5 Things The Mandalorian & Grogu Needs to Fix From Season 3

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Disney Plus’s “Star Wars” series, “The Mandalorian,” continued its critically praised journey in Season 3 with a narrative that sparked debate among viewers. The season offered satisfying payoffs for plotlines established early on and heartwarming character development moments. Yet, it also introduced some peculiar choices that introduced inconsistencies within the show’s own mythology. Additionally, these creative decisions often contradicted the powerful storytelling of earlier seasons, leaving Season 3 seeming somewhat disconnected from the characters’ broader narratives.

In the upcoming movie titled “The Mandalorian and Grogu“, creators Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni have a chance to recapture the enchantment of the initial episodes and rectify some of the issues brought about by Season 3, set to release in cinemas next May. Given that Pedro Pascal has already finished filming scenes while wearing the legendary Beskar armor (a feat he didn’t accomplish during all of Season 3), it appears that the movie might reach similar heights. Here are five story aspects from Season 3 that could be revised, or at least modified in some way.

5) Din Djarin’s Helmet Rule

The “helmet rule” of Din Djarin, his consistent refusal to remove his helmet around others, is a key element shaping his character development throughout the series. In Season 1, he broke this rule by taking off his helmet before IG-88 to save Grogu, and again in the second season’s penultimate episode. The finale then saw him removing his helmet one last time as a farewell gesture towards Grogu, who was departing to be trained by Luke Skywalker. This emotional journey showcases the transformation of a previously closed-off bounty hunter into someone capable of forming deep connections, particularly with Grogu, his first living companion in many years.

Season 3 changes things when The Mandalorian, or Djarin, regrets taking off his helmet. He visits Mandalore to reverse his decision, which paves the way for the rest of the season as other Mandalorians discover their home planet is inhabitable again. This transition from Djarin’s storyline into the larger Season 3 plot works fine, but some viewers feel it goes against the progress made in the previous two seasons. While removing his helmet might have been more about ensuring Grogu’s safety than abandoning his clan’s code, the sudden change still feels confusing and contradictory to the story that had been built up before.

In The Mandalorian and Grogu, Djarin, a Mandalorian, continues to be separated from his clan while he trains Grogu, but maintains good relations with him. He’s currently taking on bounty hunter jobs for the New Republic. With Pedro Pascal filming new scenes, it seems probable that viewers will catch another glimpse of Djarin, indicating that his character growth is being continued from before.

4) Grogu’s Origin

The enigma surrounding Grogu’s past was a significant question mark leading up to Season 3, as viewers eagerly awaited more information about his life before meeting Din Djarin. This aspect of the series was undeniably one of its most intriguing and captivating, particularly after it was revealed in “The Book of Boba Fett” that Grogu had been in a Jedi Temple during Order 66. However, Season 3 unveiled his rescue from the temple and hinted at a journey to Naboo to evade the Empire’s growing power. Although this backstory reveal was intriguing, some fans felt it didn’t quite live up to expectations.

In a fun twist, Ahmed Best’s return as Kelleran Beq seemed more like a tribute to fans than a fresh development within the Star Wars universe. As a beloved figure from the Star Wars legacy, Best is adored by many, but his reintroduction could have been used to introduce an entirely new character free of franchise history. However, the upcoming film offers a chance to correct this. The creators can strive to make Kelleran and Grogu’s future interactions not just more fan service, but significant elements that contribute to Grogu’s character growth, becoming essential parts of the Child’s story.

3) The Darksaber Should Be Resurrected 

At the culmination of Season 3, Moff Gideon was defeated in a thrilling manner, marking the demise of the villain. However, this triumph also resulted in the destruction of the Darksaber, an artifact steeped in millennia-long history for the planet and Din Djarin’s clan. The disappearance of the Darksaber from their narrative seemed like a significant letdown; at the end of Season 2, Din Djarin had obtained the weapon through battle, despite his reluctance to accept it along with its accompanying duties.

In “The Book of Boba Fett,” it was intriguing and impactful to see Din Djarin learning to wield the darksaber more skillfully following his injury in a fight. Fans had varied responses when he relinquished the saber to Bo-Katan during Season 3, as they believe this iconic Mandalorian artifact plays a significant role in Mandalorian history and could potentially impact Grogu’s future. Since Din might be on the path to becoming the first Mandalorian Jedi in centuries, receiving the darksaber was a fitting touch for his storyline. However, with the weapon now destroyed, it seems unlikely that this will happen.

It’s worth mentioning that the Star Wars franchise has a pattern of bringing back lightsabers. For instance, the Skywalker saber was split into two pieces in The Last Jedi, but it was mended in The Rise of Skywalker. Given this precedent, it could very well be that the darksaber, currently consumed by the flames of Mandalore, might be restored and reunited, thus maintaining the significance of the saber within the storylines of Din Djarin and his companions, and also keeping open the potential for its future involvement in Grogu’s narrative.

2) Moff Gideon’s Plan

Moff Gideon played the main antagonist role throughout the three seasons of “The Mandalorian,” yet his impact was often more profound when he wasn’t present, casting a menacing shadow over the protagonists. Earlier series hinted at Gideon’s obsession with Grogu, an obsession that carried great importance due to Imperial research on Force-sensitive beings, which included cloning as part of his sinister plan. In Season 3, it is unveiled that Gideon aimed to clone Grogu for creating a smarter and stronger version of himself with Force abilities.

In the style of “The Mandalorian” narrative, there’s room to expand Gideon’s storyline. By introducing a backstory that clarifies his reasons for genetic tinkering and obsession with the Force, as well as his ambitious Imperial engineering beyond simply creating a Force-sensitive being, we can redefine Gideon as a chilling, calculating antagonist rooted in the “Star Wars” universe’s science-fiction/fantasy ethos.

1) Moff Gideon’s Death 

At the close of Season 3, it appears Moff Gideon meets his demise, seemingly wrapping up both his character’s storyline and the Empire’s pursuit of him as a possession. The battle for Gideon’s stronghold, surprisingly straightforward given the circumstances, marked his defeat. However, many fans felt this ending was anticlimactic considering the havoc Gideon has wreaked throughout the series. This abrupt ending seemed to diminish his character’s impact on the story. However, creators Favreau and Filoni have the opportunity to rework this ending by suggesting that it wasn’t actually Gideon who perished, but one of his clones instead. This explanation would maintain consistency with the narrative, and furthermore, open up possibilities for a future appearance of a Force-sensitive Gideon clone who could pose an even greater threat to Grogu and the New Republic.

By carefully modifying certain aspects, we can enhance the narrative of Din Djarin and Grogu in The Mandalorian, creating a more engaging and fulfilling viewing experience. At its best, this series excelled in portraying deep emotional connections among characters and high-stakes situations. Making these changes would address storyline inconsistencies, ensuring continuity while maintaining the richness of the lore and character development. In simpler terms, we want to make improvements that strengthen the story and stay true to the original spirit of the show.

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2025-08-06 02:44