The Mandalorian's Armorer Revelations Unveil Season 3's Game-Changing Twist!

The Mandalorian season 3 subtly altered the Armorer's background, highlighting a major flaw in the show. The Armorer, portrayed by Emily Swallow, has played a crucial role in The Mandalorian since its first season. Not only does she lead Din Djarin's covert, but she has also crafted new armor for him and Grogu, and has helped in the battle against the Empire and Moff Gideon's forces. Ultimately, she played a vital role in uniting all Mandalorians again, despite her ingrained beliefs, and supported Bo-Katan Kryze in reclaiming Mandalore.

However, this significant milestone reflects one of The Mandalorian's main issues. As the Star Wars franchise delves deeper into its timeline, its projects naturally expand in scale. What initially started as a show featuring weekly adventures has now become the flagship property for an entire era in the Star Wars timeline. Although exploring the New Republic's reign is undoubtedly intriguing, The Mandalorian itself has somewhat lost its allure in the process, and the subtle retcon involving the Armorer is just one of the reasons for it.

The Mandalorian Season 3 Subtly Retconned The Armorer

In The Mandalorian season 2, episode 1, Din Djarin reveals that a Mandalorian Armorer has guided him on his journey. Finding another Mandalorian is crucial for him to navigate through different groups. This indicates that there are numerous Mandalorian coverts, each with their own Armorer. This arrangement makes sense as it allows surviving Mandalorians to continue crafting armor and improving their weaponry. However, The Mandalorian season 3 clarifies that Din Djarin's knowledeable Armorer is the only one and her role has been passed down for generations.

Consequently, she has acquired a mythical status, reminiscent of the legendary figure Merlin. As a result, the Mandalorian people have become even more dependent on legends and prophecies. This shift has significantly altered the central story of The Mandalorian in season 3. Initially focused on the relationship between Din Djarin and Grogu, both struggling to find their place in a galaxy where their people were nearly eradicated, the narrative has now evolved into a quest of epic proportions. It revolves around a singular leader who is irreplaceable and encompasses the fate of all Mandalorians, expanding beyond just two individuals.

Why Did The Mandalorian Season 3 Change Direction?

The Mandalorian made a significant change by having Grogu and Din Djarin reunite in The Book of Boba Fett instead of in the show's own storyline. This decision was made to allow for a new story focus and maintain alignment with the expanding "Mandoverse." With the introduction of Grand Admiral Thrawn and the start of the Heir to the Empire storyline in Ahsoka, The Mandalorian needed to ensure it could continue this plot into its fourth season. To achieve this, the remaining Mandalorians had to come together and reclaim Mandalore in the upcoming season three.

Had The Mandalorian season 3 solely focused on Grogu and Din Djarin, without setting the stage for the resurgence of Mandalorian culture, the introduction of this broader scope in season 4 would have been even more significant. Furthermore, the announcement of a theatrical release for The Mandalorian Avengers-style movie suggests that the current storyline has only scratched the surface. Consequently, The Mandalorian had to sacrifice its core relationship to become part of something larger. Whether this was the right choice remains to be determined.

The Mandalorian Season 3's New Approach Just Didn't Quite Work

The Mandalorian operates in a changed context, now being a part of a larger narrative. The show needed to expand its scope, although it is difficult to assess if this new storytelling approach will be successful. However, when considering season 3 as a standalone entity, separate from the overarching narrative, The Mandalorian's shift in tone and structure fell short. Many character potentials were overlooked in favor of franchise tie-ins and world building.

Viewers who did not watch The Book of Boba Fett were confused by Grogu's sudden appearance. Episode 3 of The Mandalorian season 3, titled "The Convert," felt like it belonged to a different show entirely, despite being compelling. Bo-Katan's acquisition of the Darksaber seemed too easy. Grogu's story arc, aside from learning about his savior during Order 66, was largely untouched. Din Djarin himself took a backseat for a significant portion of his own show. While the exploration of an unknown era in the Star Wars universe is exciting, The Mandalorian season 3 suffered from the consequences of this ambitious endeavor.