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Listen, I'm just going to write out a little thread about #TheMandalorian 
so if that's not something you are interested in, just like...scroll along no big deal.
so if that's not something you are interested in, just like...scroll along no big deal.
I've seen a lot of talk about how Mando isn't "fatherly" enough, or that he's "too willing" to "give up" Grogu to the Jedi. He's "too focused" on his mission. And I just...I just think you have to give him time.
Din's been serving as a bounty hunter, hired gun, and assorted other titles probably as long as he could. Raised to complete tasks to make money to assist the covert. This is his way.
But we see in the first season that he's clearly not heartless. He's no automaton.
But we see in the first season that he's clearly not heartless. He's no automaton.
He had a heart to save this child from bad guys, but that doesn't mean he wanted to keep it forever. Just shows that he's got empathy, but that doesn't mean he thinks he has what it takes to be a father.
He just doesn't have options. This also doesn't make him a bad guy.
He just doesn't have options. This also doesn't make him a bad guy.
We are looking at all of this from an outsider's very enamored perspective. We love Grogu. We love Din. We want them to be a happy family...and we want it now.
But this is a very common story trope. Like the Tom Hanks movie where he finds a giant, drooling dog in Turner & Hooch.
But this is a very common story trope. Like the Tom Hanks movie where he finds a giant, drooling dog in Turner & Hooch.
Eventually, over time, he realizes that he loves the dog. That big ol' drooling menace has slobbered his way into Tom Hank's heart. But this is close to the end of the movie.
Which leads me back to the Mandalorian. We're still in the middle phase of their relationship.
Which leads me back to the Mandalorian. We're still in the middle phase of their relationship.
Din *just* learned the Child's name! Again, this is something that we as an audience filled in the gaps for ourselves and GAVE him a name. We called The Child "Baby Yoda" because it's so hard to not to, but Din hadn't. Not even a nickname.
After all this time, he's just been calling Grogu "kid" because the hard truth is that Din isn't as bonded (yet) as we want him to be to Grogu.
(I would also accept that Din's trying to keep Grogu at arm's length to avoid growing attached because the mission is to give him up.)
(I would also accept that Din's trying to keep Grogu at arm's length to avoid growing attached because the mission is to give him up.)
Either way, the latest episode showed for the first time, Din caring about Grogu more than simply protecting a helpless child. Din knows his name now. The walls are crumbling.
We will see the relationship grow. It's happening, but it isn't complete yet. It takes time.
We will see the relationship grow. It's happening, but it isn't complete yet. It takes time.
The wonderful @Wtforceshow did a really fun breakdown about this sort of thing and the mythic threads. I really liked their take on a similar throughline that I had. Check it out: https://twitter.com/Wtforceshow/status/1335943393298399234
