Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Mandalorian season 3, episode 1Following The Mandalorian season 3's premiere episode, the development and journey of Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) has been undone and completely flipped. Becoming well and truly broken thanks to the aftermath of The Mandalorian season 2, Bo-Katan's reunion with Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu isn't exactly a happy one. Instead, Bo-Katan is very much compromised in The Mandalorian season 3.
In The Mandalorian season 2, Din Djarin secured Bo-Katan's help to rescue Grogu from the Imperials. Offering her Nite Owls as support, Kryze agreed to help in exchange for the Darksaber in Moff Gideon's possession, the legendary blade once wielded by Bo-Katan herself. Believing in its ability to unite the fractured clans of Mandalore, Bo-Katan was clearly distressed by Djarin's inadvertent claim to the blade by defeating Gideon. As a result, The Mandalorian season 3 has now flipped her arc regarding her role as a key leader of Mandalore.
The Mandalorian Season 2 Set Bo-Katan Up As A Mandalorian Leader
As seen in The Mandalorian season 2, Bo-Katan Kryze had been amassing forces to reclaim Mandalore and unite the various clans again. Once the regent of Mandalore before the Empire's purge known as the Night of a Thousand Tears, Bo-Katan was still determined to lead and fight for her people despite the loss of their homeworld. However, she still required the Darksaber, a major symbol of authority in Mandalorian culture.
While she once wielded the legendary blade, it was confirmed in The Book of Boba Fett that Bo-Katan never earned the Darksaber as its lore requires. Instead, it was given to her by Sabine Wren, rather than being won in combat. As such, this is why Djarin claiming the Darksaber in The Mandalorian season 2 finale was so problematic for Bo-Katan and her mission to restore Mandalore. Reclaiming the Darksaber (properly) would have given Bo-Katan the right to lead, but also redemption in the eyes of her people.
The Mandalorian Season 3 Drops Bo-Katan's Setup
Sitting in an empty castle in The Mandalorian season 3, episode 1, things are looking rather bleak for Bo-Katan Kryze. When Djarin arrives with Grogu and asks about the forces she intended to use to reclaim the homeworld of Mandalore, Bo-Katan admits they all left, with many becoming mercenaries. Without the Darksaber, Bo-Katan's authority means very little to her fellow Mandalorians.
Despite telling Djarin and Grogu to leave her, it's doubtful that Bo's development is over after just one episode. That being said, it's remarkable that her arc that began during The Clone Wars and saw her becoming such a capable Mandalorian leader has now been unraveled. Naturally devastated, it's unknown what Bo-Katan's next moves will be going forward. However, she is expected to have an ongoing role in the rest of season 3, as Sackhoff is credited with a starring role alongside Pedro Pascal - whose Din Djarin is headed for the ruins of Mandalore to seek redemption of his own, having broken his clan's Creed by removing his helmet.
How Will Bo-Katan Fit Into The Mandalorian Season 3's Story?
If Djarin discovers Mandalore is more habitable and/or accessible than assumed, Bo-Katan may receive a renewed purpose and drive to restore her world. In that same vein, the potential for Bo-Katan to become a rival to Din is a strong possibility as well, especially if she decides to face him in combat for the Darksaber. She'd then have a genuine claim to the blade and the authority that comes with it in the eyes of her people.
Regardless, it's evident that The Mandalorian season 3 premiere wasn't the last viewers have seen of Bo-Katan Kryze, despite her entire preexisting arc having been flipped for this new Star Wars era. Now, Bo-Katan has nowhere to go but up, able to learn from the mistakes of her past while also gaining new perspective. If she ends up deciding against challenging Djarin, perhaps she'll discover she can still achieve her goals without being a ruler wielding the Darksaber.
The Mandalorian season 3, episode 1 is now streaming on Disney+. New episodes release Wednesdays.