Let’s look at The Mandalorian season 2 and discuss those characters that were met with good fortune (and bad).
The second season of The Mandalorian was one filled with revelations and surprises throughout. We saw the return of one of Star Wars’ favorite bounty hunters from an inescapable fate, along with the return of some Clone Wars favorites, as well as a very special appearance of a certain well-known Jedi.
Over the course of this season, some characters’ story arcs were met with a positive outcome, while others were met with misfortune. Join us as we discuss some of those whom we consider the winners and the losers, as well as those who were a little bit of both during this current season of The Mandalorian. Let’s hop straight to our first winner…
Winner: Boba Fett
The return of this veteran bounty hunter from the original Star Wars trilogy was a pleasant surprise for many fans, especially those who long-wished that he had survived his disgraceful plunge into the Sarlacc pit. Not only did Boba survive the near-fatal experience, he also reclaimed his iconic armor that he had been stripped of. Furthermore, Boba showed his connection to the Mandalorians through his chain code, or family lineage, therefore proving he held the rights to wear the armor of these people despite being a clone. Boba also showed audiences why he had the reputation of being one of the most feared bounty hunters in the galaxy by decimating an entire platoon of stormtroopers — both with and without his armor’s arsenal.
Finally, Boba Fett achieved another significant victory this season when he returned to Tatooine and dethroned Bib Fortuna — the majordomo of the deceased crime lord Jabba the Hutt — to become the reigning lord of that sector. For these reasons, Boba Fett was a winner.
Winner: Cara Dune
Cara Dune of Alderaan has had an eventful story arc since her introduction back in Chapter 4 of The Mandalorian. She began as an ex- shock trooper of the Rebel Alliance, then ended up staying on Nevarro as Grefe Karga’s right hand. This season, she continued her career advancement from being the sheriff of Navarro to receiving the promotion as a marshal of the New Republic.
Her newfound responsibilities did not negate her loyalties though as she came to the Mando’s aid in rescuing the Jedi-foundling, Grogu. Her military skills were also on full-display this season as she battled her way through stormtroopers both on Nevarro and on Moff Gideon’s cruiser. She even showed a merciful side when she granted Mayfeld his freedom after he aided Team Mando on their mission to retrieve information on Grogu’s whereabouts. I think this makes her a winner.
Winner: Mayfeld
The ex-Imperial sniper-turned-mercenary was first introduced to audiences back in Chapter 6 of The Mandalorian. Despite beginning as allies, Mando and Mayfeld clashed with one another and the latter was left incarcerated by the New Republic.
Mayfeld was then recruited by the Mando for his mission to obtain information on Grogu’s whereabouts, following the Jedi-foundlings kidnapping by the Dark Troopers on Tython. Mayfeld proved not only that he was a trustworthy ally, but he also earned another special honor — becoming the first living being to see Din Djarin’s face after the Mandalorian had sworn an oath to remain unseen.
Mayfeld also gained a bit of retribution for some deceased squad-members against a former commanding officer of the Empire, after killing him inside the Imperial base that they had infiltrated. Mayfeld even showed off his sniping skills while Team Mando was escaping the facility, therefore dismissing any doubts about his marksmanship.
Mayfeld’s path of redemption was ultimately rewarded with his freedom after Cara Dune allowed him to escape custody and begin a new lease on his life. These events showed that Mayfeld was a winner.
Loser: Moff Gideon
The senior commanding officer of the struggling Empire, Moff Gideon has been a thorn in the side of Din Djarin and his allies since his memorable introduction back in Chapter 7 of The Mandalorian. This season, Moff Gideon seemed set to further advance his sinister agendas after kidnapping Grogu on Tython.
Fortune — or the Force — had different plans instead. Moff Gideon’s first major loss was on Navarro after his hidden base was destroyed by Din and his allies. His second loss came after he was defeated by Mando in an intense battle that cost him his treasured Darksaber. Finally, he was utterly disgraced after his personal army of Dark Troopers were single-handedly dismantled by the arrival of famed Jedi Luke Skywalker.
His only true victory this season came with completing his mission to obtain samples of Grogu’s blood for some nefarious purpose. Otherwise, this guy was a major loser.
Loser: Bo-Katan Kryze
This former lieutenant of the Mandalorian terrorist group Death Watch has had a very storied history throughout her character’s story arc that began in the animated Clone Wars series. After the death of her leader, Pre Vizsla, Bo-Katan — the estranged sister of Dutchess Satine — led her own group, the Nite Owls. This culminated in her achieving the highest honor of Mand’alor, the sole ruler of the Mandalorian people.
Unfortunately, Bo-Katan lost her claim to the throne after Moff Gideon obtained her Darksaber, the scepter that determined who held the right to rule over Mandalore and its Mando’ade. Bo-Katan’s journey to reclaim her leadership led her in pursuit of Moff Gideon. This was her character’s current mission when audiences were introduced to her this season of The Mandalorian.
Bo-Katan’s path towards becoming Mand’alor once again was further complicated after Din Djarin beat Moff Gideon in unprovoked combat. Despite having no interest in the Darksaber — or its inherent responsibilities — Djarin won the mantle. Further complicating matters was the caveat that Bo-Katan couldn’t take the Darksaber without engaging in combat against her ally. Essentially, she lost her claim to the throne of Mandalore thrice. Sadly, she became a loser this season.
Loser: Razor Crest
If anyone or — in this case — anything has proven to have had a hard time this season it would be the Mando’s ship, Razor Crest. This poor beleaguered spacecraft had taken a pummeling throughout this season, beginning with Chapter 9 after Mando was fleeing from New Republic patrolmen and landed on the nearby ice planet, Maldo. His ship sustained heavy damage in the pursuit, and even more afterwards when the cave they fell into became overran with a subspecies of kryknas.
A later patchwork job by some Mon Calamari on the estuary moon, Trask, that the crew barely survived landing on, did little to improve the Razor Crest’s condition. Unfortunately, nothing could repair the obliterating laser-blast by Moff Gideon’s light cruiser from the skies above Tython.
R.I.P. Razor Crest (19 BBY — Circa 10 ABY).
Draw: Din Djarin/Mando
This season had both its ups and downs for the titular character. On the positive side, he grew closer to his Jedi-foundling and made some new allies/friends. He was gifted with a beskar weapon. And he unexpectedly won the right to be called Mand’alor through obtaining the priceless artifact, the Darksaber.
His greatest victory — along with his greatest loss — came when he successfully united his foundling, Grogu, with a Jedi. While he finally completed the mission that he had begun last season, it was a heartbreaking victory. The Clan of Two had grown close during their journey and neither sought to depart from the other, but it was the will of the Force.
Also, while not equal to losing the Jedi-foundling, the destruction of the Razor Crest was still a major loss to the bounty hunter. So, for the above reasons, Mando ended up with a mixed pot of luck and misfortune this season.
Draw: Cobb Vanth
The Marshal of Mos Pelgo had the special privilege of wearing Boba Fett’s iconic armor, which he used with great honor to defend his town. It remained only temporary though, as Din Djarin won back the armor after striking a bargain to rid the town of a greater krayt dragon that was terrorizing it. Thankfully, Vanth gained some unexpected allies through the Sand People that helped destroy the beast. So, it ended with both a loss and victory for him and his town.
Winner: Ahsoka Tano
The former apprentice of Anakin Skywalker made her long-awaited debut to live-action this season. While she wasn’t the one to accept Grogu as her padawan, she did help point Mando in the right direction. Also, she freed the people of Calodan on the planet Corvus from the oppressive rule of its magistrate/overlord, Morgan Elsbeth, by defeating the latter in mortal combat. One last victory came when she obtained information on the whereabouts of Grand Admiral Thrawn, who had gone missing along with rebel-founder and Jedi Ezra Bridger prior to the events of the original Star Wars trilogy.
Loser: Bib Fortuna
The majordomo of Jabba the Hutt made his return at the end of the final episode of Chapter 16. The groveling Twilek had replaced his former master in both his girth and his seat of power. His time as the big kahuna was unfortunately cut short after the arrival of Boba Fett and Fennec Shand. Boba then proceeded to unceremoniously put a blaster bolt through the current throne bearer and took his place as the new ruler.
Draw: Frog Lady
This frog-like alien mother from Chapters 10 and 11 this season sought passage with Mando to the ocean moon Trask where her husband awaited her. Unfortunately, she ended up losing some of her unfertilized eggs to the insatiable appetite of Grogu, who snacked on them like grapes. This led to a temporary falling out with the adorable Baby Yoda by the Twitter mob who became rancorous about the incident.
Winner: Luke Skywalker and Star Wars fans
We would be remiss to not mention the biggest surprise of this season of The Mandalorian:
Luke. Dank farrik. Skywalker.
This was a victory for the good guys after Luke found one of — if not the first padawan of his New Jedi Order. Further still, this was a win for the fans, as we were all pleasantly surprised by the arrival of Star Wars’ most famous Jedi. Now, if they could just rewrite that whole Last Jedi debacle our victory would be complete.
Despite its share of winners and losers, this season was an overall success for all Star Wars fans. John Favreau and Dave Filoni stepped up their game, along with the directors of this season’s episodes. What came out was a triumph for all viewers, as we bore witness to one great revelation after the other. While the future of this series seems uncertain with the departure of our beloved “Baby Yoda,” we can rest assure that it is in good hands as long as its showrunners continue to deliver as they have this season.
Who do you all think were the winners and/or losers of this season? We would be glad to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.