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In this article, I propose the concept of the frontier knight to define the heroic prototype that arises from the conversion of two concomitant narrative genres: the space-western and the epic or heroic fantasy. This concept is provided after the re-visitation of the frontier hero in the series The Mandalorian (Disney +, 2019-2020), according to some features of the medieval knight-errant concept. Given its ascription to the subgenus of space-western, the frontier hero archetype receives its outlaw status; However, thanks to the elements of epic fantasy that he inherits from his belonging to the Star Wars universe, the hero undergoes a gradual transformation in the unfolding of his mission that brings him closer to the knight errant. For this reason, the objective of this article is twofold: on the one hand, to categorize that heroic archetype that arose from the combination of two genres in narratives presents similarities through the figure of the outsider as the protagonist. On the other hand, for this purpose, a mixed methodology between semiotics and hermeneutics is explored in which the concepts of metaphorical displacement and relationship by similarity are applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As programming that focused on men and how they related to their families through their violent adventures in the world saw a surge in recent decades, several examples from this period witnessed a shifting image of this brand of masculinity toward the inclusion of fatherhood and paternal nurturance. These series display a performance of masculinity that centers on caring and nurturing family while simultaneously displaying traits of hegemonic masculinity such as use of violence, stoicism, and action orientation. These shows—Prison Break, The Mandalorian, The Witcher—we argue, offer a new performance of masculinity. Although these shows also strongly associate hegemonic masculinity with violence, the male characters’ relationships with family take a central role as a driving force for the plot. We find this shift in display of masculinity to be significant in that it centers family relationships for protagonists in the traditionally hypermasculine genres of the prison drama and the western. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on the notion that nostalgia enables a continuity of identity, this article explores how the aesthetics of the Disney+ lynchpin property, The Mandalorian (2019–present), facilitate a return to, and continuity of, masculine heteronormativity in the face of rapid and widespread change within the Star Wars cinematic franchise. Focusing on the excess of style, the reduction in scope and scale of the narrative aesthetics, the role of the star as an agent of the past, the conceptualization of hypermasculine fatherhood and the role of the feminine in the articulation of narrative, this article reveals how The Mandalorian constructs a narrative concerned with fatherhood. Moreover, this article demonstrates how, by appropriating nostalgia in the restorative mode to allow a continuity of idealized masculine identity, The Mandalorian is positioned as the would-be masculine heir to the legacy of the original trilogy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mandalorian is a very popular science-fiction show (two seasons, 2019–2020) set in the famous Star Wars Universe. Studies have shown that myth and religious thought played a crucial role in the creation of the Star Wars Universe. This article continues that tradition, albeit from a particular perspective that highlights religious language: by viewing The Mandalorian through a New Testament lens, it is argued that while many elements of popular culture reference Biblical or mythological sources, The Mandalorian’s use of these referents illustrates the way in which ancient religious and New Testament literature are still very much a shared phenomenon. Both The Mandalorian and the New Testament share certain timeless topoi: a mysterious character with extraordinary abilities, a connection to life-giving powers of the universe that give extraordinary abilities, choosing a certain way of life and the costs thereof, and also themes such as “debt”, “redemption”, and “beliefs” and how these are challenged. By using these themes, The Mandalorian presents itself as a modern myth.

The Mandalorian is a very popular science-fiction show (two seasons, 2019–2020) set in the famous Star Wars Universe. Studies have shown that myth and religious thought played a crucial role in the creation of the Star Wars Universe. This article continues that tradition, albeit from a particular perspective that highlights religious language: by viewing The Mandalorian through a New Testament lens, it is argued that while many elements of popular culture reference Biblical or mythological sources, The Mandalorian's use of these referents illustrates the way in which ancient religious and New Testament literature are still very much a shared phenomenon. Both The Mandalorian and the New Testament share certain timeless topoi: a mysterious character with extraordinary abilities, a connection to life-giving powers of the universe that give extraordinary abilities, choosing a certain way of life and the costs thereof, and also themes such as "debt", "redemption", and "beliefs" and how these are challenged. By using these themes, The Mandalorian presents itself as a modern myth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]