The latest installment of The Mandalorian saw Din Djarin forced to take off his iconic helmet — and simultaneously allowed Pedro Pascal to demonstrate his commitment to the role with a perfect performance. Created by Jon Favreau, the Disney+ Star Wars spin-off has followed a titular bounty hunter tasked with protecting a force-sensitive alien child named Grogu (dubbed "Baby Yoda" by the internet). Hunted by remnants of The Empire, the quest has since evolved as Mando has sought out members of the Jedi with whom Grogu could train. Unfortunately, The Mandalorian season 2, episode 6, "The Tragedy" saw Moff Gideon's Dark Troopers catch up to them on Tython and take possession of The Child.
The Mandalorian season 2, episode 7, "The Believer" reunited Din Djarin with his former adversary, Migs Mayfeld (Bill Burr). Backed up by Cara Dune (Gina Carano), Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen), and Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison), Din recruited the former Imperial sharpshooter to help track Moff Gideon's ship. With Mayfeld unable to bring himself to access the necessary console, however, Din was forced to undertake the task himself. Though it went against everything Mando had been raised to believe, he even uncovered his face so that he could be scanned and get the job done. The moment proved to be an emotional one — emphasizing just how far The Mandalorian is willing to go to rescue Grogu. Equally, those crucial few scenes also allowed Pascal a chance to convey just how good of an actor he truly is.
Pascal's performance has been widely analyzed and praised since the episode's release — and deservedly so. For starters, the moment the helmet came off, Din Djarin's entire demeanor changed. The expression and the look in his eyes was something to which many social-anxiety sufferers and other similarly afflicted, introverted people could relate. It was more than just pressure regarding the important task at hand, or fretting over the breaking of his creed. Pascal made clear how different and uncomfortable the world felt to the character without that layer of familiar protection. In a split-second, Mando seemed gone and only Din Djarin remained. Given that he hasn't once been around people without it since he was a child, that would be understandable. At that moment, he likely would've regressed to an almost child-like state... and Pascal conveyed that to perfection.
Such discomfort and awkwardness became all the more apparent when he was confronted by Valin Hess (Richard Brake). Often cool and very much in control when wearing his armor, Din Djarin was all awkward silences and nervous ticks without it. On multiple occasions, he struggled for words, and, at one point, he even silently gulped. After being rescued by Mayfeld and coaxed into having a celebratory drink and discuss the infamous Operation Cinder, the level of commitment and physical acting from Pascal continued to be exemplary.
Every movement remained that of someone who had spent a life wearing a very constricting helmet. Rather than just gazing at Mayfeld, he would turn his whole head — just as he would when in full armor and only really able to look straight ahead. Pascal did the same later when chaos erupted, turning his whole body to the stormtrooper in his periphery. And when Mayfeld ultimately passed him a helmet to wear on the way out, he didn't just turn his eyes downward but, again, his whole head. Din's expression was also one of pure relief.
Once his face was again covered, Mando's traditional confidence and resolve returned. He immediately reasserted control, taking out several enemies and commanding Mayfeld repeatedly as they made their escape. Though two seasons have already passed, the latest episode marked just how much of an internal, emotional journey Din Djarin still has ahead of him. After all, he's only just begun to reconcile his long-held beliefs with recent revelations — which could lead to some interesting confrontations. Whatever the future holds, however, The Mandalorian episode was a testament to how much attention to detail went into Pascal's performance, alongside everything else.