Spanning over forty years across various mediums, the iconic The Mandalorian, the first live-action Star Wars series, adds to that legacy. Starring Pedro Pascal (Narcos), the Disney+ series follows a Mandalorian bounty hunter five years after the Galactic Empire's fall.
Consisting of eight episodes, the first season is an intimate story that adds exciting and surprising developments to the franchise. Here are 10 notable details The Mandalorian revealed about the Star Wars universe. The following list has spoilers for the first season.
The Empire's Fall Led To A Chaotic, Lawless Time
With the Expanded Universe stories de-canonized after Disney purchased Lucasfilm, the time after Return of the Jedi (1983) was officially a mystery. The sequel trilogy did reveal what happened to the universe 30 years later, but it left fans asking questions about the period in between.
The Mandalorian takes place five years after Return of the Jedi as the universe is in a state of chaos. The Empire, no longer the prominent ruling power, is not able to police rough areas of the galaxy like before. As a result, those who operate outside the law can flourish mostly unchallenged.
Imperial Credits Have Less Value
Despite its dark depiction in the original trilogy, the Empire was the official ruling power in the galaxy for roughly two decades. Their currency, the Imperial credit, was the most prominent form of currency during that period. But after the Empire's fall, Imperial credits dropped in value.
When offered payment in the spendable currency, the Mandalorian refuses and accepts a lower amount in Calamari Flan, a more valuable currency from the Mon Calamari civilization. The transaction was before Imperial credits were widely succeeded by New Republic credits.
The Look Of The New Republic
Compared to the Republic and the Empire, the New Republic has had relatively little screentime. In "Chapter 6: The Prisoner," the Mandalorian breaks into a New Republic prisoner ship, finally giving fans glimpses of the new governing body for the first time in the series.
Largely resembling Imperial designs, the New Republic ship has sleek, white halls that are patrolled by the governing body's security droids. From a control room, a guard sporting an Imperial-influenced uniform monitors the ship. But most familiar of all is the squadron of New Republic X-Wings, which remains virtually unchanged from the Rebel model.
The New Republic Is Still Developing
Even though they are the official governing body, the New Republic doesn't have the same vice grip on the galaxy as the Empire did. In "Chapter 3: The Sin," the Mandalorian actually scoffs at the idea of asking them for help. Throughout the series, there are signs of the New Republic's slow development.
Including financial instability, there is a higher level of lawlessness in the galaxy. Often times, the Mandalorian and other characters are forced to resolve conflicts themselves as the New Republic is absent. In "Chapter 7: The Reckoning," an ex-Imperial officer observes how the universe is filled with "death and chaos" when compared to Imperial rule.
The State Of Tatooine
Located in the Outer Rim, Tatooine was the first planet the original trilogy featured. It was visited one last time in Return of the Jedi before the prequel trilogy depicted an earlier version. After 14 years offscreen, the iconic desert planet made its live-action return in "Chapter 5: The Gunslinger."
A stark contrast to the Empire's heavy presence in Star Wars (1977), the only sign of the former government in New Republica-era Tatooine were displayed stormtrooper helmets. Due to the Empire's absence, Mos Eisley and its famous cantina were mostly empty of visitors as fugitives no longer needed to hide in the spaceport.
How The Bounty Hunters' Guild Operates
Bounty hunting is not a new profession in the Star Wars universe. Fans have seen a variety of hunters since the original trilogy, the most notable being Boba Fett. And while the Bounty Hunters' Guild has been mentioned in canon, it has never been seen until "Chapter 1" of the series.
Congregating in a cantina on the planet Navarro, the Mandalorian's guild follows a system and a code. Guild leader Greef Karga assigns bounty pucks, holographic devices that display information on the hunted individual, to worthy hunters. These hunters are also given tracking fobs, which allow them to track their prey across the galaxy. After the job is done, Guild aren't allowed to ask questions about the job.
The Mandalorians Are In Hiding
Sometime in the Imperial era, there was the Great Purge against the Mandalorians by Imperials. The ensuing conflict resulted in the Empire taking valuable Beskar steel from the warrior race and killing many of them.
The Tribe, a group of Mandalorians the bounty hunter belongs to, went into hiding for their safety. Located on Navarro, the Tribe's enclave has an armorer who forges weapons and armor for her fellow Mandalorians. It was revealed the group's would leave the enclave one at a time to avoid detection.
The Way Of The Mandalorians
The code of the Bounty Hunters' Guild isn't the only one the Mandalorian follows. ing the Mandalorian people as an orphan, he religiously adheres to their specific way of living. Since Mandalorians are warriors, it is no surprise their rules are based around war.
As a proud member of his people, the Mandalorian cannot take off his helmet when around others, otherwise it can never be put back on. There is also a strong loyalty to fellow Mandalorians, which is demonstrated when the Tribe helps him in "Chapter 3: The Sin." In of gear, Mandalorians cannot part with their weapons or armor. They wear signets, or seals, of something significant they killed cleanly.
The Force Remains Mysterious
The Force was always mysterious even during the peak of the Jedi Order in the Republic Era. It became more of an unusual sight after the Jedi Purge as the surviving Jedi dwindled in number. Five years after the Empire's fall, The Mandalorian declares little has changed.
In "Chapter 2: The Child," the Mandalorian witnesses the Force being used to lift a Mudhorn off the ground. In "Chapter 7: The Reckoning," he recognizes someone being choked by the invisible ability. But after both events, he is still unable to explain it. This implies the Force will likely remain an unknown phenomenon to some in the galaxy.
Yoda’s Species Has Another Member
For some time, there were two known of Yoda's mysterious species: the Grand Master Jedi Master himself, and a female Jedi Master named Yaddle. Taking place five years after Yoda's death, "Chapter 1" of The Mandalorian revealed there was another member of the species: the Child.
Desperately sought after by ex-Imperial forces, the male alien is 50-years-old but is considered a child due to his species' slow aging. Like his species , the Child can use the Force in several ways including choking, lifting, and healing beings. He was found by the Mandalorian on the desert planet Arvala-7.