The Mandalorian's Best Episode Proves It Doesn't Need Grogu

Grogu is essential to the success and overall narrative of The Mandalorian, but the show's all-time best episode proves it did not need him. Originally known in the show as the Child and as Baby Yoda in popular culture, the beloved character made a lasting impact from the moment he appeared at the end of the first episode. Since his introduction, Grogu has remained at the heart of the story and been the key to many of The Mandalorian's best episodes.

Between three seasons of The Mandalorian, two episodes of The Book of Boba Fett, and now the upcoming The Mandalorian and Grogu movie, Grogu is arguably the face of modern-day Star Wars, and for good reason. Beyond being adorable and launching countless memes, his individual journey and relationship with Din is equally heartfelt and compelling. That being said, not every episode of The Mandalorian needs him to appear.

Season 2, Episode 7, "The Believer," Is The Mandalorian’s Best Episode

Season 1, episode 3, "The Sin" and season 2, episode 8, "The Rescue" are often upheld as The Mandalorian's best installments, but neither one is quite as strong as season 2, episode 7, "The Believer." In the penultimate season 2 episode, Grogu has been captured by Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito), and Din needs the help of the ex-Imperial Migs Mayfeld (Bill Burr) to locate them. They are aided by Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison), Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen), and Cara Dune (Gina Carano).

The episode features some of Din's most important character development, especially when he has to remove his helmet for an extended period when inside the Imperial base. This is something he previously would not have done due to his strict adherence to the Mandalorian Creed, but he bends the rules in order to find and save Grogu.

Mayfeld further elevates the episode, first by making good points about Din's evolving relationship with the Mandalorian Creed, and later on with a surprising and deeply satisfying arc about survivor's guilt and post-traumatic stress disorder from his time with the Empire. The scene where Mayfeld is seated with Din and the Imperial Valin Hess (Richard Brake) is the most dramatic, suspenseful, and haunting in the entire series, with tension gradually building until it explodes as Mayfeld takes a moral stand and shoots Hess. In just one episode, Mayfeld becomes an infinitely more complex character who represents the traumas that real-life veterans face, yet he manages to ultimately to walk away as a free man who earns a fresh start for himself.

When Din and Mayfeld are on their way to the base and encounter pirates, and in the chaos that ensues after Hess is shot, the episode also features some of The Mandalorian's best action. This includes Din in Imperial armor fighting pirates via hand-to-hand combat while on top of a moving vehicle, Boba Fett dropping seismic charges from his ship, and Mayfeld blowing up the base.

The ending cements "The Believer" as the best episode, not only due to the rewarding culmination of Mayfeld's arc, but because of the message Din sends to Moff Gideon, in which he echoes words the villain previously said to him and makes it clear that he is coming for Grogu. The final line, "He means more to me than you will ever know," perfectly sums up how Din feels about Grogu and how he has been changed by him.

“The Believer" Is Great Despite Grogu's Absence

Out of the 24 episodes across The Mandalorian's three seasons, "The Believer" is the only one where Grogu does not make an appearance. The episode is still phenomenal, though, because of the room that Grogu's absence gives to other characters and because Grogu is still at the emotional heart of the episode despite the lack of his physical presence.

Without Grogu, there gets to be more focus on Din as an individual and a smaller character like Mayfeld also gets to have a riveting arc. At the same time, Grogu is the reason why Din goes to Mayfeld in the first place and why they go on this mission, leading to the epic speech that Din sends to Moff Gideon in the final scene. Grogu being gone for one episode also makes it all the more satisfying when he and Din reunite in the season 2 finale.

The Mandalorian & Grogu Is Taking Important Lessons From "The Believer"

Even though "The Believer" was released six years before The Mandalorian and Grogu, the movie still appears to have learned from the episode. The primary lesson it's taking is featuring more of Din without his helmet on. The Mandalorian and Grogu trailer reveals that Din's helmet will be removed in the film, which is the first time this has happened since the season 2 finale was released in December 2020. The helmet stays on throughout all of Din's appearances in The Book of Boba Fett and The Mandalorian season 3.

Viewers get to see a new and arguably more vulnerable side of Din in "The Believer" during the sequence where his helmet is off. The Mandalorian and Grogu can continue to build on this and take advantage of Pascal's expressive acting and dig deeper into the character.

The other lesson The Mandalorian and Grogu seems to be taking from "The Believer" is separating its titular characters. While it could just be the way the trailer is edited, the shots of Din with the Hutts and Grogu in the woods hint that they will be separated for part of the story. "The Believer" has proven that this can work well and can help Din grow, and this time, both characters can grow before their inevitable reunion.

The Mandalorian and Grogu releases in theaters on May 22, 2026.