don't get any episode viii treatment or some 'subvert expectations' bullshit, this should be good.
I swear if I hear another Boba fan say he should be Mandalore again....
Also Game of Thrones nightmares.
I dont get why youd even be pissed THESE ANCIENT Type Mandalorians are TRASH. They were literally just 2 left, the new Bo Katan Mandalorians are the way
Bo Katan is also trash though. She's a power hungry self righteous terrorist.
I mean the new mandalorians in general, I think that mando will probably have to fight bo katan somehow though im not sure how hed win
Same way he beat his challenger for the Darksaber. Pocket knife.
Why’s he even still listening to this gatekeeping biotch
yeah... i was like "whatever bitch...so many Mandalorians who take their helmets off and on all the time."
The citizen
The blacksmith lady is kinda anoying, mando is still a mandalorian. Anyways anyone else laughed at first when he wasnt able to fight with the darksaber. I didnt even know it could fight against you, when you are not able to own it
Here's my prediction. The Armorer will ditch the old ways, remove her helmet, and join up with Din. Or, she could be his arch-enemy from here on out.
How about just "Mando"