In this installment of Rebels Recon, StarWars.com goes inside “The Protector of Concord Dawn” with creator interviews and more.
Sabine is the focus in “The Protector of Concord Dawn,” facing her past and showing emotional growth. “We wanted to get more into the story of who she is and where she comes from,” executive producer Dave Filoni says. “This episode starts us down that path.” Filoni adds that you learn a bit about her mother — and reveals that she was probably in the throne room when Pre Vizsla was killed in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
“The Protector of Concord Dawn” also has mention of Houses and Clans in Mandalorian culture — Filoni explains that this is all part of the societal structure of Mandalore. Tiya Sircar, voice of Sabine, also discusses the research she did for this episode, and learning more about Mandalore. But what has happened with the Mandalorians since the Clone Wars?
“After the end of the Clone Wars, Mandalore was very likely occupied by the Republic, and that became the Empire,” says Henry Gilroy, co-executive producer. “The Empire probably has a soft occupation.” Pablo Hidalgo says more is to come that will further explore the current state of the Mandalorians.
Finally, Lucasfilm’s Andi Gutierrez tracks down Hidalgo at Skywalker Ranch to answer a fan question: “Were Leia’s ships from the newest episode Hammerhead cruisers from Knights of the Old Republic? If so, nice callback.” Only Hidalgo knows the answer…