Farewell, IG-11. Long live IG-12…kinda. That updated version of the former assassin droid is actually a downgrade. It’s no longer sentient; it’s just a Star Wars mech suit. The Anzellans on Nevarro could not restore the destroyed machine’s memory circuits as Din Djarin had hoped. He was counting on the mechanical bounty hunter, which went through reprogramming to protect the very child it would hunt previously, to help him protect Grogu once again. Now the robot, stripped down to its basic motor functions, is merely a vehicle for Grogu to pilot. One function, though, also lets Grogu communicate two basic thoughts. That’s how—from a certain point of view—The Mandalorian‘s “The Spies” delivered the Foundling’s “first words.” That long-awaited moment was not what we expected. It doesn’t even technically count because Grogu didn’t actually say his first words. But it sure was funny.
It’s bad enough to give any toddler “cognition” over a dangerous machine. Lots of people can get hurt! Lots of street vendors can also get raided! But it’s another to give a smart, willful toddler buttons that say “yes” and “no” in Taika Waititi’s voice. Lots of dads can get easily annoyed!
That’s what happened to Din Djarin once Grogu got inside his new/old machine’s pilot seat. Showing just how much he understands when others speak even if he still cannot, the little green tyke quickly communicated his enthusiasm for the machine via its “yes” button. He also let his father know he would not be waiting to be older by pressing “no.”
Like all exhausted parents resigned to the fact it’s easier to accept something your kid does rather than fight them, that led Din to walk down the streets of Nevarro with Grogu operating IG-12. The novelty of the kid’s buttons did not wear off, though. Grogu kept pressing “yes” over and over…and over and over and over and over and…well, reading that will give you some idea how that made Din feel. “This” really wasn’t working for him.
It more than worked for us, though. Not only was it the kind of parent-child humor we’ve come to love from the duo, it gave Grogu another form of protection along with a basic type of communication. That will be annoying at times for Mando, but it will also be helpful. It’s good to get a “yes” or a “no” from your kid during times of trouble. Like when you’re running from a surprise Moff Gideon attack.
Plus, it’s not as though his “speaking” through IG-12 will detract from when Grogu speaks his actual first words. Whenever he uses his own voice to talk it will still be a special moment for him and Din Djarin. And also for all of us.
“Yes” it will, even if it’s not as funny.
Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.
