The Mandalorian 2.8 Review - 6 Ups And 3 Downs From Chapter 16

1. Bo-Katan's Characterisation Was Really Off (And Contradicts Rebels)

We're living in unprecedented times for Star Wars. The Mandalorian Season 2 has been the first property to really utilise the expanded canon effectively, drawing in key characters from the beloved Clone Wars and Rebels cartoons and other literature to great effect.

One of the big highlights has been Katee Sackhoff's Bo-Katan Kryze, but her behaviour in the Season 2 finale seems totally at odds with what we know about the character. In The Clone Wars and Rebels, Lady Bo was a reluctant leader. She didn't win the Darksaber by defeating its previous wielder in combat - she was given it by Sabine Wren.

Bo-Katan was initially reluctant to accept the weapon from Sabine (who technically earned the right to wield it after besting Gar Saxon in a duel), but did so aware she was the right person for the job. She wanted to unite Mandalore against the Empire, and she had the experience and acumen to make it happen.

Which is why it's so weird that she's hung up about Din defeating Gideon and not herself. She'd previously accepted the saber from an old ally before, so why not now? Has Bo-Katan been corrupted by the weapon's power? Or is she just really insecure that she's the only one to wield it without defeating its previous owner in combat? We still don't know the circumstances of how it came into Gideon's possession, but this feels like something she should've gotten over a LONG time ago.

No doubt the third season of The Mandalorian will address this in due time, but her portrayal here was really jarring, and something that'll no doubt leave fans of Star Wars Rebels all too confused.