The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett both take place in 9 ABY, firmly within the New Republic Era and Luke Skywalker’s quest to restart the Jedi Order. Luke was largely alone in this effort, other than bits of help from some New Republic assets like Shara Bey, the mother of Poe Dameron, and Lor San Tekka from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Luke has no other Jedi around him, and his views are widely based on his lived experiences so far, and archaeological findings.
Why Luke Made Grogu Choose Between The Jedi And Mandalorian Paths
Is Luke Regressing Or Using His Own Experiences?
In The Book of Boba Fett, Luke explains that by choosing the Beskar armor Din left for him, Grogu would be forsaking the Jedi way. This seems like the Jedi of the prequels, which makes sense, considering that may be Luke’s frame of reference for the Jedi based on his studies and discussions with Obi-Wan and Yoda. This theory, however, proposes that Luke had Grogu make this choice because of Luke’s pain at being separated from his father, Anakin Skywalker.
Luke Understood Loving A Father And Wanting More Time With Him
Luke Didn’t Know Anakin, And Wished He Had
One of the most unconsidered aspects of Luke Skywalker’s character is his longing for a father figure. He had his Uncle Owen, but their relationship was not the best, and Luke still longed for stories and information about his father – which, of course, he couldn’t know, considering Anakin’s dark side fate. This aspect of Luke defined a huge part of his reaction to the revelation that Vader was indeed his father. Luke had desperately wanted a father for so long, and learning his father was evil crushed him.
The theory proposes that Luke saw a lot of himself in Grogu, as a young Force-sensitive child in an era without many of them in an organized Order. Therefore, when taking Grogu from Din in The Mandalorian season 2’s finale, Luke sees this truly as a son being taken from his father, something Luke definitely experienced. The path of a Jedi was a lonelier one from Luke’s point of view, and he wanted Grogu to be with his loving father, like Luke himself was never able to be.
Din Djarin Is Paralleled With Anakin Skywalker More Than Once
Fathers Removing Their Helmets To See Their Sons
This comparison between Din and Anakin is not unfounded, though, as it’s even been depicted in The Mandalorian. Throughout the series, Din’s helmet was always symbolic for him shutting out others from his personal side. During season 2’s finale, however, Din Djarin removes his helmet in front of Grogu for the first time, allowing his young adopted son to see his face for the first time – and more importantly, to allow himself to see Grogu without a barrier.
At the end of Return of the Jedi, albeit under different circumstances, Darth Vader does the same thing as Din. Now redeemed as Anakin Skywalker, he has Luke remove his helmet so he can look upon him with his own eyes. The barrier of their separation has finally gone from his face, a true connection achieved before one departs. This parallel makes it clear that Grogu can absolutely be seen as analogous to Luke in some situations as well.
The Book Of Boba Fett Is A Show About Sons And Fathers
Boba & Jango, Grogu & Din, Luke & Anakin
One huge aspect of this theory hinges on the show Grogu’s choice appeared in, though. The Book of Boba Fett recieved somewhat positive reviews, but many disliked its inconsistency, and that is because it seemingly didn’t properly execute its lofty thematic goals. One of the most important was what the show intended to say about sons and how they grapple with how they were raised, and the legacies of their fathers.
A subtle part of the series is about Boba Fett overcoming the death of his father, Jango, and how Boba had to make his own way in the galaxy by shutting others out. Similarly, Grogu was also taken from his father, and the choice Luke gives Grogu allows for him to change that. Boba was raised to be a killer, but upon his death and rebirth in the Sarlacc, he finds a new legacy and culture in the Tuskens, and applies that tribe/family mentality to how he runs Mos Espa in the finale, as Din and Grogu are reunited.
In a series so focused on father figures, families, and legacy, it’s fitting for it to end with a son being reunited with his father. It was an odd creative choice, but from the points of view of both Luke and the series’ own theme, splitting up a family is never a good thing. Grogu being given this choice is not as much about the Jedi path as it is about a son being reunited with a father, a theme that The Book of Boba Fett and Star Wars as a whole view as very important.
