Warning: the following contains SPOILERS for The Book of Boba Fett.

The Mandalorian season 3 could reveal that Grogu's decision to reject the lightsaber and return to Din Djarin was planned by Luke Skywalker as part of the Jedi training for the Mandalorian foundling. Indeed, it's strange that the finale of The Book of Boba Fett seems to be the end of the line for the highly Force-sensitive Grogu's Jedi training with Master Luke. Considering Grogu's potential, not just as a Jedi, but as an interesting new character in the modern Star Wars franchise, it's more likely that this is just part of Luke's long-term plans for Grogu to once again walk the path of the Jedi.

Before Grogu reappeared in The Book of Boba Fett, the character was last seen in the finale of The Mandalorian season 2, during which Luke ends Din Djarin's quest by taking on Grogu as his student. By the time Din Djarin goes to the unnamed forest planet in order to give Grogu the Mandalorian chain mail armor, Grogu and Luke have already spent months in training. In The Book of Boba Fett season 1, episode 7 "Chapter 7: In the Name of Honor," after Luke makes Grogu choose between the lightsaber and the armor, it's revealed that Grogu's choice is the armor, which essentially means that Grogu rejects Jedi training, in favor of returning to Din Djarin and being a Mandalorian instead.

Related: Why Grogu Chose The Mandalorian Over The Jedi In Boba Fett's Finale

The Mandalorian season 3 will reveal whether or not Grogu chose correctly. On the surface, Grogu's choice isn't good for the Jedi Order at all. There are fewer Jedi left in the galaxy than there are Mandalorians. Moreover, as Luke essentially gives Grogu an ultimatum, the scene prompted fans to recall Obi-Wan Kenobi's famous words of wisdom from Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith: “Only a Sith deals in absolutes.” That being said, at this point in the Star Wars timeline, Luke Skywalker has already faced and rejected the temptation of the dark side and was even successful in pulling his father Anakin Skywalker – The Chosen One – back into the light. Luke was also trained by Master Yoda, one of the greatest Jedi in history, whose Midichlorian count was only exceeded by Anakin, and is one of only three Star Wars characters that come from the same mysterious Force-sensitive species as Grogu. In short, it's unlikely that Luke's dilemma for Grogu was as simple as choosing between being a Jedi and being a Mandalorian. Here's why Grogu's choice to return to Din Djarin will only serve to make Grogu a much more powerful Jedi.

Grogu's Order 66 Trauma Proves That He's Not Ready To Resume Formal Jedi Training

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In The Book of Boba Fett season 1, episode 6 "Chapter 6: From the Desert Comes a Stranger,” Luke uses the Force in order to help Grogu tap into his repressed memories, as this can help Grogu with his training. However, the first thing that Grogu remembers is how his fellow Jedi around him were slaughtered during the execution of Order 66. Grogu's painful memory of Order 66, in which the Clone Army turns their backs on their Jedi generals and slaughters almost the entire Jedi Order, is a key factor in why Grogu rejects the lightsaber in favor of the Mandalorian chain mail armor. Apart from representing Din Djarin, the armor literally protects Grogu from the very worst elements of the Star Wars universe, a comforting thought for a child with extremely traumatic memories. Being a Jedi Master, Luke was able to recognize these feelings within Grogu, which means that Luke knew that Grogu would choose the Mandalorian armor over the lightsaber.

While Luke opens Grogu's mind in order to advance Grogu's Jedi training, Luke instead learns that his new student isn't ready to resume the traditional path of the Jedi, even though Grogu is clearly very attuned to the Force. Notably, Grogu's Order 66 flashbacks and rejection of Jedi training echo a similar event in Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, in which Luke leaves Yoda and abandons Jedi training when he sees a Force vision of Leia and Han Solo in pain. Despite Yoda and Obi-Wan's objections, Luke eschews Jedi training to help his friends. Although Luke's choice put him in danger, it eventually lead him down the path to becoming not just a Jedi Master, but the last hope of the Jedi Order. Luke knows that, had he heeded his masters then, he might not have experienced what he needed to in order to become the Jedi that he is today. This is why Luke allowed Grogu to decide with his feelings, knowing that whatever Grogu chose would only allow Grogu to have more crucial experiences, process the irredeemable events of Order 66, recall his full memories, and eventually find his own way back to the Force.

Grogu Choosing The Lightsaber Or The Armor Wasn't The Point

Grogu in The Book of Boba Fett with lightsaber Luke Skywalker and Mandalorian armor

Whether Grogu chose to become a Jedi or a Mandalorian wasn't all that important to Luke. What truly mattered was that the choice was made by Grogu alone, without any further input from Luke, Din Djarin, or anyone else. If a person is destined to become a Jedi, their training doesn't stop when they leave the temple, and it continues wherever that person goes. Although it seems like Luke's test is about whether or not Grogu can let go of all attachments in order to walk the path of the Jedi, Luke is simply getting out of the way of a highly Force-sensitive child who is clearly destined for greatness. Grogu's choice wasn't much of a twist because currently, it makes sense for Grogu to be with Din Djarin, even from Luke's point of view.

Related: Book of Boba Fett Missed A Hilarious R2-D2 Opportunity

Luke "Rejects" Yoda's Teachings By Giving Grogu A Non-Traditional Path

Star Wars Luke Skywalker Yoda

The Mandalorian's Grogu is more than just a cute new addition to the Star Wars mythos. By “rejecting” Yoda's teachings and allowing Grogu to walk a non-traditional path, Luke allows the new Jedi Order to evolve beyond its traditional constraints, informed and empowered by Luke's own unorthodox path towards becoming a Jedi Master. While Yoda and Obi-Wan's strict methods worked well for most padawans before the rise of the Empire, Luke knows that the Jedi Order needs to change with the galaxy and that this change can start with Grogu, who still bears scars from the Empire's evil actions. As Grogu journeys with Din Djarin in The Mandalorian season 3, the different experiences and perspectives that Grogu gains will help him not just to better understand his relationship with the Force, but also to become a better teacher to the next generation of Jedi. It's only a matter of time until Grogu returns to Luke and willingly chooses to wield the lightsaber while still wearing the armor of a true Mandalorian warrior – the second Mandalorian-Jedi in the history of the Star Wars universe.

More: Star Wars Reveals The Perfect Mandalorian Signet For Grogu's Future