Under the Helmet: A ‘Mandalorian’ Character Close Up – Part 1

2/25/2020

Written by Juanita ‘Obi-Juan’ Bonner

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM. YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

The Armorer

If you’re anything like me, watching Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Disney+) not only adds to your love of Star Wars in general, but it actually makes you look a little differently at the space opera and its subsidiaries all together: purely because this TV show is anything but the status quo. With its movie-like budget and excellent action sequences, it’s arguable this alone could carry the show for a time. But creator and showrunner Jon Favreau is a long-time Star Wars fan and knows that it’s the characters that draw fans of all ages, both positively and negatively. To add to this task, hiding your star pupil’s face means substance must rise above the rest. To say Favreau knocked it out of the park, for me, is putting it mildly. Even characters with small roles have garnered substantial attention and it’s with this in mind that I’d like to take a closer look at a new fan favorite: the woman under the helmet – The Armorer.

If you weren’t aware of Emily Swallow before The Mandalorian, I hope it’s safe to say she’s on your radar now. Beginning as Regina on Guiding Light (CBS) in 2006, Emily has had a series of small and large TV roles over the years. Besides playing The Armorer, she currently appears as research psychologist Natalie Pierce in Seal Team (CBS) and previously voiced Lisa Tepes in the animated Nintendo video game inspired Castlevania (Netflix). She’s also well-known for her role as Kim Fischer on The Mentalist (CBS). However, none of these is where I met and fell in love with Emily. In one of my most favorite television shows of all time, Supernatural (CW), Emily plays Amara/The Darkness, the ever powerful sister of God/Chuck (Rob Benedict). And to be fair, I honestly wasn’t a fan of the character in the beginning. However, as noted in my article The Supreme Beings of Supernatural: Angels, Demons and Gods, it isn’t the character that won me over, but Emily and her acting! To see her portray such a powerful, yet sad and profoundly flawed character, is nothing short of exquisite. Her facial expressions tell all as she navigates the Supernaturalverse, first with wonderment and then with sadness, fear, and anger. By the time her character arc wrapped up, I was actually left wanting to know more about Amara and her extremely complicated relationship with not only God, but also the universe in general. Now, with Supernatural in the final leg of its unprecedented and impressive 15 year run, Emily has returned as Amara – albeit only briefly. But facial expressions can’t carry Emily in The Mandalorian…

As a preface, I tend to stay away from behind the scenes information prior to a show’s release. I am not one to dive into all there is to know until after the show, episode, or movie airs. Why? Simply put – I don’t wanna know!! Time and time again, I have been pleasantly surprised going into a new project cold to later find out that had I read or watched certain pieces, I definitely would have been spoiled. And, with the scrutiny surrounding ANY Star Wars project, I stand by this method all the more. Having said that, I actually had no idea that Emily was set to play this mysterious Armorer until curiosity overcame me upon watching her in action!! First, I proudly get to say her (YES!!!), because a role like this – a strong figure, blacksmith, and seemingly, leader of a warrior clan – is often reserved for a him. Second, similar to Cara Dune (Gina Carano), Emily takes the role head on. And save for the final fight scene in the Season 1 finale, it’s all Emily. As for that final scene, it’s not for lack of trying as she states, “I talked to our fight coordinator and said, ‘I’m willing to train and try to do as much of it as I can.’” Turns out, years of training would be required for the epic scene, and damn does it show!! Nonetheless, with limited time to prepare before shooting, Emily trained to be there for scene sequencing and transitions: which is quite admirable, am I right?

Looking beyond any fight scenes, Emily holds this unseen character with stunning armor and a commanding voice. With not a facial expression in sight and standing at a mere 5’ 7”, somehow, The Armorer seems taller. Her slow movements also give her a more pronounced presence. Likely owed to her theatrical roots, if you ask Emily, she humbly gives credit to the directors allowing “Time and space to kind of learn the language of these masks and this armor.” Group effort aside, the final product is Emily and it’s fantastic!! But what do we know about this mysterious Mandalorian Warrior Woman?

As a completely new character to the Star Wars Universe, it turns out, that with The Armorer, what you see is what you get. I’ll admit that I know very little of said universe beyond the movies and TV series, animated, and live-action, but I am learning!! Regardless, from what I could ascertain, there is next to nothing surrounding this character online, in Canon or in Legends. What you do find is a bit of background regarding the events on Nevarro, which, by watching the series, we already know. However, considering her trade and Favreau’s love of the genre, I have wondered if she may have ties to The Armorer's Guild somehow? Considering the existing organization she helms, known only as The Tribe, a ragtag band of clans, she technically could’ve come from anywhere. Foundlings do not have to be of the Mandalorian species, right? One merely needs to be an honorary Mandalorian to be part of a clan, as she anoints Din Djarin (Mando; Pedro Pascal) and his new found ward, The Child, a clan of two. An absolutely glorious moment by the way!! Plus, the newly minted term, “This is The Way,” signifies that at some point following The Great Purge, rival clans, depleted in their numbers and resources, were not only forced to hide, but also implemented a new code. Made obvious, this code includes growing their numbers by mixing clans and adopting foundlings, even if they are of a non-Mandalorian dissent. We also do not know what her specific clan and/or signet is, let alone, though seemingly humanoid, her species. So again, I say… anywhere, right??

As for Emily, it’s quite obvious she’s fully embraced the role and it shows!! She’s even been coined “The Santa Claus of Star Wars,” by her husband after giving “Mando his final gift” during the season finale, which aired only two days after Christmas. I mean, who doesn’t want to be called that?? LOL!! In addition, without seeing her face, which I so heavily relied on in Supernatural, Emily has given The Armorer a mysterious vibe that begs for more room to be seen. In some ways, because of the short scenes she’s in, The Armorer’s anonymous background stays with me and lingers long after she’s left the screen. And each time she’s returned, knowing that Emily is the force to reckon with under the helmet, I cheer for more. With season 2 on the horizon and her final scenes being that of a battle where she handed Stormtroopers their… um, helmets (LOL!), something tells me, she’s not done yet!! And to that I say: This is the Way!!

How about you? Does The Armorer and Emily under the helmet move you as she does me? Let me know in the comments below or reach out to me @obi_juanita on Twitter. Also, stay tuned for my next article in this three part series, Under the Helmet: Paz Vizla followed by Under the Helmet: The Mandalorian Until next time… May the Force Be with You – Always!

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