With the premiere of The Mandalorian Season 3 upon us, I feel like it’s time to catch people up on the whereabouts of our favorite Din Djarin for the beginning of the episode. Now, it kind of sucks to say, but The Book of Boba Fett is required watching to understand what has transpired between seasons 2 and 3. But, that’s why I’m here, if you haven’t gotten the time to check it out, or simply don’t want to, I’ll be covering every major story beat needed for your Star Wars-filled brain!
‘The Mandalorian’ Two-Point-Five
So, as stated above, The Book of Boba Fett features need-to-know context for where Mando ends up by the end of it, and it randomly starts with a sudden Mando-focused episode 5.
We see Mando on a planet, bounty hunting as he does best. His target is a man named Kaba Baiz, an underworld crime boss who runs a slaughterhouse as cover. Mando arrives, tries to use the Darksaber, succeeds, but at the cost of a self-sustained slash to the leg. The Darksaber is not like any other lightsaber, it’s used differently, and feels differently. Din was not ready for it.
After collecting his bounty’s head, Din heads to collect it from the local Guild Master, Ishi. When he goes to collect, Ishi offers to have a hangout sesh of sorts. He declines, and asks for the information he was promised. He’s looking for two people possibly located on the planet, who could they be?
Well those two faces end up being our old friends of The Armorer and Paz Vizsla. After a very heavy Mandalorian-centric conversation takes place. It’s revealed to Mando that the Darksaber, by prophecy, that “whoever wields it can lead all of Mandalore, if it is won by Creed in battle.”
If not wielded by someone who won it through combat, then according to Creed, “Mandalore will be laid to waste and its people scattered to the four winds.”
On another note, it’s spoken that the Darksaber was forged over 1000 years ago by Tarre Vizsla, the only Mandalorian Jedi to ever exist. Events happened in the past between the Mandalorians and Jedi because of this, setting up future plot points to explore.
Mando asks the armorer to forge his Beskar spear into armor for Grogu, who stills resides with a young Luke Skywalker at the time, and he plans to visit. She indulges him, but reminds him that Jedi must forgo all attachment, as Din reminds her that it goes against the creed altogether.
Then, as she forges the armor, Paz challenges Din to a duel for the Darksaber, feeling as he’s the rightful owner as he is a descendant of Tarre. After Din emerges victorious, The Armorer finds out Din removed his helmet, and judges him as an apostate, a “Mandalorian no more.” He will need to return to Mandalore and complete a series of tasks to redeem himself.
Mando then returns to Tatooine for his best friend Peli Motto, requesting a new ship. A short little bit, and Mando has a new pair of wings that go very fast.
Training Montage Time
Mando arrives on Ossus to visit Grogu, and while he arrives and waits, Ahsoka appears!
Apparently she’s been helping out Luke with training, and building his new Jedi Temple. (Uh-oh)
Mando gives the armor to Ahsoka, as he cannot see him at the moment. Ahsoka gives Luke the armor, and we then see a Luke and Yoda type of training where Grogu is starting to get his powers down.
Luke offers Grogu a choice, he can take the armor, but then has to end his Jedi training and return to Din, or refuse the armor, and stay on his path to becoming a Jedi.
Caddy Baney
As Din returns to Tatooine, things are heating up between the Pyke Syndicate and Boba. An all-out war is about to begin, and Mando has already been recruited to help. With Boba in the seat, the syndicate wants Tatooine for itself. They’ve acquired the help of one of Star Wars’ most iconic bounty hunters, and one with a large past with Boba.
Cad Bane.
Cobb Vanth gets shot quite a lot, his deputy dies, and a final battle ensues that includes Mando, Fennec, Boba riding a Rancor, citizens of Tatooine, some street kids, and the Pyke syndicate.
But wait…. Mid-battle Peli shows up with Grogu?
That’s right, Grogu chose the armor and is wearing it! He chose to be with Din and forgo all Jedi training for him.
Boba kills Cad, the syndicate is pushed out of Tatooine, and all is well. Now, it’s time for Din and Grogu to head off together to see whatever adventures they’re up to in season 3!
The Mandalorian releases on Disney+ on March 1, with new episodes releasing every Wednesday. Check out the trailer below!
