Guest columnist Alex Maxwell, co-host of The Mandalorian Watch Podcast, provides a Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels watch list to get you caught up on the mythos behind Disney+’s The Mandalorian.
Need a crash course in Mandalorian history? Look no further. Over at The Mandalorian Watch (the number one podcast in the galaxy for all things The Mandalorian), we are dedicated to bringing you up to speed if you’re feeling a little confused.
So far, season 2 of The Mandalorian has relied heavily on references to the animated Star Wars series, The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels. While you may have been able to keep up and understand new characters like Bo-Katan or Ahsoka, they actually have a rich history over on the animated series. So, if you’re looking to understand or to have more context when watching The Mandalorian, we are providing all the major episodes from both Star Wars animated series that feature the Mandalorians in a major way.
Though it’s not every single episode that features the Mandalorians, these specific episodes will help you understand the rich history of the Darksaber, Death Watch, Bo Katan and more.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Season 2, Episodes 12-14, “The Mandalore Plot”, “The Voyage of Temptation”, and “The Duchess of Mandalore”
This arc was our first real taste of the Mandalorians in Star Wars. It’s a good arc that shows us that a faction of pacifist Mandalorians are now in charge of the ruined planet of Mandalore and their conflict with the splinter group known as Death Watch. We also get to witness Jon Favreau playing Death Watch’s ruthless leader, Pre Vizsla. It’s also our very first introduction to the Darksaber. This arc cannot be missed for anyone wanting to learn more about the Mandalorians.
Season 3, Episode 5 “Corruption”, Season 3, Episode 6 “The Academy”, Season 4, Episode 14 “A Friend in Need”
These three episodes are hit and miss for some people. While “Corruption” and “The Academy” may not be the best things in Star Wars, they do give us more insight into how Duchess Satine’s regime operates on Mandalore. “A Friend in Need” also gives us our very first appearance of a younger Bo-Katan and her involvement in Death Watch. There may be a possible connection to the mysterious Morgan Elsbeth (Chapter 13: The Jedi) in this episode as well.
Season 5, Episode 14-16 “Eminence”, “Shades of Reason”, “The Lawless”
This arc of episodes is some of the very best the series has to offer. Maul has returned and is building an alliance with Death Watch. If you’re confused about how Maul is back, I’d encourage you to watch his episodes as well. Each episode of this arc gets better and better, especially in the culmination of “The Lawless”. What happens in this arc could have huge ramifications on The Mandalorian.
Season 7, Episode 9-10 “Old Friends Not Forgotten”, “The Phantom Apprentice”
“Or perhaps the decommissioned Mandalorian hunter, Din Djarin, has heard the songs of the Siege of Mandalore, when gunships outfitted with similar ordnance laid waste to fields of Mandalorian recruits in The Night of a Thousand Tears.”
Once we heard Moff Gideon echo these words, our minds could not help but race. What did it mean? We get a partial answer in these two incredible episodes. We get the see the Siege of Mandalore from Bo-Katan and Ahsoka’s perspective, though I still believe we only have partial answers. There is more to this story, but these are episodes you cannot miss if you’re a fan of The Mandalorian. Just like “The Lawless”, what happens here may very well reverberate throughout The Mandalorian.
Star Wars: Rebels
Season 2, Episode 12 “The Protector of Concord Dawn”
While all of Rebels is essential viewing in my opinion and features a Mandalorian as part of the main crew of The Ghost, this is the first episode that deals with the Mandalorians in a major way. Not only do we get Concord Dawn, but we also learn that the Mandalorians are not as unified as we once believed. There are several different factions and lifestyles for Mandalorians, which is a clue for us as we uncover the mysteries of Din’s covert. In this episode, we are introduced to the Mandalorian Protectors, and it sets the stage for Mandalorians throughout the series.
Season 3, Episode 6 “Imperial Super Commandos”
Another important episode for Mandalorian lore in which we learn there is yet another faction of Mandalorians that have pledged themselves to the Empire. We also get to see some pretty cool designs that are a callback to some of the original sketches for Boba Fett.
Season 3, Episode 14 “Trials of the Darksaber”, Season 3, Episode 15 “Legacy of Mandalore”
After a confrontation with Maul, Mandalorian Sabine now has the Darksaber. We learn the history of the Dark Saber and also get some of the very best that Rebels has to offer in these two episodes. If you’re interested in Mandalorian history and lore, these two episodes are a must-watch for you.
Season 4, Episode 1 & 2 “Heroes of Mandalore”
Though the season three finale of Rebels features Mandalorians, it is the season four premiere that deals with them in a major way. Bo-Katan returns as the war for Mandalore continues. It is an open civil war between the Imperial Mandalorians and Bo-Katan. We are introduced to a Mandalorian super weapon that may end up on The Mandalorian one day and by episode’s end, Bo-Katan has the Darksaber. We know something happens between Moff Gideon and Bo-Katan after this point, and it cannot be good. We are eager to find out.
So, if you’re looking to get caught up on all the Mandalorian history and lore in the new canon for Star Wars, this is a great starting point. You can also check out our podcast. We have a Mandalorian History 101 episode as well as a breakdown of all the episodes mentioned above, and of course our season one and two breakdowns of The Mandalorian!
The Mandalorian Watch is the number one podcast in the galaxy for all things The Mandalorian, the live action Star Wars TV show on Disney+. Join hosts Alex Maxwell and Mac Lacey after each episode as they break it down with in depth analysis and commentary.
You can find The Mandalorian Watch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Sound Cloud, and you can also follow them on Twitter.