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There is already much lore that exists in Star Wars canon that it leaves even more that can be expanded on. You will find that Disney’s show The Mandalorian does well to identify opportunities where the inclusion of a classic character would delight a die hard fan, or find an opportunity to create a brand new character that would suit a new audience.
The medium of streaming service is a great place to more deeply explore a world through a high budget streaming series. Fans have watched it unfold over the course of 3 seasons since the launch of Disney+ brought The Mandalorian as its shining example of what the new service could do. It took some traversing the galaxy, but fans can finally start to explore Mandalore, the mysterious world waiting to get its spotlight since Boba Fett impressed everyone with his fancy space armor in the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special. During Din Djarin’s adventures he helps, meets, and receives assistance from many interesting characters. The most famous being Grogu, the foundling who was once the mark of this morally guided bounty hunter. The two created a bond that has inspired Din Djarin to be more righteous and has made him more than just a skilled warrior. It has made him a hero. In this heroes path we have been fortunate to tag along as this Mandalorian visits some of the most interesting characters the Star Wars galaxy can produce.
Since we already mentioned him, Boba Fett just had to be included in this series. The writing staff did well to honor the important character by having Temuera Morrison, who stars as Boba, introduce the Book of Fett series from within this one. This epic guest appearance now could live on and expand within its own space, which is another exciting prospect for the die-hard fans of the Alpha clone from Kamino.
If Boba isn’t your thing but you really admired his attire, perhaps you were a fan of Cobb Vanth. Mando runs into him in Mos Pelgo and notices the armor which started the whole thread to Boba Fett. But what he found in Cobb Vanth was a character who stood on his own from the armor he once donned. He wasn’t just a Boba Fett wannabe, he was a true hero. He stood up for his people and most importantly for what’s right. This amazing character, played by Timothy Olyphant has been one of the most memorable ones in this series as well being in one of the most memorable moments in the Book of Fett when he was shot in cold blood by Cad Bane.
Another great crossover character was Fennec Shand, who was a formidable challenger that went against Mando and lost. Fennec played by Ming-Na Wen was left for dead by Din but instead was picked up by Boba Fett to continue this strong character’s future in both series.
But The Mandalorian doesn’t rely on Boba Fett for garnering the audience’s interest. They have many of their own characters that live comfortably within this series alone and others that are branching off into a series of their own. Of course we are talking about Ahsoka Tano, played by Rosario Dawson, and the spinoff series she will star in. It was only one episode, Chapter 13 “The Jedi”, where we got to see this Clone War legend in the flesh but it was enough to create a lot of anticipation for the story of another world within Star Wars waiting to be told.
Who knows what other plans are in store for other characters to have their own spin-off? The fans seem to enjoy Bo-Katan’s appearances and this last season would be a great foundation for the character to develop into its own separate story as Din focuses on Grogu’s training. Katee Sackoff has stolen the stage in the last season, becoming the true leader of the unified Mandalorians. I don’t think anyone would protest seeing Bo-Katan fight more for her homeland using the newly acquired Dark Sabre.
On second thought, Giancarlo Esposito might be envious that someone will continue to wield the sabre beside him. No one is saying he didn’t do a great job with it, but as Moff Gideon he may have picked the wrong side. I could only hope that the show continues to find more compelling enemies to throw Din’s way. Moff has some giant darthlike boots to fill.
Elia Kane as Moff’s secondary antagonist showed how deceptive she could be as she makes her way back into power. It will be interesting to see what role she plays as the series moves forward from a failed Moff Gideon who appears to fall in the final episode of season 3.
She showed us her loyalties were clearly aligned with the former galactic empire as she betrayed Doctor Pershing within the amnesty program. Pershing, a character who battled with the morality of his actions while working for the empire may not have been a good guy but in Star Wars, as we have seen with Anakin Skywalker, you never know on which side a character will end up.
Viewers enjoy a good morally ambivalent character as well, which the Lucas franchise is filled with. The galaxy is plagued with fallout from conflict and although we know the difference between bad and good (Sith and Jedi), it is hard for the characters within the story to identify which direction to follow. This survival of the fittest mentality is prevalent throughout, so we don’t blame those like Migs Mayfeld for betraying Din early on. We expected it from someone like Bill Burr, who admittedly was not a Star Wars fan. But even he can be redeemed as he finds himself being more homogenous with Star Wars’ compelling forces. He may not be force sensitive, not many are in this show actually, but it seems that you don’t need to be a jedi to be something special.
I find many of the normal everyday people who help Din Djarin find themselves trusting him and his cause and are willing to go out of their way for him and Grogu. As many people are fending for themselves there are others willing to put themselves in harm’s way to do what is right. This is an early theme explored by Nick Nolte as Kuiil. Kuiil is a wise man who has seen and been through a lot. At the risk of becoming a target of the former empire or just putting himself in general danger aligning with Mando he does everything he can to ensure Mando is able to complete his mission. There is a great sense of generousity through the show that seems to represent the character’s belief in karma that is so prevalent in the message of Star Wars.
Many will give what they can but not everyone will take up arms beside Mando like Cara Dune. Not sure if she desires justice or the adrenaline from battle but nevertheless she is there to fight when there is an insurmountable conflict waiting. She thirsts for war but the audience can sense her reasons are more than that hunger. Without knowing it Din leads a war against the forces of evil and when presented the choice you will find his friends will always stand behind the Mandalorian creed.
This is the way, as it is stated many times almost religiously through the show. Din is constantly keeping himself in check to make sure he follows what he believes in and what the Mandalorian Code allows. There are certainly times when he feels confused. That is when he goes to see The Armorer, She represents Mandalore and the way as Din knows it. On many occasions he seeks her talents, repairs, and guidance as she fills this role as a space paladin of sorts. She leads Din’s sect of Manalorians that adopted him. Her followers are many well armored companions who also fight with Din to ensure justice throughout the galaxy.
Jon Favrea himself voiced one such character that goes by the name Paz Vizsula (now voiced by Tait Fletcher). He’s the Mandalorian with the giant gun. You will probably remember him because you wondered how hard it was to carry all that metal and you were curious what sort of physical specimen must be beneath all that Beskar with the ability to maneuver it in the manner he does.
The topic of impressive weaponry begs to mention IG-11. This loyal robot voiced by Taika Waititi seems to be able to anticipate any threat and immediately swivel and twist to thwart it. This early Mando sidekick was the reason Din was able to rescue Grogu from Moff Gideon’s evil clutches by sacrificing himself.
IG-11 is far from the only robotic companion. R5-D4 has been crucial to Din Djarin’s team. His reluctance to enter dangerous circumstances makes the droid charming while providing a bit of classic Star Wars humor. This is a great throwback to the relationship between C3P0 and Luke in the early movies but as we have learned these droids always follow through despite their hesitation and save the day.
As rebellious as Din’s comrades might be, they don’t really fall into the actual rebellion forces or the new order of things with the new republic. They have had their eyes on him as he has had a few run-ins with Carson Teva. At one time he was pursued as a criminal but the character played by Paul Sun-Hyung Lee senses something about Din that convinces him that it is worth cutting the Mandalorian a bit of slack.
Something a fellow pilot like Captain Teva may understand is the bond between man and craft. Early in the series before Din makes so many acquaintances, one can see that Mando and Razor Crest shared something special and the audience witnesses the loss Mando must feel when it is destroyed in Chapter 14 “the Tragedy”. As heartbreaking as it was, it was also that much more rewarding when Peli Motto was able to play matchmaker with Din with the N1 Starfighter, what seemed like two lost souls finding eachother at the perfect time.
The series has had its share of giant monsters like the krayt dragon that Din helped the freetown people defeat or the mudhorn that Grogu tamed, but one beast that stands out towering above them all is the Mythosaur. This incredibly elusive character may have only had a few actual seconds of screen time but its mere existence adds so much to the Mandalorian mythos that it helps you understand why The Mandarloians are so dedicated to their rituals and makes you want to join them to follow their way.
