WARNING: The following contains spoilers for the Season 2, Episode 2 of Star Wars: The Mandalorian, "Chapter 10: The Passenger," streaming now on Disney+.
The latest episode of The Mandalorian, "The Passenger," brought with it a new character who looks like a frog, acts like a frog and is, in fact, a frog. If there was ever a likely candidate for a viral meme, here she is.
The Frog Lady is the episode's eponymous passenger, tagging along with Mando so that she can reunite with her husband and hatch the eggs which are currently floating in an incubator strapped to her back. There are no further details offered about her species or her personal history, and frankly, none are needed. While other characters may have secrets, Frog Lady is exactly what she appears to be.
It's not only refreshing but hilarious. The Frog Lady only speaks in croaks, and all we have by way of translation is Peli Motto showing off her multilingual capabilities. Turn on the episode's closed captioning, and their dialogue is summarized with a straightforward "Frog Lady Speaking Frog" and then "Both Speaking Frog."
Mando, of course, doesn't speak Frog. He's already accustomed to going without verbal communication, thanks to the Child, but adding Frog Lady to the mix takes it to the next level. In spite of her innocence, she proves to be anything but an easy passenger, and her cargo is even more of a hassle as it's too fragile for hyperspace -- and apparently too delicious for the Child to resist.
Early in the episode it's hinted through gentle chords of music that the adorable baby sees something special about the eggs. It may even have something to do with his mysterious strength in the Force. But no, he just wants to eat them. It's a fitting reminder that sometimes a hungry kid is just a hungry kid, and even more appropriate when one recalls the iconic moment from the The Mandalorian's previous season when the Child shoved a live frog into his mouth. He has his favorite treats, after all, and sometimes a frog is just a frog.
Frog Lady goes on to prove her frogginess by nabbing objects with her extra-long tongue and hopping on all fours faster than she can run on two feet. However, it's the show's meta commentary that really makes her meme-worthy. Star Wars entices fans to recognize and remember background characters who appear onscreen for barely a heartbeat, often giving them not only names but merchandise tie-ins and elaborate backstories in the extended universe. Frog Lady, on the other hand, is vital to an episode of an immensely popular Star Wars TV series, but nobody asks her name, and the captions confirm that, for all intents and purposes, she's merely the Frog Lady.
With the kind of year it's been, Frog Lady Speaking Frog is a mood: Nobody's sure what's going on and we can't seem to understand each other. But, perhaps most importantly, it turns out that Mando and Frog Lady actually have a lot in common. Frog Lady's spawn may have caused a lot of trouble, but the Mandalorian has to admit his own Child caused a lot more. If anyone can understand why she's so bent on protecting her offspring, it ought to be him.
Not to mention, Frog Lady turns out to be pretty handy in a fight. Okay, maybe she's not exactly what she seems.
Created by Jon Favreau, The Mandalorian stars Pedro Pascal, with guest stars Gina Carano, Carl Weathers and Giancarlo Esposito. Directors for the new season include Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Bryce Dallas Howard, Rick Famuyiwa, Carl Weathers, Peyton Reed and Robert Rodriguez.