Culture

‘The Mandalorian’ Finale’s MAJOR Cameo Had Fans In Tears

by Merryana Salem  20 December 2020
The-Mandalorian-finale-cameo

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The final episode of the Mandalorian’s second season aired on Saturday, and it was PACKED with both suspenseful and emotional surprises.

I shall leave a full, more detailed recap and review of the finale to my colleague, Jared, who is our resident Mandalorian recapper.  For now, all you need to know is that the series 2 finale concluded with Mando and the Child achieving what has been their goal since the series began.

~Content Warning: Major Spoilers For The Mandolorian Finale~

As Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson) revealed in Season 2 Episode 5, Grogu was originally being trained by the Jedi before the rise of the Empire.

But Grogu forgot most of what he learned so he could survive and wouldn’t stick out as a threat to the now almighty empire. Thus, he would need to be re-trained in the Jedi ways.

Since the beginning of the series, Mando has been trying to deliver the Child to his people, aka the Jedi. In the finale, he finally did it. The last 20 minutes of the finale sees Mando’s back is against the wall as he faces down a tonne of dark troopers.

Who should swoop in via X-Wing fighter and armed with an unmistakably green lightsaber to help? None other than Luke Skywalker himself.

A young version of Hamill’s legendary character turns up to offer to train Grogu, after laying waste to the remainder of the dark troopers and saving Mando and the Child.

“Talent without training is nothing,” Luke explains as he offers to take the Child from Mando. After a heartfelt goodbye in which Mando removes his helmet, and promises the Child they will meet again, the pair part ways.

With a classic, “may the force be with you,” from Luke, the episode and series’ epic final shot unfolds. An elevator door closing on Luke holding the Child, and R2D2 by their side.

Luke was digitally de-aged, and CGI-ed to reprise his role, but Mark Hamill still gave his voice to the beloved icon. I can’t help but agree with some critics that Star Wars has definitely done better CGI recreations of classic characters in the past, but it was no less heartwarming to see a young Luke Skywalker in 2020.

It is unclear where the series will go from here, the main aim of the story having been achieved. But it’s a big galaxy out there, with even bigger problems. No doubt Mando and the allies he’s made along the way still have many adventures ahead.

 

Merryana Salem is a proud Wonnarua and Lebanese–Australian critic, teacher, researcher and podcaster on most social media as @akajustmerry. If you want, check out her podcast, GayV Club where she gushes about LGBT rep in media with her best friend. Either way, she hopes you ate something nice today.