Mando’s a father
There are many points in this story where Mando is regarded as being Baby Yoda’s father. Once by one of the women at the shrimp farm village in Episode 4 where she refers to The Child as Mando’s “boy,” and again by a Tatooine repair woman named Peli Motto, who says Mando has a lot to learn about raising a child. But it’s not until Mando is officially assigned the task of being Baby Yoda’s father by his Mandalorian Armorer that things start to get really emotional.
Mando has acted like The Child’s guardian in numerous instances up until this point, but the word “father” has not been used. This is the first time Mando is named as a parent and given the title, and when Baby Yoda looks at him and begins cooing, it’s almost too much to take.
There’s also a scene later on when the battle is finally over, that Baby Yoda walks over to Mando and hugs his legs, looking up at his “dad” and smiling. There have been some characteristically child-like moments on Baby Yoda’s part throughout the season, but this action takes the cake. Mando is where he feels safe. Mando is what he regards as home. It’s heartbreaking in all the best ways.