Din Djarin Shows His True Colors in The Latest Mandalorian Episode

Published on December 14, 2020

*Warning: The following recap contains spoilers for The Mandalorian season two.*

Din Djarin, or Mando (Pedro Pascal) does not take off his helmet. This was a rule established in season one, broken only when Mando was on the brink of death. He really wasn’t able to choose to take off the helmet in that moment on his own terms.

Therefore it WAS emotionally impactful when Mando chose to remove his helmet in, “Chapter 15: The Believer.”

As he tells Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) at the end of the episode, Baby Yoda means more to Mando than he’ll ever know. Mando was willing to break his own creed, the life rules he was raised to live by, in order to get information to rescue Baby Yoda.

Who’s that Mandalorian? It’s Din Djarin! (Source: Disney)

I initially expected this episode to get to Mando kicking Moff Gideon’s butt. Or perhaps even ending with a cliffhanger to their fight over possession of Baby Yoda. “Chapter 15: The Believer,” takes a different route. What I do appreciate about this show is the fact that Mando does not get things handed to him. He has to plan a whole mission, complete with a convict just to get the coordinates to find Baby Yoda.

It’s not easy.

Mando enlists the help of former Imperial soldier Mayfield (Bill Burr.) I honestly couldn’t remember who Mayfield was, but Burr does a great job of making Mayfield sympathetic, even though he did double-cross Mando is season one. Mando and Mayfield successfully infiltrate an Imperial stronghold. However, their cover is nearly blown by Mayfield’s former commanding officer, Valin Hess (Richard Brake). Mayfield refuses to enter the room where they need to utilize a facial scanner to get the coordinates for Moff Gideon’s whereabouts.

Mayfield is understandably worried that Hess might recognize him. Someone needs to get their face scanned, so Mando takes his helmet off. It’s a glorious moment that Pascal plays well. Mando is quite awkward without his helmet on, but Mayfield comes up with a clever cover story when Hess questions Mando.

Pedro Pascal! (Source: Disney Plus)

Hess buys Mayfield’s, “He’s my deaf commanding officer that we call Brown Eyes,” story and invites the pair to sit down for a drink. However, Mayfield isn’t able to keep his cool when Hess reminisces about a former battle they both participated in. Mayfield remembers all of the innocent people that were slaughtered. Hess justifies the pointless death for the greater good and the glory of the Empire.

Mayfield can’t stand it any longer. He shoots his former commanding officer.

Missing prisoner? What missing prisoner? (Source: Disney Plus)

Burr really does steal the show in this episode. His performance makes this Baby Yoda-less episode forgivable. Mando and Mayfield manage to escape the Imperial refinery by the skin of their teeth. Mayfield blows the whole place to smithereens. Marshal Cara Dune cuts Mayfield some slack and looks the other way as he runs off to freedom.

Meanwhile, Mando puts his helmet back and sends an ominous warning to Moff Gideon. He’s coming for his kid and Gideon better watch out. I’m excited yet sad that there’s only one episode left of season two, but it’s certainly going to be epic and I can’t wait to watch. There are a lot of questions left to answer. Will Mando be able to save Baby Yoda?

Has Gideon already taken Baby Yoda blood samples? Is Baby Yoda okay? Will a Jedi have heard Baby Yoda’s Force call on Tython? Should I buy that Baby Yoda waffle maker on Amazon?

Thankfully with season three already confirmed, fans can rest easy knowing we’ll get some answers and more of Mando and Baby Yoda. Stay tuned for the season two finale next Friday, only on Disney Plus.

Katherine Stinson is an award-winning journalist and Staff Reporter at Grit Daily News, where she covers Texas and Southern states' startup and entrepreneurship news. Based in San Antonio, Texas, she also contributes to ScreenRant, Outlander TV News, and San Antonio Magazine.

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