3 Years Later: Unraveling the Biggest Mandalorian Mistake in Star Wars

It has been three years since the storyline of The Mandalorian intersected with The Book of Boba Fett in “Chapter 5: Return of the Mandalorian, ”a decision that still baffles many fans. As the inaugural live-action Star Wars series, The Mandalorian was designed to lay the groundwork for various spin-offs within the Star Wars universe—especially during its second season, which introduced key characters like Bo-Katan Kryze, Ahsoka Tano, and the iconic Boba Fett, who subsequently starred in his own dedicated series.

Following a pivotal post-credits scene in the season 2 finale of The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett was announced with great fanfare, promising a release within a year. However, the resulting series deviated from audience expectations, transitioning from Boba Fett’s narrative to one focusing on Din Djarin, leaving many—including cast members like Ming-Na Wen, who initially believed she was filming The Mandalorian season 3—confused.

One of The Mandalorian’s Best Episodes is in a Whole Different Show

This Would Have Been the Perfect Season 3 Premiere

“Chapter 5: Return of the Mandalorian”debuted on January 26, 2022, following the setup provided at the end of episode 4. While viewers anticipated only a brief reappearance from Din Djarin, the 50-minute episode focused entirely on him, showcasing his struggles after parting with Grogu. This episode, directed by Bryce Dallas Howard, is now celebrated as one of the finest entries in live-action Star Wars history.

However, this pivotal episode was misplaced within The Book of Boba Fett, leaving fans questioning why such an essential narrative beat wasn’t included as the season 3 premiere of The Mandalorian.“Return of the Mandalorian”delves into Din’s connection to the Darksaber, his excommunication from his tribe, and his efforts to construct a new ship—elements critical to the unfolding storylines of The Mandalorian that fail to enrich Boba Fett’s narrative.

The irony remains that this episode encapsulates everything fans desired, yet it’s relegated to the wrong series. The implications of this choice are evident in how The Mandalorian season 3 has unfolded. Comparing “Return of the Mandalorian”to “Chapter 17: The Apostate, ”it’s apparent that the latter serves more as a recap rather than a fresh beginning, detracting from Din’s elaborate journey established in The Book of Boba Fett.

This Choice Hurt Not Just The Mandalorian, But Also Boba Fett

His Show & His Character Have a Weaker Legacy Now

The ramifications of this narrative decision extend beyond The Mandalorian, adversely affecting The Book of Boba Fett. The series gives off a feeling of neglect regarding Boba Fett’s character arc, despite it being his story. Notably, Boba Fett himself was absent from “Return of the Mandalorian, ”rendering the storyline one-sided as it transitioned to focusing on Din Djarin’s journey. This resulted in diminished development opportunities for Boba Fett, hindering his growth and presence in an already fragmented legacy.

Consequently, the perception of The Book of Boba Fett has become marred by inconsistent storytelling, which has inevitably tarnished Boba Fett’s own legacy. Currently, Temuera Morrison’s absence from future Star Wars projects—including The Mandalorian season 3—underscores the missed potential to enrich both characters’ narratives. Fans remain hopeful for Morrison’s return, but the decision to tether The Mandalorian to The Book of Boba Fett has left a lasting impact.

The Mandalorian’s Story Has Yet to Recover From This Decision

Things Haven’t Been the Same for the Show Ever Since

Din Djarin on public transportation — Image via Disney+

The impact of “Return of the Mandalorian”is not confined to immediate consequences; rather, it has instigated a noticeable regression in Din Djarin’s character development. The episode shifted Din from a character wrestling with his identity and responsibilities as a caregiver to one rigidly conforming to the traditional Mandalorian code, reminiscent of his portrayal in season 1. If this trend persists in the forthcoming movie featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu, its roots can be traced directly back to this singular episode.

While all three seasons of The Mandalorian are now accessible on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra, the absence of a physical release for The Book of Boba Fett indicates the series’ mixed reception, emphasizing the disconnect in Din’s story. The divergence becomes even more pronounced when considering that key character developments took place in a different show, leading to an overall unsettling legacy.

It’s disheartening, as “Return of the Mandalorian”is a fan-favorite episode, widely regarded for its storytelling merits. It would have been ideal for it to be a significant part of The Mandalorian, granting both Din Djarin and Boba Fett the narrative space to shine.

Source & Images