Let's Pour One Out For The Latest Death On The Mandalorian
This post contains spoilers for "Star Wars: The Mandalorian" Chapter 23 – "The Spies"
In episode after episode of "The Mandalorian," characters come and go, and sometimes they die. Sometimes those sacrifices mean a lot and sometimes they're almost played for a laugh. But the major death at the end of this episode was definitely not played for a laugh; it had a gravitas to it that was almost unexpected when you consider the origins of the character. But this loss has been building through this entire season and even back into "The Book of Boba Fett," and it's now time to honor one of the great unsung heroes of "The Mandalorian": Paz Vizsla.
Paz Vizsla's development
Over the course of three seasons of "The Mandalorian" and his small but vital appearance in "The Book of Boba Fett," Paz Vizsla (voiced by series creatorJon Favreau) has become an important character in the world of Din Djarin and the rest of the Mandalorians. As the tank of the Mandalorian covert, Paz Vizsla was a descendent of Tarre Vizsla, the first Mandalorian Jedi and the creator of the Darksaber. To that end, he was also related to Pre Vizsla, the former leader of Death Watch introduced in "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (also voiced by Favreau) who was killed at the hands of Maul on Mandalore. He held in low regard anyone who dealt with the Imperials, infuriated with them for their part in the destruction of Mandalore. When we first met him, he was merely a background character living an anonymous life in the hidden Mandalorian covert on Nevarro. He stepped further into the spotlight over the course of the series, coming to Din Djarin's aid against Moff Gideon in the first season, and fleeing with the Armorer to establish a new covert.
In "The Book of Boba Fett," he challenged Din Djarin for the right to wield the Darksaber, but was unsuccessful in his attempt, leaving many to think that Paz Vizsla would forever be at odds with Din.
Surprising developments in season 3
In his first appearance in the third season of "The Mandalorian," Paz held nothing but disdain for Din Djarin, calling him an apostate and believing he had no place in the new covert. Din Djarin earned his begrudging respect once he bathed in the Living Waters, redeeming himself in the eyes of the Children of the Watch.
The turn in Paz Vizsla's character didn't come, though, until Din Djarin and Lady Bo-Katan Kryze risked their life to rescue Paz's son from the clutches of a terrifying flying creature. When Din and Bo asked for the help of the covert to aid Nevarro in their quest to be safe from the pirates (who were ultimately working at the behest of Moff Gideon, the sworn enemy of Mandalore), Paz Vizsla stood and spoke on their behalf, giving a rousing speech.
"I was there on Nevarro that night. I fought against Greef Karga and his hunters. I saw my brothers and sisters fall at the hands of the Imperial butchers that hunted us in the sewers. I saw many die to save the life of this one, tiny foundling. And now we are asked to sacrifice yet again. The question we should be asking ourselves is, "Why? Why should we lay our lives down yet again?" Because we are Mandalorians! I have had my disagreements with this man, but he risked his life to save my son. And Bo-Katan Kryze did not give up on my child's life even when the rest of us did. These two are asking us to take up arms in the name of a brighter future, and I for one will take up arms to fight by their side. This is the Way!"
Paz's sacrifice
After taking their place on Nevarro and fighting back the pirates, the Mandalorians launched their first effort to take back Mandalore. Little did they know they would be walking into a trap.
As the doors closed in on them and Moff Gideon and his Imperial Super Commandos attacked the rest of the united Mandalorians, Paz Vizsla stood sentinel against them, covering the escape of the rest of the Mandalorians. Unfortunately, he was unable to stand against the elite Praetorian Guard of the Empire and they ended his life. He went down like Boromir in "The Fellowship of the Ring," and his sacrifice was every bit as meaningful.
For a man who began his journey on this show as a religious hardliner, to end up sacrificing his life for those he didn't truly believe were Mandalorian was a huge character arc and makes him one of the most intriguing characters on the show.
So let's pour one out for Paz Vizsla. His loss will surely be felt, by us and his fellow Mandalorians.
"The Mandalorian" is streaming on Disney+. The season 3 finale airs next Wednesday.