Last updated on February 20, 2021
The entire story arc hinges on a single, wordless gesture. The Mandalorian television series is part of the Star Wars universe, and follows the story of a rough and tough bounty hunter and a ridiculously cute Baby Yoda. The aura surrounding the Mandalorian is heightened by the fact he always wears a completely opaque helmet, so his eyes and face cannot be seen.
In the first two episodes of the series, the Mandalorian fulfills his mission with ruthless efficiency: tracking down Baby Yoda and bringing him to his client. During their travels, Baby Yoda decides a knob on a lever in the Mandalorian’s ship makes for a great plaything. After turning baby Yoda over to his client, the Mandalorian returns to his ship, and as he reaches for that same lever …
… he pauses, with his hand hovering over the knob. That single gesture conveys everything swirling in his head about Baby Yoda – empathy, doubt, compassion, remorse. In that moment, he reveals his internal struggle. Will he go from callous to tender? Cold to caring? Hunter to guardian?
The series is full of such gestures. In a series about the making of The Mandalorian, director Deborah Chow said they worked extensively “to use the physicality, even just the littlest head turn. … so any little gesture really meant something, show emotion, how he’s feeling, and what he’s thinking about.” In other words, the Mandalorian reveals what he is feeling and thinking by his actions, even in small gestures.
Likewise, our actions demonstrate what we believe in and have faith in. In the New Testament, Paul implores Timothy to “Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Of the five methods Paul lists, four of them, or 80%, are potentially non-verbal, which means Paul was significantly more concerned about how Timothy acted than the words he spoke.
How we conduct ourselves in times of trouble; how we treat our friends and enemies; how we show patience and confidence in God when we don’t get what we want when we want it; and how we live with integrity all matter because it demonstrates what Christ is like. In any of these areas of our lives, our witness to others could hinge on a single, wordless gesture.
What simple gesture can you do to show someone how you feel about Jesus?
Again, very thought provoking. So much of our communication is non verbal. I’m reminded of a speaker I heard once who said “Your actions speak so loudly, I can’t hear what you’re saying.” The Speaker was Chan Gailey an offensive coordinator for the Broncos, but he may have been quoting someone else….
Love it, Julie! Thanks!
Is this the same Mandelorian series Gina Corano was bounced from for speaking her mind?
That’s the one