In the closing moments of The Mandalorian's first season, jaws were left on the floor when it was revealed that the villainous Moff Gideon had the Darksaber in his possession. Season 2 explained that he took it from Bo-Katan Kryze, while Din Djarin later became its rightful wielder after defeating the Imperial.
He never quite managed to master the blade and seemed relieved when he returned it to Bo-Katan during The Mandalorian's latest batch of episodes. However, when she finally confronted Gideon with it, he destroyed the weapon and appeared to bring its importance to the Mandalorians to an end.
During an interview on the Steve Varley Show (via SFFGazette.com), Katee Sackhoff shared her take on why now was time to destroy the Darksaber.
"I think that Bo and the Mandalorian people have been fixated on, for lack of a better word, a trinket," the actress says. "She's lost sight of what really matters to her people and for her people."
"I think she's distracted by it because I think that the Mandalorian people were distracted by it. So I think that, you know, sadly, the destruction of it will potentially put things right if you will."
While many fans have questioned The Mandalorian's decision to take such an important weapon off the table, Sackhoff says "It was always the plan."
She adds, "It was in the script, so we knew it was happening, and I think I was a little like, 'I'm sorry, you're doing what?' But it's one of those things where I think in order for Bo and the Mandalorians to have a fresh start, the right leader has to be leading no matter what they possess."
There's always a chance the Darksaber can be restored, but with the Mandalorians now united and no longer rallying around a simple weapon, they're arguably much better off as a people reunited on Mandalore without it. Presumably, its Kyber Crystal was destroyed alongside Gideon when his base was destroyed too.
The Mandalorian season 3 is currently streaming on Disney+.