4 Clone Wars Arcs about Mandalore history for The Mandalorian season 3

Season 3 of The Mandalorian will mark Din and Grogu’s first trip to Mandalore. With the live-action debut of Bo-Katan Kryze in season 2, and the Armorer’s rule that Din can only reclaim the title of Mandalorian if he bathes in the living waters on Mandalore, there are many pulls toward the desolate planet.

Mandalorian history and its ties to Din and other Children of the Watch can get a little complicated, so here are four arcs from The Clone Wars to prepare you for this season’s journey to Mandalore.

The Mandolore Plot Arc (Season 2, Episodes 12-14)

This collection of episodes is the first time we see Mandalore before its near destruction. After a history of conflict and war, Mandalore has found peace with its pacifist ruler, Satine Kryze. However, not all Mandalorians are happy with the new direction of their government. A terrorist organization called the Death Watch forms, intent on returning to the old ways and removing Kryze from power.

It is this group that eventually takes Din in and raises him as a Child of the Watch. Their fanaticism and interest in Mandalorian traditions is where the mandate for never removing one’s helmet originates, standing in contrast to the way most Mandalorians donned their armor. This episode showcases several aspects of Mandalorian culture and debuts the Darksabre, which became important in season 2 of The Mandalorian. It also introduces the character Pre Vizsla, an important figure in Mandalorian history and a relative of the character Din fights over the Darksaber in The Book of Boba Fett.

A Friend in Need (Season 4, Episode 14)

Although this episode focuses mainly on Ahsoka and her relationship with Lux Bonteri, it is still helpful in providing a picture of the brutality of the Death Watch. This episode is also relevant because it officially introduces Bo-Katan Kryze, the estranged sister of Satine and member of Death Watch. Her disagreement with her sister’s ideology led her to joining an ultraviolent group set on overthrowing the pacifist government.

Bo-Katan and Ahsoka become swift enemies after meeting. If Din had known that Bo-Katan’s relationship with Ahsoka had begun during this tumultuous mission, he may have been a little more dubious about searching for Ahsoka. Bo-Katan’s role in Mandalore’s history only becomes more complex from here, but it is worth taking a look at her introduction to see her combat skills and early interactions with the Death Watch gang.

Mandalore Coup Arc (Season 5, Episodes 14-16)

This arc is a little convoluted as it features the fruition of the plans of Maul, who through the season has built up the resources to exact his revenge on Obi-Wan Kenobi. It might be a little strange to begin these episodes with no context, but they are nonetheless crucial to the unfolding history of Mandalore. As Maul unites with the Death Watch, there are huge shifts in power, forever changing the trajectories of Death Watch and all of Mandalore’s people.

The splintering of the existing power structures leads to chaos. Bo-Katan is faced with heartbreak and a major decision that splits Death Watch along two different paths, one of which will lead to Din’s place as a Child of the Watch. As the Darksaber’s owner is shifted, a new ruler of Mandalore emerges.

Siege of Mandolore Arc (Season 7, Episodes 9-12)

Widely considered some of the best episodes in the entire series, this arc is also vital to understanding the fates of Bo-Katan, Mandalore, and the Darksabre. Mandalore becomes the battle ground in the final moments of the Clone Wars, as these episodes connect with the finale of the prequel trilogy. Ahsoka and Bo-Katan reunite, this time in an alliance, supporting each other in their shared goal of freeing Mandalore from Maul’s clutches.

During this battle, the Republic takes control of Mandalore. The clone force protecting Mandalore quickly changes allegiance to the Empire in the wake of Order 66, a prelude to the eventual downfall of Mandalore known as the Night of A Thousand Tears.

As Din and Grogu explore Mandalore this season, Mandalorian history could come in handy. Be sure to check out these episodes for an introduction or refresher on the most important events that shaped Mandalore and Din’s past.