Andor is set to release on Disney+ later this year, and it represents a new standard for the mountains Star Wars can make out of molehills. It’s a full series based on the life of a single character who appears in one film, which was dedicated entirely to depicting a single minor moment in the original trilogy. Meanwhile, at least in one case so far, the series has shown an impressive level of restraint when it comes to a couple of its most beloved characters.
RELATED: Why Baby Yoda Is The Future Of Star Wars
Yoda was introduced as the mysterious master of the Force who could give Luke the skill he needed to defeat the empire. When he was introduced, he appeared as a mad swamp hermit who spoke in a bizarre dialect and insisted on piggyback rides. He swiftly reveals himself to be the Jedi Master he was sold as, a hilarious subversion followed by a crucial role as a mentor. The strange thing is, fans haven’t learned much more about Yoda since that initial introduction. The prequels showed off his days on the council of Jedi Masters and his first action scene in the franchise. The Last Jedi saw him briefly reappear as a Force ghost. The Clone Wars series let fans see more of his leadership and combat strategy in the period before he exiled himself to Dagobah. But there has been no information in the franchise regarding his home planet, species, or early life. This kept the character mysterious, but other members of Yoda’s unknown people have occasionally popped up.
The first Star Wars character that resembled Yoda’s species was a member of the Jedi Council named Yaddle. She doesn’t speak in her only appearance. She’s on that important body of judgment in The Phantom Menace, then off of it by the time of Attack of the Clones. Basically, nothing is known about her other than what can be gleaned from her physical appearance. But, her arrival was the first suggestion that Yoda is part of a larger species. Another member of that species wouldn’t appear for thirty years, but when one finally did, he swiftly became the face of his corner of the franchise.
Grogu is a youngling of Yoda’s species, only fifty years old in his current appearances. Yoda was around 900 years old upon his death, so it may be a while before Grogu enters his prime. Grogu’s name wasn’t revealed until midway through season 2 of The Mandalorian, so the series referred to him internally as The Child for the majority of his existence. The fan base, however, christened the little green lad Baby Yoda, and that name stuck. The young Jedi turned Mandalorian foundling was raised on Coruscant, but his origin before that point is unknown. TThe series had a chance to delve deeper into Yoda’s species, planet, or lore, but it has actively chosen to leave that part of the galaxy unexplored.
So, why does this specific aspect of the ever-expanding Star Wars universe need to go unexplained? George Lucas describes Yoda as a mystical and magical figure, and that kind of character needs mystery to work. When he’s introduced, the audience knows only as much about Yoda as Luke learns from Obi-Wan. Grogu is just a swaddled infant, he still doesn’t speak a word out loud throughout the series. The role that these characters play in the franchise is better served by having them appear as if from nowhere and change everything with their presence.
This level of restraint is rare for Star Wars. Han Solo worked better as a character with a sense of mystery surrounding him, but the prospect of a full film dedicated to him was still too tantalizing for Disney to pass up. Boba Fett is almost entirely ruined by too much information, yet the franchise persists in a full series for the character. Somehow, Yoda and his ilk have been spared the profitable disgrace of a needless full solo project.
There will likely never be a solo film or series for Yoda. Grogu might enjoy that treatment, but it will probably concern the character’s future, rather than his past. Star Wars, and all franchise media, should learn from the example they’ve set with characters like Yoda. Characters serve specific roles and not every one of them needs a mountain of backstory or personal lore. Yoda is the mystical guide that helps heroes do what they need to do. Grogu is a powerful child who is still finding his place in a complicated universe. That’s all fans know about these characters because that’s all the story needs them to know.
MORE: The Mandalorian Art Book Features Emotional Grogu & Din Djarin Moment
