It seems like The Mandalorian [1] decided that going out with a bang is for plebians, and instead, the series took us on yet another emotional rollercoaster that leaves us with more questions than answers! The series season two finale dropped on Dec. 18, and among a plethora of revelations and very explosive battles, fans were finally able to meet the Jedi master we've been waiting for since "Chapter 13: The Jedi." Who had their bets on Mark Hamil's Luke Skywalker making his Mandalorian debut with some CGI de-ageing tech, because I sure didn't!
Way back in the Nov. 27 episode, Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson [2]) revealed that Baby Yoda — er, sorry, Grogu — used to live on Coruscant, where he was trained by several masters [3] at the Jedi Temple. But Grogu was hidden when the Galactic Empire seized the sacred sanctuary and Ahsoka advised Mando to help the 50-year-old tyke find another Jedi who will train him to use his considerable abilities. Of course, once the duo lands on the ancient planet of Tython and Grogu is able to reach out with the Force, sending out a sort of beacon for help that could be heard by any Jedi out there, he's kidnapped by Moff Gideon [4].
In "Chapter 16: The Rescue," Mando has teamed up with Bo-Katan, Koska Reeves, Cara Dune, and Fennec Shand to retrieve the child from Moff's clutches. Just as they're about to be overwhelmed by a squad of dark troopers, an X-wing flies aboard the ship and cuts through the platoon like butter, saving the group in the nick of time. If there were any questions about who their saviour is [6], it was probably solved as soon as viewers saw that green lightsaber and black glove! While some will wonder who played the young version of Luke (looking at you Sebastian Stan, fans), it's undoubtedly Hamill using de-ageing technology to depict his iconic character's appearance from just a few years after the events of Return of the Jedi. Along with his faithful droid R2-D2, Luke leaves with Baby Yoda, explaining that the young one is "strong with the force, but talent without training is nothing. I will give my life to protect the child, but he will not be safe until he masters his abilities."
I do not doubt that tears were shed during the scene where Grogu doesn't want to go with Luke, and Mando has to give him "permission" to go. Mando takes off his helmet for the second time in the season (again, to help his adopted son) and gives Grogu his approval to go with Luke and R2-D2. It's an incredibly emotional goodbye for the duo, especially when Grogu reaches out and touches Mando's face. He's probably the first person in a long time that has done so! Grogu finally sees the face of the man who's been caring for him and who is a father to him, and Mando gets to have this tender moment with his pseudo child. (I'm tearing up just thinking about it again!)
Luke's rescue of Baby Yoda definitely raises some questions. We know the Jedi started his order at some point — was Grogu part of it? Does that mean that Grogu knew Leia, Han Solo, and their child Ben Solo? Was he part of the order that Ben massacred? Will Adam Driver make an appearance as the ultimately doomed Ben? So many questions. Guess we'll just have to see where The Mandalorian takes us when it comes back for season three [7]!