A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away...

Mandalorian (2019)
Miniseries (S1-S2)

A confession is in order here. When my classmates in 1977 were ranting on and on about a new movie in town, my curiosity was aroused. What was all the fuss about, I wondered. Every free moment, during school recess and between the change of subjects, all they could talk about was 'Star Wars'. Some were even holding fat paperbacks of 'Star Wars' related books as their badge of honour like their lives depended on them. All the hubbub piqued my interest; I decided to pick a ticket at the local cinema to see what the brouhaha was all about.

I was mesmerised by make-belief vast outer space, the space ships and the various alien forms that form the storyline. And I loved the stormtrooper costume but was baffled by their bumbling incompetence and terrible soldiering skills. Unfortunately, the plot was too complicated for me to comprehend—Alderaan, Death Star, Republic, Resistance, Ewok and such were too much for me.

Over the years, the sequels start manifesting, and the initial offering become Episode 4, and there were prequels. Some even write 'Jedi' as their religion in their airline disembarkation cards! There were cartoons, and there was Star Wars merchandise which actually earned more money for George Lucas.

Now another addition to the Star Wars family is Mandalorian. It is an exciting tale that centres around a warrior-race fighter bounty hunter assigned a child, actually a 50-year Yoda-like being, who looks like an infantile Yoda, to take to a place where his powers can be harnessed. Along the way, he has to perform specific tasks to know where to place the child. The Mandalorian seems to carry a lot of secrets and is secretive about everything, including his name. He only reveals his face and name towards the end of Season 2. 

I was trying to place this story in the timeline of Star Wars. After cracking my head, I thought it must have pre-dated all the episodes put together, that the child would grow up to be Yoda, the wise one. Wrong. In the last episode, Luke Skywalker shows up in the form of a digitally modified young Mark Hamill to receive Grogu, the baby's name to train him as a Jedi. What, Luke is already a Jedi? Luke training him? My bubble burst. A quick check online revealed the real story.

These events apparently took place after Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.

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0 BBY – Before the Battle of Yavin, first assault on the Death Star in 'A New Hope'.

The Mandalorian takes place in 9 ABY – nine years after 'A New Hope' and, interestingly, five years after the Emperor’s defeat in 'Return of the Jedi'. A breakdown of where The Mandalorian takes place in the Star Wars timeline. 

REF: https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/4325847849664620954/8391446437981195822#.

• Star Wars: The Phantom Menace – 32 BBY
• Star Wars: Attack of the Clones – 22 BBY
• The Clone Wars – 22 BBY-19 BBY
• Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith – 19 BBY
• Solo: A Star Wars Story – 13 BBY – 10 BBY
• Star Wars Rebels – 5 BBY – 1 BBY
• A New Hope – 0 BBY
• The Empire Strikes Back – 3 ABY
• Return of the Jedi – 4 ABY
• The Mandalorian – 9 ABY
• Star Wars: The Force Awakens – 34 ABY
• Star Wars: The Last Jedi – 34 ABY
• Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – 35 ABY

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Is it all about me or about us?

It started with the desire to maintain status quo to eternity, that the descendants of the rulers and their entourage should take charge forever and ever. Ceremonies were organised in their guise of appeasing the divine forces. Who the heck knows whether the celestial bodies existed or not in the first place but it just suits everybody fine. The upper ruling class were on the throne while the working class labouring for them. Nice.

Everyone was told that we live for the society. Our primary aim, our reason for existence is for the continuity and well-being of the community. In that way, everyone was kept contended. Every soul, the weak, the sick, the handicapped were bestowed upon them the title that they hold a special place in the lap of the Gods. In that way, the rest of the living took it upon themselves that the others have their place in the sun.

Soon the ignorant one became wiser as their feeble minds start wandering. They could buy their stories anymore. The fables had more holes than the beggar’s tattered clothes. Then the wise gurus came up with yet another new philosophy. To attain newer heights in human endeavour, the answer is within oneself. The human mind holds the secrets of the universe. After all the blueprint of the near beginning is embedded within us. It is just for us to unravel. Introspection is the answer. It was hoped that by each trying to discover himself, to know thyself, peace can be attained.

Soon everyone became self-centred. They became self-centred. Nobody wanted to miss the boat. All that mattered to him was his welfare, not that of his neighbour. He wanted salvation. He cared less about his fellow being’s suffering. Compassion became a foreign word. In his eyes, he only wished to see roses, not the thorny reality of life. Even the sight of a hungry baby suckling on a nursing breast appears vulgar to him. He talks about his wants, his right, his liberty and his space. Mayhem ensues.

Soon people yearn for the time not far back in the distant past when the powers-that-be thought of an economic plan when equality and social justice was given paramount importance. They promised of a utopia where everyone was appreciated for his labour and is a slave to money. Unfortunately, the world which could satisfy the needs of all the citizens of the world just could not meet up with their greed.