The Mandalorian Chapter 22: Return of the Transitive Property

Featuring Lizzo, Jack Black, and SPOILERS

The primary plot of The Mandalorian, Season 3, involves Mandalorian unification following a diaspora caused by civil war and the Empire’s destruction of Mandalore. There is also a religious schism among the Clans and Houses, setting those who do not remove their helmets (True Mandalorians) against those who do (Apostates).

Crown Princess Bo-Katan Kryze seeks to unite the Houses, but cannot claim authority without the Darksabre, currently in the custody of our hero who won it in battle (this is the way) with Moff Gideon (who is totally alive but more on that later).

So the beautiful and virtuous princess cannot rule without the Darksabre, the Darksabre must be won in battle, and that particular magic totem is wielded by a True Mandalorian with whom the princess is closely allied and whose life she saved from a blood-sucking, one-eyed, cyborg creature from hell. Put simply, they are at that sweet, early place in their relationship where a fight to the death is counterindicated.

Chapter 22’s climax, therefore, involves a critical plot point resolved by the transitive property of equivalence. Din explains that because Bo-Katan slayed the creature which defeated him in battle, she has performed the logical equivalent of beating him in combat, which (therefore) entitles her to wield the Darksabre, thus satisfying the mystical condition precedent for authority to govern.

The warring Clans and Houses are conveniently and uncharacteristically agreeable with this. Bo-Katan accepts the Darksabre without any pesky pedants suggesting that protecting a fellow Mandalorian is not in fact the same as winning a death match against an enchanted blade of authority (a does not equal b). Further, no one spoils the vibe by pointing out that this labored, juridical interpretation of an unwritten creed is supported by neither code nor precedent.

I’m cool with it too. We need to move this along so we can unite the Mandalorians, get Grogu settled, and defeat the pirate kings. And do NOT get me started on the New Republic Amnesty Program.

Like most fans, I am in such a good mood after King Jack Black and Queen Lizzo feasted our heroes and charmed precious Grogu that I can deal with a little fuzzy logic.

Finally, a private de hombre a hombre to Din Djarin. I know you became an ascetic at age 10 or whatever, so consider this hard-won insight from my decades of interaction with human females: Bo-Katan digs you, man.

Beautiful, single, Darksabre-wielding princesses don’t stay on the shelf for long. Make. Your. Move.