Does the Mandalorian have PTSD?

Yes, yes, of all the topics I could have chosen to discuss about the world's favorite space cowboy, this is probably the least obvious.

Sorry, Baby Yoda.  You'll get your turn someday.  But, this is the topic I've wondered about since day one of the show.  It's revealing, it's mysterious and it needs to be explored.

So, here we go.

When Mando is exposed to sharp sounds, specifically, those of battle, we are treated to flashbacks that reveal what have to be snapshots from Mandos past.

Trauma that isn't "blacked out" by the individual is often elicited by loud sounds or distinctive smells.  When Mando is exposed to sharp noises such as blaster fire or explosions we often get flashback sequences such as the one pictured above.

This intrigued me and made me wonder what else Mando is trying to cope with or repress.

I think we are all assuming the young boy pictured above is the Mandalorian in his youth.  Certainly, the brief interludes are frightening and they seem to include Mando's last memories of his family and being discovered by the murderous Space Battle Droids.  This would have a long lasting effect on anyone and would be formative to anyone's personal growth.

So, let's take a quick look at PTSD and how it applies to this discussion.

According to WebMD the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are grouped into four main categories which include.

• Re-living
• Avoiding
• Increased Arousal
• Negative Cognition and Mood

This is how WebMD conceptualizes "Re-living".

"People with PTSD repeatedly relive the ordeal through the thoughts and memories of the trauma.  These may include flashbacks, hallucinations and nightmares.  They also may feel great distress when certain things remind them of the trauma, such as an anniversary date of the event."

Does this apply to our Mandalorian friend?  Indeed it does.

This is probably the most salient feature of Mando's conduct.  In the first three chapters it became the most discussed topic on the internet.  Until Baby Yoda stole the series that is.

Now, the flashbacks have become less frequent.  If I remember correctly, we didn't even have one in chapter 5.  Which is too bad because it gave us insight into Mando's past.  He is a mysterious character and we haven't even seen his face yet!  (Unless, you count the boy in the flashbacks themselves.)  I think we'd all like to see what makes him tick.  The fact that we have this one clue speaks volumes.

Mando was obviously terrorized and as said before, it might be the last glimpse of his parents.  The fact that we don't get to see who rescues Mando, whether immediately after the hatch is opened or sometime later is important too.  Is he blacking this experience out?  Did the trauma worsen?  Is he really an orphan?

All of this is very important to Mando especially in his formative years.  Trust vs. mistrust issues?  A sense of a nurturing nuclear family?  I think this type of trauma falls squarely in the definition of PTSD.

We now move on to "Avoiding".

Here's how WebMD describes this symptom.

"The person may avoid people, places, thoughts, or situations that may remind him or her of the trauma.  This can lead to feelings of detachment and isolation from family and friends, as well as a loss of interest in activities that the person once enjoyed."

I'm going to argue that, yes, this applies to the Mandalorian.

Mando is a lone wolf.  His chosen profession as a bounty hunter further exemplifies that.  What better way to avoid, "people, places, or thoughts"?  He's also on a single minded quest to hunt down fellow beings without consequence.  Not exactly social behavior.  By being on his own, a detachment from family or friends is constantly being reinforced.  

It could be the trauma of the flashback incident forced Mando into this cynical and very antisocial profession.  Even his contemporaries want nothing to do with him.  "They all hate you!" Greef Karga exclaims.  So, even Mando's success works against him on a personal level.

Then there is the mask.

Anyone that chooses a mask suffers from some phobia or fear.  This behavior could have easily been induced from a childhood trauma.  Mando even belongs to a tribe that has selectively chosen to hide their faces.  What better way to collectively and individually deal with the trauma of war and death.  Wearing a mask means you don't have to face your foes let alone yourself.

Now, you may be saying to yourself, "Hey, that's the Mandalorian way.  It's their way.  It is the way."

Okay, true.  But, we know not all Mandalorian choose the martial way.  By virtue of the colored robe Mando and his family are wearing in he flashback, we may be seeing a sect of the Mandalorian that don't go the way of the warrior.  Mando could have chosen to be an Armorer too.  Trauma may have forced his hand.

In the episode, "Sanctuary" Mando was given the perfect "out" to shed his armor and rejoin the family of humanity.  Stunningly, Julia Jones' "Omera" wasn't enough to convince him.  Even Cara Dune thought that was lame.

So, what was it?  Was there something else that drove Mando into his life of self-enforced seclusion?

Here, I'll briefly tie in my "Tin Foil Hat Theory" that may explain things.  

I think this is actually the second iteration of the Mandalorian.  Yes, I believe he had a second life between his childhood and his bounty hunting days.

Remember when the Armorer offered Mando a signet after he defeated the Mudhorn?  He declined because it wasn't a cleanly won.  How can a Bounty Hunter of his age and experience not have a signet by now?  That seems pretty unusual.  Unless, he did.

Mando could have earned a signet long before.  But an act or series of acts that proved to be so heinous caused him to change his identity and start anew.  Either that or his previous iteration was so full of strife that becoming as bounty hunter was preferable.

That's some serious trauma if true and I would like to see if Mando had a secret past that preceded his bounty hunter days.

On to section 3.

Increased Arousal.

Here's what WebMD says about this category.

"These include excessive emotions; problems relating to others, including feeling and showing affection; difficulty falling or staying asleep; irritability; outbursts of anger; difficulty concentrating; and being jumpy or easily startled.  The person may also suffer physical symptoms such as increased blood pressure and hear rate, rapid breathing, muscle tension, nausea and diarrhea."

I can't speak to Mando's bathroom habits (although, there is a vac-tube on the Razor Crest) and we'd have to see a doctor's report to ascertain if Mando exhibits any of the physical symptoms noted above.  He doesn't seem to have anger issues and concentration isn't a problem (see the numerous gunfights he's involved in).  I'm not sure we seen him breath heavily either.

But, there is one or two things we can pick from this category, being jumpy and showing affection.

We go back to the "Sanctuary" episode.  When Mando was talking to Omera early on in his new quarters.  Young Winta (Omera's daughter) came to the doorway.  Shockingly, Mando nearly shoots her.  Omera quickly acts to call him down.  It was nearly a tragic accident.  I think Omera quickly deduced that Mando was on a hair trigger.  His trust issues were overt also but Omera also diffuses those by convincing him it was okay for Baby Yoda to play with the rest of he "kids".

As for his "Affection" issues, Mando clearly has an affection for Baby Yoda.  Their past as orphans has helped bring them together.  As mentioned before, staying with Omera would have been a great out for Mando but he wouldn't even take his helmet off for her.  Something is seriously wrong there.  Yes, I know, "It is the way".  But, someone that is dealing with as much trauma as I think Mando is, definitely needs a break.  

Also, if he couldn't stay, then why not take his new found family with him?

Okay, our last category, "Negative Cognition and Mood".

"This refers to thoughts and feelings related to blame, estrangement and memories of the traumatic event."

This category is probably the least applicable to my argument.  Have we really seen Mando lose it?  Unless, of course, his anger is manifested in all the gun play he is involved in.  Even then, Mando is extraordinarily cool under fire. 

The only time I can remember seeing Mando overtly angry is when he confronted Dr. Pershing during "The Sin" and he saw that Pershing was experimenting on Baby Yoda.  Even then, he let Pershing live.

Mando's memories of his traumatic event also don't cause him to spin out of control.  He'll experience a flashback but I can't recall him coming out of it with rage or uncontrolled anger. 

So, dear reading audience what do you think?

Have I stated my case convincingly?  Did I miss anything that might substantiate my case?  Or, just the opposite?  

I'm afraid this particular subject won't get anymore exploration on TV.  After all, this is a Disney show and while we may see some PG level violence, I kind of doubt Favreau and Disney will do anything to sabotage their main character.  I just can't see them making Mando overly complicated.  A mystery yes, overtly traumatized, no.

This would be our loss.  I, for one, would really like to see what makes Mando tick. Especially, if he had a secret past before becoming a bounty hunter.  It doesn't have to be too dark.  Just enough to flesh out that skeleton in his closet.

Please leave any comments below and thanks for reading.