Warning: Contains spoilers for The Book of Boba Fett.

A smart Disney Star Wars retcon in The Book of Boba Fett improves Paz Vizsla's story. The heavy infantry Mandalorian was introduced in The Mandalorian show as having a great disdain for anything associated with the Empire, and even fought Din Djarin for using Imperial-seized beskar to create his armor. Originally credited as Paz Vizla in the series, Disney later tweaked his name and it was a small change that had a greater impact than one might think.

It's far from the first time that a major franchise has retconned certain details to fit with a new story, especially for a world as large as that of Star Wars. Regardless of whether it was intentional, Book of Boba Fett episode 5 makes a tiny retcon to a minor character that ultimately improves both him and the larger narrative. When he initially debuted in episode 3 of The Mandalorian, he was a seemingly new character with no significant attachments to the wider Star Wars lore, but the show's credits have since been altered.

Related: The Mandalorian: Who Plays Paz Vizla (Under The Armor)

The name change to Paz Vizsla in Book of Boba Fett, complete with a spelling retcon in The Mandalorian, is so subtle that some viewers may miss it altogether, but it's important for the character as well as Mandalorian history. Book of Boba Fett episode 5 confirms that he belongs to House Vizsla, which used to be one of the largest political factions on Mandalore. Notable members of the Vizsla clan, which led House Vizsla, have been featured in other Disney Star Wars works like Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. In the Clone Wars, Pre Vizsla infamously led the Death Watch in their mission to restore Mandalore's warrior heritage by ending their era of pacifism using any means necessary, even temporarily allying with the Sith Lord Maul to do so. Another historic member, Tarre Vizsla, was the first Mandalorian Jedi and was responsible for creating the legendary Darksaber. So Paz Vizla now being Paz Vizla is loaded with significance.

paz-vizsla-darksaber

Regardless of whether the Vizla spelling was intentional, or just a mistake in The Mandalorian credits, it makes sense to change Paz Vizsla's name to make him a part of the Vizsla clan. His house's dark history makes his hatred of the Empire more personal, and also explains his pull to the Darksaber. Even though his expressions are hidden by his helmet, Paz Vizsla is clearly drawn to the Darksaber from the moment he lays eyes on it in Book of Boba Fett, and he even tries to win it from Din Djarin in a duel. Such a small retcon provides context for Paz Vizsla's motivations. The Darksaber's connection to his clan not only gives him a sense of ownership over it, but also further highlights the weapon's complicated past.

Changing Paz Vizsla's name connects him to a rich Mandalorian history and fleshes out one of the more minor characters in both The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. Although the creators may never confirm if the original spelling was intentional, the retcon was a smart choice for Disney. Hopefully, Star Wars will continue to explore the complexities of Mandalore's culture in future stories.

Next: Star Wars: Why There's Only Ever Been One Mandalorian Jedi

Episodes of The Book of Boba Fett stream Wednesdays on Disney+.

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