The season one finale of “The Mandalorian” launched a terrifying new weapon for viewers of the sequence: the Darksaber. In the episode’s last moments, it is revealed that the villainous Moff Gideon, an Imperial officer who has personally hunted down and murdered untold numbers of Mandalorians, had this legendary weapon. While that episode served because the weapon’s entry into the live-action universe, viewers of the Star Wars animated reveals acknowledged it straight away. And all of it comes right down to a few of the backstory of Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) and the Mandalore house world.
Here’s what we all know concerning the Darksaber and what position it is taking part in in season three.
What Is the Darksaber?
The Darksaber, in easiest phrases, is a black lightsaber. But it is a weapon that has deep historic ties to Mandalore and its individuals. According to the lore of the prolonged Star Wars universe, the weapon was first wielded by Tarre Vizsla, the primary Mandalorian Jedi. As “The Mandalorian” reminds us, the Jedi and the Mandalorians have traditionally been enemies, however with Tarre Vizsla’s place as each Mandalorian chief and Jedi, there was a quick interval of peace between the factions. After his dying, his saber was returned to the Jedi Temple, nevertheless it was stolen by members of his Mandalorian clan in the course of the time proper earlier than the autumn of the Republic and the rise of the Empire (Tarre himself lived a few thousand years earlier).
During the clone wars (and as proven on the “The Clone Wars” animated sequence), Pre Vizsla, one in every of Tarre’s descendants, makes use of the Darksaber to guide his faction Death Watch to overthrow Duchess Satine Kryze, who’s the pinnacle of the planet and attempting to get Mandalorians to maneuver towards nonviolence. Deathwatch allies with the Sith Lord Darth Maul (who didn’t die in “The Phantom Menace”), however as soon as they win, Pre betrays Maul and the Sith. Maul challenges Pre to a duel and kills him, taking possession of the Darksaber.
During the Imperial period, insurgent Sabine Wren stole the Darksaber and discovered to battle with it (a few of this story is roofed within the “Rebels” animated sequence). Wren finally provides it to Bo-Katan Kryze, the sister of Duchess Satine. She accepts the saber and her position as chief and unites Mandalore as soon as extra.
Alas, the Empire assaults Mandalore, genociding its individuals, and Bo-Katan loses the saber. Years later — and after the autumn of the empire — the saber pops up once more in Moff Gideon’s palms. Gideon led the Empire’s purge of Mandalore, so it appears he fought Bo-Katan and took the saber throughout that point.
How Is the Darksaber Different From Jedi Lightsabers?
The Darksaber each is and is not totally different from conventional Jedi lightsabers. It was crafted by the primary Mandalorian Jedi, and historically lightsabers are additionally crafted by the primary Jedi to make use of them. But there are variations that set it aside. The deal with is manufactured from beskar — the identical materials utilized in Mandalorian armor — so it is indestructible. It’s additionally the one identified lightsaber that is black; extra typical colours embrace inexperienced, blue, crimson, yellow, and white (and, in fact, Mace Windu’s iconic purple from the prequels). And it is the one lightsaber that non-Jedi or Sith use, too. However, as proven in each “Rebels” and “The Book of Boba Fett,” an individual wants a transparent thoughts to have the ability to deal with it and wield it accurately. That’s not exactly a Force connection, nevertheless it’s shut.
What Role Will the Darksaber Play in Season 3 of “The Mandalorian”?
Din Djarin, aka the titular Mandalorian, presently has the Darksaber, after successful it in battle towards Moff Gideon on the finish of season two. Din did not need it and tried to offer it to Bo-Katan throughout that episode, however it could actually solely be handed in battle; in any other case, it results in misfortune and woe. At the beginning of the brand new season, Din is most anxious about going again to Mandalore and purifying himself from the sin of taking off his masks. Din makes use of it to battle off new enemies — particularly new aliens known as Alamites — on Mandalore, and as soon as he is captured, Bo-Katan additionally makes use of it to avoid wasting him.
In “The Book of Boba Fett,” we additionally noticed one other Mandalorian, Paz Vizsla, a descendant of Tarre who tries to win the saber from Mando in a duel, and he additionally appeared within the first episode of “The Mandalorian” season three. Plus, Moff Gideon in all probability nonetheless needs it, too.
Why is the Darksaber Heavy For The Mandalorian?
In episode two of season three, when Mando tries to make use of the Darksaber, he isn’t excellent with it. It’s very heavy for him, and he struggles to battle with it. That’s occurred different occasions he is used it too, and the reason gave the impression to be that Din was heavy with considered Grogu, who he was separated from each occasions. Wren defined a part of why it is so exhausting to work with the Darksaber in “Rebels,” saying, “Energy continually flows by way of the crystal. You’re not preventing with a easy blade as a lot as you might be directing a present of energy. Your ideas, your actions, they change into vitality. They move by way of the crystal as properly — and change into part of the blade.”
So maybe Din simply wants to coach with it extra, focus his vitality, and perhaps even faucet slightly bit into the Force after which he’ll have the ability to weild it properly by the tip of the season — except another person takes it first.