The promise of more Baby Yoda in The Mandalorian season 2 is helping Star Wars fans through a tumultuous 2020, but could the character be tempted by the dark side of the Force? In an amazingly well-kept surprise, The Mandalorian introduced a young (relatively speaking) member of Yoda's species in the final moments of its premiere episode. Officially referred to as "The Child" by Disney, the remnants of the Empire were seeking Baby Yoda, only for Din Djarin to step in and rescue the youngster, forming an immediate bond and spawning a thousand online memes. In season 2, Djarin will be trying to take Baby Yoda back to its mysterious home planet.
Although not yet old enough to talk, Baby Yoda does already have a strong grasp of the Force, alluding to the inherent Force-sensitivity of this fabled Star Wars species. Despite being so young, Baby Yoda has taken down a flamethrower-wielding Stormtrooper, healed a fatal wound and lifted a giant rampaging beast clean off the ground, usually left exhausted afterwards. Almost all of Baby Yoda's Force usage in The Mandalorian's first season is entirely wholesome, with the exception of one surprisingly sinister example. Djarin was passing the time by arm wrestling Cara Dune on his ship, only for Baby Yoda to run interference by Force-choking Dune.
This shocking scene is highly ambiguous. On one hand, it seems that Baby Yoda thought its best friend was being attacked and didn't grasp the friendly nature of arm wrestling, but on the other, there was a brief look of genuine menace on the youngster's face while choking out Gina Carano. Even if the incident was one giant misunderstanding, Baby Yoda seemed so intensely into the choking, the act goes beyond simply defending a loved one. This scene adds a note of uncertainty to Baby Yoda's ethical stance ahead of The Mandalorian's second season. An innocent and playful critter Baby Yoda may be, but like most Force-sensitives, raw power can lead to dark side temptation.
After a firm telling-off and a spell on the naughty step, Baby Yoda's choking antics weren't explored further in The Mandalorian's first season, but just like Anakin Skywalker and Kylo Ren in the Star Wars movies, the seduction of the dark side isn't so easy to shake off. What will happen if the Mandalorian is attacked again and Baby Yoda is forced to waddle to the rescue? Will that anger shown while choking Cara Dune bubble to the surface once again, stronger than before? If so, the Jedi teachings of Yoda (the old one) have already made clear where anger can lead an aspiring Jedi and Din Djarin may not be able to rein in his young companion forever.
This darker Baby Yoda tease sets up an intriguing storyline for The Mandalorian in 2020. Baby Yoda throughout season 1 was mostly a cute, green McGuffin - something for the Empire to chase and the good guys to protect. In season 2, The Mandalorian can dive deeper into Baby Yoda's parent and child relationship with Din Djarin, exploring the "nature vs. nurture" themes hinted at previously. It's clear that the Force is strong in The Child and the more attuned a person is with the Force, they greater the dark side's temptation seems to be. Luke Skywalker managed to resist out of faith that his father could be redeemed, while Rey was kept on the right path by her Resistance friends and her bond with Kylo Ren. In the same fashion, Din Djarin can be the guide that keeps Baby Yoda in check, making for a more 3-dimensional relationship in The Mandalorian season 2. Perhaps viewers will even witness elements of conflict between the pair as Baby Yoda becomes more mature and grows in power. Hell hath no fury like a Force user during a toddler tantrum.
With Anakin, it was the death of his mother that paved a route to becoming Darth Vader. Whatever the future has in store for Baby Yoda and Din Djarin, their journey is unlikely to be without trouble, and there will be plenty of opportunities for the youngster to suffer pain and loss. Watching how Djarin and his allies try and raise a child that wields incredible power but also enjoys shiny round things could form the foundation of The Mandalorian's near future.