Why that Paz Vizsla reveal in The Mandalorian is important

Warning: This article contains spoilers from The Mandalorian season 3, episode 4 “The Foundling.” 

Despite both being Children of the Watch, there has been a great deal of tension between Din Djarin and Paz Vizsla in the past. When they were on Nevarro, Paz called Din a coward and looked down on him for being a bounty hunter, especially for being a bounty hunter who did business with Imperials.

When Din and Paz reunited in The Book of Boba Fett,  Paz made it clear that he did not see Din as worthy of wielding the Darksaber, and even challenged him for it. His dislike deepened further when he learned that Din removed his helmet, which in the eyes of Paz and the Armorer meant that Din was Mandalorian no more, and that dislike of Din carried over into The Mandalorian season 3.

Even after Din bathed in the Living Waters of Mandalore and the Armorer confirmed it and declared him redeemed, Paz’s attitude still seemed unchanged as he did not celebrate and welcome Din back as the other Children of the Watch did.

After all this tension, the Din and Paz relationship has finally changed for the better after the events in “Chapter 20: The Foundling.” This episode reveals that Ragnar–the young Mandalorian played by Jimmy Kimmel’s nephew Wesley Kimmel–is Paz’s son.

Din plays an integral role in helping Paz get Ragnar back. After father and son reunite, Din and Paz say “This is the way” to each other and their delivery of the phrase feels more genuine and heartfelt than it ever has before.

There is a new bond forged between them not just because Paz is grateful to Din for helping to save Ragnar, but because they understand and respect each other as fathers who love their sons.

The quest to save Ragnar does the most to shift Din and Paz’s relationship, yet the transformation begins even before Ragnar is taken by the raptor. Earlier in the episode, Paz watches as Ragnar faces off against Grogu in a contest of training darts. He watches the way Din encourages and supports Grogu, which gives Grogu the confidence he needs to best Ragnar.

He also watches as Din tells Ragnar, “One does not speak unless one knows” when Ragnar claims that Grogu is too young to fight. When Ragnar is bested by Grogu, Paz repeats Din’s words, an acknowledgement that he agrees with Din and the valuable lesson Din taught his son.

Why Paz being a dad is important in The Mandalorian

Paz being revealed as a father adds more weight to his actions in the season 1 episode “Chapter 3: The Sin.” While Paz insults Din earlier in that episode, Paz also leads the Children of the Watch in helping Din and Grogu escape Greef Karga and the bounty hunters pursuing them on Nevarro. When Din flies offworld in the Razor Crest, Paz salutes him.

Risking everything to help save Din and Grogu was arguably about more than helping a fellow Child of the Watch; it was about helping to save a child and his protector who would go on to become father and son.

As for the future, Paz being a father is important because of the bond it’s led to with Din. Wherever Din’s path may lead, Paz is now more likely to support and follow him because of the bond they formed as fellow fathers.

The Mandalorian season 3 trailers have shown Paz Vizsla and other Mandalorians on Nevarro while under attack from pirates. Even though Greef Karga will probably contact Din to come and help, Paz and the other Children of the Watch are more likely to follow Din there after the events in “The Foundling.”

Din and Paz’s history shows the challenge of uniting Mandalorians, even those within the same group. Yet, the progress they’ve made also proves that Mandalorians can be united despite their differences.