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Din Djarin being bad at Star Wars is my favorite thing about The Mandalorian

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Din Djarin being bad at Star Wars is my favorite thing about The Mandalorian

As a long-time Star Wars enthusiast who has spent countless hours in the galaxy far, far away, I must say that revisiting Season 3 of The Mandalorian has been quite the journey. Initially, I was among those who found it a tad underwhelming, but viewing it with a fresh perspective, I find myself appreciating it more and more.

Lately, I have been gradually revisiting Season 3 of The Mandalorian. Initially, I wasn’t a big enthusiast for its episodes. Yet, some time has passed since its release. Now, I can appreciate it more in a broader perspective rather than week by week. I am finding myself enjoying it more on this rewatch, particularly because one aspect of the show that I adore is becoming increasingly apparent: my favorite part about The Mandalorian.

Din Djarin is really bad at Star Wars.

This is NOT a commentary on acting or writing. This aligns with the arbitrary counter of “DING! This person doesn’t realize they’re in the Star Wars universe” that my buds over at Dark Side Divas use.

I firmly believe that Star Wars should always be a little silly in an all-ages show like this. First and foremost, as George Lucas wished, this franchise is for kids. Some exceptions, like Andor, were purposely made for an older audience. Overall though, whether it’s Ewoks fighting an Empire, Ezra Bridger and Zeb Orrelios stealing fruit, or Din getting his butt kicked by a group Jawas, these types of shows should have a dose of silly. That just so happens to manifest itself as Din Djarin sometimes being really bad at Star Wars.

Prior to its debut, I harbored concerns that “The Mandalorian” might lean heavily on macho elements, focusing excessively on gunfights, and catering primarily to a specific segment of the audience. While such narratives are valid and have their niche within this universe, they don’t align with my preferred flavor of Star Wars storytelling.

Initially, it’s quite unexpected that our unnamed hero, despite his charm, comes off as an awkward individual. He encounters trouble with a beast called a blurrg and receives snide remarks from Kuiil for his mishaps. He even argues with IG-11 over the latter’s attempt to self-destruct. It seems he’s not at ease when interacting with people, in general. What took me aback was that although this new character has some impressive moments, he’s not the fearsome bounty hunter I had anticipated.

As the plot unfolded, this pattern persisted: The Jawas you previously noted pushed Din off their vehicle, teasing him at every opportunity. Peli Motto frequently playfully ridicules him. He receives jibes from Frog Woman for being a subpar Mandalorian, testing his pride. Often, he’s unsure how to handle his Force-endowed son. One of the most striking scenes was in “The Believer,” where Pedro Pascal delivered an exceptional performance, embodying a man who hasn’t seen sunlight for years – similar to Ricky Bobby’s famous “I don’t know what to do with my hands” scene from his show.

In Season 1, I happily recognized that Din Djarin, despite not fitting the stereotype perfectly, exhibits many charming traits of a ‘himbotic’ character. His clumsy and humorous blunders throughout The Mandalorian, such as his struggles in everyday life, are endearing. A perfect example is when he fought the Alamites in “The Mines of Mandalore” episode, where he was so ungraceful wielding the Darksaber against both his foe and the weapon itself. After a hard-fought victory, only five minutes later, he fell victim to a trap set by the Crone, reminding me of the “he died in a glue trap” internet meme.

Din Djarin is an ideal blend of 80% simple-minded hunk and 20% tough, bounty-hunting warrior. When he taps into that 20%, he becomes surprisingly adept at navigating a Star Wars universe. This balance makes him a well-rounded character, as it highlights his strengths while also revealing his weaknesses. These flaws serve as catalysts for his growth throughout the series, as he often finds himself struggling and learning. By showing these struggles, Din becomes more relatable to the audience.

Din Djarin is a great protagonist. He might not be the best at being in a Star Wars, but he reminds us of an important lesson. Unlike Yoda’s “There is no try,” Din reminds us of the importance of trying. If you keep going, you might find new friends, family, and find a place in this big universe.

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2024-08-26 19:21

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