My wife has always rolled her eyes and walked out of the room when my kids and I watched the animated series. Well, now that Mandalorian is drawing from this, she is starting to ask questions (ha, ha, ha). I have explained the story at a high level to her, but am thinking of getting her to watch a few episodes of Clone Wars and Rebels to prepare for the coming Mando story featuring more of Bo and Ahsoka. I think earlier this year, I had posted the CW and Rebels episodes recommended for someone wanting to know who Ahsoka was. It was probably about 12 episodes. And I know I would never get my wife to watch all that. But I'm thinking the plan below which is more Mando-centric is possible. Below I have listed all the Mandalorian related episodes in CW and Rebels. I have bolded the episodes (10) I think would be a good primer for someone wanting to know more back story on the Mandalorians, the Dark Saber, and Ahsoka. Take a look and let me know if I'm missing anything, or over emphasizing something.
As a side note, I'm a huge Ahsoka fan and am really looking forward to the big reveal!!!!
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CLONE WARS - MANDALORIAN RELATED EPISODES
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Season 2 - Episode 12: "The Mandalore Plot"
Obi-Wan is assigned to protect Duchess Satine Kryze of Mandalore from a terrorist organization called Death Watch.
Season 2 - Episode 13: "Voyage of Temptation"
As Satine heads to Coruscant protected by clones and two Jedi, Anakin, R2 and the clones find assassin droids in the cargo while Obi-Wan tries to identify the traitor.
Season 2 - Episode 14: "Duchess of Mandalore"
On Coruscant, Satine disguises herself as a civilian to avoid assassins as she pleads for the Senate to leave her planet in peace.
Season 3 - Episode 5: "Corruption"
Padm, on a diplomatic mission to Mandalore, guarantees the pacifist planet the Republic's full protection, but she and Duchess Satine soon find something sinister lurking beneath the planet's serene facade. Moogan smugglers have been sneaking in supplies, including bottled tea destined for the Mandalorian schools but diluting the tea with a hazardous chemical.
Season 3 - Episode 6: "The Academy"
Ahsoka is assigned as a teacher at the cadet academy on Mandalore while covertly investigating the corruption inside Satine's administration. Soon after she arrives, Satine's zealous nephew Korkie and his classmates uncover a nefarious plot.
Season 5 - Episode 14: "Eminence"
Darth Maul and Savage Opress form an alliance with the Mandalorian terrorist group Death Watch and several crime syndicates, including the Falleens's Black Sun, the Pyke Syndicate, and the Hutt Cartel, in order to destroy all of their common enemies.
Season 5 - Episode 15: "Shades of Reason"
Maul's alliance helps the Death Watch and their leader, Pre Vizsla, conquer Mandalore and imprison Duchess Satine, but, when Vizsla's ambitions surface, how long will the alliance last?
Season 5 - Episode 16: "The Lawless"
Having assumed control over a majority of the Death Watch after killing Vizsla, Maul proceeds to lure Obi-Wan Kenobi to Mandalore with news of Satine's capture. Includes Satine, Bo-Katan, Maul, Opress and Sidious.
Season 7 - Episode 8: "Together Again"
Ahsoka manages to make a deal with the Pykes. Things happen and they escape by blowing up the facility and are followed back to Coruscant by the three Mandalorians, who were previously part of Death Watch. One of them, Bo-Katan, manages to convince Ahsoka they have a common enemy in Maul, and Ahsoka decides to leave for Mandalore after reconciling with the sisters.
Season 7 - Episode 9: "Old Friends Not Forgotten"
Ahsoka and Bo-Katan contact Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, asking them for help in apprehending Darth Maul in his new hideout on Mandalore. Part of the 501st accompanies Ahsoka to Mandalore, forcing Maul's loyalists under Gar Saxon into retreat. Bo-Katan apprehends Prime Minister Almec, while Ahsoka follows a trail into the city's tunnel network, only to walk right into Maul's trap.
Season 7 - Episode 10: "The Phantom Apprentice"
Ahsoka faces off against Maul on Mandalore. Greatest. Episode. Ever.
Season 7 - Episode 11: "Shattered"
With the Siege of Mandalore over, Ahsoka and Rex prepare to take Maul before the Jedi Council on Coruscant.
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REBELS - MANDALORIAN RELATED EPISODES
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Season 3 - Episode 15: "Trials of the Darksaber"
Upon being told by Fenn Rau what status the Darksaber Sabine recovered from Dathomir holds among the Mandalorians, Kanan decides that Sabine should wield it in order to rally the Mandalorians into the ranks of the Rebel Alliance.
Season 3 - Episode 16: "Legacy of Mandalore"
Upon being presented with the Darksaber, Sabine's mother, Countess Ursa, allows her daughter the benefit of a personal conversation, but is still too fearful of an Imperial reprisal against her people, and her husband held hostage, to join with the Rebellion, and so she decides to sell out the Jedi to Gar Saxon in exchange for Sabine's freedom.
Season 4 - Episode 1, 2: "Heroes of Mandalore"
Sabine, Kanan and Ezra lead Clan Wren in a raid on a Clan Saxon outpost to rescue Sabine's father who is being held captive by Clan Saxon on behalf of the Empire. The outpost turns out to be a trap to capture Sabine but they are rescued by Lady Bo-Katan of Clan Kryze.