The Mandalorian Season 3 - 101 Deep Cut Easter Eggs

Here are 101 Star Wars easter eggs, references, and connections from the third season of The Mandalorian!
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[@AlRoderick]

One that isn't quite a Star wars Easter egg but is definitely an Easter egg, when they're watching the security footage of the droids rampaging with Christopher Lloyd, the sound the speeder makes when it takes off is the flying DeLorean sound effect from back to the Future

[@emonerd9795]

It would be an ILM Easter egg which I think is even more impressive

[@myriadmediamusings]

One of my faves, even if it's very minor, was how the TIE Interceptors and TIE Bombers were actually called Interceptors and Bombers. I love it when the Star Wars technology is actually referred to their designation instead of just a standard umbrella term. IIRC, the TIEs haven't been referred to by their ship class in live action yet.

[@tomn6800]

Did they even ever say the word TIE in the original trilogy?

[@jakubszewczyk2850]

Also, the full name of the Kom'rk-class fighter/transport

[@trombaritone86]

I had a similar thought with Din asking R5 to "scomp in". They like to do that in this show. E web blasters. AT-ST (also said in Rogue One, but still), Gozanti class cruiser, etc. It's awesome.

[@IceSpoon]

@@tomn6800 I don't know if the sentence "incoming TIEs!" was used in the original. I remember it from the Rogue Squadron games, though.

[@christianvanvleck2267]

@@tomn6800 Lando says it during the Battle of Endor.

[@FEEDMEKITTENS]

In the scene with the boat approaching it's Bo-Katan who says Nite Owls, and it's as an order to get them to move. The boat appears, Bo says, "Nite Owls." Then immediate Axe replies with, "flanking." I don't think anybody mistook the craft for a creature, it was just her ordering a squad.

[@atophat1791]

I believe when Bo-Katan said “Night Owls, on me” I believe she was telling her troops to follow her

[@RyanK2036]

I also noticed an all black stormtrooper helmet at the bar on Adelphi. To my knowledge, it’s the first canon appearance of what could be a shadow stormtrooper.

[@dr00ku]

not sure if it counts as a reference but the big vegetable pirate’s little sidekick felt like a pretty deliberate homage to mr. smee from peter pan

[@MSeanMcManus]

Oh yes, that was a good one.

[@furonguy42]

I absolutely loved how "March of the Resistance" from the TFA soundtrack made two appearances in subdued forms this season. The upbeat music at Monument Plaza Alex mentions here, and a quieter version of the standard brass instrument rendition in "The Pirate" as Carson Teva departs the Mandalorian enclave in his X-Wing. Recurring musical motifs and callbacks are something I always like to -see- hear in franchises such as Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel or DC.

[@tomn6800]

I love when musical motifs serve as hints.

[@jocastadidntknew5980]

I just love the idea that John Williams’s music is so badass that the Empire and Resistance/New Republic respectively adopted them as official anthems in-universe.

[@Bad_Wolf_Media]

9:32 - Hey, Alex, just a quick note, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee has stated that Steve Blum did NOT perform as Zeb. It was another performer doing the motion capture, though Blum did (obviously) still provide the voice.

[@TigerofRobare]

Two things: Carson Teva's investigation of the shuttle is a reference to the opening of Aliens, when the salvagers investigate Ripley's lifeboat/shuttle. The Quarren captain being called Shoggoth is a reference to HP Lovecraft's "At the Mountains of Madness".

[@MSeanMcManus]

Yes, I'm surprised Shoggoth hasn't been pointed out more.

[@jeffmolsen6336]

I think Captain Shuggoth is named for shoggoths which are creatures from Lovecraft's Cthulhu mythos. Quarren are not similar to shoggoths, but their tentacled faces are reminiscent of Cthulhu which I think is the intended connection/reference.

[@TheWarmachine375]

Moff Gideon: *catches Darksaber* Bo-Katan: "What?!" Moff Gideon: "Nice knife!" *breaks it*

[@ajg1503]

I'm surprised you didn't mention Gideon's parallels to General Grievous. - Gideon telling the Beskar Super Commando that he'd deal with the Mandalorians himself is similar to Grievous's "I'll deal with this Jedi slime myself" - Gideon's uses an electrostaff much like Grievous does against Kenobi on Utapau - both Gideon and Grievous die in a firey explosion arms outstretched Also the Beskar Super Commandos guarding the laser gates had riot shields and batons very closely resembling the First Orders Riot Control Stormtroopers seen in The Force Awakens which isn't the only comparison as the Beskar Super Commandos look like Imperial Super Commandos crossed with First Order Stormtroopers and, obviously the Praetorian Guards most likey being thr predecessors of Snoke's Elite Praetorian Guards

[@evj4082]

But unlike Gideon, Grievous would never destroy the darksabre. It's the finest addition he can add to his collection.

[@MSeanMcManus]

The way Gideon's staff extended also reminds us of Phasma's extending staff.

[@leftygurl]

i think the scene of r5 using its jets to escape the mouse droids might have been intentionally evocative of r2 using his own jets to escape assailing battle droids back in rots. that was the first time we saw them used, i think, it’s fitting to see that technique used again after all this time.

[@PJWB]

I was so ready for R5 to hit em with the ol’ oil and jet

[@Bad_Wolf_Media]

The first time R2 used his rockets was in the droid factory on Geonosis in "Attack of the Clones."

[@OtisCluck]

I imagine the little jets are probably just something all astromech droids have

[@InventorZahran]

@@OtisCluckNot all astromechs have jets, but they're a popular optional accessory. The Rebel Alliance probably fitted jets to all of their droids, so they can traverse rugged terrain or move around in outer space.

[@MacGuyver85]

There are so many references from books and other media I would never "get". So, much appreciated, thank you!

[@denniskristos3800]

The Mandalorians' domed cities architecture is based on the *Bauhaus* architectural movement of the 1930s through the 1950s which eventually gave way to Brutalist design of the 1960s -1970s. Though Mandalorian buildings have basic cube and rectangular structure, they're not based on Cubism per se since "Cubism" was a period/movement in early 20th century painting/drawing/printmaking/sculpture whose prime proponents were Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. The main concept behind Cubist works was to show multiple views (based on deconstruction of the subject) in a singular piece of artwork, be it 2D or 3D.

[@muhammadhabibieamiro3639]

I really like the deep cut reference

[@lettucejuuice8150]

“If that’s not the quacta calling the stifling slimey” best line ever

[@DarthCobay]

Easter Egg 102 - the child mandalorians helmet seems to be influenced by the Boba Fett hasbro helmet from many years ago.

[@alexanderball6326]

I loved the backdoor story arc they gave R5. We got that it served in the rebellion, but with its reluctance to go with Din, one could assume it had some PTSD from that, which it overcame when it flew down into the caves and helped Din save the day

[@ormapa1206]

My favorite Easter eggs was definitely Brendol Hux. His story in aftermath and Phasma is really interesting.

[@livliveart]

Same!! I was so excited for that connection 🤩 (Also Zeb, of course!)

[@gabriel.skywalker44]

I loved this season I really enjoyed seeing more of Bo Katan and Mandalore finally in live action.

[@announcerofgames7754]

If you look at the helmet for Moff Gideon he has horns like Darth Maul does or how Maul’s death watch factions leader invoked Mauls horns as well.

[@InventorZahran]

The Armorer also has horn-like features on her helmet, so I don't know if they're meaningful or just decorative...

[@WrenFJ]

The droid bar has an R9 series astromech droid, which is their first canon appearance AFAIK :))

[@Drikonn]

Speaking of Industrial Light & Magic, I don't know if this has been covered elsewhere, but is Ilum a reference to ILM?

[@MSeanMcManus]

Yes, I remember seeing this mentioned somewhere.

[@armok409]

I dunno if anyone else has pointed this out, but the new super commandos have some armor design elements reminiscent of phase II clone trooper armor, especially with their helmets. Makes me wonder if they're actually all (non-force sensitive) Moff Gideon clones too.

[@packpistolarms]

One Easter egg I noticed, in episode 5, the distraught droid crashing into the rock I think was in the clone wars when obi wan went by himself to investigate mauls reappearance

[@jeyfromnowhere]

Ooh, I picked up on that Expanse nod, too! There was also a Belter-like group with tattoos in an episode of Bad Batch last season.

[@barockwerneck]

For the Q&A: Wild baseless speculation: What if, in a future Mandalorian Wars movie, the New Canon reveals Darth Revan is actually Tarre Vizsla's Sith name?

[@terrakaion]

Yes sir, this one right here. Make it canon. Don’t know nothing about Revan but make this official.

[@BatteredWalrus]

BLX5, lol, bollocks indeed, I’m so happy a droid is called that, I can only assume someone would shout bollocks when they saw that thing coming to ruin your days plan

[@gr8tbigtreehugger]

Loved seeing Ragnar standing beside Axe during the relighting of the Great Forge! Hope we see an adult Ragnar in the New Jedi Order movie.

[@InventorZahran]

If Paz Vizsla is Ragnar's dad, then I wonder who his mom is...

[@aprilsalsburg1331]

"For Mandalor!" is a battle cry for every Mandalorian character in "Knights of the Old Republic" and "Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords" (KOTOR and KOTOR II: TSL respectively) has when they are fighting. The plot to have the Mandalorians reunite is also a KOTOR II plot point.

[@kaloenlovesmetal]

At 10:20 the Quarren's name could be a reference to H.P. and Shoggoth.

[@jeffmolsen6336]

I posted the same before I saw your comment.

[@ScottyHolidaySW]

I completely forgot about the cloning room from the Force Unleashed! Gideon's cloning room definitely bore some similarities. Great video as always!

[@LordDagovere]

Always looking forwars to some Star Wars Explained after a series. Thank you fam. I still enjoyed this season even though I think the previous 2 were better. Can't wait for visions and Ahsoka.

[@vinzgozer]

Hi what is the significance of grogu seeing the Mythosar in the depths and it waking up ( opening its eyes)… do you think they see each other- have a force connection 🤔thanks pat

[@flochforster6892]

When Alex mentioned BD-72 would have been a better replacement for R5 I have to agree. Astromechs are cool and all but we know what they’re capable of at this point. BD-1 was a super cool companion for Cal and the potential to upgrade him was really neat. BD-72 definitely would have been the better choice to take to Mandalore. Like Alex said those droids are literally designed for exploration.

[@MCLegoboy]

I really think that big monster coming out of the ground is a reference to Anguirus, a mutated Ankylosaurus in the library of Kaiju from the Godzilla franchise. If Dave Filoni had any hand in the writing of that scene, it would make sense since he is a fan and given how it was designed, it was very spiky on its back, just like Anguirus. It's missing a few horns on the head and it's tail has a club, but you do have to make some differences in order to avoid copyright.

[@MSeanMcManus]

interesting. I thought that creature was an homage to the "City of Bone" Mythosaur design from the original Star Wars comics by marvel.

[@MCLegoboy]

@@MSeanMcManus I mean, that's certainly possible. I've never read it, but anything and everything in Star Wars is up for grabs in showing up in the Mandoverse, there is no reference too obvious or obscure.

[@TheDarkSlayer415]

I have a feeling the showrunners for Mando are also big fans of Breaking Bad and the Gilliganverse. Of course, Moff Gideon is played by Giancarlo Esposito, best known for his role as Gus Fring, but we’ve also had Bill Burr as Mayfeld who also played Kuby in BB, and Charles Baker, who played Skinny Pete in BB, played one of the Mandalorian survivors in the last two episodes. If S4 continues this trend, I think Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul should appear as death-stick or spice dealers.

[@TigerofRobare]

Din could meet a contact at a chain restaurant called Nerf Brothers

[@OtisCluck]

After episode seven of this season came out, I saw a lot of people joke that Grogu would kill Moff Gideon the same way that the guy in the wheelchair kills Gustavo Fring in BB

[@tastywaffle]

I think the young Mon Calamari nobleman we see at the beginning of chapter 22 might be the same one there was a bounty on in season 1. I think Greef offered it to Din.

[@stanley5745]

I may be imagining it, but the music that's playing during the mind flayer scene in episode 3 sounds a lot like Jabba's Baroque Recital from the ROTJ soundtrack.

[@derekmak1781]

If his plan actually happened then there would be a bunch of Gideons with red lightsabers in Dark Trooper suits and that would have given the Mandalorians a real workout.

[@ChipsAhoyMatey]

You say, “I believe,” a lot. But I believe you- so it’s all good.

[@cpr1009]

Also "It makes sense.."

[@jackychang9148]

Surprised you didn't mention how Din stood exactly like Boba in Jabba's Palace when Greef was confronting the pirates outside the school.

[@peteLeeBell]

Great work, dude👍🏾

[@RogueDakotan]

Idk if it counts as an easter egg but the little kid Mando helmets seemed pretty clearly to be propified Boba Fett mask toys you could like get at Target a few years ago

[@MoonjumperReviews]

Here’s a fun deep cut relating to the Boonta Eve races. Most people know them from “The Phantom Menace,” however fewer people know their actual introduction in 1985’s “Star Wars: Droids.” The “Boonta” races (by name) were the subject of a four-episode arc in “Star Wars: Droids,” which also featured Boba Fett as a key antagonist. In TPM, Boba’s father, Jango, directly name-drops “Boonta” racing that will one day be visited by a certain pair of droids running from his son Boba, which was intended as a direct reference to the 80s cartoon series.

[@mikusfajigus]

not sure if it is connected, but in episode 2 of the show, the bounty that Mando is about to leave for when he turns back to get grogu, is for a mon cala prince.

[@otwovv]

My favorite reference was one that wasn't from Star Wars but from M*A*S*H, with the character of Tim Meadows, Colonel Tuttle, referencing Captain Tuttle (Season 01, Episode 15) who was an imaginary captain used for shenanigans and was itself a reference to Lieutenant Kijé, a soviet novel.

[@michaelsullivan3581]

And, of course, "Seaman Hornsby" from "Operation Petticoat"!

[@christianvanmater3233]

Not sure how many people caught this, but Trapper Wolf, Dave Filoni's character, appears again in the finale when Mando meets with Carson Teva. If you listen carefully, you can hear him speaking. I heard him mention Plo Koon and the Clone Wars. I'm not kidding, listen closely.

[@khronokraze]

May have missed the shot and mention. But, in the final S3 ep., Near the very end, wasn't that Dave Filoni sitting at the bar in the background with the western looking hat?

[@michaelsullivan3581]

Yup!

[@mattdawg83686]

Holy cow, it has been almost 40 years since ROTJ was released. I was ten!

[@mel_miniatures3356]

Extra thing: "Shuggoth", the quarren captain's name, is a reference to Cthulhu Mythos "Shoggoth", since a quarren and Cthulhu look alike

[@HunterTheHero]

The Jet Troopers in Chapters 23 and 24 look very reminiscent to First Order troopers. I think this might mean the Empire is evolving to the First Order just because their troopers need more invincible suits to become unstoppable.

[@UnseenBubby]

Alex didn't mention it, but the Gorian's Ugnaught first mate has a costume that seems to deliberately evoke Smee, Captain Hook's first mate in Peter Pan.

[@Sounds_And_Vistas]

8:50 not sure if it was a slip or mentioned as an afterthought but during Doug Chiang’s panel at SWCE he called it Padmé’s ship…

[@InventorZahran]

We saw Padmé using (and losing) several ships of that class during the Clone Wars show, so the one we see in The Mandalorian is probably just another. The Naboo royals sure do seem to have a lot of H-type yachts to throw around...

[@RaithGyaron]

People have made this observation before but Grogu in IG-13 is like Crang and his android from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Though I think it was foreshadowing Moff Gideon's own mechanized suite.

[@SSGTStryker]

I’m really surprised no one has mentioned the CZ-series secretary/business communications droid. Like CZ-1 who was in the Jawa Sandcrawler. You can see him getting cut off by the bartender. It’s hilarious 😂

[@robertbush7530]

The praetorian guards chest armour is also the same as the first order stormtroopers

[@jocastadidntknew5980]

I’m surprised you didn’t mention how Gideon’s Super Commandos took inspiration from unused TFA concept art for the Stormtrooper! Nice parallel to TK Troopers in Bad Batch using unused concept art from A New Hope!

[@matthew_thefallen]

Little non star wars easter egg: The Quarren captain's name, Shuggoth, is a clear reference to a Shoggoth and the planet Yuggoth from H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos and it's so fitting! :)

[@gleevan_gaming]

You forgot at the market when Grogu is piloting IG12 there’s a meiloorun fruit from Star Wars Rebels.

[@MrJamesDuffy]

Every time Grogu plays with rocks, I think about how Luke Skywalker said the force is about more than lifting rocks yet the Jedi seem to never give up an opportunity to move rocks.

[@ajzeg01]

We also learn that astromech periscopes can detach and be used as probes.

[@baronvonslapnuts]

So when the Mandos were trying to save Ragnar from the nest they all ran out of fuel, but Axe has enough fuel in his jetpack to fly into orbit? The Night Owls could teach the Armourer a few things about jetpack fuel efficiency, apparently.

[@Warriorten10]

If it's only around 60 miles to get into space, Axe could've gotten to the ship in, say, 30 minutes vs the hour or so it seemed like they were following the bird

[@mitwhitgaming7722]

I also kinna assumed they may not have had their jet packs fully fueled if they weren't expecting to go anywhere.

[@18Krieger]

Besides the other good points, the Children of the watch might use less effective Jetpacks or lesser fuel.

[@xxJOE6210xx]

Assuming Mandalore is similar to Earth, getting above the clouds like that would be about 4 miles up. You can also see the blue skies when he gets into the bay of the light cruiser - you wouldn't see that if they were actually up in orbit.

[@andiparker3733]

The Mon Calamari son of a nobleman in Guns For Hire is possibly the same one Greef Karga mentions as a bounty to Mando in the very first episode...

[@gabormolnar7961]

The design of the pilot droid at 05:08 and also one of Karga's protocol droids is almost identical to C-3PO's original Ralph McQuarrie concept art.

[@Wills-Corner]

4:25 wait, I thought the first time we saw the Mythosaur was in the Holiday Special. I know its not canon, but chronologically, that was the Mythosaur's first appearance.

[@maikomarx]

I swear I saw Dave Filoni and his hat in the last episode at the bar where Din Djarin offers to work for the New Republic.

[@christianvanmater3233]

He's there. Listen carefully, and you can hear him speaking. I'm not joking.

[@Darren_Harper]

Do we know who the Stetson wearing resistance pilot at the bar at the end of chapter 24 is? He looks familiar.

[@michaelsullivan3581]

Yes.

[@josermaiz]

My fav Easter eggs beq also he was in phantom of menace talking to plo koon. Also I love clone Gideons.

[@Agentcproductionss]

Ig11 crawling on the floor reminded me of general grievous guards in the ROTS video game

[@Drowzeeking04]

Maybe the Croco-turtle eating the Dragon thing is a reference to the Mosasaur eating a Pteranodon from Jurassic World. (Both having effects done by ILM). And I think that robot thing that kidnaps Din reminded me a lot of Mad God, which was made by Star Wars effects Artist Phil Tippet.

[@trickster20644]

Not a Star Wars reference, but what about the fact that Gideon goes out in a fiery explosion, similar Gian Carlo Espisito's other famous role, that of Gustavo Fring from Breaking Bad?

[@blaykegroves7757]

Did anybody else catch the Han Solo cameo at the rebel base in the season finale? …just me?

[@MaxWelton]

2:18 “Kuh-LAY-vuh-lah”

[@TWJedi]

Loved season 3!

[@OldWhitebelly]

I assume "Belters" was a reference to Larry Niven's Known Space books.

[@seanpatrickcain2]

I heard Carl Weathers wants to direct a Greef Karga movie.

[@shogunate6645]

I always look to these

[@declanokeeffe2435]

The wookiepedia article pershing listens to is voiced by Shelby Young who plays Princess Leia in Rebels and the skywalker saga

[@meredithbeyer-alldridge6758]

My fav small Easter egg was the Ugnaught dressed as Smee from Peter Pan in The Pirate.

[@LigOFE]

Heya, just so you know, the Gleeson brothers irish names are pronounced differently to the English sounds they resemble. Brian is pronounced Bree-an, the first syllable like Brie, the French cheese. Domhnall’s first syllable is like dough, not like the first syllable of Donald ✌🏻✌🏻

[@henriqueabreu8076]

I don't know how I've missed the "it was a trap" reference. Even though Ackbar is the most iconic Mon Calamari, there's many more who have much more character development, so I don't usually associate the face to the reference, at first.

[@WEGD6]

The landvehicle reminded my of old Rodney Mathews Artwork from the 70s and 90s or the Slanderscree ice rigger from the Tran-Ky-Ky Novels by Alen Dean Foster

[@Jander833]

I'm pretty sure Shuggoth's name is a Lovecraft reference

[@templarterry594]

There was a tk 2755 line in the show that i feel like was a fives reference

[@tjross1313]

Did anyone mention that Din Grogu was eating chicky nuggies at the end of the episode?????

[@michaelsullivan3581]

TRUE1

[@joshfactor1]

well, of course he returned; it wouldn't be the same without matty boy

[@garypfeiffer3489]

Again, Crocdilians are not dinosaurs. They're only Distantly related

[@MaxWelton]

11:10 His name is Bollocks???

[@aaronmichael6792]

Are we not considering Gideons helmet a nod to Mauls rule of Mandalore or is there a deeper cut reference im misisng

[@MaxWelton]

9:32 who is Steve Bloom????????

[@TeeKay1969]

is that accidental or on purpose that the Headpiece Duchess Sateen wears has the blue decorations or earrings on it of the same shape as Mythosaurs tusks....

[@brandontidwell9531]

Weren’t tie interceptors in rogue one?

[@Elvisbackpack]

TIE Strikers were, which are basically half Interceptors, but I don't remember seeing any actual Interceptors. Closest to this was a hologram for First Order Interceptors in TLJ.

[@TheMigMan3225]

Cubism isn't about cubes it's that blocky style of art. When they reference it I'm star wars they are talking about the mural

[@SW_Super_Fan]

Hi

[@yourmomsaccount69]

I really like that the fandom seems to be healing from its super toxic treatment of the actors involved in the movies. It really seemed like Hayden Christensen was feeling the love at Star Wars Celebration this year. Everyone was super emotional. ❤ I hope it continues!!

[@brianfromTX]

Hah, “Dr. Ball” was a Seth Green coined name, right? Dr. Ball was “just an old fool” :P

[@Bleakmidwntr850]

Still crazy to think moaning myrtle is all anzelins

[@ljc5277]

Kelloran Bec is boss