Did Ludwig Göransson just use dubstep in the season 2 finale of The Mandalorian? Indeed he did, and it worked out surprisingly well.
Be careful! The Mandalorian Season 2 spoilers ahead!
The Mandalorian season 2 has prompted an overwhelmingly positive response from all the corners of the internet, and it is not hard to see why. Finishing off an already impressive season, "The Rescue" saw our protagonist, Din Djarin join forces with unlikely allies, to rescue Grogu (Baby Yoda) from the hands of Giancarlo Esposito's cold and calculating character, Moff Gideon.
The episode featured returning characters and elements from different Star Wars media, such as fan-favorite Boba Fett, Clone Wars' Bo-Katan Kryze, Star Wars Legends' now-canon Dark Troopers, and the biggest headliner of this season finale, the return of R2-D2 and Luke Skywalker. Needless to say, if you are a fan of stories from a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, The Mandalorian is the show for you.
Ludwig Göransson for the win!
In addition to creative storylines, world-building, attention to detail, and hype-creating fan service, one of The Mandalorian's forte is its music. Whether on the deserts of Tatooine, the icy caves of a mysterious planet, or deep inside a base of the Empire, Ludwig Göransson captures the essence of Star Wars. Thanks to his work in Season 1, he took home an Emmy Award, further positioning himself as an excellent composer. His music honors John Williams' characteristic sound while also taking some creative routes for specific moments; one of these moments took some viewers by surprise.
When Moff Gideon begins deploying the Dark Troopers to protect his ship, a new musical element is introduced, going from the standard Mandalorian soundtrack to the modern electronic stylings popularized by Skrillex and his cohorts. The dubstep musical element reprises during several Dark Trooper scenes and it doesn't get less striking with time and the menacing sci-fi aesthetic is taken to the next level with the sound of the bass-heavy tune, clearly serving a purpose.
What is the purpose of this musical element?
This musical element, linked to these killer droids is called a leitmotif. A leitmotif is a recurrent theme throughout a musical or literary composition, associated with a particular character, idea, or situation. This musical element can have varying degrees of intensity depending on the situation, such as having a higher tempo for action scenes or using other instruments and somber melodies for sad scenes. Its purpose is to build a sense of continuity and add a deeper meaning to key moments.
Star Wars has a huge variety of leitmotifs in its different iterations and you will now notice them. Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and much more characters have their own theme/leitmotif. The characteristic melody from John Williams' Imperial March serves as Darth Vader's leitmotif, and if you have good hearing, you can notice its 'sad' version from the moment of this famous character's death. In simpler words, it is like having a soundtrack of your own.
Video by The Musicologist
If you already knew what a leitmotif is, then great! You really know your stuff! If you did not, you will now see how this musical element is present in many of your favorite movies and shows. Furthermore, you can now appreciate Ludwig Göransson's range, managing to go from the dark and imposing theme of the Dark Troopers to the hopeful and epic melodies that accompanied Luke Skywalker's entrance; a talent worthy of recognition.
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