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 8 – Redemption
The previous episode ended with a cliffhanger, but things moved ahead quickly in the season finale. Kuiil had been killed by stormtroopers, who also kidnapped the child, leaving us to believe he would be brought to our new antagonist, Moff Gideon. Things resolve pretty fast as IG-11 shows up and takes care of the stormtroopers, rescuing the child and proving that he is in fact a different droid than we knew previously.
After IG-11 breaks our heroes out of the house they were trapped in, they quickly have to head back in as Moff Gideon and his crew get the upper hand. The Mandalorian is seriously wounded in the process, and he begins to think his time is winding down fast. IG-11 is working on cutting through the sewer grate, making escape look like a realistic possibility.
Moff Gideon reveals his deep knowledge of the Mandalorian and his team, going as far as to finally reveal Mando’s true name – Din Djarin.
As this all unfolds, Cara tries to remove Mando’s helmet to help with his injuries, but he resists.
The Mandalorian: (grabbing her hands) No. You leave me. You make sure the Child is safe. Here. (pulling off a necklace, giving it to Cara) When you get to the Mandalorian covert, you show them that. You tell them it’s from Din Djarin. You tell them the foundling was in my protection, and they’ll help you.
In an ironic turn of events, everyone heads through the grate but IG-11 hands Cara the child and chooses to stay with the Mandalorian.
IG-11: Escape and protect this child. I will stay with the Mandalorian.
Cara Dune: Promise me you’ll bring him.
IG-11: You have my word.
The change in IG-11 is clearly explained in his programming, but it is stunning to watch unfold. He is aware of Mando’s feelings toward him, yet he stands firm in his function and stays to protect Din Djarin from certain death.
The Mandalorian: DO it.
IG-11: Do what?
The Mandalorian: Just get it over with. I’d rather you kill me than some Imp.
IG-11: I told you, I am no longer a hunter. I am a nurse droid.
The Mandalorian: IGs are all hunters.
IG-11: Not this one. I was reprogrammed. I need to remove your helmet if I am to save you.
[ IG-11 reaches to grab the helmet, and the Mandalorian raises a blaster in his face. ]
The Mandalorian: Try it and I’ll kill you. It is…forbidden. No living thing has seen me without my helmet since I…swore the Creed.
IG-11: I am not a living thing. (removing the helmet) This is a bacta spray. (applying the spray) It will heal you in a matter of hours. You have suffered damage to your central processing unit.
The Mandalorian: You mean my brain?
IG-11: That was a joke. It is meant to put you at ease.
How can you not love the bonding moment between the Mandalorian and IG-11? They end up joining the rest of the team, and toward the end of the episode IG-11 sacrifices himself to save Mando and his crew from a Stormtrooper ambush. It’s a fitting end to a redeemed life for the droid. His programmed courage and steadfastness made an impact on Mando, and we see this reflected in how Mando cares for both the child and his crew. The Mandalorian has stayed faithful to his code, but in the process he has developed a compassion that we did not see in the first few episodes of the season.
At the end of the apostle Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth, he is giving some final words to the people, and includes the following exhortation:
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
The Mandalorian had a code, a faith so to speak. IG-11 stood firm in what he was programmed as his duty. In the same way, we must be on guard because our own faith – our trust in Jesus Christ as the source and sustainer of all things – will face challenges. As we saw our heroes do in this episode, we are called to act with courage and strength, but we are able to do so through the Holy Spirit.
The next part of the verse appears to be a contrast, but it all ties together. The idea of being on guard, standing firm with courage and strength – seems to be on a different track than doing everything in love. However this verse is speaking about the action that goes with our firm courage and strength. It starts with describing a defensive position; guard, stand, courage, strength – but then goes offensive by telling us that love is our motivation.
As we follow Jesus, we are called to be true to God and His Word. We are commanded to stand firm on the solid foundation that is Jesus Christ. When we stand secure, we can do all things with love as our motivation, leaning on God’s strength and finding courage to love through the most challenging times and circumstances.
It would be hard to make the case that IG-11 acted out of love, though his actions were loving. When it comes to the Mandalorian we now know as Din Djarin, we see his love for the child motivate him to act with strength and courage, standing firm through much adversity.
In the same way you are I can recklessly love others because our foundation is settled. We need to be on guard for the things that will trip us up and keep us from remembering that our faith is secure because of who Jesus is. We can lean on His strength and find the courage to act with love, even when it’s hard.
Let’s take some time and talk about this finale, how excited we might be for season two, and what it might mean for us to do everything in love.
Discussion Questions (for parents and their children to engage in together)
- What was your favorite part of this final episode and what do you think season two might look like?
- What did you find more exciting – learning the Mandalorian’s name, or finally seeing his face? Explain why you think the way you do.
- What are some ways you saw IG-11 be true to his programming in this episode?
- How would you describe the code that Din Djarin lives by? Do you think his code is completely shaped by the Mandalorian, or do you think it’s different than it was at the start of the season?
- What do you think it means to do everything in love?
- If someone were to ask you what it looks like for someone in your stage of life to do everything in love, what are some examples you might give them?
- What are some barriers that keep us from being loving in our actions each day?
- Within our own family, what are some practical things we can do for each other in love?
- How does standing firm in our faith help us in our quest to be loving?
Let’s wrap up our time together praying, asking God to give us the strength and courage to look for ways to be loving in our day to day lives.
Rob Chagdes
Rob Chagdes is one of the pastors at Prairie Lakes Church in northern Iowa. In the years since he met Jesus as a sixteen year old, Rob has spent his life working to raise up the next generation to love God and invite others into His unending story. He spends most of his free time with his wife Leslie, their three amazing daughters, and their energetic dog Jedi. You can reach Rob at chagdeswrites@gmail.com
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