Luke Skywalker Is Wrong: Grogu Can Be Both Jedi & Mandalorian

Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) is wrong to make Grogu choose between being a Jedi and a Mandalorian in The Book of Boba Fett episode 6 – here’s why. After initially spending much of its time in flashbacks exploring Boba Fett’s time with the Tusken Raiders, The Book of Boba Fett has since pushed its main story forward, shifting the focus from Boba (Temuera Morrison) to Mando (Pedro Pascal). Episode 6 sees the return of Cobb Vanth (Timothy Olyphant), Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson), and, finally, Luke and Grogu in a Jedi-Padawan scenario.

Since his introduction, Star Wars has made it clear Grogu – just like Yoda – has deep ties to the Jedi, being very strong with the Force even before any training. Grogu also has strong bonds with the Mandalorians, since he was taken in as a foundling by Din, who dedicated most of The Mandalorian’s seasons 1 and 2 to protecting him. The Book of Boba Fett episode 5 set up Grogu’s conflicted (and still uncertain) path, as Mando asks the Armorer (Emily Swallow) to make him a beskar armor to give to Grogu. She reminds him that, as a Jedi, he will learn to “forgo all attachment.” Mando replies that for their Creed, “Loyalty and solidarity are the way.” Din thus announces the crossroads that Grogu eventually reaches in episode 6, but Luke isn’t necessarily right in asking Grogu to choose one or the other.

When Luke asks Grogu to choose between the armor (Mandalorian) and Yoda’s lightsaber (Jedi), he is practically telling Grogu that choosing one path will forsake the other. However, before the ancient Mandalorian vs Jedi War, there was a Mandalorian Jedi: Tarre Vizsla, the Darksaber’s creator. Over a thousand years before the events of the original Star Wars trilogy, during the days of the Old Republic, Tarre Vizsla joined the Jedi Order as a Mandalorian child after being found to be Force-sensitive. Baby Yoda is already a Mandalorian Padawan in a way, as a Force-sensitive Mandalorian foundling training with Luke Skywalker. Whatever his choice in The Book of Boba Fett episode 7, it would come as no surprise if Baby Yoda would become the second Mandalorian Jedi.

Tarre Vizsla is best known amongst Mandalorians for creating the Darksaber, a fittingly unique weapon for one of the Jedi Order’s most unorthodox members. Vizsla was not only a Mandalorian Jedi Knight, but he also became the Mand’alor, making him a venerable leader in the eyes of Mandalorians. In The Book of Boba Fett episode 5, Tarre Vizsla’s descendant, Paz Vizsla, fought Din Djarin for the Darksaber, but the saber remained with Mando. The Armorer then banished Din from his Creed for removing his helmet. Much like Boba Fett, Din is now “a simple man, making his way through the galaxy.” Din Djarin no longer belongs to the Mandalorian sect, and although he didn’t see Grogu in The Book of Boba Fett’s episode 6, it’s very clear that he is Mando’s only family.

Ahsoka also confirms that Grogu misses Mando deeply himself. When Luke asks his new student to choose between the Mandalorian armor and Yoda’s lightsaber, Grogu’s increasingly big eyes demonstrate just how difficult a choice that is for him. If Grogu chooses to reunite with Mando, the great thing about it is that he wouldn’t even need Yoda’s lightsaber. Din is now trained in wielding the Darksaber. Although he is not a Jedi, the training he could provide to Grogu, in addition to Grogu’s deep Force sensitivity, could very well make Baby Yoda the second Mandalorian Jedi, disproving Luke Skywalker in The Book of Boba Fett episode 6.