The Mandalorian season 3 is primed to explore how Grogu survived Order 66 and why so many Jedi helping him elevates his importance in Star Wars.
The Mandalorian season 3 is set to explore Grogu’s true importance in Star Wars. Since Grogu and Din Djarin were reunited in The Book of Boba Fett, The Mandalorian season 3 will focus once more on deepening the duo’s relationship, all the while exploring Mando’s journey to Mandalore and more of the foundling’s history with the Jedi. So far, Grogu’s time with the Jedi has been quite ambiguous, the only big reveal having been a flashback that showed a few senior Jedi protecting Grogu during Order 66. Put them all together, and these scenes might reveal something interesting about Grogu in particular.
Order 66 is one of Star Wars’ most defining moments. Though Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith first depicted the Great Jedi Purge, shows like Obi-Wan Kenobi and the video game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order have all portrayed the horrors that befell the Jedi during their slaughter in excruciating detail. Interestingly enough, the events of Revenge of the Sith and the flashback of Reva’s experiences during Order 66 in Obi-Wan Kenobi lend credence to a theory that Grogu may be vitally important to the galaxy and the Jedi, an idea which is backed up by a crucial shot in The Mandalorian season 3 trailer.
Grogu’s Order 66 Flashbacks Suggest He Was Escorted From The Jedi Temple
In The Book of Boba Fett, there is a flashback to Grogu’s experience during Order 66 which shows him being defended by numerous Jedi during the raid. One eagle-eyed viewer noticed that The Mandalorian season 3 trailer depicts Grogu’s time during Operation Knightfall from an entirely different angle than previously shown, even possibly featuring a different group of Jedi protecting him. This likely proves that Grogu wasn’t just saved once during the raid and then got lucky, but was actively escorted to safety. This is in sharp contrast to other scenes where Jedi younglings being attacked during Order 66 were left defenseless.
Revenge of the Sith, for instance, shows that Anakin Skywalker had free rein to kill an entire group of Jedi younglings without anyone there to protect them. Similarly, Reva’s harrowing experience during Order 66 as shown in Obi-Wan Kenobi proves that she and her friends were equally unprotected. Since Jedi younglings were the future of the Order, it seems odd that senior Jedi would choose to protect Grogu over all others. Place and timing, of course, could have played a part, but the focus on Grogu’s experiences during Order 66 in The Mandalorian means there’s likely more to it.
Why Was Grogu More Important Than Any Other Jedi Youngling?
There may be two reasons for Grogu’s additional protection. The first explanation for Grogu’s rescue during Order 66 is that he may have been believed to be the last of his species. Jedi Master Yaddle had been killed in combat by Count Dooku in Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi, and in the chaos of Order 66, it’s entirely possible nobody knew Yoda had survived. The Jedi had a duty to protect all life in the galaxy, and if Grogu was believed to be the last of his kind, it makes sense that the Jedi would try to guard him at all costs. Precious little is known about their background, after all.
Alternatively, Grogu might have been saved because of his species’ inherent relationship with the Force. Grogu, Yoda, and Yaddle are the only known members of their race, and yet they were all tremendously gifted. If Order 66 meant the death of the Jedi Order, then perhaps one as instinctively strong in the Force as Grogu could represent the return of the light in the galaxy. The Jedi might have saved Grogu for either reason, perhaps even both, and the answer will likely be revealed in The Mandalorian season 3.
