The Mandalorian: Just fan service?
Right now, the Star wars fanbase seems to be the most positive it has been in years. With differing opinions and heated debates online regarding the most recent instalments of the episodic films, it’s nice to see positivity from most fans once again. Of course, there are some criticisms, perhaps you believe them to be valid, or unfair. Personally, I mostly find them strange.
The Mandalorian has been accused of relying too heavily on fan service, and not providing anything new, while just reskinning aspects of the pre-existing universe fans love. With Mando (Din) only being created to evoke feelings related to Boba Fett as a cheap dose of nostalgia for fans to be inclined to like the show, the same being said of Grogu with Yoda. And other such instances in the show. The inclusion of pre existing characters has also faced similar opinions, only being used to please the fans (Not to serve the story).
While of course there is some truth to this, I argue that these characters have been selected to tell the story the creators want to tell.
The Mandalorian at it’s core, is the story of Din. Discovering something worth caring for other than the Mandalorian creed he has been taught. It’s a very personal story of growth, in a way that challenges his current world view. And it absolutely works. Din has gone from what seems like an emotionless, bad ass bounty hunter, to having a deep connection with his adoptive son.
By season 2, their relationship has been solidified. They’re now on a quest to reunite Grogu with his people, the space wizards known as Jedi. Believed to be stories of myth and legends in most of the Galaxy.
By having Din be a Mandalorian of a new sect we haven’t seen before, this left room to adapt his beliefs. A warrior sect who don’t remove their helmets makes for an interesting character, growing up in a society in which no ones face can be seen would surely effect the foundation of someone's core personality and how they interact with others. Alongside this, Din is also a foundling, a child adopted into the culture as one of their own, who was orphaned from the attacks of Separatists by their favourite tools, droids. Leaving Din with a great distrust of them.
Two characters introduced to challenge these core beliefs and ideas, are IG-11 and Bo-katan (Bo from previous SW animation). Both were essential in being direct opposition of his character. IG-11 showing not all droids to be evil, and Bo-katan introduces Din to another meaning of what it means to be Mandalorian. Both advanced the story in a meaningful way. Sure, fans recognised the design and the character but that’s not why people love the show. The character helped the growth of our protagonist, and introduces potential future story lines connecting to the wider star wars universe.
The same can be said of Ashoka Tano, a beloved character from the Clone Wars Animation. Her live action debut furthered Dins quest, leading them to the Jedi they were seeking. It was not a forced introduction and fit naturally into the shows narrative, while furthering the continuation of her own story. Of course, it may be said this is complete fan service, but it allows her story to be told in another format, while impacting the current star wars fans are getting. If introducing her character leads to further interesting and impactful stories, you can’t argue against it.
Now for the final episode. Something every fan loved. The reintroduction of Luke Skywalker, as the legendary Jedi stories have told of. It’s something fans have wanted for years. His reintroduction made complete sense, at this time in the universe Luke is seeking trying to rebuild the Jedi, and for that he needs force sensitive students. And as the most well-known Jedi in that timeframe, it almost wouldnt make sense for him not to take notice of Grogu.
While many fans loved the appearance, I being one of them, I truly believe it didn’t overshadow the core of the show, the relationship of Din and Grogu.
Sure, Lukes appearance was an amazing moment. We got to see, from the characters point of view the myth of the Jedi come to life. And as fans, something that has been clearly waned for years. However, it did not overshadow the personal, intimate goodbye of the two central characters. Because at that moment in time, the emotional centre did not relate to Luke, but the characters we have spent the past 2 seasons with.
In my opinion, the decision of Din to remove his helmet, going against his own culture and ideals of what it means to be Mandalorian, his very way of life, so that his adoptive son could see his face is much stronger than a cool action sequence.
Fan service can work well, and when used right doesn’t overshadow the story being told. With the right decisions, emotional moments will always be more impactful than action, no matter how much a fan would want it.
If the characters Luke had saved weren’t characters we had watched grow together, the impact would not have been as well deserved, and certainly have not have had the same impact. While it is fan service, it is fan service that serves the story, and both elevate each other. In a way that couldn’t be achieved except in this context of a beloved star wars icon.
My last argument is this. To say that including a character is bad solely because fans love them is an odd criticism. Especially one such as Luke Skywalker, who is the embodiment of the Star wars franchise and what it means to its audiences.
