The Return of “Star Wars”: A Recap of the Story So Far
The sci-fi franchise is finally back on the big screen with the release of “The Mandalorian and Grogu” on May 22. This marks the first new “Star Wars” film since 2019, but it’s not just a standalone movie—it’s a continuation of the TV series “The Mandalorian,” which has been running for three seasons. To fully understand the latest installment, viewers need to be familiar with the events that have unfolded in the show, as well as its spinoff, “The Book of Boba Fett.”
If you’re feeling lost or haven’t watched the previous episodes, this recap will help you get up to speed.
“The Mandalorian,” Season 1
Five years after “Return of the Jedi,” the New Republic has established a peaceful government, but remnants of the Galactic Empire still linger. One such remnant is the Client (Werner Herzog), who hires Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), a Mandalorian bounty hunter, to retrieve an asset. What he finds is a baby named Grogu, who possesses strong Force abilities.
Din initially brings Grogu to the Client for his reward, but after the child saves him from danger, he changes his mind. He rescues Grogu and flees, becoming a traitor to his guild led by Greef Karga (Carl Weathers). Throughout the season, Din forms friendships with characters like Cara Dune (Gina Carano) and faces off against Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito), who takes possession of an ancient lightsaber known as the Darksaber.
“The Mandalorian,” Season 2
In Season 2, Din seeks to reunite Grogu with his own kind by finding a Jedi. He meets Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff), a fellow Mandalorian who removes her helmet, revealing a different way of life. Din eventually connects with Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson), a former Jedi who helps guide Grogu toward his destiny.
However, Grogu is kidnapped by Gideon’s forces, leading to a rescue mission. During the chaos, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) arrives to save the day, and Din finally removes his helmet to say goodbye to Grogu, who leaves with Luke to train as a Jedi.
“The Book of Boba Fett”
This spinoff serves as a bridge between Seasons 2 and 3 of “The Mandalorian.” Din returns to bounty hunting and reconnects with old allies, including the Armorer (Emily Swallow) and Paz Vizsla (Jon Favreau). However, his decision to remove his helmet leads to conflict within the Mandalorian community.
Meanwhile, Grogu continues his training under Luke, but ultimately chooses to return to Din. Their reunion sets the stage for the next chapter of their story.
“The Mandalorian,” Season 3
Season 3 sees the Mandalorian covert grow, but Din is still not welcome due to his actions. The Armorer tells him that only by bathing in the Living Waters on Mandalore can he be redeemed. After a near-death experience, Din is welcomed back, and Bo-Katan is also accepted into the group.
Bo-Katan claims the Darksaber after defeating Gideon in battle, vowing to unite all Mandalorian factions. In a final showdown, the Darksaber is destroyed, and Gideon is seemingly defeated. The Mandalorians settle back on their homeworld, but a shadow council of Imperial warlords remains as a lingering threat.
Din adopts Grogu, who is renamed Din Grogu and becomes a Mandalorian apprentice. He also agrees to work for the New Republic, setting up the events of “The Mandalorian and Grogu.”
How to Watch “The Mandalorian” and Previous “Star Wars” Movies
“The Mandalorian” and “The Book of Boba Fett” are available to stream on Disney+. For optimal viewing, watch “The Book of Boba Fett” after Season 2 of “The Mandalorian” but before Season 3. If you’re short on time, you can skip the first four episodes of “The Book of Boba Fett” and start with Chapter 5, when Din reappears.
All 11 live-action “Star Wars” films are also available on Disney+. While Din’s story is largely independent of the larger galaxy, “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” may be relevant, as it introduced Jabba the Hutt’s son Rotta, who appears in “Grogu.”
