Star Wars spin-off The Mandalorian is back on Wednesday, but casual fans have been warned the episodes are a pathway to scenes some consider to be confusing.
The third series has begun on Disney Plus having last been broadcast in December 2020 when protagonist Mando waved goodbye to his sidekick, the cutesy Grogu.
But in between the second series finishing and this one kicking off, Mando and Grogu have been reunited in The Book of Boba Fett. This is another adventure from a galaxy far, far away, which was broadcast in 2022.
After the all-tied-up climax of series two, it might be confusing to come back to with a new series of events having taken place in the meantime.
“The Mandalorian’ season 3 probably won’t make any sense unless you’ve watched The Book of Boba Fett,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
Another added: “Just remembered that the Book of Boba Fett was basically The Mandalorian Season 3. The one releasing tomorrow should be called Season 4.”
Here are some of the key details from The Book of Boba Fett, which effectively acted as The Mandalorian series 2.5.
- Mandalore, the main setting, is bombed by the Empire and turned into wasteland.
- At the end of The Mandalorian series two, Mando battles Moff Gideon and wins his weapon the ‘darksaber’, a sword a bit like a lightsaber but, well…it’s dark. In Boba Fett, it transpires the weapon has Excalibur-esque qualities. Mando is told whoever wins the weapon has the right to rule Mandalore. However, he is warned, in Lord of the Rings style, that anyone who wields the weapon without having won it will be cursed. Something suggests this could be crucial down the line.
- Mando’s quest is easier now he has a new ship to replace the one that is destroyed in series two. And the new whip is extraordinarily fast.
- Finally, and most importantly, Grogu is approached by Luke Skywalker with the opportunity to complete Jedi training. But this rite of passage is complicated when Mando arrives and is intercepted by Ahsoka, a fallen Jedi, who tells him that he needs to back off to allow Grogu to grow. Grogu, however, chooses a life away from the Jedi and he is reunited with his friend-cum-father figure Mando. An emotional ending ensues and offers a finale that has little to do with the original point of the series, which was Boba Fett.
We promised it would get confusing! And if fans are able to navigate through series three with an understanding of the plot, well — prepare for more confusion when Ahsoka gets her own spin-off series later this year on Disney Plus. For those hoping to keep track, may the force be with you.
