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Mandalorians persisted for 10,000 years, but recent history hasn’t been as kind to the fierce warriors, as reflected in this ominous bit of history.
Warning: The following contains spoilers from Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett “Chapter 5: Return of the Mandalorian,” streaming now on Disney+.
In this week’s thoroughly Mando-centric episode of The Book of Boba Fett, the Armorer gave Din Djarin (and the audience) a history lesson about their ancestral homeworld. For all the “talk” about the Empire, she pointed out that Palpatine and Vader’s dynasty only lasted 30 years, compared to 10,000 years of Mandalorian civilization. But recent history hasn’t been so kind to the fierce warriors, as became evident when the three remaining helmet-wearers discussed Moff Gideon, Bo-Katan Kryze, the very infamous Darksaber and the Night of a Thousand Tears.
When Din showed up with the Darksaber, the Armorer asked him if he knew what it was. He was familiar enough with the basics: it has to be won in combat or it’ll bring the bearer a curse, and according to legend, whoever can wield it can unite the clans and rule Mandalore. Din mentioned Bo-Katan’s name to the Armorer, and that prompted her to provide him with the rest of the important details — the blade was forged a thousand years ago by Tarre Vizsla, who was both Mandalorian and Jedi. If someone were to come into possession of it not according to the Creed, Mandalore would fall and its people would be scattered around the galaxy, forced to live in exile and secret.
The Armorer clearly believes that Bo-Katan Kryze caused such a calamity; she told Din that Bo-Katan’s story is a cautionary tale. As the Clone Wars drew to a close, the Empire seized control of Mandalore and ruled through intimidation, collusion with wayward clans and a heavy troop presence. Sabine Wren presented the Darksaber to Bo-Katan, deeming her the best option to lead the Mandalorian resistance. Bo-Katan was reluctant to accept it and the power that came with it. In the Armorer’s mind, she should’ve refused the gift.
Since she didn’t win the blade in combat, she brought the curse upon her people. Bo-Katan and her forces put up enough of a fight to convince the Empire they’d never be able to dominate the Mandalorians as long as they remained on the planet in large numbers, so they changed tactics and began the Great Purge, which fulfilled the prophecy’s worst outcome.
An overwhelming armada of TIE bombers and Gunships laid waste to the planet, as depicted in a dramatic scene that played as the Armorer spoke. The assault wiped out most of the Mandalorian resistance fighters, and Viper Probe Droids sought out and killed the survivors. Only a small number of Mandalorians escaped and others lived only because they weren’t on-planet. The capital Sundari and many other cities were destroyed in what would come to be known as the Night of a Thousand Tears.
The Armorer mentioned that Moff Gideon has the blood of millions of their kind on his hands (he was involved in the Empire’s attack, but we still haven’t learned exactly how), and Moff Gideon himself callously quipped to Mando that perhaps he’s heard the songs that have been written about the Night of a Thousand Tears at the end of Season 1. The planet Mandalore is technically non-existent, but the events of the episode seem to be pointing toward Din’s eventual return journey as he works to redeem himself after having removed his helmet.
That Moff Gideon and the Darksaber are still in play and that Din won his duel with Tarre’s descendant Paz Vizsla both indicate that Mandalore will factor into the story going forward — but it’s more likely that story will continue in Season 3 of The Mandalorian and perhaps the upcoming Bo-Katan series instead of The Book of Boba Fett.
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