“The Mandalorian” follows the journey of its title hero, Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his quests throughout the galaxy with Baby Yoda, aka Grogu. One of the things that set Mando apart from other bounty hunters and heroes is that his armor includes a helmet that completely masks his face and that he’s never allowed to take off. In early episode one, the Armorer (Emily Swallow) doublechecks that he’s still adhered to this strict rule: “Have you ever removed you helmet? Has it ever been removed by others?” she asks. “No,” Din answers. But that doesn’t stay true throughout the show’s first two seasons, and in season three Din wants to atone for what he sees as his transgression. Ahead, we’re breaking down the rules that keep Mando from taking off his helmet,
Why Can’t the Mandalorian Take Off His Helmet?
The Mandalorian was raised in an orthodox sect called Children of the Watch that follows an ancient path they call the Way. Part of the rules is never taking off your helmet in front of another living being. They can take it off when they’re alone, presumably, though we’ve never seen that on “The Mandalorian.” Also, if someone else takes it off for them, that still counts as breaking the rule.
When Has the Mandalorian Taken Off His Helmet?
The Mandalorian has taken off his helmet three times on the show. First, he takes it off in the season one finale, when the droid IG-11 treats him after he’s badly injured. He and the droid both justify it saying that a droid isn’t really a living thing, so it doesn’t count as taking the helmet off in front of other people.
The second time he does it definitely doesn’t have that caveat, though. In episode seven of season two, Din and Migs Mayfeld (Bill Burr) sneak into an Imperial refinery where they’ll be able to access a terminal that will give them Moff Gideon’s coordinates (and let them save Baby Yoda). Mando takes off his helmet in private and disguises himself as a soldier, wearing a uniform with another helmet. This plan to keep his face hidden works until Mayfeld, a former imperial, sees his old commanding officer and is worried he’ll be recognized. Din goes to use the terminal, but it requires a facial scan. He takes off his helmet to operate it.
But then the imperial officer confronts Mando and Mayfeld, who end up sharing a tense drink with him while Mando is still helmet-less. Mayfeld kills Hess and Din and is able to cover his head again before they escape.
Din reveals his face for a third time at the end of season two. As Mando and co. try to save Baby Yoda, they’re saved in turn by Jedi Master Luke Skywalker (a de-aged Mark Hamill). Luke offers to take Grogu for training. Grogu is afraid, so Mando takes off his helmet so Grogu can say a true goodbye, showing his face to him for the first time.
Will the Mandalorian Ever Take Off His Helmet Again?
Din is definitely determined to never take his helmet off again when season three starts. But based on the past, it does feel kind of inevitable that it will happen again in another situation where he has no other choice.
Bo-Katan also tries to impress on Mando in season two that it’s an old practice of a cult, and not one worth following. Will Mando become disillusioned with the strict rules of the Children of the Watch and leave his helmet behind in the future? Also, when Mando takes his mask off to say goodbye to Grogu, there was no reason for him to do that, accept love and affection. It seems his ideals might be changing.
Season three of “The Mandalorian” premieres March 1 on Disney+.