WARNING: The following contains spoilers for "Redemption," the season finale of The Mandalorian, now streaming on Disney+
The Mandalorian has quickly cemented itself into the hearts of the Star Wars fanbase, and it's arguably the best-received project in the Disney era. The show's first season has brought a whole cast of new characters to a galaxy far, far away, but what's surprising is the best character isn't even a main player. At first glance, Kuiil the (played by Nick Nolte) seemed like a throwaway character, but with every line of dialogue the character spoke, he became more and more interesting and helped shine a light on parts of the Star Wars universe that have never been explored.
I HAVE SPOKEN
In the first episode, the Mandalorian arrives on Arvala-7 in search of the huge bounty (which ends up being the internet's favorite new obsession) that is being housed on the remote planet. He is almost immediately attacked by Blurrgs, and the powerful creatures almost take out the resourceful bounty hunter- if not for Kuiil. The bounty hunter then follows Kuiil back to the moisture farm, where the Ugnaught starts to show what he's made of.
Kuiil offers to help Mando get to the compound where the bounty is held, in order to keep the peace in the area. Many bounty hunters and mercenary types have continuously shown up in recent weeks, trying to acquire the asset. Kuiil values the peace and tranquility of the life away from it all so much, that he decides to help get the bounty off the planet, and with it all of the trouble. The Ugnaught is very stoic and works great across from the impatient Mandalorian. Often in shows like this, it's wise to pair the lead with a strong character to bounce off of, something the Diseny+ series does from the jump.
NEVER AGAIN
With the asset acquired, and a crisis with Jawas averted, Mando offers Kuiil employment and more of his past is revealed with the answer. Kuiil spent many years as an indentured servant for the Galactic Empire. His high level of craftsmanship and mechanical skills were utilized to their fullest extent and eventually, Kuiil earned his freedom. Having spent so much of his life working for others, he refuses Mando's honest offer of employment as he cannot bring himself to work for anyone ever again. This reveal is incredibly interesting not only for Kuiil's character arc but to learn that hard work could actually free oneself from being a servant of the Empire. It makes you wonder, how many of the characters we see in the background working for the Empire in various other Star Wars movies and media, are there against their will working towards freedom?
Mando later returns to the Ugnaught's planet because Kuiil made such an impression on him, and that's the first person he goes to when he needs help protecting Baby Yoda. This trust is later put to the test when Mando (temporarily) puts aside his hatred of droids and accepts his help at the behest of Kuiil.
The last important moment fans get with Kuiil, before his untimely death at the hands of Imperial Scout Troopers, is a confrontation with Cara. The former Shock Troopers calls Kuiil out for formerly working for the Empire, but the Ugnaught is having none of it. Kuiil never had a choice of which side to fight for, he was sold into servitude and has done everything he can to get away from that past and forge himself a new destiny. This argument underscores Kuiils death a few scenes later, Kuiil chooses to do the right thing and help The Child even though his freedom seemed to be all he cared about up to that point. The Ugnaught died a hero and as the best character of The Mandalorian's first season.
Created by Jon Favreau, The Mandalorian stars Pedro Pascal, Gina Carano, Carl Weathers, Giancarlo Esposito, Emily Swallow, Omid Abtahi, Werner Herzog and Nick Nolte. Season 2 arrives in fall 2020 on Disney+.