'The Mandalorian': Why The Darksaber Needed To Be Destroyed

WARNING: SPOILERS for The Mandalorian 3x08, 'The Return'

After a few ups and downs, season three of The Mandalorian has come to a surprisingly happy conclusion. Despite the pleasant ending, the finale, and the season as a whole, have divided fans.

Some were particularly disappointed by the destruction of the Darksaber at the hands of Moff Gideon, claiming that the loss of the weapon disrespected it's history in the wider Star Wars universe. However, for the good of the Mandalorian race, it is for the best that the Darksaber was destroyed.

Let's take a look at why that is.

The Early History Of The Darksaber

For much of their early history, the various Mandalorian clans and tribes were constantly at war with one another. These early conflicts were put to a stop, at least temporarily, by Tarre Vizsla, a Mandalorian with the rare distinction of also having trained as a Jedi. Rather than building a traditional lightsaber when the time came, he forged and wielded the Darksaber.

Vizsla returned to Mandalore with the weapon, using it to unite the Mandalorian tribes under a single banner, and becoming the very first Manda'lor, ruler of them all. So, at least to begin with, the Darksaber was a symbol of unity to the Mandalorians. Unfortunately, this did not last long.

Mandalorians Divided

After Tarre Vizsla's death, the Jedi Council took possession of the Darksaber, placing it in the Jedi Temple for safekeeping, until it was stolen by members of House Vizsla during a conflict between Jedi and Mandalorians during the fall of the Old Republic. This led, for a time, to the belief that Jedi and Mandalorians would always be enemies, as well as marking the beginning of the tradition that the Darksaber was to be won in battle, with it's holder then winning the title of Manda'lor.

This, unfortunately, was also where the major troubles with the Darksaber began.

Eventually, there came a split in the Mandalorian culture, between the 'New Mandalorians', who wanted to move away from Mandalore's brutal past in favor of a more peaceful future, and those who preferred to keep to their warrior traditions. A Civil War over the matter led to an apparent victory for the New Mandalorians, who had been backed by the Jedi. However, Pre Vizsla, a descendant of Tarre, takes up the Darksaber and gathers supporters, including Bo-Katan Kryze, to form the Death Watch, opposing the New Mandalorian regime.

Unfortunately, the Death Watch itself fractures when Pre Vizsla loses a duel to Darth Maul, who claims the Darksaber as his own. Half of the Death Watch remain slaves to the saber's legend, accepting Maul as Manda'lor. The rest, believing that only a Mandalorian should carry the Darksaber, left with Bo-Katan, becoming the Nite Owls, who eventually merged with the remnants of New Mandalore to end Maul's rule. Sadly, Mandalore fell under Imperial control.

The Darksaber passed through various hands, it's story and symbol meaning more to some than to others, further fracturing relationships between the Mandalorian clans, and becoming the exact opposite of what it's creator intended it to be.

Mandalorians are Stronger Together. That is why The Darksaber had to go.

In the years following the purge of Mandalore, the surviving Mandalorians remained scattered and divided, between those who swore the Mandalorian creed and followed the ancient way, and those who did not. Each side looked down upon the other. Much of season three of The Mandalorian follows the effort to unite the two warring factions and take back control of their homeworld, Mandalore. Much of this union is facilitated by Bo-Katan Kryze, who, thanks to various events, 'walks both worlds' between the clans, and also holds the Darksaber.

In the season's penultimate episode, Bo-Katan suffers a crisis of confidence, believing her possession of the saber is the only thing holding the assorted Mandalorians together. Bo receives a pep talk from Din Djarin, reminding her that he knew nothing of the Darksaber before there first encounter. He follows and serves Bo-Katan due to who she is as a person, the virtues of her character. The weapon didn't matter. While Bo doesn't reply, it is clear the conversation effects her.

So, when the Darksaber is destroyed by Moff Gideon in the season three finale, Bo-Katan is less troubled than he expects. The Darksaber itself was not important, but rather, what it originally symbolised: Mandalorians coming together to achieve a goal, as Din and Grogu prove by arriving to aid Bo just moments after the Darksaber's destruction.

The power of the Darksaber had become somewhat corruptive, with squabbles over it's ownership regularly dividing the Mandalorians. With it gone, they can work towards rebuilding their world with a clean slate, simply choosing the leader who is best for the job.

We can't wait to potentially see a happier Mandalore when The Mandalorian season four arrives.