'The Way of the Mandalore' was introduced in The Mandalorian Episode 3, streaming now on Disney+, with the phrase "this is the way" being introduced as the mantra of the warrior tribe.
Among the elements we learn are part of the Way of the Mandalore include never taking your helmet off and protecting fellow followers of the Way. We saw this latter rule in action in Episode 3 when fellow followers of the Way protect the Mandalore (played by Pedro Pascal) from an attack from the Bounty Hunters' Guild after he steals back the creature known to fans of the Disney+ show as 'baby Yoda'.
When The Mandalorian goes to visit The Armorer (Emily Swallow), they have the following exchange:
The Armorer: "The Empire is no longer and the Beskar has been returned. When one chooses to walk the way of the Mandalore, you are both hunter and prey. How can one be a coward if one chooses this way of life? Have you ever removed your helmet?"
The Mandalorian: "No,"
The Armorer: "Has it ever been removed by others?"
The Mandalorian: "Never."
The Armorer: "This is the Way."
Part of the Way of the Mandalore is to strictly follow its rules, but there are some hints in The Mandalorian so far that these rules will soon be broken by the protagonist. In Episode 3, it seems that the Way is referenced multiple times to emphasise its importance, so that when this code is eventually broken it will have dramatic impact.
For example, it seems almost certain that at some point The Mandalorian will take his helmet off—why hire an actor like Pedro Pascal, who is fairly well-known for his roles in Game of Thrones and Narcos, if we are never going to see his face? When a reporter from extratv told Pascal fans were disappointed not to see his face in Epsiode 1, he said: "They only saw 39 minutes! Be patient..."
And if he does take off his helmet, he will have broken the Way of the Mandalore, which could have huge repercussions for the characters—at best, it means he will no longer have the tribe's protection against the Bounty Hunters' Guild, and at worst the end of the Disney+ series could see the followers of the Way team up with the bounty hunters to take on The Mandalorian and 'baby Yoda', who we know has some Force powers.
The Mandalorian episodes air Fridays on Disney+
