By: Lily Rey Rose
Excitement is brewing as Season 2 of The Mandalorian is approaching. To get myself prepared for what lies ahead, I've been looking back at Season 1. Surprisingly, I gained a new appreciation for IG-11, connecting to the lanky droid in new ways. I dedicate my article to the droid that did not self-destruct - instead, he nursed and protected.
We meet IG-11 in Episode 1 of The Mandalorian. IG-11 is classified as an Assassin Droid, a bounty hunter programmed to kill and self-destruct to avoid being captured. He is gray, bronze, and masculine. In a western galactic showdown on planet Arvala-7, IG-11 and Din Djarin (The Mandalorian) join forces to take out the Nikto alien species in exchange for splitting the reward. After they destroy the Nikto aliens, they discover "the asset", aka The Child. A quick turn of events forces Mando to shoot IG-11 in the head in order to protect The Child.
An ally to Din Djarin, Kuiil, reprograms IG-11 to assist him on the vaper farm. I, like Din Darjin, was hesitant to trust the reconstructed droid. Kuiil says to Mando, "Droids are not good or bad. They are neutral reflections of those who imprint them." Kuiil also reprogrammed IG-11 to nurse and protect. In a matter of moments, my perspective of IG-11 had shifted. I'm known to say, "I see Star Wars in my daily life". This is one of those moments. Let me share a few points:
1. "Reconstruction was quite difficult… but not impossible" - Kuiil
In our daily walk, we face battles like IG-11. We are wired as young Padawans with thoughts, beliefs, and views. Sometimes those views are destructive. However, we can choose to reconstruct ourselves.
2. "This is something that cannot be taught with the twist of a spinner- it requires patience and repetition." –Kuiil
IG-11 must relearn how to do basic things again and also pick up new skills. That is the same in life. Sometimes we have to reprogram ourselves and be willing to open ourselves up to change. We should accept that it may take time and patience. We should be gracious with ourselves.
3. "Droids are not good or bad. They are neutral reflections of those who imprint them." – Kuiil
The concept “reflections of those who imprint them” is intriguing. How do we imprint on others? Do we bring joy, sadness, or madness? That is up to us as we go about our own journey. When we are leaving a mark, is it positive or is it negative?
After being thoughtfully reprogrammed by Kuiil, IG-11 goes on to redeem himself. Episode 7 brought a new meaning to, "making my blood boil" when Imperial Scout Troopers try to harm The Child. While the troopers attack The Child, IG-11 approaches. "I am no longer a hunter. I am a nurse droid,” he declares. I went from being very mad to cheering on IG-11 as I watched him kick some Imperial Scout butts and save The Child. I know Kuiil said, "Droids are not good or bad," but this moment was “good” in IG-11’s love to redemption.
Loyalty is one word I haven't heard associated with IG-11. Yet in key moments in Episode 8, we see IG-11 still protecting those he cares about, even giving Cara Dune his word to bring The Mandalorian to safety. IG-11 gains Din Djarin's trust after IG-11 heals him when he was shot. Din Djarin initially thought IG-11 was going to kill him like the assassin droid that he originally was, but IG-11 stays loyal to his reprogramming to protect and nurse.
IG-11 proves his purpose (and that he has been restored) by assisting our heroes in escaping in the sewer system. IG-11 does something quite heroic. When the Mandalorian, Cara Dune, Greef Karga and The Child approach a river of lava, they discover that Stormtroopers are waiting for them at the end of the tunnel. IG-11 reminds the party, "They will not be satisfied with anything less than The Child.” IG-11 then chooses to eliminate the enemy himself so they can escape. The droid’s mindset reminds me of his manufactured security protocol. He mustn't be captured, and he must self-destruct. IG-11 adds, "Victory through combat is impossible." He makes Din Darjin promise that The Child will be safe. IG-11's purpose was fulfilled: His companions will live, and he will have served his purpose to nurse and protect. IG-11 strokes The Child's ear to say goodbye and courageously gets into the lava. He sacrifices himself, destroying the Stormtroopers at the end of the tunnel.
I'm very inspired by the droid's bravery and his willingness to learn new skills. Sacrificing his life didn't go unnoticed by me. Watching his whole story unfold, we see he was restored and redeemed. IG-11 had purpose, and he fulfilled it. I will admit that I initially had written off IG-11, but I now admire him for his mission to protect, his loyalty, and his living proof that one can be restored and redeemed.
