- "Fighters, arm yourselves."
- ―The Mandalorian judge oversees a training match
The Mandalorian judge was a human member of a Mandalorian covert on a rocky desert planet. There, he was present for the foundling Ragnar's swearing of the Mandalorian Creed and the dinosaur turtle attack that interrupted it. The judge also watched the former Mandalorian apostates Din Djarin and Bo-Katan Kryze be declared redeemed and welcomed into the covert.
Later on, the judge oversaw training matches between Mandalorian younglings, including Ragnar and the infant alien Grogu, though he had been doubtful with Grogu's size. He guided children to safety when a Raptor snatched Ragnar, later watching Ragnar's return after being rescued. Sometime after, the judge was present when the New Republic pilot Carson Teva passed on news of a pirate siege on the planet Nevarro, Djarin when gathering the covert and convincing them to intervene.
Biography
Turtling
Around 9 ABY,[4] the human[1] Mandalorian was a member of a Mandalorian covert which was part of the[5] Children of the Watch, a sect of Mandalorians that followed the ancient Way of the Mandalore.[6] The covert resided on a rocky desert[5] planet,[7] where the Mandalorian was a judge for training fights between foundlings.[3] One day, the judge joined a ceremony for the foundling Ragnar's swearing of the Mandalorian Creed on a beach beside the covert's cave. The Mandalorian stood with a blue banner with white symbols while Ragnar received his helmet from the covert's leader, "the Armorer." During the swearing, however, a[5] dinosaur turtle[8] attacked the covert. While many of the adult Mandalorians began firing on the creature, the judge began guiding a Mandalorian youngling towards the cave, with the Heavy Infantry Mandalorian Paz Vizsla,[5] Ragnar's father,[3] ordering the rest of the young ones to get inside.[5]
The Mandalorian judge (just right to the center) helped fight against the dinosaur turtle
As the fight with the dinosaur turtle continued, the Mandalorian judge remained at the entrance to the cave, firing with his blaster pistol, while other Mandalorians tried to use grappling lines. The judge made a slow advance with other blaster-drawn Mandalorians as those using the lines were thrown around. The covert was forced to recede their line of defense when the creature was able to advance forward, but they were saved when the apostate Mandalorian Din Djarin arrived with his N-1 starfighter, killing the beast with his proton torpedos. With the threat over, many Mandalorians began gathering to see Djarin land.[5]
Djarin's redemption
After speaking with the Armorer,[5] Djarin traveled to the planet Mandalore, the homeworld of the Mandalorians, to bathe in the Living Waters in the mines of Mandalore in order to redeem himself for removing his helmet in front of others. He successfully bathed in the waters, with the help of the Mandalorian Nite Owl and revolutionary Bo-Katan Kryze, who had to rescue him when he fell into a deep part.[9] The pair then returned to the covert on the desert planet.[10]
The Mandalorian judge watched Din Djarin and Bo-Katan Kryze's return
As Djarin and Kryze arrived, the judged joined a group of other Mandalorians which came out to see them, led by Vizsla. The Heavy Infantry Mandalorian attempted to turn the visitors away, but Djarin offered proof that he had bathed in the Living Waters inside a flask, the judge turning to his comrades as the apparent apostate made his claim. The group thus went to the Armorer to test the proof. The judge watched as the Armorer confirmed that the flask carried some of the Living Waters, making Djarin and Kryze redeemed. The Mandalorians congratulated the pair afterwards.[10]
Mediations
- "Each has three darts. You may fire the darts in any order. Each direct hit scores one point. The mark must be visible to score. One round. Highest score wins."
- ―The judge lays down the rules of Grogu and Ragnar's match
Later on, the covert trained in combat on the beach. There the Mandalorian judge mediated one-on-one fights between Mandalorians, announcing the winner when one submitted or was defeated. After the judge oversaw a fight where Ragnar defeated another youngling, he spoke with another Mandalorian until Djarin came and offered his foundling, the alien Grogu, as a challenger. The Mandalorian judge claimed Grogu was too small, but as the foundling's ward, Djarin insisted he proceed. The mediator then asked what weapon, Djarin giving that choice to the challenged, Ragnar. Ragnar chose darts as the challenge, and so the Mandalorian judge told his comrade to bring the training darts.[3]
The Mandalorian judge oversees Ragnar and Grogu's training match
When the darts arrived, the Mandalorian judge had Grogu and Ragnar arm themselves. He then explained the rules of the game: each contender had three darts, which they could fire in any order, and the highest amount of direct hits won. The judge said when to begin, Ragnar firing a direct hit on Grogu for the first two times. At the third go-ahead, though, Grogu leaped to dodge the shot before firing into Rangar's chest thrice, outplaying the other youngling. The judge announced Grogu as the victor, and Ragnar walked off towards the shore. That was when a Raptor swooped down and snatched the losing youngling, taking him away. The judge joined other Mandalorians in retreating into the cave while Vizsla, Djarin, and two others made pursuit of the creature.[3]
Kryze was able to track down the Raptor's nest, and led a group of Mandalorians including Djarin and Vizsla to rescue Ragnar. When Kryze's Gauntlet starfighter returned from the mission, the Mandalorian judge was with a youngling and went over towards the ship with the other Mandalorians of the covert. Vizsla came out of the Gauntlet starfighter with Ragnar, and the covert cheered for them, the judge among them. The Mandalorian judge also watched three Raptor younglings get brought out of the Gauntlet, as their parent had been killed in saving Ragnar. Watching the creatures be brought out, the judge spoke with another Mandalorian, shaking his head.[3]
A call for help
The Mandalorian judge was present for Carson Teva's visit to the covert
Sometime after, the New Republic pilot Carson Teva located the covert after tracking Djarin's astromech droid R5-D4. When the pilot approached the covert's cave, the Mandalorian judge and some of his comrades came out, led by Vizsla. The judge watched as the Heavy Infantry Mandalorian told Teva to clear out. Djarin also came out, passing the judge, and Teva gave Djarin a message he had received from the latter's friend, High Magistrate Greef Karga of the planet Nevarro, explaining that Karga's world had been invaded by pirates.[11]
Seeking to help Karga, Djarin help a meeting with the other Mandalorians around a fire in the caves. Seated at the right side of the audience, the Mandalorian judge watched Djarin call on the covert to help Nevarro, offering an opportunity to settle there afterwards and stop being in hiding. The judge conversed with a Mandalorian during the talk. Taking the stage, Vizsla raised the question of why they were laying their lives down for Nevarro's people, the Mandalorian judge nodding in response. The Vizsla went on to explain that it was because that they were Mandalorian, citing Djarin and Kryze's efforts to rescue his son Ragnar and giving his support to help Nevarro.[11]
Personality and traits
- "He challenges."
"He is too small."
"I am his ward. Proceed." - ―Djarin and the judge
The judge oversaw training of younglings
The Mandalorian judge could be regularly seen consulting Mandalorian younglings and mediated training matches between them.[3] In events of attacks from creatures, he guided younglings to safety first and foremost.[5][3] When Djarin offered Grogu as a challenger for the training matches, the judge was doubtful of the foundling's size, but was prompted to proceed when Djarin identified himself as Grogu's ward.[3]
Equipment
- "What weapon?"
"Let the challenged decide." - ―The judge and Djarin
The judge wore Mandalorian armor plating painted with maroon, light gray, and orange colors and fitted over a gray jumpsuit. He also donned brown boots, a dark green cape over his left shoulder, and a brown belt that holstered a blaster pistol on his right hip. The Mandalorian had an orange helmet and jetpack, as well as green and gray vambraces and a white kneepad rocket dart launcher on his right knee.[3]
Behind the scenes
The Mandalorian judge first appeared in "Chapter 17: The Apostate," the season three debut of the Disney+ series Star Wars: The Mandalorian which was released on[5] March 1, 2023.[12] Footage of the judge was teased prior to the season's debut, starting with the teaser trailer on September 10, 2022.[13] In the season's fourth episode, "Chapter 20: The Foundling," he was credited as "Mandalorian Judge" with Jason Chu as the actor.[3]
Appearances
Star Wars: The Mandalorian — "Chapter 17: The Apostate" (First appearance)- The Mandalorian – The Graphic Novel of Season 3
Star Wars: The Mandalorian — "Chapter 19: The Convert"
Star Wars: The Mandalorian — "Chapter 20: The Foundling"
Star Wars: The Mandalorian — "Chapter 21: The Pirate"
Star Wars: The Mandalorian — "Chapter 23: The Spies"
Star Wars: The Mandalorian — "Chapter 24: The Return"
Sources
The Mandalorian | Season 3 Teaser Trailer | Disney+ on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link) (Posted on StarWars.com) (First pictured)
This Week! in Star Wars All the D23 Expo News, a First Look at Phase II of The High Republic, and More! on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link) (Posted on StarWars.com)The Mandalorian | Season 3 Official Trailer | Disney+ on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link) (Posted on StarWars.com)
Phenomenon | The Mandalorian | Disney+ on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link) (Posted on StarWars.com)
Ready | The Mandalorian | Disney+ on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Bounty Hunting Highlights: 5 of Our Favorite Moments from The Mandalorian - "Chapter 17: The Apostate" on StarWars.com (backup link)Redemption | The Mandalorian | Disney+ on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Review | The Mandalorian | Disney+ on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Bounty Hunting Highlights: 5 of Our Favorite Moments from The Mandalorian - "Chapter 19: The Convert" on StarWars.com (backup link)
Mando Download: "Chapter 19: The Convert" on StarWars.com (backup link)
Star Wars: The Vintage Collection (Pack: #321: Mandalorian Judge) (backup link)- Star Wars Encyclopedia: The Comprehensive Guide to the Star Wars Galaxy (First identified as Mandalorian judge)
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Star Wars Encyclopedia: The Comprehensive Guide to the Star Wars Galaxy
- ↑
Star Wars: The Mandalorian — "Chapter 20: The Foundling" (Audio description from Disney+)
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16
Star Wars: The Mandalorian — "Chapter 20: The Foundling"
- ↑ Star Wars: Timelines dates the events of "Chapter 1: The Mandalorian" of The Mandalorian Season One to 9 ABY. In addition,
"A Certain Point of View" — Star Wars Insider 228 also dates "Part Seven: Dreams and Madness" to nine years after the events of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, which corresponds to 9 ABY per Timelines. "Part Seven: Dreams and Madness" takes place after the conflict on Mandalore, which is the main event depicted in "Chapter 23: The Spies" and "Chapter 24: The Return," the final two episodes of The Mandalorian Season Three. Therefore, Seasons One through Three of Star Wars: The Mandalorian, the latter of which includes "Chapter 17: The Apostate," must all be set in 9 ABY as well.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8
Star Wars: The Mandalorian — "Chapter 17: The Apostate"
- ↑
Star Wars: The Mandalorian — "Chapter 11: The Heiress"
- ↑
Star Wars: The Mandalorian — "Chapter 19: The Convert" (Audio description from Disney+)
- ↑
Star Wars: The Mandalorian — "Chapter 17: The Apostate"
- ↑
Star Wars: The Mandalorian — "Chapter 18: The Mines of Mandalore"
- ↑ 10.0 10.1
Star Wars: The Mandalorian — "Chapter 19: The Convert"
- ↑ 11.0 11.1
Star Wars: The Mandalorian — "Chapter 21: The Pirate"
- ↑
Star Wars (@starwars) on Twitter (post on December 1, 2022): "The Mandalorian and Grogu return March 1 only on @DisneyPlus." (backup link)