If you are following along with the Baby Yoda story like the rest of the world, you may want to brace yourself for this one. The Mandalorian premiered early this week—Disney+ dropped the new chapter on Wednesday instead of Friday—likely due to the release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Viewers were excited to see their favorite little green creature two days early, until the tragic ending of the chapter. Let’s take a look at what happened and how fans feel about it.
[Warning: The Mandalorian Chapter 7 spoilers ahead]
Why are fans comparing the latest chapter of ‘The Mandalorian’ to ‘Game of Thrones’?
Throughout the last six chapters of The Mandalorian, viewers watch the same episodic format of a show—Mando (Pedro Pascal) engages in some battle with new characters, and then the storyline resolves. We met many unique individuals throughout the first six chapters.
However, chapter seven ties everyone together. Viewers love that they see their fan-favorite characters back again. As much as the fans love Baby Yoda, they quickly grew to like many other new characters, too.
One particular favorite is Kuiil (Nick Nolte) who helps Mando to find Baby Yoda in the first chapter. Next, Kuiil helps Mando negotiate with Jawas to get his ship parts back. In the latest installment, Mando recruits Kuiil to watch over Baby Yoda while they put a plan into motion to kill the Client.
However, things go awry, and Mando sends Kuiil back to the ship to usher Baby Yoda to safety. Kuiil doesn’t make it. He is blasted by two ex-imperial stormtroopers and the bandits get away with Baby Yoda. Fans are reeling over Kuiil’s death, similarly to the aftermath of the many Game of Thrones’ episodes that killed off major characters.
What are fans saying about Kuiil’s tragic death on ‘The Mandalorian’?
It is hard to believe that after just a few short episodes, viewers fell in love with Kuiil. We know fans instinctively loved Baby Yoda for his cuteness, nostalgia, and Meme-worthy scenes. However, Kuiil didn’t fit that description.
“I only saw him in three episodes, and already I felt more pain over his death than the deaths of every other Star Wars character combined,” wrote one Reddit user. “He was a simple man who worked his whole life to earn his freedom to live a simple life. [Kuiil] sought negotiation with the Jawas over war, in an effort to avoid violence as long as a peaceful solution was available.”
“He rebuilt IG-11, an unfeeling murder robot, and reprogrammed him because he believed that all things deserve a second chance to live a life of peace,” the fan continued. “[Kuiil] loved his Blurgs and saw them cut down one by one by a bloodthirsty flock of pterodactyls, but kept on moving to ensure the safety of his friends. He died doing what was right. He died a hero and will be remembered for his noble wisdom and kind heart.”
Fans are devastated over Kuiil’s death. They did not expect Star Wars to go there already.
“I wasn’t expecting this show to go all GoT and kill beloved characters,” wrote another Reddit user.
Many other fans voiced their agreement over the shocking end to the chapter.
“This one kicked me right in the guts, added another fan. “RIP Kuiil.”
What might happen in ‘The Mandalorian’ Season Finale on Disney+ Dec. 27?
The good majority of fans loved the seventh chapter of The Mandalorian. They are distraught over the cliffhanger of the missing Baby Yoda. However, they feel that it brought each of the storylines together. There are a few theories about what might happen next.
“The droid will avenge his master’s death,” guessed one Reddit viewer.
Others agreed in various threads that the droid Kruiil programmed, IG-11, will come to the rescue of the remaining crew or try to find Baby Yoda.
“Kruiil knew there was a very good chance the mission would go south,” wrote another fan. “And rather than risk IG-11 dying to save him, he programmed [the droid] to protect Baby Yoda and initiated the protocol before dying.”
Hopefully, fans’ remaining favorite characters will live in the season finale, or this series will end even more like Game of Thrones. You can catch the final chapter of The Mandalorian Season 1 on Disney+ on Dec. 27, 2019.
