Season 1 of Star Wars action, new characters, an internet sensation in Baby Yoda, and further expansion of the iconic Star Wars universe. The Mandalorian, or Din Djarin, doesn't know much about The Force just yet but adheres to a Mandalorian creed known as The Way of the Mandalore or simply The Way.
Throughout Season 1's eight episodes, fans learned more about the Mandalorians at this post-Empire period of the Star Wars timeline, as well as this Mandalorian creed which influences Din Djarin's actions. Still, there's a lot about The Way that hasn't been explained and several things that don't quite add up. So, here are 10 things that make no sense about The Way.
Departure From Mandalorian Conduct In Star Wars Canon
In Episode 3 of the series "The Sin," the Mandalorian denies having ever removed his helmet or having it removed by others. The Armorer responds with, "This is The Way," implying this is part of the Mandalorian creed. Then, in Episode 4 "Sanctuary," the Mandalorian further explains that once you take it off, you can't put it back on again. When he's seriously wounded in the Season 1 finale "The Redemption," he claims no living thing has seen him without his helmet since he swore to the creed; and he's willing to kill IG-11 if it tries to remove it. However, he finally relents after IG-11 reminds him that he's not a living thing.
What doesn't make sense is that fans have seen Mandalorians in Star Wars Canon remove their helmets and often. Sabine Wren, a Mandalorian, removed her helmet in the very first episode of Star Wars Rebels. This is true of other Mandalorian characters in the series, as well as in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Doesn't Specify Which Mandalorians It Applies To
Even though there is a planet called Mandalore, Mandalorians are not a race, but rather those who choose this way of life and follow its creed. Throughout their history, Mandalorians have mostly been a warrior society, and they have been known to fight each other. We know from the series that the Mandalorians who survived the Great Purge are in hiding, but are all of these Mandalorians following The Way? What about the Mandalorians who have removed their helmets and the Foundlings? If they're still Mandalorians, what is their Way of the Mandalore?
Contradicts Itself In Its Emphasis on Secrecy
When Din Djarin visits the Armorer in "The Sin," it's explained that Mandalorians only come above ground one at a time to maintain secrecy. Several references have been made throughout the series about how rare it is to find a Mandalorian, most likely due to the Great Purge. The Armorer even said, "Our secrecy is our survival. Our survival is our strength."
Despite this, all of the Mandalorians hiding in the enclave on Nevarro expose their numbers to help Din Djarin escape with Baby Yoda, even though they know little about what Din Djarin has been up to. While they probably believed the Mandalorian was following The Way by saving Baby Yoda and it was their duty to help one of their own, by exposing themselves and their numbers, weren't they also going against The Way in regards to its emphasis on secrecy and survival? Weren't they putting their people and the Mandalorian culture at risk? Was this sacrifice justified seeing how they knew little about Baby Yoda?
It's Never Been Mentioned in Star Wars Lore Before
Again, Mandalorians are nothing in the Star Wars universe. Fans first saw Boba Fett in Mandalorian armor in the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special, and then again in the Empire Strikes Back in 1980. But, true Mandalorians have become prominent characters in recent years through Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels; as a result, fans have learned more about Mandalorian culture and history.
Despite this, The Way has never been mentioned in Star Wars lore until The Mandalorian series debuted on Disney+. This doesn't make sense and poses several questions such as, is it a new creed for this time in Mandalorian history? Is a new name for an existing code? Why were these rules never part of Mandalorian culture before? Until we get answers, it just doesn't coincide with what fans already know of this warrior society.
The Way vs. The Rules of the Bounty Hunters Guild
Honor, duty, and nobility seem to be intrinsic to The Way of the Mandalore. For instance, when the Armorer originally suggested the Mudhorn as Mando's signet, he declined as it wasn't a noble kill. Also, taking care of those who can't take care of themselves, like Foundlings and Baby Yoda, are also part of The Way.
Therefore, it doesn't make sense that one walking in The Way of Mandalore can also be a member of the Bounty Hunters' Guild where you can't ask questions and should forget the job once it's done. It sounds contradictory for someone who reveres honor and nobility to literally look the other way in his job for personal gain and benefit.
Hunter, Prey, and Babysitter?
The Armorer told the Mandalorian that "when one chooses to walk the Way of the Mandalore, you are both hunter and prey." Yet, she also told him that according to the creed, he is as the child's father until it's reunited with its own kind or old enough to be on its own. Taking care of Foundlings is part of The Way, but it doesn't quite make sense that these targeted fighters would, by the same creed, also be called upon to raise children. It would make more sense if they were tasked with finding others to care for them while looking for their homes, but caring for them personally would only put the Foundlings (a.k.a. Baby Yoda) in danger.
No Knowledge of the Jedi or The Force
Despite Baby Yoda's Force abilities, Din Djarin doesn't know about the Jedi, Sith, or the Force until the end of the season. This lack of knowledge doesn't make sense for a Mandalorian since the Darksaber, a black-bladed lightsaber seen the season finale, was owned by the first Mandalorian Jedi and is incredibly important to the Mandalorian people. There was even a war between the Jedi and the Mandalorians in the time of the Old Republic.
It seems a Mandalorian creed that emphasizes tradition and cultural preservation would offer some education about Mandalorian history and their most prized weapon.
Allows for Questionable Partnerships
In the sixth episode "The Prisoner," fans learn Din Djarin once worked with a crew of questionable mercenaries. Even though he makes it clear that he was part of their crew a long time ago, he was still a Mandalorian and seemingly following The Way. Considering how Ran, Xi'an, and company were anything are anything but honorable, it doesn't make sense that The Mandalorian could've been part of their crew while also following The Way.
Varying Political Allegiances
At this point in the Star Wars timeline, Mandalorians are angry with the remains of the Empire. However, they're not exactly thrilled with the New Republic, either. This isn't anything new since Mandalorians have been on both sides of the galaxy's political aisle throughout their history. The Mandalorian himself was even called out by fellow Mandalorian Paz Vizla for working for Beskar which came from the Empire.
While both the Rebellion and the New Republic were far from perfect, it's strange that Mandalorians with their creed would be fluid in their allegiances or fail to at least the ideals of the New Republic.
Who Decides What The Way Is?
It's unclear just how long The Way has been a Mandalorian creed, but, throughout the series' first season, the Armorer has been the authority. While it's never said she's in a position of power, she's revered as if she is. So, does she decide what The Way is? If not her, who does or who did? Also, her helmet appears to have Zabrak horns. Does she have a connection to Darth Maul? And, if so, what does that mean about The Way?
