The inclusion of Ahsoka Tano in The Mandalorian season 2 could explain the presence of the Darksaber, which was revealed in a shocking final scene in The Mandalorian season 1 finale. The Darksaber is an important Mandalorian artifact and a plot point from the Star Wars cartoons, so it makes sense for the titular bounty hunter to come in contact with the weapon in the upcoming season of the Disney+ series.
The first season of the first live-action Star Wars series ended at the end of December 2019, but season 2 had already been in production since October. Filming for The Mandalorian season 2 officially wrapped up in early March, and Disney has confirmed that The Mandalorian season 2 will premiere on Disney+ in October of this year. It was recently reported that actress Rosario Dawson will be appearing in The Mandalorian season 2 as Ahsoka Tano. Dawson's appearance is said to be a guest role. That being said, having Ahsoka Tano in the series is indeed a big deal.
Ahsoka is one of the main characters in the popular animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars. She also returned for Star Wars: Rebels, in which she has played a supporting role in a few of its storylines. In the cartoons, Ahsoka starts off as a young apprentice to Anakin Skywalker, many years before his transformation into the villainous Darth Vader. As time passed, Ahsoka evolved into a full-blown Jedi, having gone on numerous adventures throughout her time in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. She also had a cameo voice role in the final installment in the Skywalker Saga, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, in which she was one of many Jedi to communicate with Rey through the Force. Now, Ahsoka will be swept up into the story of Pedro Pascal's Mandalorian, and her role in the show may be closely linked to the Darksaber.
The Darksaber Was Introduced In The Mandalorian Season 1
At the end of the show's first season, Mando, Cara Dune (Gina Carano), Greef Karga (Carl Weathers), and IG-11 (Taika Waititi) are engaged in a heated standoff with a new character named Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito), whose forces had them pinned down. After destroying a TIE Fighter piloted by the villain, Mando succeeds in defeating Moff Gideon and saving his friends. Gideon is presumed dead, and Mando heads off in his ship with Baby Yoda in tow. In the aftermath of the battle, however, the episode revealed that Moff Gideon somehow survived the crash of his TIE Fighter.
In the final scene of the Mandalorian season 1 finale, Jawas are scavenging through the debris when a black blade energy cuts through, allowing Moff Gideon to emerge from the rubble, very much alive. It's revealed in this moment that the character is in the possession of the legendary Darksaber. As the only lightsaber with a black blade, the weapon can be easily recognized by Star Wars fans, despite the fact that it's never appeared in live-action before now. The Darksaber is an important Star Wars weapon that has had a presence in both The Clone Wars and Rebels.
The Darksaber (& Its Connection to Ahsoka) Explained
The Darksaber, which made its first appearance in The Clone Wars, is a one-of-a-kind weapon forged by Tarre Vizsla, the first-ever Mandalorian Jedi. After his death, the weapon was claimed by the Jedi Order and brought to the Jedi Temple, where it remained for several centuries. It was later taken by Mandalore's Clan Vizsla, who believed that the blade belonged to them. For a while, the Darksaber served as an heirloom of sorts and even became a symbol of authority and leadership for the Mandalorian people. Its symbolic meaning made it a coveted prize for anyone looking to wield it, and eventually it grabbed the attention of Darth Maul. Darth Maul's plans for the Darksaber was a major plotline in The Clone Wars, and in Rebels, it was temporarily wielded by one of the show's main characters, Sabine Wren (who is also a Mandalorian).
Before it fell into the hands of Darth Maul and Sabine Wren, the Darksaber was wielded by a Mandalorian villain named Pre Vizsla. In Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 4, Pre Vizsla's men captured Ahsoka, who at the time was still a Jedi Padawan. After breaking free of her bonds with some help from R2-D2, Ahsoka engaged Vizsla in an intense lightsaber duel, which ended with Ahsoka defeating Vizsla by damaging his jetpack with one of her lightsabers. What this means is that Ahsoka has familiarity with the Darksaber. A connection between Ahsoka and the Darksaber already exists in Star Wars canon, and that can be followed up in The Mandalorian's second season.
Ahsoka Explains The Mandalorian's Darksaber Story In Season 2
One of the biggest questions going into season 2 is how the infamous black lightsaber will fit into the story that the show is currently telling about Mando and Baby Yoda. Though set in the world of Star Wars, The Mandalorian has thus far steered clear of the Jedi (but not from the Force). However, The Mandalorian season 2 is expected to feature main character Din Djarin seeking out the legendary order for Baby Yoda. The series has now incorporated a Jedi weapon with the live-action debut of the Darksaber. Rosario Dawson appearing as Ahsoka Tano in the series confirms that the show certainly won't be avoiding the Jedi in its second season.
While some may assume that Ahsoka's role could be linked to Baby Yoda, since the character is apparently strong in the Force, her presence may be connected to the Darksaber as well. Ahsoka's encounter with Pre Vizsla and her involvement in the conflict with the Mandalorians has likely taught Ahsoka much about the Darksaber and its value to the Mandalorians. She should know what it means to their people, and she could be on a mission to make sure it isn't used for nefarious purposes.
Also, the door is now open for The Mandalorian to have its first lightsaber duel, which is something that viewers will of course be looking forward to in season 2. "Epic lightsaber action" has already been confirmed to occur, even though there wasn't an obvious opponent for Moff Gideon to face. Ahoska could be the character who fights Gideon. Having Moff Gideon, armed with the Darksaber, face off against Ahsoka Tano may have been foreshadowed when the show introduced the Darksaber. Either way, the addition of a Jedi with a connection to the Darksaber could explain why The Mandalorian is going down this road.