The Last Of Us Confirms Star Wars Made The Right Call With The Mandalorian’s Controversial Move

heads up! this discussion delves into spoilers for The Last of Us season 2, episode 6. It appears that the decision in The Mandalorian that stirred the most debate might have been justified in hindsight. Initially, The Mandalorian seemed invincible during its first two seasons, single-handedly revitalizing the Star Wars franchise for good – paving the way for every live-action Star Wars show we’ve seen since then. However, after the poignant ending of season 2, there was a misstep.

In the spin-off series “The Book of Boba Fett”, characters Din Djarin and Grogu, who parted ways at the end of “The Mandalorian” season 2, were swiftly reunited. This decision to incorporate a substantial portion of Boba Fett’s tale into Din Djarin’s storyline sparked debate, but the controversy grew when the beloved duo reconnected before the occurrences of “The Mandalorian” season 3. Many viewers still believe that this choice was a significant factor in the relatively weak narrative and reception of season 3.

The reasoning behind this decision stemmed from worries that splitting up Din Djarin and Grogu in season 3 of The Mandalorian could negatively impact the show’s performance, given that their bond is essentially the lifeblood of the series. Although it did affect the larger narrative, it appears that the decision to reunite them, as seen in The Last of Us season 2, where Pedro Pascal, who plays Din Djarin, also stars, has so far shown that this move for Star Wars might have been a wise one.

The Last Of Us Isn’t The Same After Joel Miller’s Death

Audiences Are Losing Interest Without Joel & Ellie Together

In the second episode of “The Last of Us” season 2, titled “Through the Valley,” the poignant and heartbreaking demise of the character Joel Miller, played by Pascal, was depicted. Similar to the role of Din Djarin in “The Mandalorian,” Joel’s character holds a significant position. However, since the narrative of “The Last of Us” is heavily reliant on Joel’s death, the TV series chose to stay true to this pivotal moment, even though it had the flexibility to deviate due to its adaptation from a video game.

After Joel’s demise, it’s evident that the series version of “The Last of Us” isn’t quite the same without him. This isn’t merely due to Joel as a character, but because the central focus on the bond between Joel and Ellie, which was so prominent in season 1, has shifted. Episode 6 of season 2, titled “The Price,” underscores this fact.

The upcoming episode delves into the past to provide crucial details about Joel and Ellie’s storyline between seasons 1 and 2. This will likely be Norman Reedus’ final major appearance in the series. The exceptional reception from both viewers and critics, reaching new heights compared to recent weeks, underscores that it was their unique bond that contributed significantly to the success of season 1. Regrettably, without this connection, season 2 seems to be struggling.

Din Djarin & Grogu Are The Heart Of The Mandalorian Like Joel & Ellie

Their Relationship Keeps The Story Alive

The bond between Din Djarin and Grogu significantly contributed to the initial success of The Mandalorian, much like how the connection in The Last of Us played a key role in casting Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller. This shared quality allows us to see similarities between the two series, so if The Last of Us season 2’s current acclaim were true, it would have been just as accurate for The Mandalorian season 3.

Absolutely, it’s important to note that there are distinct differences between Joel’s death in “The Last of Us” and Din and Grogu’s separation in “The Mandalorian”. Unlike Joel’s demise, which is a permanent end, the separation of Din and Grogu has always felt temporary. There was never a true sense of permanence that could keep them apart permanently.

Independent of any other factors, it’s evident that the lack of a current bond between Din Djarin and Grogu has an impact on the way The Mandalorian is perceived by viewers. Since we didn’t delve deeply into their prolonged separation followed by a reunion in season 3, we can’t definitively gauge its influence, but it would undeniably have altered the feel of the season compared to seasons 1 and 2 – and that difference justifies this choice.

Star Wars May Have Actually Made The Right Decision For Season 3

The Show Thrives With This Duo Sticking Together

Given the positive response to The Last of Us season 2, it’s no wonder that Star Wars decided to reunite Din and Grogu swiftly. This move might have been a wise choice considering how the narrative flow of season 3 would have significantly changed with these characters separated. While some viewers might have enjoyed this change, there would undoubtedly be others who wouldn’t, particularly if the story didn’t focus as much on Grogu as Din Djarin.

As a fellow enthusiast of “The Mandalorian”, I must admit that while I too yearned for Din and Grogu to be apart for a prolonged period in season 3, I’m beginning to appreciate the reasoning behind their reunion before the upcoming installment. From a commercial perspective, prolonging their separation could have been a significant risk, potentially disrupting the core essence of the show.

I can’t help but imagine an alternative “Mandalorian” scenario where the separation was extended, but after witnessing the emotional rollercoaster that was “The Last of Us” season 2, I now understand why they chose to reunite them.

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2025-05-20 16:12