Movies News Talk
Prominent Mandalorian warrior Bo-katan Kryze, who appears in multiple Star Wars films, has changed remarkably over the whole canon of the franchise. Her path, which is dotted with both successes and setbacks, finally results in a great atonement that has enthralled viewers all around.
Bo-Katan first shows up in the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars as a member of Death Watch, a Mandalorian group aimed at toppling Duchess Satine Kryze's pacifist rule, Bo-Katan's own sister. In Bo-Katan's life, this period was a divisive one that has drawn criticism from supporters quite a bit.
Bo-Katan's participation in Death Watch led her to help, albeit inadvertently, Satine die tragically under the hands of Darth Maul. Bo-Katan's soul suffered greatly from this incident, which also set off a convoluted internal trip toward atonement.
Acting Bo-katan Kryze, Katee Sackhoff presents a complex view of her character's growth. Emphasizing the need of knowing Bo-Katan's path, she deftly addresses the criticism directed on her past in her podcast The Sackhoff Show:
"This character..." When someone refers to her as "terrorist," "an awful person," "unredeemable," or any other term, I always say that the development of this character is absolutely crucial to give first priority. One cannot concentrate on who she is without who she was. She will always be harsher on herself than anything you could possibly say about her. Her sister's death marks the worst tragedy she could have ever imagined and falls under her responsibility. By means of this lifetime of service for her people, she will always be striving at atonement for that. Because of her character, she will only act in what she believes to be best for her people. She would thus not be who she is without having traveled that whole road, thus you have to value all facets of who she was."
Sackhoff's comments deftly capture the complexity of Bo-Katan's character, her intense guilt, and her relentless commitment to atonement—serving her people. From this vantage point, her past deeds and relentless efforts toward atonement highlight their great influence.
The Mandalorian, a live-action series set following Empire fall, chronicles Bo-Katan's path towards atonement. She strikes me here as a fierce warrior, a capable leader, and a devoted friend. She shows a great sense of responsibility and a dedication to the welfare of her people, so contrasting her past, more merciless self.
Bo-Katan's past is not erased, but her real metamorphosis in The Mandalorian shows. Her humility and the depth of her dedication to serving her people are further shown by her reluctance to take on the mantle of Mandalore's leadership rather than a sense of entitlement.
The forthcoming The Mandalorian & Grogu film promises to delve more on Bo-Katan's road to leadership. Her actual sitting on the Mandalorian throne in the last episode of season 3 was a striking visual foreshadowing of her possible future position. Though her metamorphosis from a flawed person to a possible leader promises to be a gripping narrative arc, it remains to be seen if the film will totally confirm her position as ruler.
The narrative of Bo-Katan Kryze is evidence of the possibility of change and the need of atonement. Her path reminds us gently that people can aim for a better future and finally discover their actual calling even in the face of past mistakes.