What would The Mandalorian series be without The Child?

What would The Mandalorian look like without The Child?

Once upon a time, Lucasfilm and Disney+ promoted season 1 of The Mandalorian without The Child (or as the rest of the world likes to call him, Baby Yoda). Now it seems impossible to think about, discuss, or to promote The Mandalorian without the adorable and iconic Child in mind.

Yet, there was a time when The Child’s existence was kept a secret and there was still a great deal of hype surrounding the series premiere. When looking back on this, it can’t help but make fans wonder what the show would look like without The Child.

The most important thing is that the show would lack the heart that has made it such a phenomenon. When the series was originally promoted, it seemed like it would be the story of a formidable Mandalorian bounty hunter navigating a lawless world. While this premise is still undeniably part of the show, it’s not what the show is about at the end of the day. The show is ultimately about the unlikely and beautiful relationship that forms between the Mandalorian and The Child, and how The Child pushes the Mandalorian to become a better version of himself.

Without The Child, the show would probably just be about a cutthroat Mandalorian bounty hunter doing cutthroat things in the criminal underworld. This would be entertaining, but Star Wars has always been about more than watching characters beat up on other characters. Star Wars is about promoting positive lessons concerning hope, redemption, and compassion, much of which would be lost in The Mandalorian without The Child.

Some fans have theorized that season 2 or a future season could end with the Mandalorian handing over The Child to the Jedi or other members of the Yoda species and that the show could continue without The Child. This is a terrible idea as it will rob the show of its heart and the central relationship that makes it so special in the first place. The Mandalorian is a compelling character on his own, but following him and the show’s supporting characters wouldn’t be as compelling without The Child.

In addition to bringing heart to the show, The Child is also the key to the story’s mystery, intrigue, and overarching plot. One of the show’s greatest mysteries is why Moff Gideon and his Imperial remnant so desperately want The Child. There are also questions of The Child’s origins and how his growing Force abilities and unique upbringing will factor into his own development and in the larger galaxy.

These are meaty questions that the show should answer gradually. There is nothing gained by rushing them. By keeping The Child around, The Mandalorian will continue to have plenty of heart, mystery, intrigue, and time to explore its overarching plot.

Fans are grateful that The Child exists and that he is such an integral piece of the first live-action Star Wars television series. The Mandalorian is definitely a better show because of the emphasis on the Child.