The Mandalorian: S1E3 

A Note to Parents:  The Mandalorian is a series from the Star Wars universe, which means it’s mostly family friendly with scenes of violence. We at The Source For Parents never want to introduce something to kids that you wouldn’t want them to watch, so we develop discussions that parents can use if they feel the show is appropriate for their child. Our friends at Common Sense Media have given us some specifics on what to expect from this show.

Season 1 Episode 3 – The Sin

The Mandalorian and the child have bonded, which is evident by their playfulness in the opening scene. The child playfully keeps messing with the controls of the ship, taking the top off a lever as if it’s a ball. The Mandalorian sharply rebukes him and puts him back in his floating crib.

Things take a rather sharp turn as their ship lands. The Mandalorian comes face to face with The Client once again, and proceeds to hand over the child. His mannerisms leading up to this moment appear to leave some doubt that he would complete the transaction, but he received his reward in Beskar (Mandalorian steel) and departed, despite the quiet cries of the child.

At this point we are left to wonder who exactly the Mandalorian is. He appears to be a noble person, held to a code we know only as the Code of the Guild. As he brings his Beskar to be shaped into new armor, he refuses to accept the signet of a Mudhorn in his armor as a way of wearing the pride of the creature that caused the damage to his armor. Despite his kill of this beast, he says he cannot accept it, and reveals some inner conflict.

Mandalorian: What caused this damage?

Mandalorian: A Mudhorn.

Armorer: Then you have earned the Mudhorn as your signet. I shall craft it.

Mandalorian: I can’t accept. It wasn’t a noble kill. I was helped by an enemy.

Armorer: Why would an enemy help you in battle?

Mandalorian: It did not know it was my enemy.

The Mandalorian is in conflict with what happened to the child, remarking that the child was unaware that it was actually the enemy of the Mandalorian. During this same scene, we learn that the Mandalorian have a saying they repeat when they are making a choice that aligns with their way of life. They say this is the way and it gets repeated by those around in a verbal agreement.

This seems fitting as the Mandalorian is looking for direction, and the only place he has been able to find it is in his bounty hunter code. It was this same code that causes him to surrender the child, and he seems to be unsure if he did the right thing.

As the episode progresses, we learn the Mandalorian has experienced a change of heart and is going to rescue the child. With his new armor and clear determination, he overcomes many stormtroopers and is reunited with the child.

His escape is thwarted by – of all people – his fellow bounty hunters. They are alerted that the Mandalorian has broken the code and confront the Mandalorian on his way to his ship. After an exciting battle, the Mandalorian is clearly overmatched and outnumbered. The bounty hunters are closing in when we are greeted by a surprise entrance from the fellow Mandalorian. Their numbers and their weapons allow the Mandalorian to get to his ship – but before he does he realizes their emergence means they will all need to find another place to dwell.

Fellow Mandalorian: Get out of here! We’ll hold them off!

Mandalorian: You’re going to have to relocate the covert.

Fellow Mandalorian: This is the Way.

Mandalorian: This is the Way. 

Mandalorians clearly stick together as their response is simple and clarifying as they repeat those powerful words that give the Mandalorian the direction he needs by saying – this is the way.

As his code has been compromised, but the values of his people hold fast, we are left to wonder whose voice he will listen to as the adventure continues. For you and I, we can ask that same question – what is it that guides us – what gives us our direction in this life.

In the book of Isaiah, the prophet is telling the people that God is not hiding, and wants to direct them. He says in Isaiah 30:21;

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.

This is the way. You’ll hear the voice of the Lord – when you are tuned to him, it won’t matter which way you go – you’ll hear Him. The question that remains is whether or not you will walk in His ways.

Let’s take some time and talk about what it looks like for you and I to listen to that voice that cries out this is the way.

Discussion Questions (for parents and their children to engage in together)

1. If you had Beskar steel, what would you make out of it?
2. Why do you think this episode is called “The Sin?”
3. Why do you think the Mandalorian handed over the child to The Client?
4. When do you think the Mandalorian decided he was going to rescue the child?
5. Why do you think Mandalorian live underground and do not often appear together?
6. What are some characteristics that you have seen from the Mandalorian that you think are part of “their way.”
7. What would you say are things that would be part of your “way” of living, meaning what are the values that guide you in the choices you make?
8. Read Isaiah 30:19-22. What are some things you observe about these verses?
9. What are some ways we can make sure we are hearing his voice tell us the way to go?
10. What are some things that make it hard to “walk in it” once we know the way?
11. Let’s close our time together by praying, asking God to help us hear His voice and give us the faith to respond in action.