SOME THOUGHTS AFTER THE MANDALORIAN SEASON 2 FINALE
I know that some of the fans are upset about the separation of Din and Grogu, but if I'm honest with you, I tell you that I'm absolutely ecstatic, so relieved that it did happened. Awful would have been if it happened at the series finale with no possibility of father and son to meet again, which was my fear/speculation. Don't get me wrong, the goodbye scene digs my heart out of the chest every freaking time I watch it (by the umpteenth time now) and I cry like a baby, ugly and shamelessly. But the fact that it happened NOW means that father and son will be reunited for good next time. Din won't have excuses against it and he's going to adopt Grogu for real.
Yes, probably, they won't be together the first couple of chapters in season 3, which is good because both Din and Grogu need to do some personal growth separately and deal with their choices. Din probably is going to have the overdue existential crisis that he didn't get the chance to go through this season (too many things happening to the poor man at the same time to have a second to emotionally break down). He's like a pressure cooker about to explode. He needs to reconcile himself with all the vows he broke and paradigm shifts he made. And he needs to do it alone. That's without mentioning he accidentally acquired a new job that he doesn't want.
Grogu needs to be trained because what Luke said is true. As long as he doesn't control the Force properly, he's in danger, vulnerable, and that's a liability neither Din nor Grogu can afford. That's why I didn't agree with Ahsoka when she said that the best thing was to let Grogu's abilities fade. I get where her fear for him turning to the dark side comes from, obviously, but I thought her advice was crazy. I'm thinking that his training won't last that long. First, because Grogu has already no less than 20 years of training. Second, how long Yoda trained Luke? Not very long. Just a crashed course, basically. Although the ideal is several years of training, a short time of it can be just as effective, more if you consider what I said in the first statement.
And those who think we won't see Grogu again, are you crazy? Do you really think after spending millions of dollars to make the animatronic puppet Disney will discard it after just 2 seasons?! Not to mention that Grogu is a fan favorite, many people watch the show just for the baby. It'd be the worst decision that Dave and Jon could ever make. They know what they're doing. If you're worried about Grogu just remember Din's words to his son, they'll see each other again. Don't be afraid.
I heard a rumor (could be false) that said the producers have projected the series to last between 7 and 10 seasons (fingers crossed here 🤞). With such an extended arc, it makes absolutely no sense that they pluck out for good one of the 2 main characters so early, much less when said character is a puppet that has no personal issues, nor conflicting schedules, nor contract renegotiations, blah, blah, blah.
Giancarlo Esposito already said that what happened this season will have repercussions for the next 2 seasons. I'm guessing he meant Din's accidental naming as Mand'alor but also the loose end of what was the experiment Dr. Pershing was doing. Because, in the end, we don't know exactly what they were using Grogu's blood for. Having that loose end and speculating that Moff Gideon will escape eventually, Grogu is bound to appear again sooner or later.
Another issue that I've seen a lot is that some fans feel that the show has lost its way since it's been used to launch (possible) spin-offs (well, boba's is already confirmed). Unfortunately, that's the curse of the first child, as it were. I've experienced this in the Arrowverse fandom and yes, it's annoying and frustrating, but it's the price that successful pioneer shows have to pay. It's inevitable.
Personally, I'm satisfied with this season. I enjoyed it so, so much! After being disappointed by other shows the last couple of years, The Mandalorian has made me have faith in showrunners again, at least, a little bit. The wait for season 3 the next 10 months are going to loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooonnnnnnggggg
I guess digging myself into fanfiction is the only salvation to deal with feels and anticipation I'll have until then.
