And then we get to the big bantha in the room. Yes, the pirates snarled and lashed out at our favorite Mando, the devoted Dad much beloved by “Star Wars” fans. But for one, the pirates were concerned with attacking Imperials and Din Djarin was a bad-guy Imperial in their eyes. Interestingly, they don’t attempt to steal the rhydonium cargo or the transport so they don’t seem to covet any riches or profit. Rather, they plant detonators on the rhydonium, components in Imperial fuels, on the Imperial transports.
What if the “pirates” themselves were local insurgents fighting against the occupation of their homeland? What if they weren’t just pirates but locals defending themselves and sabotaging Imperial oppression? That’s one question that proved to be a head-scratcher or misgiving for many reviews and recaps.
It’s nothing new that the Mandalorian is forced to punch out or blast some random alien or humanoid that ambushes him without any diplomacy (in contrast to his amiable working relationship with the Tusken Raiders). In fact, we also see Din scuffle with aggressive Amalites humanoids in the recent season 3, episode 2 “Mines of Mandalore.” But “The Believer” attempts to grapple with morally gray actions and their consequences. After its fast-paced chase and high-octane combat aboard the transports, “The Believer” proceeds to not acknowledge the implications and treats the “pirates” like savage adversaries not worth any regard.
