Adelphi Rangers? An Underrated X-Wing Force Returns In 'Mandalorian And Grogu'

The Mandalorian and Grogu avoids lightsabers and does not feature major surviving Jedi figures. The story focuses on Din Djarin and Grogu and the smaller-scale struggles they face across the wider Star Wars world. The film includes recognizable supporting characters, especially the Adelphi Rangers, a group of X-Wing pilots introduced in the first season of The Mandalorian. The Rangers return with Colonel Ward as their new leader, played by Sigourney Weaver. Their presence functions as a nod to the series that preceded the film. The Rangers also include several Mandalorian directors who previously appeared as X-Wing pilots, along with other recurring pilots from earlier seasons.

"There are no lightsabers in The Mandalorian and Grogu - and that means no appearances from the few Jedi who are still kicking around the galaxy after the fall of the Empire. Director Jon Favreau wasn't fibbing when he called the film a "a ground-level experience of what's going on" in the wider Star Wars world: The Mandalorian and Grogu is about the little guys and the smaller-scale conflicts they face."

"But that doesn't mean Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his little green son don't get assists where needed. Their big-screen adventure is chock full of appearances from characters the average fan might sorta remember; its explosive climax gets particularly crowded with supporting players. But you don't really miss the likes of Luke Skywalker or Ahsoka Tano when The Mandalorian and Grogu heralds the return of the Adelphi Rangers."

"This band of X-Wing pilots was first introduced in the first season of The Mandalorian, and they've been popping up here and there to offer air support ever since. In Mando/Grogu, they fly under a new leader, Sigourney Weaver's Colonel Ward, but their appearance feels like a substantial nod to the show that paved the way for the film."

"Dave Filoni (seen above as Trapper Wolf), Deborah Chow (who plays Sash Ketter), and Rick Famuyiwa (aka Jib Dodger) first appeared as X-Wing pilots in "The Prisoner," an already cameo-heavy episode from The Mandalorian's first season. Then came Captain Carson Teva (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee) in Season 2, and another yet-unnamed pilot played by director Lee Isaac Chung in Season 3."

Read at Inverse