Who are the Nite Owls? Bo-Katan’s relationship with the Clone Wars-era group explained

In The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 3, Paz Vizsla referred to Bo-Katan Kryze as a ‘Nite Owl’ when Din Djarin brought her to the covert. Even though we have seen the faction, or at least a part of it in action previously on the show, the name was never really dropped till now.

So, who are the Nite Owls?

They were an elite, predominantly female unit of Mandalorian warriors led by Bo-Katan Kryze during the pre-Purge era. They donned blue-grey armors and helmets with an owl-like symbol similar to the one Bo-Katan currently wears.

We have seen Bo-Katan mock and criticize the ways of Din Djarin’s cult in the show up until she saw the Mythosaur with her own eyes in the Living Waters. However, she once used to be an important member of the cult’s predecessor, the Death Watch.

Nite Owls joined the Death Watch during the Clone Wars, where Bo-Katan served as the second-in-command to leader Pre Vizsla.

(Fan theories suggest that Pas Viszla from The Mandalorian could be the son of Pre Viszla. If that becomes canon, it will certainly have huge implications on Bo-Katan’s position in the Children of the Watch, especially after she led the rescue party to save Viszla’s son Ragnar from the pterodactyl-like creature in Episode 4.)

The Nite Owls allied with rogue Sith Lord Darth Maul and his brother Savage Opress to form the Shadow Collective. While the alliance was formed with the goal of retaking Mandalore from the rule of the pacifists, led by Bo-Katan’s estranged sister Duchess Satine Kryze, things quickly took a southward turn.

Once the takeover was done, the Nite Owls stood witness as Pre Viszla and Darth Maul battled it out over the control of the cult as well as the planet. The Sith Lord killed the Mandalorian Governor at the end. Despite Maul having defeated Viszla fairly in combat, Bo-Katan and the rest of the Nite Owls refused to follow his leadership.

The Nite Owls teamed up with Obi-Wan Kenobi to free Satine from captivity but failed as the Duchess was executed by Maul. The group, led by Bo-Katan, had to eventually flee Mandalore. They returned with Ahsoka Tano, no longer a Jedi at this point, to end Maul’s rule on their home planet.

Ahsoka gathered the newly-formed 332nd Division of troopers to assist the Nite Owls in dethroning Maul, leading to the infamous Siege of Mandalore. The mission was a success and Bo-Katan was briefly named the Regent of the planet.

However, the doomed fate of Mandalore once again brought bloodshed to the planet. Right after the throne was reclaimed, Palpatine executed Order 66, causing the Galactic Empire to take over everything. The Nite Owls resisted but were betrayed by Clan Saxon and Bo-Katan was forced to step down.

The group put up a last-ditch effort to save the planet when Bo-Katan was sought out by Countess Ursa Wren and Sabine Wren and given the Darksaber to rule Mandalore. Supports were rallied, but the reign was short-lived as the weapon was gifted and not won in combat.

The Night of a Thousand Tears followed shortly afterward, ending any and all habitation on the planet.

Koska Reeves, who was with Bo-Katan when Din Djarin first met her, was also a member of the Nite Owl.

While the faction is now scattered, one can assume that several members of the Nite Owls still remain in different corners of the galaxy. Between Darksaber’s existence, the habitability of Mandalore, and Bo-Katan joining the Watch, the Disney+ series could possibly be hinting at a future reunion of the notorious group.