The Mandalorian's release on Disney+ last fall as the first live-action Star Wars series was a huge hit with critics and fans. It also launched a thousand and one memes due to the internet sensation that is Baby Yoda. In recent weeks, we've seen the trailer for Season 2 and a wave of merchandise, such as new Black Series figures and Funko Pops!
But, in preparation for The Mandalorian's second season debut October 30 on Disney+ and in the spirit of fan speculation, we recently revisited the series' first season to determine seven things we want to see continue from Season 1.
7. Its Overarching Storyline
One of the critiques of The Mandalorian's first season was that there were too many standalone and filler episodes. But, I would argue that even in those episodes, there was a through line - Mando/Din Djarin's evolution from solo survivor bounty hunter to arguably the coolest foster father figure.
While the show is geared more towards adults, the overarching storyline gave the series some serious heart; and while the footage seen in the trailer for season 2 hints that the storyline will continue, we sure hope it maintains its role as the main storyline.
6. Lots of Droids
We know from the season 2 trailer that we're getting more planets and more characters, but it's really droids we're looking for. Before Baby Yoda first appeared on screen, IG-11 blew our minds with his robotic gunslinger skills in episode 1 and then won our hearts as the self-sacrificing nurse droid so Mando and company could survive.
Season 1 also brought us the delightfully bizarre R2 ferry droid in the season finale, the calculated Zero in Chapter 6, the cab driver droid in Chapter 1, the Mos Eisley Cantina bartender EV-9D9 voiced by Mark Hamill, and (my personal favorite!) the return of R5-D4 with his bad motivator from A New Hope!
So far, the droids in The Mandalorian have offered humor, character, and even have contributed to the plot; and this needs to continue in season 2! After all, we should never underestimate a droid.
5. The Presence of the Force
At its core, Star Wars is about three things: politics, family, and religion. In The Mandalorian's first season, audiences got a glimpse of post-Empire politics and the beginning of a clan or family, but the Force and the Jedi weren't nearly as present as we've come to expect in other Star Wars mediums.
That's not to say that I'm not enjoying a perspective of the Star Wars universe from a bounty hunter. The fact that Mando doesn't have the advantage of the Force actually raises the stakes and grounds him as a character.
Plus, we did get The Child (a.k.a. Baby Yoda), who appears to use the Force, and Moff Gideon brandishing the Darksaber, an ancient black-bladed lightsaber wielded by the first Mandalorian Jedi.
But still, MORE of the Force and some saber action is what we're hoping continues in season 2, especially if it includes Ahsoka Tano. Season 2, you're our only hope!
4. More Nostalgia
The first season of The Mandalorian was a literal treasure trove of Easter eggs, references, winks, and nods to Star Wars lore. The genius of it all was that it was subtle and even organic in its presentation, offering the familiar along with something totally new.
In the first season, we famously got a camtono (ice cream maker), a return to Mos Eisley Cantina on Tatooine, Blurrgs, callbacks to well-known Star Wars lines, X-Wings, speederbikes, and even a Gungan impression.
Here's hoping that Favreau and Filoni have even more nostalgia in store for us on October 30!
3. More Mandalorian Lore
The Mandalorians in the first season of this Disney+ series were in a very different place than what audiences saw in Star Wars: The Clone Wars or Star Wars Rebels. It seems that in the time between Star Wars Rebels and The Mandalorian, Mandalorians suffered an event called the Great Purge. The few Mandalorians who survived hid underground and now adhere to a creed that unites them instead of shared location. Basically, we NEED to know more about these events and the new Mandalorian culture.
2. More About Mando's Past
Audiences learned bits and pieces about both the identity and history of Mando/Din Djarin throughout the first season; and we even got to see Mando's face for the first time in Chapter 8.
This gradual reveal was something we enjoyed and, as opposed to an origin story, it helped fuel the mystery surrounding Mando's character. But, even though we've learned a lot about this bounty hunter, we still have a lot of unanswered questions that we hope get answered in season 2!
1. More Baby Yoda
We probably don't even need to mention this one. We don't just want - we NEED - more Baby Yoda in season 2.
Baby Yoda, or The Child, was arguably the biggest surprise of season 1. This adorably mysterious character became the internet's biggest star and launched a high demand for merch. Still, it's important to note that Baby Yoda was THE catalyst for Mando's whole story. And don't forget, Baby Yoda has saved Mando more than once.
While we need more Baby Yoda moments for the whole cuteness factor, we also need to see more of Baby Yoda and Mando's relationship and get answers about Baby Yoda's origins and his Force-like abilities. From what we know about season 2, Mando is just as determined as we are to find answers. Let's hope we both find what we're looking for.
So, what do you want to see continue from season 1 of The Mandalorian?
