The Mandalorian, while successfully exploring and deepening aspects of Mandalorian lore and society, has inadvertently sparked significant continuity issues within the wider Star Wars narrative. A key dilemma lies in the inconsistency of its timeline. Different canon sources suggest that all events from the first season of The Mandalorian through The Book of Boba Fett occupy the same year, despite creator Jon Favreau claiming they mirror real-world timelines with gaps in between.
One notable event affected by this timeline ambiguity is the Great Purge of Mandalore. Initially introduced by Paz Vizsla in season 1, episode 3, the Purge represents a crucial moment in Mandalorian history, having nearly eradicated the entire race. Its significance transcends mere fiction; it was also meant to function as an integral element for the coherence of the Star Wars timeline. Unfortunately, it has become a fresh source of plot confusion.
The Purge of Mandalore: An Explanation for a Mysterious Absence
Where Were the Mandalorians During the Original Trilogy?
During the development of The Mandalorian, Favreau encountered a critical issue: the apparent absence of Mandalorians in the original Star Wars trilogy. While Boba Fett remains a notable character, his true status as a Mandalorian within the canon is questionable. Crafting a narrative set shortly after the original trilogy therefore posed the challenge of explaining why Mandalorians were noticeably absent during the Galactic Civil War.
In an exclusive interview with Empire Magazine in April 2020, Favreau expressed:
I thought, “How come there are no Mandalorians in the movies? What’s going on there?”
This inquiry led to the inception of the Great Purge, a crucial narrative device intended to clarify the absence of Mandalorians from significant moments in galactic history. The Purge involved Moff Gideon’s betrayal of Bo-Katan Kryze, who had surrendered the Darksaber in hopes of saving her people. As a result, the Mandalorian population faced near extinction.
As originally conceived, this catastrophic event would have occurred prior to the original trilogy, as Mandalore must have been in ruins when Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo were actively part of the Rebel Alliance’s struggle against the Empire. However, this framework did not hold for long, as Star Wars would later revisit and complicate the timeline, effectively nullifying the Purge’s narrative intent.
Retconning the Purge to the Original Trilogy Era
An Event During a Major Galactic Conflict
In a twist, the timeline of the Purge has shifted to coincide with the events of the original trilogy. This change introduces substantial complications, as it implies that Mandalorians were indeed active during the early portion of the original trilogy. Consequently, the narrative now raises questions about why this civilization seemed to overlook one of the galaxy’s most devastating acts of violence, which can be likened to attempted genocide.
The timing of the Purge further evolves into a convoluted mess. The season finale of Ahsoka depicts the droid Huyang referencing the Purge as having occurred post-war, while Star Wars Outlaws situates its dialogue about the event around 3 ABY, aligning it with the timeline of The Empire Strikes Back. This discrepancy creates a significant gap of two years, if not more.
It seems increasingly implausible to assume Mandalorians remained uninvolved in the Rebel efforts, particularly considering their immediate distaste for the Empire just years prior to A New Hope. The animated series Star Wars Rebels showcases Mandalorians uniting to liberate their homeworld from Imperial rule, culminating in Bo-Katan wielding the Darksaber to forge alliances among various clans.
Given their identity as honorable warriors, it is hard to believe that individuals like Sabine Wren or allies such as Ezra Bridger wouldn’t return the favor in the Rebellion against the Empire. The retcon related to the Purge suggests that Mandalorians opted for isolation during a critical conflict, a narrative choice that feels increasingly untenable.
A Mandalorian Jedi in the Original Trilogy Era!
Sabine Wren Was in Jedi Training During this Time
The ongoing narrative developments in The Mandalorian and associated stories make this timeline incongruity all the more glaring. The character Sabine Wren is now confirmed to have been undergoing Jedi training with Ahsoka Tano during the original trilogy era, which means both should have been actively engaged in the Rebellion’s resistance against the Empire. It is noteworthy that Sabine was among the founding members of the unified Rebel Alliance as part of the Spectres.
The Mandalorian Jedi have always been a rarity in Star Wars canon, dating back to famed Darksaber creator Tarre Vizsla. Thus, the revelation that a Mandalorian Jedi was in training during this pivotal period raises further questions about her absence from significant battles. Sabine’s skills, combined with her commitment to fighting for justice, would have made her an invaluable asset to the Rebellion, especially with Ahsoka by her side, advocating for the same cause.
Unfortunately, the established events of the original trilogy cannot be altered, leaving this apparent oversight as an unresolved issue. Despite efforts to mend a glaring plot hole, the franchise seems to have inadvertently birthed both a larger and a smaller inconsistency. It remains uncertain how The Mandalorian will navigate these discrepancies, highlighting an emerging need for clarity in this multifaceted narrative.