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The Mandalorian & Grogu: Din Djarin’s growth is the movie’s make-or-break factor

BBG News

As a die-hard fan of Star Wars and The Mandalorian, I must say that Season 3 was a bit of a disappointment for me. It felt like we lost sight of our beloved protagonist, Din Djarin, amidst all the galaxy-shaking events.

Initially, The Mandalorian followed a weekly format filled with adventures, while simultaneously delving into the characters’ development.

Initially, we got a glimpse of the galaxy from Din Djarin’s perspective, but as the story unfolded, his world expanded and contracted simultaneously. It expanded as his abilities grew, and he embraced fresh encounters, yet it contracted when he encountered characters who were better informed about the galaxy and its past than him. This isn’t inherently negative, and it didn’t pose a problem for the series until Season 3.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but reflect on the journey of The Mandalorian Season 3 and how it seems to have taken a turn that left many of us feeling a bit uneasy. The narrative’s expansion was indeed impressive, yet it seemed to divert attention away from our beloved title character – the Mandalorian himself.

Despite some lower audience ratings for Season 3 of “The Mandalorian” on IMDb compared to its previous seasons, it’s worth noting that “Chapter 5: The Return of the Mandalorian” from “The Book of Boba Fett” has earned higher ratings than any episode in Season 3. This suggests a potential shift in audience preference for this particular show. Despite key characters like Ahsoka Tano, Bo-Katan Kryze, Boba Fett, and Luke Skywalker taking center stage during episodes in Season 2, the story of Din Djarin remained at the helm, mirroring his character growth and development with the expanding narrative scope of the series.

From my perspective as a devoted fan, while Season 3 didn’t reveal much fresh insight about Djarin, it was quite the opposite in “Chapter 13: The Jedi.” This episode, in particular, demonstrated an exceptional knack for delivering exactly what viewers crave and more.

In Season 2, just like before, significant episodes featured Bo-Katan Kryze and brought back Boba Fett and Fennec Shand. These episodes were well-crafted, giving equal attention to all characters, including the protagonist. Contrastingly, Season 1 presented a unique tale since no character overshadowed Din, and each episode offered fresh insights into this new Star Wars character. The first few episodes showcased his character traits, subsequent ones delved into his mysterious past, and the finale unveiled his identity, revealing not only his face but also his background and how he became a Mandalorian.

To ensure a blockbuster success for any upcoming movie featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu, Season 1 and Season 2 of the show could serve as a guiding template. It’s clear that Lucasfilm recognizes the series’ popularity and adoration for Grogu, but it seems they may underestimate the deep-seated affection fans have for Din Djarin. Jon Favreau, however, has dismissed the idea of Din Djarin as a Star Wars analogue to Aragorn from Lord of the Rings. This suggests that Favreau doesn’t see Djarin beyond his role as a bounty hunter, but fans do not share this perspective. They admire and identify with this character, hoping he will rise in rank and status. Din Djarin is a character we all can relate to on some level. While Favreau’s surprise at the fan’s desires for Mando’s character arc may be understandable, it also raises concerns about the potential direction of his character development.

I hope Jon Favreau doesn’t underestimate his creation because regardless of how loved and popular Grogu is and will continue to be, Din Djarin is the guy in the driver’s seat – and people want to witness his triumph. Favreau still has time to surprise us with his plans for Djarin. I hope they go beyond bounty hunting because “The Marshal” shows Din Djarin’s abilities lie in negotiating, revealing a leader in there whether Jon Favreau admits it or not. Favreau must ensure this character gets better, improves, and grows beyond our expectations for him. We need to learn more about his past, his family, and his homeworld. Thus, the movie should be the beginning for him and a chance to correct where Season 3 went wrong by bringing focus and attention back to Din Djarin as the main character.

The Mandalorian & Grogu premieres May 22, 2026.

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2024-09-26 00:21

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