Summary
The Darksaber's burden was too heavy for Din to handle, symbolizing the weight of its history and calling its wielder to the throne of Mandalore.
Recognizing that Bo-Katan required assistance in handling the weight of the Darksaber, Din remained steadfastly by her side throughout the endeavor to reclaim Mandalore. His remarkable skill in bringing people together has established him as a crucial figure in fostering Mandalorian unity, and he understood that he could not shoulder the responsibility of the Darksaber single-handedly.
The Darksaber choice made in The Mandalorian season 3 stirred controversy, but an earlier scene in Star Wars had already hinted at this outcome. The Darksaber, an ancient Mandalorian weapon, was first introduced in its live-action debut during the season 1 finale of The Mandalorian. Moff Gideon utilized it to free himself from his crashed TIE Fighter. Subsequently, in the season 2 finale, Din Djarin emerged as the victor and gained possession of the Darksaber. However, in The Mandalorian season 3, Din decided to pass it on to Bo-Katan Kryze after discovering a loophole in the rules surrounding the weapon.
Viewers were divided by Din's decision to hand over the Darksaber, as they had expected a showdown between him and Bo-Katan. Many felt it was underwhelming, particularly because an earlier scene in The Book of Boba Fett episode 5 hinted that Din was inclined to keep the Darksaber. Nevertheless, Din's choice had been foreshadowed in the preceding Disney+ TV show.
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Din Wounded Himself With The Darksaber’s Burden
Din Djarin, a skilled Mandalorian warrior, has undergone training in various weaponry, showcasing his proficiency in their usage. However, in a surprising turn of events in The Book of Boba Fett, he accidentally inflicted a significant injury upon himself while wielding the formidable Darksaber. This injury was caused by the weight of the Darksaber and serves as more than a mere display of Din's struggle with it. Instead, it symbolizes the immense burden associated with the Darksaber, encompassing its rich history and the profound calling it extends to its wielder for the throne of Mandalore. This burden proved overwhelming for someone like Din, revealing that no individual could bear it alone.
Din Djarin Knew Bo-Katan Needed Help With That Burden
Din Has Always Been The Key To Mandalorian Unity
In both season 2 and season 3 of The Mandalorian, Bo-Katan voiced the belief that "Mandalorians are stronger together." Interestingly, it was Bo-Katan herself who needed to internalize the truth behind these words. Din, on the other hand, understood this concept quite well, especially when he became burdened with the weight of the Darksaber. Deep down, he always intended to return the Darksaber to Bo-Katan, driven by his sense of honor and his commitment to the promise he made to her following their successful rescue of Grogu. Upon witnessing the immense responsibility it entailed, Din remained at her side during the fight to reclaim Mandalore, recognizing that Bo-Katan would require assistance in bearing such a heavy burden. It wasn't necessarily about Bo-Katan's ability to wield the weapon, but rather the symbolic and emotional weight it carried.
Despite not assuming the role of leader in The Mandalorian season 3, Din's growth as a leader stemmed from his remarkable ability to bring people together. Throughout all the seasons of The Mandalorian, Din has consistently been a unifying force, whether it was uniting the Tuskens and the inhabitants of Mos Pelgo to vanquish the krayt dragon or fostering solidarity among the Mandalorians on Nevarro. He always considered these instances as coincidental or unrelated to his own influence, but season 3 compels him to acknowledge that he profoundly impacts those around him. Recognizing this, Din realizes that he must employ this capability to support both Bo-Katan and the rest of Mandalore. Bo-Katan could not have spearheaded the campaign to reclaim Mandalore independently, which is precisely why it required the combined efforts of her, Din, and Grogu to overthrow Moff Gideon.
In hindsight, Din's injury in The Book of Boba Fett serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating what could have befallen Din and his fellow Mandalorians had he attempted to bear the weight of the Darksaber alone. Recognizing his limitations, Din understood that the burden was too immense for just one individual, even after he had passed it on. This realization shed light on why the passing of the Darksaber had historically brought devastation to Mandalore. When Bo-Katan resumed her quest to reclaim Mandalore in The Mandalorian season 3, Din patiently awaited the opportune moment to transfer the Darksaber and its weighty responsibility to her, confident in her readiness to trust him and assist in carrying its load. Din's injury did not expose his weakness; rather, it served as a reminder that no single Mandalorian can shoulder the duty of leading Mandalore unaided.