The Mandalorian season 2 needs to make the galaxy feel bigger. Season 1 of Disney+ show may have leaned heavily into its more grounded and intimate Western and samurai film influences, but as Disney+ inches its way closer to season 2, there are a few things that can help to make the universe feel bigger in a way that is undeniably Star Wars. Based on the information released by the show creators, it is possible that such an expansion is in the Sabacc cards.

At the end of the first season of The Mandalorian's action-packed and heartstring-pulling finale, Din Djarin (played by Pedro Pascal) vows to deliver Baby Yoda to his people, setting the stage for a season of planet-hopping adventures and a glimpse into previously unseen parts of the galaxy. With casting announcements including the return of Temuera Morrison as Boba Fett and the addition of Rosario Dawson as the fan favorite Ahsoka Tano, there's a big chance that Jon Favreau and company plan on zooming out of its tight focus on Din Djarin and exploring corners of the galaxy that have so long been shrouded in mystery. Assuming that these previously existing characters - with their connections to other established characters and monumental in-universe events - cross paths with the heroes of The Mandalorian, all things point to a simultaneous return to familiar territory and a further complication in the audience’s knowledge of the universe’s mythology.

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For season one, viewers were treated to a handful of planets that were home to some of the most striking landscapes (some familiar and others completely new) seen in the franchise. This was achieved, in part, by Favreau's utilization of some cutting-edge filming technology, including what director Bryce Dallas Howard calls "The Volume." Essentially a large Holodeck-like room that uses gargantuan LED screens, "The Volume" allows for quick changes in scenery during filming without the need for physically changing location. Despite the resulting effective visuals, there were perhaps not as many scenes set in space as other entries in the Star Wars Universe. But given the escape of Din Djarin and Baby Yoda at end of last season, the potential shifts as they will have a lot of ground to cover before locating the Child's home planet. By spending more time in the vastness of space during their journey, the audience will be served a visual reminder of just how expansive this universe is and has always been.

The Mandalorian Baby Yoda

The vastness of the universe can also be represented by its ever-expanding mythology. In season one of The Mandalorian, watchers were left with more questions with answers as to just how the series fits in to the larger narrative of the franchise. But with the previously mentioned additions of Boba Fett and Ahsoka, there seems to be a hint toward using the Disney+ series to connect the various Star Wars stories, including the film and animated series. With so much mystery surrounding both The Child and the show's titular character, is it possible that inclusion of Ahsoka's experience with the Force and Fett's connection to Mandalorian culture, respectively, will provide more information about our heroes, the Force, and the Star Wars overarching timeline? If so, there is great potential in filling in gaps previously left open by other entries, creating a more detailed, universe with wider possibilities.

However, just like the Force, using The Mandalorian as Star Wars' connective tissue is all about balance, as embodied with fan backlash for The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalkerthe former criticized for its departure from established canon and the latter for its slavish adherence to past storylines. But with the resounding success and reception of The Mandalorianseason 1, a case has been made for exploring middle space where we are able to follow new characters in a familiar universe, exploring corners that have always existed in the periphery - and without anyone with the name Skywalker or Palpatine. Now with the setup for season 2, it appears that exploration of the franchise's locations and mythology will continue as Favreau and his fellow creators bridge the old with the new to expand and re-contextualize the galaxy far far away.

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