Warning! SPOILERS for The Mandalorian, season 3, episode 1.The Mandalorian season 3, episode 1, "Chapter 17 - The Apostate" proves the Darksaber has the potential to be the most powerful sword in the galaxy. Centuries before the first Star Wars movie took place, a legendary Mandalorian by the name of Tarre Vizsla crafted the Darksaber when he was inducted into the Jedi Order. After his death, of his house raided the Jedi Temple and reclaimed the Darksaber for their own. Since then, it has been ed down—or rather, won in combat—between the various houses of Mandalore as a symbol of power and strength.
The iconic Darksaber was first introduced to Star Wars in The Clone Wars season 2, where it was wielded by Pre Vizsla, a descendant of the weapon's craftsman. The Darksaber, along with its history to Clan Vizsla, allowed Pre to successfully lead a warrior group of Mandalorians during The Clone Wars known as Death Watch. This same Death Watch would later save a young Din Djarin from Separatist battle droids, inspiring Din to swear himself as a Mandalorian under the Children of the (Death) Watch. And though the Darksaber was lost for a time, the dying words of Pre Vizsla continue to ring true; only the strongest shall rule.
The Mandalorian Leader, Mand'alor, Wields The Darksaber
On its own, the Darksaber is merely a unique lightsaber. But if it’s combined with a story and a legend, it commands the respect of any who would call themselves Mandalorian. The one who manages to wield the saber and unite the houses is known as the Mand’alor, the ruler of Mandalore. Bo-Katan once failed to wield the Darksaber in Star Wars Rebels, because she was gifted the saber and did not win it in combat. Her claim to the title of Mand’alor was only as good as her story, and since she did not earn the Darksaber, she was not considered the strongest.
In the first episode of The Mandalorian season 3, Bo-Katan laments the fact that all of her soldiers have abandoned her. It appears her leadership hung on the promise that she would reclaim the Darksaber from the clutches of Moff Gideon. But since Din got to it first, her claim as the potential Mand’alor is nonexistent. Despite coming so close to her goal, she was never able to claim the Darksaber with a viable story to back it up. And because of her failure, the various Mandalorian clans have broken away to pillage and plunder what they can from the galaxy.
Will Din Djarin Become Mand'alor In The Mandalorian Season 3?
In The Mandalorian season 2, Din Djarin managed to accidentally do what Bo-Katan had always dreamed of: wresting the Darksaber from Moff Gideon. Because he has both the saber and the story, Din has a legitimate claim to the title of Mand’alor. However, he also removed his helmet, turning him into an apostate of the one Mandalorian Tribe he swore his allegiance tot. So while he may be able to unite the houses and clans which do not hold to the ancient Creed, he cannot be recognized as Mand’alor by the Children of the Watch.
To atone for his sin against the Creed, Din must go to Mandalore. If he is able to bathe in the waters in the mines of Mandalore, he will regain his status as a Mandalorian within the Tribe. And if he manages to hold onto the Darksaber until then, he will be perfectly poised to unite the clans and become the next Mand’alor. Should he do so, he will lead one of the most powerful groups in the galaxy during The Mandalorian season 3.
New episodes of The Mandalorian release every Wednesday on Disney+.