The Armorer’s double standards make no sense
The Mandalorian Chapter 21, “The Pirate” released this week. The episode was a ride and felt a lot like a Season 2 episode, with exhilarating dogfighting scenes and Din on a quest to help Greef Karga. But this episode brought a huge twist in the ongoing tale. At the end of “The Pirate”, Greef Karga and the citizens of Nevarro thanked the Mandalorians for saving them from Pirate King Gorian Shard and his gang. Most of us probably thought this was it, and then came the shocker.
Paz Vizsla told Bo Katan that The Armorer wished to speak to her. Things took a turn when she asked Bo Katan to remove her helmet. Bo removed it on her insistence. She explained to Bo that her having seen the Mythosaur signifies the beginning of a new age of Mandalore, and as Bo and The Armorer walked out in front of everyone waiting outside, things only became weirder.
Everyone looked puzzled and even uncomfortable seeing Bo without her helmet. Their helmets didn’t do much to hide their shock. The Armorer explained that Bo will now go on a quest to bring all the Mandalorians in exile together so they can all re-take Mandalore. Paz Vizsla seemed put off by the events and pointed out that Bo isn’t wearing her helmet, but The Armorer defended her by stating that Bo walks both worlds, and that she will bring all the clans together. Din and Paz exchanged a few confused looks. Din should undoubtedly be the one most disturbed and angry by The Armorer’s sudden change of heart, apparent favoritism shown towards Bo, and double standards regarding the helmet.
In The Book Of Boba Fett, The Armorer referred to Bo Katan as “a cautionary tale.” It’s not an opinion Din gave much thought to, and he has treated Bo like a friend throughout Season 3. Nevertheless, for a man who went through an entire journey to a supposedly cursed world to redeem himself, and brought proof of having done so, seeing Bo Katan being given the right to remove her helmet should really be a wakeup call.
This change of heart, change of views and sudden flexibility over the helmet seems to have come overnight and it’s as much a mystery to viewers as it is to the rest of the members of the covert. Is the Mythosaur the reason behind it, or is The Armorer just playing along to see how far things go? It’s really hard to gauge her intentions with her face being hidden behind a helmet. She has always been very consistent, and this is the most jarring change of stances she has displayed thus far.
The writers need to explain this one because as it’s a bit hard to process. Why Din had to go through hell and back just to be forgiven for removing his helmet for his child, and why Bo Katan is able to stay a member of the covert and remove hers, is a question that needs immediate answering.
The Mandalorian Season 3 is streaming now on Disney+.