Aliens (1986)

Our analysis of Disney+'s Season 2 of THE MANDALORIAN continues with guest writer John Osif....

The Mandalorian – Season Two, Episode Two

“The Passenger”

In 2015, Milton Hershey School Graduate (and family friend) Tatiana wrote a goodbye message to her class on the school website. In it she gives the most perfect definition of the word family I have ever come across. She writes, “I’ve learned over the years that what defines family is not solely blood relation. Family consists of the people who support and love you, and the people you can confide in and trust.” I love that…

The second episode of The Mandalorian’s second season is the first time that I, as a viewer, came to realize that the heart of this series is about the search for family. A place to feel safe and loved, unconditionally. Maybe I am late to the party on this revelation but here I am (…finally). This episode also shed light on what has been this die-hard fan’s lifelong buried issue about the Skywalker Saga (as told over the nine films). Where is the happily ever after?

I could go down the blogging route of how this episode is almost a not-so-subtle retelling of James Cameron’s Aliens (1986). 

Photo by Chris Mich.

From the alien warriors appearing (unexpectedly?) and putting our heroes in great danger to the final standoff with the Queen Monster. 

Well, enough of that... By now you know the plot of this episode. Mando and the Child agree to transport the now infamous Frog Lady to a nearby planet at sub-light (dangerous) speed. To me, the simplistic beauty of the Frog Lady isn’t so much in its practical costume/effects design (which is incredible). Instead, it is in her desire to protect her (soon-to-be) family at all costs. Nothing is more important to her. Driven to create a family and raise that family in as comfortable, loving and safe of an environment as possible. The quintessential “mother” stereotype. And I mean ‘stereotype’ in the most respectful, cherished way.

My favorite moment of the episode is when she realizes that Mando is not doing everything he possibly can to ensure the safety of her family (eggs). Since she cannot communicate with him, she uses the remains of a droid pilot to give Mando a scathing parent-like pep talk to get his act together and start being, well, a Mandalorian. To honor their agreement. To keep his word. Frog Lady will do anything to keep her loved ones safe. She strikes me as pure and perfect in this moment.

As I watched this episode my mind wandered to the Skywalkers. The Frog Lady isn’t a throw-away side character but a reminder of what (I believe) lies at the heart of the Star Wars universe, family, trust and love. A sense of place. A sense of purpose. The longing to create a warm nest where the children feel safe. And most importantly, a representation of happy closure. Where good people are blessed with good things at the end of the day.

What the Frog Lady achieves (eventually) is what I wanted for the Skywalker family all along. A happily ever after, where a family loves each other and stays connected no matter what. From Anakin to Ben, it can be argued that there is nothing in the Skywalker Family Tree other than pain. The exception to this probably fatalistic view I have of this narrative is the wonderful scene in TROS between Kylo and his father. A scene, in my opinion, so perfect and so touching it is glaringly out of place in the film. Kylo finally comes home and becomes Ben again. Gaining forgiveness from his parents. Beautiful.

And then is quickly killed off. Huh? Why? Why is there no apparent happy ending for the Skywalkers? There is no reason that Ben could not have been ‘the rise of Skywalker’. But they did what now? Come again? For this writer, the overall silver screen Skywalker Family arc is frustrating at best. Nine movies and (I will argue) no satisfying conclusion for anyone in the family. (Ok… Rant over)…

But we are here to discuss The Mandalorian. "The Passenger" is a love letter-B-Movie-creature-feature horror story. 

Another photo by Chris Mich.

The final alien battle scene is well shot and anxiety inducing. I agree with other bloggers in loving the underlying messages of protecting your family and honoring your principals. Mando is reminded of both of these messages and this episode starts a great, deep character turn for him. I love the grayness in Star Wars heroes like Mando, not afraid of getting his hands dirty to protect his loved ones. Not completely unchecked principal wise, but gray enough to make the character interesting and worth rooting for. At the same time not sure what he is going to do next. The villains appear to be the ones who blatantly show no regard for right and wrong. No apparent code. No discernable sense of honor. Little to no empathy.

Which leads me to Baby Yoda…

....aaaaannnnndddd, what? Were you expecting more? Me too! Come back next month for John's thoughts on Grogu.

NOTE FROM Digging Star Wars creator CHRIS: This entry was purposefully published on my own Mom's 81st Birthday and is dedicated to her and all Moms out there. Thank you for your courage, dedication, and sacrifices.