How Much Of Mandalore History Do You Need To Know For The Mandalorian Season 3?
Season 3 of "The Mandalorian" will see the much-anticipated journey of our titular hero Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) — and Grogru, of course — to his war-torn homeworld of Mandalore, where things set to pop off between him, Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff), and whoever else has a problem with the Darksaber-wielding bounty hunter.
"I'm going to Mandalore," Djarin says in the official Season 3 trailer. "So I can be forgiven for my transgressions."
For those who don't remember, Djarin was indefinitely banished from his extremist Mandalorian clan, The Children of the Watch, after admitting to showing his face to save Grogu in Season 2. During Episode 5 of "The Book of Boba Fett," we learn that Djarin must travel to Mandalore for the first time as a way to show true repentance for his wrongdoing. He had been adopted and raised off-world as a "foundling" by his extremist Mandalorian clan, who rescued him from certain death during an attack on his birth family's planet, Aq Vetina, when he was just a small child. Now, with the Darksaber in hand, who knows what's in store for the excommunicated Mandalorian? Fans can expect is an epic look at his people's home planet, which begs the question: how much of Mandalore history will people really have to know for "The Mandalorian" Season 3? Fans of "Rebels" and "The Clone Wars" have a pretty good idea.
Knowing the history of Mandalore and its many conflicts is helpful, but not necessary
Anyone wondering whether they'll be left in the dark when Season 3 of "The Mandalorian" gets going in March will be glad to know that there's an easy road map for getting caught up with everything Mandalore, which involves watching a few episodes of "The Mandalorian" and the animated series "Rebels" and "The Clone Wars," or simply reading up on the planet's legendary history. And even if you don't do that, viewers will still have a blast.
"All you need to know is the planet is destroyed due constant war," explained Redditor u/DSGandalf in a "Mandalorian" discussion thread. "First Jedis vs Mandalorians, then civil war between Mandalorians, a few Mandalorians vs other people in between, and lately Mandalorians vs the Empire," they said. "Whoever has the [Darksaber] has claim to the throne, and Bo Katan is sister to the last ruler of the planet (before the last destruction). Also, Darth Maul was involved somehow in all of that."
When Din Djarin returns to the Empire-ravaged Mandalore, things will likely be as crazy as ever following the events of the "Night of A Thousand Tears" and the eventual splitting of the clans after the "Great Purge of Mandalore." Viewers looking to get caught up on some Mandalorian history before the Season 3 debut on March 1 can head to Disney+ and check out the "Mandalore Culture" collection in the app's "Star Wars" section. It includes five episodes from "The Clone Wars," six episodes from "Rebels," one from the "Star Wars Forces of Destiny" shorts series, and three from "The Mandalorian."