In Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, Yoda said “When 900 years old you reach, look as good you will not” and not long before, in Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, said “For 800 years have I trained Jedi. My own counsel will I keep on who is to be trained!”
Yoda Got Into Action At Around 100
Since he was training Jedi, Yoda likely wasn’t a baby or even a child or teenager. Yet, in The Mandalorian, The Child, known among the masses as “baby Yoda,” is still a baby at 50 years old. I cringed when I heard while watching The Mandalorian that baby Yoda is 50 because I knew when Yoda started training Jedi.Maybe Lucasfilm/Disney will say that years 51-100 for Yoda and baby Yoda’s species are a major time of maturation and growth.
Well, We’ve Got A Problem
The Mandalorian showrunner Jon Favreau, who wrote the first episode where baby Yoda’s age is revealed, probably didn’t even consider it. He doesn’t seem as steeped in the lore as someone like The Mandalorian producer Dave Filoni. That’s suggested by a wonderful clip where Filoni recalls a scene from Star Wars and Favreau can’t remember it.
It probably wouldn’t have been a problem for me a handful of years ago. That’s before I realized that there are a few holes in the Star Wars story. One example is Leia having memories of her mother even though her mother actually died in childbirth. Leia was one of the two children. Perhaps a book, graphic novel or video game says that Leia’s adopted mother died when Leia was “very young,” as Leia says in Return of the Jedi, but not a baby. Or that Leia somehow remembers her real mother, Padme Amidala, despite Padme dying as Leia was born.
I’ve Come To Terms That Contradictions Exist
I’ve remained a stalwart Star Wars fan.
So I can accept this contradiction.
And The Mandalorian is a great show. I can’t wait for the next season to debut in October.
But contradictions are still funny. (Another would be that the Empire has a presence in season 1 of The Mandalorian. That’s the case even though the Empire was supposed to have been wiped out.) And this one is no different.
