⭐️ Star Wars and a story of redemption
Spinoff show 'The Mandalorian' deals with a pilgrimage and ritual purity
Hi ReligionUnplugged readers,
The “Star Wars” spinoff show “The Mandalorian” — which chronicles the journey of Din Djarin and Grogu, the cutest alien baby on television today — is early in its third season. Chapter 19, “The Convert,” which aired today, deals with redemption, ritual purity and the battle between good and evil.
For Din, it follows the aftermath of a baptism; elsewhere, it introduces a program meant to rehabilitate former members of the Empire and pursues the perseverance of evil.
“Star Wars” has always been a particularly spiritual franchise. After all, its main heroes are Jedi who draw from a higher power. “The Mandalorian” has been religious since its inception for different reasons: its protagonist is deconstructing his religion in real time as he interacts more broadly with the galaxy.
The Mandalorian was raised by a warrior sect that prohibits its members from removing their helmets in the presence of others. Throughout the first two seasons, he wrestles with that commandment and decides, ultimately to break it — something we wrote about during the second season.
That made Din an apostate among his people, something he begins the third season determined to fix.
He declares, “I am redeemed,” at the beginning of Chapter 19. That's true, at least for the time being. But the journey to redemption was action-packed, and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
In today’s top story, ReligionUnplugged’s Senior Culture Correspondent Jillian Cheney unpacks the season so far and explains the purifying power of water in religious tradition.
Whether you’re a fan or a casual viewer, it’s worth checking out.
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Don’t forget! You can subscribe to receive Bobby’s column directly in your inbox on Friday mornings!
Thanks again for reading!
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