The Mandalorian Episode 4: The helmet is removed for religious talks

“Chapter 4” by The Mandalorian reveals the complex emotions that act in the laconic bounty hunter. It also serves to raise some disturbing questions about this mysterious tribe of warriors and their bizarre religion. As we all wait to discover the true identity of Baby Yoda, the Disney Plus is slowly pulling back the traumatic layers of our hero’s backstory.

(Ed. Note: This post contains spoilers for the fourth episode of The Mandalorian.)

In the latest episode, subtitled “Sanctuary,” the Mandalorian and his old comrade Cara Dune (Gina Carano) are tasked with defending a remote homestead against a group of assailants. The catch is that this particular group of robbers has captured an Imperial AT-ST. The Battle of the Air is beautiful, and the chicken runner is all the more threatening with hatches that glow like evil red eyes in the dark. The action runs more or less as you expect: Cara defeats the monster and the Mandalorian comes in to deliver the fatal blow.

The true surprise of “Sanctuary” is how much information the audience receives about the strange principles of religion of the main character.

At the beginning of the series, we learned that weapons as well as distinctive and personalized armor sets are part of the Mandalorian religion. We also know that a Mandalorian can not lay his helmet before anyone – not even another Mandalorian. That was what made the Battle of the Armorer and the later reconciliation of the main character with the other members of his clan so powerful, in episode three.

Episode 4 shows the Mandalorian taking off his helmet for the first time. But he makes sure to only do it when he’s alone, and the camera never shows his face. We also learn that the Mandalorian has not removed his helmet from anyone since he was a child. He was forced to hide his identity, and he was happy to commit for his entire life. And what happens if he puts his helmet in front of someone else? He tells Cara he can never put it on again.

Disney Plus

This is a subtle regression. In traditional Westerns, the male hero is often followed by a criminal story that he just can not shake off. Sometimes he is burdened by the responsibility for complying with the law. Whether it’s a black hat or a white hat, the main character just does not seem to find a way to take it off long enough to make a personal connection. In The Mandalorian, however, the identity of the main character is tied to the literal mask he wears on his face. If it dissolves only once, there is no turning back.

What’s so unusual about this is that all of this is a big departure from previous representations of Mandalorians in the Star Wars canon. In recent cartoons, including Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, Mandalorians are wearing their helmets all the time. Characters like Sabine Wren and Gar Saxon are not only recognizable by their distinctive weapons and armor, but also by their facial features and their wild hair color.

So what has changed? It’s hard to say at this point. We know that before the events of the original Mandalorian trilogy there was a split in which some chose the Empire and others opposed it. But how they were hunted, hidden, and always on the run as a people is unclear. Completing this backstory is likely to be a good part of this first season of The Mandalorian.

The statement should also play a prominent role in the final season of The Clone Wars, in which the Mandalorians were at the heart of the story’s storyline. The premiere is scheduled for February 2020.