The Mandalorian season 2: The 5 biggest moments from Chapter 13

The Mandalorian season 2 delivers what is arguably the series’ best episode yet with Chapter 13. Here are the highlights from this week.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Mandalorian Chapter 13.

The Mandalorian‘s second season has delivered compelling stories with each new episode, slowly but surely building toward a reveal about Baby Yoda’s backstory and the Child’s return to the Jedi. This week, that main storyline takes centerstage as Mando and the Child travel to Corvus, where Ahsoka Tano has been residing following the fall of the Jedi.

Unfortunately, the remains of the Empire have also come to Corvus, and they seem hellbent on burning the place down. Ahsoka takes it upon herself to stop that, and Mando arrives just in time to help.

Of course, Mando and Ahsoka finally meeting also presents new information regarding the Child’s past and future. The series has begun to fill in the blanks regarding one of its most important characters, and in doing so, has started tying itself into the already-established Star Wars canon.

Chapter 13 doesn’t just give viewers a suspenseful and satisfying installment of The Mandalorian; it also opens up all sorts of possibilities for how this show might tie into the franchise moving forward.

It’s a thrilling time to be a Star Wars fan. But while we await more exciting developments and reveals from this Disney+ series, what were our favorite moments from this week’s episode?

The Opening

After weeks of waiting to see Clone Wars fan-favorite Ahsoka Tano in her live-action form, the character finally makes her first appearance during The Mandalorian‘s opening sequence this week. Rosario Dawson nails the role as Ahsoka Tano takes down Imperial guards and demands that the Magistrate (Diana Lee Inosanto)  gives up her master (presumably Moff Gideon).

Between the foggy atmosphere and the double-lightsaber wielding, Ahsoka makes a seriously awesome entrance. This scene is an intense one that will leave fans wanting more Jedi action — and luckily, the rest of the episode delivers on that front.

The Child’s Backstory

When Mando arrives on Corvus, the Magistrate — seemingly oblivious to what Mando carries and the fact that he’s on the run from the Empire — asks the bounty hunter to kill Ahsoka Tano for her. Knowing this is an opportunity to locate the Jedi he’s seeking, Mando accepts the offer without really accepting it and sets out to find her.

When Mando does find Ahsoka, she’s able to fill in the blanks of the Child’s backstory — and, finally, give Baby Yoda a real name: Grogu (though you know we’re all going to keep calling him Baby Yoda anyway).

As it turns out, the Child was once being trained at the Jedi Temple alongside the other younglings — the very ones Anakin killed during the Great Jedi Purge. Evidently, someone hid the Child during the slaughter, and then he was taken from the Temple.

Unfortunately, viewers don’t get much after that. “Then his memory becomes dark,” Ahsoka tells Mando, presenting yet another mystery regarding the Child. Still, this scene offers some interesting tidbits that may help Grogu’s backstory tie into the franchise’s animated series and feature films down the line. (We, personally, would love to know who helped the Child escape…)

The Test

Once Grogu and Ahsoka are reunited, the latter attempts to see if the Child is still capable of wielding the Force — and if he’s worth training. While the scene doesn’t showcase any spectacular performances of Jedi power, it does highlight the bond Mando and the Child have formed over the past season and a half. (Basically, if the Dadalorian makes you all sappy, you’ll definitely be in your feelings for this scene.)

Ahsoka’s test of sorts also suggests that Grogu is too emotional to be trained as a Jedi. Ahsoka says so herself, telling Mando that their relationship could become a liability — and subtly referencing Anakin, an Easter egg longtime Star Wars fans will no doubt appreciate.

Putting this conversation on the table could reopen the same discussion Luke and Rey often had during the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Does every Jedi need to be free of emotional connection to avoid turning to the Dark Side? Could there be room for both?

We’re excited to see what path The Mandalorian takes with Baby Yoda’s Force-wielding abilities, especially after Ahsoka’s warning.

Ahsoka Tano vs. the Magistrate

In terms of action, this week’s fight between Ahsoka Tano and the Magistrate made for a seriously suspenseful scene. Not many people would be a match for the Jedi, especially when she’s wielding two lightsabers, but the Magistrate’s Beskar spear allows her to go toe to toe with Anakin’s former Padawan.

Fans will find themselves holding their breath for most of this scene, as it’s beautifully choreographed. (It’s also not every day you see two powerful women showing off their skills in the Star Wars universe. We’ll take it.)

Mando Getting the Beskar Spear

Once the fighting has ended on Corvus, Ahsoka Tano gives Mando the Beskar spear — and now that we know the spear hold its own against a lightsaber, fans have a good idea of what’s coming next. With Moff Gideon tracking Din Djarin, the two are likely to face one another before season two comes to an end. Moff Gideon has his Darksaber, and with this new Beskar weapon, Mando might just be able to take him on.

This moment is brief, but it hints at big things to come. We’ll be waiting impatiently for that epic showdown to arrive.

What did you think of this week’s episode of The Mandalorian? Share your thoughts in the comments below!