United in Mando

Disney has done it. After five years of wandering through the wilderness of George Lucas’ empire, they’ve done it.

There’s a Star Wars property that pretty much every one in the universe is on board with being awesome.

The Mandalorian , the Disney Plus series based on Lucas’ Star Wars, is a smash hit. It’s more popular than Stranger Things.

Baby Yoda is dominating social media and the internet. I mean seriously, right this minute, switch over to your Facebook timeline and see how long it takes to find a Baby Yoda meme. If it’s not five seconds, I owe you a Diet Coke.

Favreau and Filoni get Star Wars. Filoni worked extremely close with Lucas during Clone Wars initial run, challenging each other to create a beloved animated series. (Check out the commentaries on the old Blu-Ray releases).

Favreau is money. I don’t know if he knows it, but Iron Man, Jungle Book, Lion King….he prints Disney bucks. And based on what I heard at Celebration, and what I’ve read since, he cares deeply about the galaxy far, far away. If he’s not awarded the next slate of feature films, it’ll be a crime.

I was at my son’s baseball practice the other night, and one of the parents walked up to me.

“I’ve lost my kids to The Mandalorian,” he joked, knowing I’m a full-blown Star Wars geek.

“Really,” I said. “They like the movies at all? Clone Wars or Rebels or anything?”

“Nope,’” he said shaking his head. “But they asked to watch all the films in order, starting this weekend.”

Mind-shattering. Casual Star Wars fans? Random folks asking about Star Wars, posting about Star Wars and….BUYING STAR WARS?! The Mando, gateway drug to more Star Wars.

I’m mired in the day-to-day combat of PT vs. OT. vs. ST. Where nerdish ideologues go to the mats over what’s good and what’s not. Old men, violently fighting for ‘their’ Star Wars, and 26 year-old-college grad baristas extolling Rey, Kylo and Finn. Seriously, I’m worn the flip out.

But for now, we all bask in The Mando, the ONE PIECE of Star Wars that we can all agree that we love while we wait for The Rise of Skywalker.

Before everyone starts fighting again in a few weeks after the Skywalker Saga wraps on the big screen, let’s remember what keeps us united in this franchise and the associated hobbies that we all love.

There’s still magic in Star Wars. Let’s not forget it.