The More The Mandalorian Explains Its Helmet Rule, The More Questions We Have
This post contains spoilers for the latest episode of "The Mandalorian."
"Star Wars" fans had to go without "The Mandalorian" for more than two years following the conclusion of season 2 and, for many of us, it felt like forever. Now, it somehow feels like it's been no time at all as we're rolling right along through season 3. The latest episode, "The Foundling," is a relatively short adventure, but one that gave us much to chew on. From a big Order 66 flashback to yet another monster that Mando and his clan need to deal with, it's jam-packed. Perhaps overlooked in the proceedings is the fact that we learned a little bit more about the helmet rule that the Children of the Watch hold onto, and we now have a great many questions.
During a somewhat quiet scene towards the end of the episode, Bo-Katan and a group of other Mandalorians are about to eat some food around a campfire before going to rescue Paz Vizsla's son. Bo-Katan, who is not accustomed to the old ways, asks Din how they are supposed to eat? He then casually explains that once they get their rations, they all head off away from one another to take their helmets off and eat like a normal person would, only without the benefit of company. Seemingly, this is so that everyone's faces can still stay hidden from one another.
Whatever the case, this is a pretty telling reveal. The Armorer throughout the series has had to ask, "Have you ever removed your helmet?" Heck, Mando had to go to a supposedly poisoned, dangerous planet to bathe in waters that may not have ever existed just to redeem himself for taking off his helmet a couple of times. Yet, everyone takes off their helmets several times a day to eat?
Are there other exceptions?
Viewers have probably wondered how Mandalorians are supposed to eat, or perform other basic functions, with this helmet rule. But regardless of the logic behind it, the rule has always seemed very steadfast and unshakable for those who subscribe to the "old ways." But are there other exceptions? Just how flexible is this rule? /Film's own Sarah Milner attended a panel at the Toronto ComiCon where Armorer actor Emily Swallow explained that, when in close proximity, the show's actors actually bang into each other quite a bit because of the helmets:
"The two of us trying to sit at the table and that's Pedro [Pascal], and then that's also, Brendan Wayne, who is one of the Mandos in the suit. And we realized if we tried to sit at the table at the same moment, then our heads would hit. There's so many moments that like you could make a Three Stooges show about Mandalorians, which, you know, if they ever get tired of this one, they've got enough footage for, for something else."
While this is a real-world practicality, it does raise in-universe questions. Do they also get to take the helmets off for intimacy reasons? After all, Paz has a kid, we learn, which means he has performed certain, shall we say, functions in his life. Wouldn't that be pretty awkward with a helmet on all the time? Do Mandalorians never kiss if they are in a relationship? Where does this rule bend and what is bending it too far? What requires redemption and what doesn't? Many questions, precious few answers.
This is starting to feel like religious hypocrisy
We can ask ourselves somewhat silly questions about this helmet rule all day, but the way of the Mandalorians is, ostensibly, a religion within the "Star Wars" universe, and a pretty serious one at that. But with this bending of the helmet rule we are seeing shades of pretty egregious religious hypocrisy at play. Rules are rules so long as they are convenient. It's always been, "Have you ever removed your helmet?" Not, "Have you ever removed your helmet, except for while performing a normal, daily function?" Previously, it seemed very much like there was no wiggle room here.
This is why Bo-Katan had to ask such a silly question about how to eat. It's also why Bo-Katan and her Night Owls never subscribed to the old ways like Din and his clan do. They see it as outdated and unnecessary. It's like seeing various denominations of Christianity squabbling with one another over what is right and what is wrong under the word of God. Maybe this all sounds a little grandiose, but it's not like religious themes in "Star Wars" are anything new. Just go back to the whole "virgin birth" thing with Anakin Skywalker. Now it seems, this show is taking us down another road that mirrors religion, and it will be interesting to see how/if this is addressed further as the season continues to unfold.
"The Mandalorian" season 3 premieres new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.