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The first episode of The Mandalorian season 3, titled "The Apostate," has received mixed reviews. Despite featuring several heartwarming moments with Grogu, the show's treatment of his story has been criticized for doing a disservice to the emotional cliffhanger of the season 2 finale, in which Grogu left his adopted father to train with Luke Skywalker. The first episode of season 3 seems almost to ignore this pivotal event. Viewers of The Book of Boba Fett may understand that Grogu left his Jedi training to travel with his adoptive father, but those who haven't watched the spinoff series are left puzzled about their reunion. The decision to resolve a critical conflict in The Mandalorian on another character's show was already deemed a mistake, yet the season 3 premiere failed to bridge the gap coherently, causing even more confusion. Despite this, Disney appears to have doubled down on their choice. In "The Apostate," the opportunity to update viewers on what happened to Grogu and Mando in The Book of Boba Fett was missed, despite two chances to do so: the opening recap and within the episode itself. The recap only reminded viewers of IG-11 from season 1 and Djarin's ex-communication from his Mandalorian clan. The episode explains Cara Dune's absence but doesn't touch on Grogu's time with Luke, how Djarin created beskar armor for him, or how they reunited on Tatooine and got a new ship. The omission may not seem significant to those who viewed The Book of Boba Fett, but it highlights Disney's assumption that all Mandalorian viewers have watched and recollected events from the spinoff series. Expecting audiences to view seven episodes of a separate, substandard spinoff to grasp the main show's storyline is a tall order, particularly for more occasional fans seeking to catch up on the latest Baby Yoda escapades and move on.

Before the controversy surrounding Boba Fett, The Mandalorian was a great series for casual Star Wars fans. While season 2 did introduce characters like Bo-Katan Kryze and Ahsoka Tano, whose stories span other TV series like The Clone Wars and Rebels, the show did a good job of explaining their role in The Mandalorian. You didn't have to watch those other shows to understand what was going on. The easter eggs, references, and deeper lore were there as a bonus for those who wanted to engage with them.

Why The Mandalorian was a bit confusing

The lack of acknowledgment of Grogu's major decision in the first episode of season 3 raises questions about the value of emotional character moments in The Mandalorian. While interconnectedness across Star Wars series can be beneficial, it's important to acknowledge the significance of character development within the main series. Grogu's decision to forgo the ways of the Jedi and return to Djarin was a pivotal moment in his journey and should have been addressed in the season 3 opener. The omission not only confuses fans who expected to see Grogu as a Jedi, but it also diminishes the importance of this character development.

In the grand scheme of things, it may seem like a small detail, but acknowledging Grogu’s decision to leave Jedi training and return to Djarin would have gone a long way in keeping the emotional resonance of The Mandalorian intact. It’s not just about pleasing fans who want to see more of Baby Yoda, but also about staying true to the character development that has been established over two seasons. Hopefully, as the season progresses, The Mandalorian will find a way to address this vital moment and give Grogu’s journey the recognition it deserves.