I’m coming to the conclusion that I’m much less interested in whump than a lot of other Mandalorian fans. Which is fine; there’s no morality involved in how much fictional angst you like, but sometimes I like things to Just Be Ok.
For example, I don’t see him as particularly constantly struggling with his trauma–when I listen to him talk, see how he stands, I mostly see a reasonably put-together adult who certainly HAS trauma, but mostly is in a place in his life where it’s not so much a constant presence, and he’s actually pretty chill. I mean, he’s like…my age, maybe older. I certainly have my share of trauma, but you know, it’s more of the “Yeah when I think about it that was super fucked up, haha” sort. He probably knows what’s going to happen when he goes to get new armor. And I’m sure it hurts, but it certainly doesn’t bleed as far as his behavior, even though he doesn’t have trouble being expressive elsewhere. He knows the pain, he’s handling it. He’s actually a pretty chill guy. He knows when to grab a doorframe and just relax for a minute.
I don’t think he’s poor–I’m rather surprised to see that people do. I mean, I’ve been laughing to myself all along about how absurdly casual he is about money. He routinely overpays for things–he just like, tosses credits at people like “is this enough?” and they’re like “O.O shit yeah that’s enough”. I think he just places all his value in his ship and his armor and weapons. I mean, he’s an elite bounty hunter. They’re his wealth. He can make more money–until, that is, suddenly he’s not so much an elite bounty hunter as a stressed, hunted single dad with his inexplicable, hunted baby and suddenly his whole system is blown up. He still overpays the waitress though.
And I’m not stressing over finding Yodito’s “people”, either. Like, sure, the creators can find tons of angst there if they want to, but a) Yoda’s actual species seems to be incredibly rare/ all but completely unknown so it’s totally plausible that the closest Din can find is a trained force user. And Din’s already showed willingness to decide that the child is better off with him, and by then they’ll have a stronger bond than ever. I think Din had loving parents and a deep attachment to the Mandalorians that rescued him, and understands the value of emotional attachments. (Being truly and completely loved as a child armors you against sooo much future trouble.)
Oh, and the reference to his “dark” past? I mean sure they COULD decide to make that a thing, but it could perfectly well just mean that while he was young and probably a lot more angry and involved in his trauma, and not established as a bounty hunting name, he did some sketchy shit. Stuff that’s criminal, sure, but like…what isn’t, out here on the fringes of an empire that doesn’t actually care at all about its people? Especially when all your training is in beating the shit out of people? Xi’an just knows that that stuff didn’t actually mesh well at all with his strong sense of honor and morality (*she’s* just fine with it, she just knows where to jab and likes doing it).
I mean there’s plenty of conflict and angst in the show for absolute sure already. Moff Gideon is still after them except now Din doesn’t KNOW that. The covert is dead or fled. Kuiil and IG are dead. And of course there’s the literal physical armor between Din and the entire rest of the world, including his baby who openly seeks physical contact. I guess I just don’t want to borrow more trouble. I got no problem whatsoever with people liking more angst, but it’s not me.
