Let's talk about Din and Grogu's Reunion in TBoBF

Why in the world is the amount of time Din and Grogu were separated such a big deal for some folks. I find this concern (whatever you want to call it: eyebrow raising, angst, shock, skepticism, etc.) hard to fathom.

Having Luke Skywalker take away Grogu for training gave audiences an incredibly dramatic -- arguably The Most Dramatic -- scene in all of Star Wars and led to two very important outcomes:

• Grogu got to be seen being trained by The Luke Skywalker.
• If viewers didn't know it before -- Din and Grogu's good-bye at the end of Mando Season 2 showed them just how deeply Din and Grogu care for one another. Din showed the child is more important to him than his creed.

Obviously, the uncertainty surrounding that Season 2 finale led fans to wonder whether Grogu's story was over and some wondered if we'd ever see the little guy in The Mandalorian again. But from what I've read, this was a natural culmination of two strongly-held beliefs of the show's two collaborators. According to Dave Filoni, the Child had to be shown being trained. And according to Jon Favreau, the show had to be about Din and Grogu together.

So despite the cynical comments by some that "Disney had to find a way to bring back their cash cow," Favreau ALWAYS intended for them to be together. (His inspiration was the old, Japanese series, Lone Wolf and Cub.) It has been crystal clear from the get-go that the relationship between the two was The Heart of the series' blockbuster success during Seasons 1 and 2. We were all wondering after the Season 2 finale if the next season would go off in an entirely different direction. While some fans were trying to wrap their heads around that prospect, I suspect most are super-excited to have them back together again for Season 3.

The big difference going into Season 3 is that NOW Filoni has the "George Lucas Seal of Jedi Training Approval" for Grogu as compared to the ST's Jedi-training-by-osmosis, Rey. I think it also has set the stage for an intriguing future shift in what it means to be a Jedi Knight -- and what it means to be a Mandalorian.

 

For the record, my comment about Rey was a snide, off-the-cuff add-on. My main point was about Jedi training. Dave Filoni said in an interview awhile back (it might have been in Disney's Galleries) that George's only real concern about the introduction of 'Baby Yoda' was that he be shown receiving proper Jedi training, the implication being that while people can be 'Force sensitive,' wielding the Force as a Jedi Knight requires formal training.

 

I would bet the farm that those two Mando-centric episodes of TBoBF were originally scheduled to kick off Season 3. But then two things happened:

1. The Mando Season 2 finale blew up the internet and set off speculation that Grogu's time in the show was over. I think there was some concern on the part of everybody involved that the incredible interest that had gotten built up over the show's first two seasons might take a hit if fans thought Grogu wasn't going to be a part of the show any longer -- or at least for a season.
2. The Book of Boba Fett TV series was already in pre-production. Initially, it was listed as a 4 or 5 episode limited series.

Then I'm guessing Jon Favreau had the idea of putting the first two episodes of Season 3 in the TBoBF series, expanding it from 5 episodes to 7. This way, the Grogu with Luke training montage and Mando and Grogu reuniting could be shown early. This way Lucasfilm and Disney+ could by hyping the hell out of Season 3 with Din AND Grogu throughout this fall and into next year.

Anybody who thinks this was a bad idea had better wait until they see the blockbuster Nielsen numbers for the season premier next February.

 

With all due respect, guys, you are either not appreciating or ignoring the emotional impact the two of them together have on audiences. There can be no arguing the fact that The Mandalorian has become a massive hit for the Disney+ streaming service because of their chemistry.

In just two short seasons, Din & Grogu are already 'right up there' among the greatest duos on film with the likes of Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid, Woody & Buzz, Lethal Weapons' Murtaugh & Riggs, Sheriff Taylor & Barney, and Abbott & Costello to name just a few of the All Time classics.

Jon Favreau always planned for the show to be about the two of them, ala the Japanese TV show that inspired it, Lone Wolf and Cub. Like all SW content, you can dislike their team-up if it doesn't strike your fancy. But the fact remains, their 'Dad & Son' vibe is the heart and soul of the series.

 

And I explained to you why they were part of The Book of Boba Fett.

And I explained why their reunion took place before the hype for Season 3 began.

Not only did those 2 episodes end up reuniting the pair, they were SO GOOD, they saved the series in many respects. The show still had its fair share of naysyaers once the season wrapped up, but it had been really skewered by the critics before those episodes and the finale came around.

--- Double Post Merged, Jul 16, 2022, Original Post Date: Jul 16, 2022 ---

For the sake of NOT ending the argument...

If I'm living for a time in New York City, I don't need a vehicle if I've got public transportation available to me.

The space station Din was living on seemed awfully big -- with an awfully lot of bounties available on site. I would imagine it takes quite a long time to save up enough pennies for a replacement space ship -- and even then, he went to one of those cheap, often-untrustworthy, 'used space ship' dealers.

 

Another thought-provoking post, MBWilson!!! <---Star Wars' version of 'Thumb's Up!"

I would have agreed with you if we viewers didn't have the abillity of hindsight. We know Luke failed.

Some thought 'The Choice' Luke put on Grogu was too harsh. But Luke simply wanted to ascertain the little guy's level of commitment. I am just spit-balling this, but I suspect that the lessons learned from the failures of the Old Jedi Council -- and Luke's Academy -- will lead to a change in the future path of the Jedi -- thanks to the insights and great wisdom of a Mandalorian Jedi Master named Grogu Djarin!

Yep. My guess is it will be in the Ahsoka series.

This is a really good point. In some ways, I would have preferred to see the two Manco-centric TBoBF episodes kick off Season 3. But their reunion builds up the excitement and anticipation for February AND it wouldn't have played as well into this Mandalore Season of the show.

 

They'd been saying February but I hadn't seen an official release date....but you're right, it appears its going to be March 1.