The Mandalorian: What did we learn about Baby Yoda in Chapter 13?

The Mandalorian Chapter 13 had plenty of new developments and reveals in store for fans — one of them being Baby Yoda’s backstory.

This post contains spoilers for The Mandalorian Chapter 13. 

As the second season of The Mandalorian progresses, fans are getting new developments and reveals, along with a satisfying number of tie-ins to the Clone Wars. animated series. Chapter 13, in particular, answered some questions fans have been asking since the season — and even the series — began. And that includes filling in the blanks of Baby Yoda’s backstory.

The Child has been shrouded in mystery since the series premiere, with Mando and the viewers having no idea where this strange little creature came from or what the Empire wants with him. Chapter 12 revealed why the Empire is after the little guy, and now Chapter 13 has started fleshing out his backstory.

So, what did we learn about Baby Yoda in this week’s episode of The Mandalorian?

The Child’s True Name

The creatives behind The Mandalorian have been insisting the Child’s name isn’t Baby Yoda, and they’ve finally revealed what his given name actually is: Grogu.

Sure, it’s a strange choice, especially since Ahsoka Tano didn’t elaborate on whether or not it actually means something. Still, it’s nice that Mando and viewers have something to call the little guy — even if most of us will probably stick to Baby Yoda regardless.

He Once Trained at the Jedi Temple

On top of telling us the Child’s name, Ahsoka also fills in some of Baby Yoda’s history for us. Evidently, little Grogu was one of the younglings training at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant before the Jedi Order fell. And it’s only thanks to someone hiding him away and then taking him off the planet that the Child wasn’t one of the victims of the Great Jedi Purge.

Unfortunately, Ahsoka didn’t reveal who helped Grogu escape the Empire’s clutches or what happened to him afterward. She does tell us that his memories go to a “dark place” beyond that, but the rest remains a mystery. (Which means there’s a good chance viewers will recognize whoever helped him survive.)

He May Be Too Vulnerable to Learn the Force

Although it seems like Grogu still has the potential to be trained in the ways of the Jedi, Ahsoka refused to teach him. According to her, the Child has fear and anger inside of him that would leave him vulnerable. That, of course, may have something to do with his dark past — but it also has to do with his relationship with Mando.

Fans have seen the Child build a father-son relationship with our favorite Mandalorian over the past season and a half, and that love, in the eyes of the Jedi, could destroy the Child in the end.

Chapter 13 concludes with Ahsoka sending Mando and Grogu to Tython, where the latter will apparently be able to choose his path. That means we’ll get more insight into what’s going on in his mind — beyond snacking, of course — in future episodes.

What did you think about this week’s reveals about the Child? Share your thoughts in the comments below!