Bo-Katan Kryze has returned to her former Clone Wars glory in The Mandalorian Season 3. Star Wars writer Jon Favreau is shaping Katee Sackhoff’s character up as one of the most formidable forces in Disney’s hit show.
Bo-Katan Kryze is a familiar character to anyone who has been following Star Wars’ animated TV shows. From her first appearance in The Clone Wars’ Mandalore arc to the Rebels series, the Mandalorian royal has been caught on both sides of the Republican conflict.
Her first appearance in a live-action setting for The Mandalorian TV series was massively welcomed by fans. Now, in Season 3, the character has elevated to a new level and has a much more menacing feel after Season 2’s finale.
Despite being one of the most intriguing Mandalorians, she has often taken a back seat to characters like Pre Vizsla, Ahsoka Tano, and Darth Maul, instead of fully shining on her own merit, as she boasts some of the best combat skills in the galaxy.
Why is Bo-Katan’s character shining this season?
Kryze briefly held the title of Mandalore’s ruler after first acquiring the Darksaber from Sabine Wren in Rebels. But some clans refused her as the rightful ruler, which split Mandalore’s forces. This gave the Empire the opportunity to dismantle their world with the Great Purge.
The circumstances of her claim and the Great Purge meant that viewers didn’t see quite how capable and strong Bo-Katan can be as a leader. Leaving potential for this side of her character to be explored in The Mandalorian’s new season.
In the first episode of the season, we saw a dejected Bo-Katan in her castle on Kalevala, another planet in the Mandalore star system, after her forces abandoned her for returning without the Darksaber from Moff Gideon. While her path forward is unclear, she will have to make tough choices if she wants to achieve her ultimate goal.
The second episode was her crowning moment on-screen, however, as Bo-Katan fulfilled a role as Din Djarin’s savior during his trip to the desolate Mandalore surface. Upon entering the caves of Mandalore, Bo-Katan made slight work of the Alamites and the cyborg that had captured Djarin. Showing off effortless moves with the Darksaber that we’ve yet to see from others wielding it in the series.
The Mythosaur’s existence in the waters is a clever twist for the characters’ future. As taming it would give her a strong claim to the throne. And in her current form, Jedi aside, she seems like one of the strongest and most terrifying warriors there is. One thing is for certain, viewers are all excited to see what exactly Bo-Katan will do next.
Will Bo-Katan be the villain in Season 3?
With Moff Gideon defeated, it is unclear who Season 3’s villain will be. Before the release of The Mandalorian’s first episodes, there was plenty of speculation and rumors that Bo-Katan Kryze could end up battling Din Djarin for the Darksaber and the claim to Mandalore, to reunite the clans.
Her motives for accompanying Din and Grogu’s journey to the Living Waters are also muddy, as frustrations rose in their previous exchange on Kalevala. So, this has resulted in major tension between the two and has viewers eager for what will unfold.
Having proved herself the more elite and tested warrior, both with the Darksaber and without, a potential battle between these two for the right to rule Mandalore is probably something Mando would hope to avoid. Confirmation of the Mythosaur’s existence in the waters is another twist for the characters. As taming it would also give her a strong claim to the throne.
One other theory is that an unknown villain, potentially a dark side user, might emerge and defeat Din Djarin in combat. This would also give Bo-Katan the chance she has been craving to finally win back the legendary saber and unite her people, while staying allied with Mando and the young Jedi.
Whatever way Season 3 shapes up, Bo-Katan and a reunited Mandalorian people could either be great allies or formidable foes, for Din and Grogu as their journey progresses.