Disney’s second season of “The Mandalorian” has ended and it was one hell of a finale. This entire season was one big love letter to Star Wars fans everywhere. It came with some crazy returns of fan-favourites like the legendary bounty hunter, Boba Fett. We even got to see a live-action version of the “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” animated series’ Ahsoka Tano.
Oh, but that’s not all. If this season has shown us anything it’s that the series is not afraid to dig deep into the lore of the Mandalorians. In the past, we did a deep-dive into the significance of the Darksaber and the rise of the Mandalorians. We also had some pretty good theories about the things to come in the future.
With the season finally all wrapped up, we’ve got a lot more to discuss as to where this series is ultimately heading towards. There’s also a new Imperial player introduced into all this drama. So put on your Beskar helmet because we’re finding out what fans can expect come the series’ third season. Spoiler Alert for anyone not caught up with season 2 yet.
You’ve been warned.
There’s a New Mand’alor In Town
After two long seasons, the Mandalorian Din Djarin’s mission has finally ended. In the explosive season finale, “Chapter 16: The Rescue”, the Jedi in which Grogu contacted on the planet of Tython comes to his rescue. It turns out to be none other than the legendary Jedi Master, Luke Skywalker. After cutting a swath through Moff Gideon’s Dark Troopers, Din and Grogu share an emotional good-bye as the Jedi comes to collect the child. At long last, Din’s quest to return the Foundling to his people has come an end. That being said, Din’s story is far from over.
In the episode, we learn yet another fact about Mandalorian culture: who ever wields the Darksaber, rules Mandalore. And, the Darksaber can only be won in combat. Actually, fans of the “Clone Wars” series are probably well aware of this rule. In fact, this was how the former Sith, Maul, seized control of Mandalore in the episode “Shades of Reason”. After defeating Bo-Katan’s leader, Pre-Vizsla and beheading him, he declares himself the ruler of the Mandalore. Another common title would be Mand’alor.
Mandalorian culture is deeply martial in nature and honours the art of warfare. Therefore, it’d make sense that the warrior people would choose their leader based on their prowess in battle. While we don’t know what happened to the Darksaber after Maul lost it in the final season of “Clone Wars”, we certainly know Moff Gideon had it for a time. That is until Din defeated him in combat in the season finale.
Based on Mandalorian law, that would technically make Din the rightful ruler of the Mandalorians, much to his protest. This was why Vizsla’s former second-in-command Bo-Katan was so desperate to find Gideon first and defeat him. Now, however, Din is the legitimate heir to the Mandalorian Throne and it can only be won in combat. Despite Din’s insistence for Bo-Katan to merely take the Darksaber, she cannot do so.
With Din’s quest with Grogu over, we foresee that the Mandalorian has a new purpose. In season 3, we’ll most likely see Din and Bo-Katan travelling across the galaxy in an effort to unite the disparate Mandalorian clans. Bo-Katan, while bound by honour, isn’t necessarily the most altruistic person. She may yet betray Din in a bid to seize power. Needless to say, get ready for some political intrigue and royal drama in the next season.
The Threat of Thrawn
With season 1 and 2’s Moff Gideon taken off the board, the series is going to need a new main antagonist to take his place. Next to perhaps Grand Moff Tarkin or Darth Vader, the Emperor’s most effective lieutenant was Grand Admiral Thrawn. Old-school Star Wars fans, long before Disney took over, will know of Thrawn. You see the Empire was a prejudicial regime that only employed humans into their ranks, viewing other species as inferior. Mitth’raw’nuruodo, or Thrawn, was the only non-human to not only become a member of the Empire but one of its decorated commanders.
While his status in the pre-Disney canon is well established over decades, the character was only recently introduced in 2016. For most of season 3 and 4 of Disney’s “Rebels” series, he served as the main antagonist to our merry band of heroes. And before you ask, yes he does have history with the Mandalorians.
In “The Mandalorian”, we often hear Mandalorians speak of the Great Purge. An event that saw the Empire commit mass genocide on the Mandalorians before they mined their homeworld for Beskar. The Great Purge, however, was a result of the Imperial forces, led by Thrawn, losing the Mandalorian Civil War. A war that saw Mandalorians under Imperial rule battle against their Rebel-backed kin for the freedom of their homeworld. In the final season “Rebels”, we see Thrawn alongside the Jedi Ezra Bridger being dragged into hyperspace by a creature called a Purrgil. Thrawn was presumed dead and the Empire hunted the Mandalorians down in retaliation.
We haven’t heard the last of Chiss Admiral, though. In the second season’s fifth episode “Chapter 13: The Jedi”, we see Ahsoka Tano confront Morgan Elsbeth, an ally to the Imperial Navy. With a lightsaber at Elsbeth’s throat, Ahsoka Tano asks the Imp a very interesting question, “Where is your master? Where is Grand Admiral Thrawn?” Thrawn is arguably the most brilliant tactician in the Empire. A cunning manipulator, a suave diplomat and a ruthless commander. So with the confirmation that Tharwn is indeed alive and well in the Age of the New Republic, we must ask: What is he up to?
We speculate that his return to the Star Wars universe may see him attempt to finish what he started. He failed to subdue the Mandalorians last time. The Great Purge failed to wipe out every single Mandalorian in the galaxy. The Chiss Admiral definitely has no love for the Mandalorians. Perhaps he’ll wish to settle the score once and for all. It would be a thing of beauty to see a second Imperial-Mandalorian War featuring Grand Admiral Thrawn!
So what are you most excited to see in season 3 of “The Mandalorian”? Do you think Din would make a good Mand’alor? Or should Bo-Katan seize the throne? Be sure to let us know in the comments down below!
