The Mandalorian Season 3, Episode 2 Proves Bo-Katan Deserves The Darksaber
Warning: This article contains major spoilers for the second episode of "The Mandalorian" season 3.
The season 3 premiere episode of "The Mandalorian" re-introduces warrior Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) back into the "Star Wars" fray, catching up with the dejected leader on the planet Kalevala where her sister, Satine, was born. Kalevala was a special place for Bo-Katan and all of House Kryze when they and the other Mandalorians were still thriving, before the Great Purge at the hands of the Galactic Empire.
When Din Djarin and Grogu visit Bo-Katan to ask for assistance in finding the Living Waters of Mandalore, she treats the castle on Kalevala as a source of reflection and pain, in much the same way that Darth Vader uses his Fortress on Mustafar to fuel his anger after his defeat by Obi-Wan Kenobi. Bo-Katan is bitter after losing the Darksaber to Moff Gideon and then to Din Djarin after he defeated Gideon in battle.
Bo-Katan triumphantly returns in episode 2 of season 3, and she has thrown off the husk of a brooding soldier. Thanks to Grogu's growing Force capabilities, he manages to float and fly his way back to Kalevala to mount a rescue mission with Bo-Katan to save Din from the clutches of an underground monster that would make Phil Tippett proud. With his father figure captured and trapped in the bowels of Mandalore, Grogu gets to see Bo-Katan's prowess and strength as a fighter and leader first-hand. He's definitely impressed, and so are we. Bo-Katan steals Mando's thunder on his own show in Chapter 18 of "The Mandalorian" and shows why she's still the more deserving recipient of the fabled Darksaber.
Grogu and Bo-Katan bonding session
When Grogu lands the N-1 Starfighter back down on the landing dock on Kalevala, Bo-Katan is expecting to see Din Djarin clunking his way back down the runway after purging himself in the Living Waters, thus redeeming himself in the eyes of the Children of the Watch. When only Grogu appears, she knows immediately that something is wrong and doesn't hesitate to set the coordinates back to Mandalore. Her resolve comes back in that instant, giving Bo-Katan a sense of purpose again after she summarily lost the Darksaber in "The Mandalorian" season 2 finale.
Once they land on Mandalore, Grogu bears witness to the greatness of Bo-Katan in battle and her unflinching fortitude. The same humanoid creatures introduced earlier in the episode attack Bo-Katan, but she quickly dispatches of them as Grogu looks on in amazement. Grogu just Force-pushed aside these ancient aliens earlier in the episode, but his method is born more from pure instinct. In contrast, Bo-Katan showcases her impressive fighting ability, serving as a reminder of why she was once considered such a formidable leader.
This is the most time Grogu has ever spent with Bo-Katan up to this point, and we see her in action through his wide-eyed perspective. After choosing Din over Luke Skywalker and the Jedi way, Grogu would never stray too far from his true protector. Although it does seem like Grogu is imprinting on Bo-Katan, and he sees how special and important she is as a guardian and as an ally. The two are definitely bonding as they search for Mando, which could prove to be a more important relationship than Bo-Katan realizes if she wants to regain the Darksaber and lead Mandalore out of ruin.
Bo-Katan's rescue mission
In what seems like a throwaway fight scene, there could be a possible historical connection to Bo-Katan defeating those strange alien inhabitants as the search for Din Djarin continues. These creatures could wind up being descendants of the Taungs that conquered Mandalore around 7,000 BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin). Seeing Bo-Katan go up against a potentially classic foe of the Mandalorians shows her in a new light as a rightful protector of Mandalore. With Din's help, Bo-Katan could help to rid the planet of a species that was responsible for one of Mandalore's downfalls, giving her a new sense of purpose.
As Bo-Katan and Grogu travel further into the Mines of Mandalore under the city of Sundari, they encounter the giant mech-monster holding Mando captive and manage to defeat the machine and the frightening, spider-like alien controlling it from the inside. It's another showcase for Bo-Katan's skills as a warrior, especially with the Darksaber, and the entire episode features the most action scenes and hero moments for her character since "Star Wars: Rebels."
With Mando freed, they journey to the Living Waters, but not everything goes according to plan. As soon as Din submerges, he suddenly sinks down into the depths of the sacred pools. (If Grogu had been the only one there, would he have been able to pull Din out of the water like Luke's X-Wing on Dagobah?) Luckily, Bo-Katan is there and, once again, she does not hesitate. She selflessly dives into the Living Waters to save Mando when he suddenly drops like a rock. After encountering the mythical mythosaur of Mandalorian lore, the episode ends in a huff with both Mandalorians returning to the surface and collapsing as Grogu watches on.
Could Bo-Katan's unplanned cleansing in the Living Waters end up having a deeper meaning?
The rightful wielder of the Darksaber
One thing to keep in mind here is Grogu's connection with the original creator of the Darksaber. Tarre Vizsla forged the one-of-a-kind blade over a thousand years ago, and he was the first Mandalorian to ever be inducted into the Jedi Order. Grogu is now learning the ways of the Force and is also steeped in the traditions of Mandalorian culture. If the connection forged between Grogu and Bo-Katan in this episode continues to develop, Bo-Katan could gain the support of only the second Force-wielding Mandalorian known to exist. Knowing Mando, a cute look from Grogu might be all he needs to start considering giving up the Darksaber — a weapon he doesn't care for much in the first place.
There's also the issue of the Darksaber's unique black kyber crystal that makes it highly responsive to the emotions of its user. When Mando wields the Darksaber in front of the Armorer, it grows heavier and heavier. He's not in the right state of mind to control the weapon because he doesn't want the responsibility in the first place. In order for Bo-Katan to regain its control as its rightful owner, she will have to reconcile her own demons as well. She was simply given the Darksaber by Sabine Wren in the "Rebels" episode "Heroes of Mandalore" and lost it unceremoniously to Din, so it's going to take time for her to truly believe she deserves it again.
That's when training to use the Darksaber should come into play. In "Rebels," Kanan Jarrus helps Sabine better control the weapon. It would make sense if Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson) ended up training Mando or even Bo-Katan to be more mindful and truly earn the right to raise the Darksaber. In "The Book of Boba Fett," the Armorer did say if it goes to the undeserving, "it will be a curse unto the nation." It's crucial that the Darksaber ends up in the right hands.