The Mandalorian season 2: The 5 best moments from Chapter 16

The Mandalorian season 2 had some epic surprises in store during its finale. What were our favorite moments from this season’s last outing?

Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Mandalorian Chapter 16. 

It’s hard to believe The Mandalorian‘s second season has already come and gone, but at least fans got an epic finale to hold them over until…well, whenever season three arrives. There’s no denying that season two of this Disney+ show cemented its place in Star Wars canon, hitting viewers with amazing installment after amazing installment. And “Chapter 16: The Rescue” may have proved itself the best episode yet, with action, character moments, and a cameo that was beyond anything fans had anticipated.

Truthfully, it’s hard to imagine anyone not being in their feelings by the end of The Mandalorian‘s season two finale. So, what were the biggest and best moments from this episode?

Badass Ladies Take the Bridge

As a woman and Star Wars fan, it was immensely satisfying to see the likes of Bo-Katan, Fennec Shand, Koska Reeves, and Cara Dune fighting the Empire side by side during Chapter 16. Although Star Wars has always had badass women among its main characters, they’re usually the exception in a cast full of men — and until the more recent additions to the franchise, they’re usually not heavily involved in any of the actual fighting.

To see multiple women teaming up to take on the enemy together was new for the franchise, and it’s something we’d definitely love to see more of in The Mandalorian. Luckily, it seems some of these characters will be sticking around.

Mando vs. Moff Gideon

While our badass army of women takes on the Stormtroopers and even a Darktrooper or two, Mando heads straight for the Child. Of course, that’s exactly where Moff Gideon is waiting, and fans are finally given the fight between the two characters that we’ve been waiting for.

Sadly, it’s a brief scuffle and not nearly as epic as we were expecting. Still, it was definitely satisfying to see these two go head to head at last — and to see Mando putting that Beskar spear to good use! There’s also another reason Mando defeating Moff Gideon is such a huge moment…

Mando Winning the Darksaber

When Mando defeats Moff Gideon, he takes the villain’s Darksaber, planning to hand it over the Bo-Katan. When he arrives, however, he realizes something he didn’t know before: The Darksaber must be won over in battle — so, Bo-Katan would have to fight and defeat him to take it.

This puts Mando in an interesting situation heading into season three, as whoever wields the Darksaber has claim to Mandalore’s throne. Could we see Din take on a leadership position in restoring Mandalore? It would be pretty amazing.

That Cameo!

Okay, we have to talk about Chapter 16’s big cameo. Just when things are looking grim for our heroes, Luke Skywalker shows up in an X-Wing and takes out all of the Darktroopers heading for them. Even with the questionable CGI, it’s an epic moment full of impressive lightsaber wielding — and honestly, even without all the action, the return of Mark Hamill to the franchise is enough to give Star Wars fans chills.

If Luke’s return wasn’t enough to get viewers jumping up and down, Baby Yoda also meets R2D2, bringing two of the franchise’s most adorable characters together at long last.

The Farewell

The saddest moment in the entire episode arrives when Baby Yoda decides to leave with Luke and R2D2, accepting that he needs training to properly wield the Force. Of course, this can’t be an easy decision after developing a father-son relationship with Din. And the parting between these two will have fans in tears (if Luke’s arrival didn’t already start the waterworks).

Mayfeld may have been the first person to see Din without his helmet, but he certainly isn’t the last. In fact, our favorite Mandalorian removes it so that Grogu can look at and remember his face. (It’s also so fans can see how teary-eyed he is letting the little guy go, but we’re trying not to think about that right now.)

Luckily, Mando does promise the Child that they’ll meet again. We’re counting on that because this is the Baby Yoda Show.

(Wait, what do you mean it’s actually called The Mandalorian?! Noooo.)

What did you think of The Mandalorian Chapter 16? Share your thoughts in the comments below!