Warning: the main spoilers of the last episode of the 3rd season of “Mandalorian” called “Chapter 20: The Foundling” are waiting for you ahead, so read at your own risk.
Mandalore season 3 has officially reached the halfway point, and while its overall story is still unclear, fans have just received more information about the backstory of the beloved character. It was Grogu’s story that was expanded upon in this last installment as the show finally revealed exactly how the former young Jedi survived the events of Order 66. And in the process, the audience received an A+ guest star, who will undoubtedly have a number of “Star Wars” fans experiencing all the feelings.
How did Grogu survive the attack on the Jedi Temple?
The second season of The Mandalorian revealed that Grogu was an apprentice at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant before the Great Jedi Purge. This week’s episode complemented that revelation by painting a brutal picture of what happened. Currently, watching the Armorer forge new equipment for him, the foundling remembered that fateful day when he was protected by a squad of Jedi knights. Each of the brave warriors risked their lives against hordes of clone troopers to ensure their safety, and eventually managed to escort him to the elevator.
Reaching the upper floors of the temple, the miniature creature, still in a floating wheelchair, met the Jedi master. The man in question fought off additional soldiers before flying off with the child on a stolen speeder. Dodging the warships, the Jedi met with members of the Nabuan Armed Forces, who prepared a ship for him. The two Power holders eventually went to meet with the allies on another planet, while the soldiers fought off additional clones. Overall, it was an exciting episode, but it was especially sweet because of the participation of the aforementioned guest star.
The veteran of “Star Wars” played the role of the savior of Grog
Thus, in an unexpected turn of events, it turns out that the Jedi master who eventually escorted Groga to safety was none other than Kelleran Beck, played by Ja-Ja Binks, actor Ahmed Best. The Star Wars graduate played Beck in the web series The Jedi Temple Challenge, a game show in which children compete to complete an obstacle course as Jedi Padawans. Best is doing a great job with his role in this recent episode, directed by the returning Carl Weathers. He brings a sense of urgency to the role, never giving up the humanity of his character.
Of course, this development is exciting for a number of reasons. The most obvious is that it now firmly anchors Kelleran on the Star Wars timeline. However, there is a deeper reason why many, like me, will definitely appreciate this moment.
This is an auspicious occasion for Ahmed Best after the ups and downs he has experienced
Ahmed Best, unfortunately, has had a mixed relationship with Star Wars fans over the years. When The Hidden Menace was released in 1999, Ja-Ja Binks was disliked by many, and most of the negative reaction may have been directed at the actor himself. Since then, Best has openly talked about fighting the backlash, admitting a few years ago that criticism is still unpleasant. Unfortunately, at one point, Best even admitted that he was thinking about suicide. However, as time passed, many fans took a liking to Ja-Jar, and Best even returned to voice the character in the Clone Wars and several other productions before he was invited to the Jedi Temple challenge. The star herself has also received considerable love from fans in recent years.
With all this in mind, it’s just amazing to see Ahmed Best, who is rumored to have previously appeared in Obi-Wan Kenobi, in “Mandalorian.” The idea that his Kelleran beck is officially introduced into the canon is cool enough, but the fact that beck is now a vital part of it is even better. Moreover, there may be more to tell on this front, since the audience never found out the identity of the “friends” with whom Beck and Grogu were going to meet. Whether the Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni EP will continue this remains to be seen, but I’m just happy with the new details about the inclusion of Grogru and Best.
“Mandalorian” releases new episodes (opens in a new tab) on Wednesdays, and they are available for streaming on a Disney+ subscription. Follow the TV program for 2023, as well as the list of upcoming films and TV series on “Star Wars” from CinemaBlend.
