NFL
By Keith Richards
“You are a Mandalorian no more.” These are the last words the Mandalorian heard from the Armorer. In the Book of Boba Fett Episode 4, Din Djarin (The Mandalorian) is rejected by the remaining survivors of the Children of the Watch. He’s now without his people, but The Mandalorian is reunited with Grogu. So, what’s next for Mando and the Child? Let’s review some of the people and places that are likely to influence The Mandalorian Season 3.
First, let’s start with Mandalore. While The Mandalorian was not born on Mandalore, he is a foundling. Foundlings are children adopted by the Mandalorian warrior race as their own. Such was the case with Din Djarin. Mandalore, however, is no more. After the Great Purge of Mandalore, the remaining Mandalorians were scattered in the wind. When The Mandalorian is rejected by the Children of the War, he learns he needs to go to Mandalore to be forgiven for his transgression of removing his helmet.
The question is if there is anything of Mandalore left to save. When Clone Wars ends, Bo-Katan, Ahsoka, and Rex liberate Mandalore from the tyranny of Lord Maul. Though Chancellor Palpatine promises to leave Clone Troops behind to ensure a peaceful transfer of power, he soon makes himself Emperor Palpatine and occupies Mandalore.
Bo-Katan does not stand for this. Given the Darksaber by Sabine Wren, Bo-Katan leads the Mandalorian resistance, but the Children of the Watch believe that Bo-Katan being gifted the Darksaber would curse Mandalore to its fall, which it did. The Empire, during the Purge, destroyed the Mines of Mandalore and several cities in Mandalore.
As The Mandalorian says in the trailer, “Our people are scattered like stars in the galaxy. What are we? What do we stand for?” What remains of the Mines of Mandalore, where Din needs to go for forgiveness? Before going to Mandalore, it would be wise for The Mandalorian to gather his people. How can he gather his scattered warrior race? Without a doubt, the Darksaber will help with unification.
In the finale of The Mandalorian Season 2, Din Djarin bests Moff Gideon to obtain ownership of the Darksaber. Mandalorian lore states that the person who rightfully wields the Darksaber has the power to lead all Mandalorians. While Mando is the saber’s rightful owner, where does he stand with other Mandalorians? Even with the Darksaber, there is no guarantee that other members of the Children of the Watch will recognize him as their leader. He’s been expelled from that order. Also, what of Bo-Katan?
Bo-Katan Kryze has the lineage claim to rule, but she never properly obtained the Darksaber. When we see Kryze in Season 2, she is actively chasing Moff Gideon. Bo-Katan’s goal is to defeat Gideon in battle and rightfully claim the Darksaber as her own. However, The Mandalorian unintentionally beats her to the punch. Learning from her first mistake, Kryze refuses to be gifted the saber a second time. So, Bo-Katan has a large role to play in the reunification of the Mandalorian people.
Lastly, there are the Jedi: Grogu and Ahsoka. In The Book of Boba Fett, Luke gives Grogu a choice. The Child can either accept the gift of Din Djarin and go be with him, or he could accept Master Yoda’s lightsaber and continue his training as a Jedi. It would seem that Grogu chooses The Mandalorian, but we don’t know that for certain. Does it mean his training to become a Jedi is done?
As for Ahsoka, she’s between a rock and a hard place. Though expelled from the Jedi order, she seems to have an affinity for Grogu. An affinity that comes with the attachment of Grogu and Din Djarin. If The Mandalorian asks Ahsoka for assistance in reclaiming Mandalore, what will she say? Ahsoka helped to liberate Mandalore, but she did so with Bo-Katan. In her quest to find Grand Admiral Thrawn and Ezra, Ahsoka will need allies. Who she chooses to side with could dictate her success or failure in her quest.
The Mandalorian Season 3 premieres Wednesday. It is sure to be a thrilling season that is sure to affect numerous other Star Wars shows. Team NBS Media will be here to guide you along the way. It’s our duty. This is the Way.
