On Friday, October 30th, the most highly anticipated show of 2020 returns as The Mandalorian season 2 kicks off on Disney+. The eight episode sophomore season will feature the return of Mando (Din Djarin) and the super popular Baby Yoda.
The Mandalorian was so successful in 2019 that it earned 15 Emmy nominations and won seven of them. Furthermore, the show greatly outperformed the final installment of the Skywalker saga in the Star Wars franchise.
With the return of Mando and the rest of the cast of characters that we’ve become emotionally invested in like Cara Dune (Gina Carano) and Greef Karga (Carl Weathers), entertainment betting sites have released odds and prop bets for potential occurrences during season two of The Mandalorian.
“This is the way.”
Quick Recap of Season 1
The first season of The Mandalorian takes place between Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi and Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens.
The Rebel Alliance has defeated the Empire and peace was settling throughout the galaxy. Yet, there remained worlds where the services of a bounty hunter were still needed.
Loyalists to the “dead” Empire hire Mando to retrieve a package, which turned out to be Baby Yoda. They wanted Mando to bring them Baby Yoda so that they could study his species, experiment on him, and learn more about his powers.
Mando decides to defend the cute, green baby instead, which brings upon him the wrath of evil forces led by Moff Gideon. Mando’s decision to protect the life of Baby Yoda brings him to the brink of death.
After surviving the near-fatal attack from Moff Gideon, season one closes with Mando and Baby Yoda on a quest to unite the powerful, green baby with his own kind – presumably the Jedi.
The Mandalorian Season 2 Release Schedule
Season 2’s episodes of The Mandalorian will air as follows:
- Chapter 9 on October 30th
- Chapter 10 on November 6th
- Chapter 11 on November 13th
- Chapter 12 on November 20th
- Chapter 13 on November 27th
- Chapter 14 on December 4th
- Chapter 15 on December 11th
- Chapter 16 on December 18th
Like the first season, this second season will also consist of eight episodes. However, season 2’s premiere is allegedly going to be 52 minutes long which makes it the longest episode of The Mandalorian show.
What Do We Know About Season 2 of The Mandalorian?
In addition to Mando, Baby Yoda, Cara Dune, Greef Karga and Moff Gideon returning for the second season, there are new characters that diehard Star Wars fans are salivating over. These new characters have become popular figures within animated series like The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels.
One such character is Ahsoka Tano who is rumored to be played by the talented Rosario Dawson. Tano is from the Togruta race and was introduced to fans as an apprentice to Anakin Skywalker. She even fought alongside him in the Clone Wars.
Tano narrowly escaped the purge of Jedis and ended up on opposite sides of her once Jedi master who she actually fought against.
Based on Star Wars cannon, Tano would be in her 40s in the second season of The Mandalorian. Her lightsaber skills and understanding of the Jedi ways could make Tano a powerful ally for Mando.
Another character confirmed for season two is Sabine Wren who is unofficially played by WWE superstar Sasha Banks. We’ll get more into her character in one of the prop bets below.
The Mandalorian and the Child return Friday when the new season of #TheMandalorian starts streaming on #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/vmxBwfRLWc
— The Mandalorian (@themandalorian) October 27, 2020
One of my favorite actors Timothy Olymphant, from Justified and Deadwood, is rumored to join the cast as the character Cobb Vanth who was a major storyline in the Star Wars books. Apparently, Vanth was a Sheriff at Freetown on Tatooine.
Eventually, Vanth obtains Boba Fett’s Mandalorian gear and wears it as he continues to fight against evil forces like the Red Key Raiders.
Speaking of Boba Fett, there is a rumor that he appears in season two. Well, more than likely a clone of Boba Fett will appear since the real one died in Return of the Jedi. It would be really awesome to tie in the Boba Fett character with Cobb Vanth since he’s wearing the original Boba Fett’s armor.
Another talented actor Michael Biehn, from Aliens, Terminator and Tombstone, is said to be joining the cast to play a bounty hunter from Mando’s past.
Lastly, Katie Sakchoff is rumored to bring her Bo-Katan Kryze character from The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels animated series to season two of The Mandalorian. Kryze is a Mandalorian who was the last known owner of the darksaber before Moff Gideon obtained it.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we get some clarity on how Gideon acquired this darksaber and what Bo-Katan is up to these days. I’m willing to bet that this becomes one of the major storylines for season two in addition to finding Baby Yoda’s “kind.”
The Mandalorian Season 2, Ep. 1 Average on Rotten Tomatoes
- Over 91.5% (+100)
- Under 91.5% (-130)
Season two will pick up with Moff Gideon chasing after Mando and Baby Yoda throughout the galaxy. Inevitably, there will be another battle or two between these forces, but it appears that Mando could find some new, powerful allies. Whatever happens, it’s going to be really exciting.
Season one of The Mandalorian averaged a 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. It also averaged a 93% Tomatometer score which is calculated from critic ratings.
Three Days. The new season of #TheMandalorian starts streaming Friday on #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/KnOSrvGmWM
— The Mandalorian (@themandalorian) October 27, 2020
The first episode of season one scored a 90% from critics. However, the season finale ended up with a 100% Tomatometer score.
With all of the hype heading into season two, and a storyline that’s widely accepted throughout the Star Wars fanbase, I expect this episode to easily go over 91.5% with fans and critics.
Ep. 1 Average on Rotten Tomatoes –Over 91.5% (+100)
Baby Yoda Says ‘May the Force Be With You’ in Season 2
- Yes (+1200)
- No (-5000)
In season one, Baby Yoda was said to be 50 years old. We know that that Yoda, Luke’s Jedi master, lived to be over 900 years old. So, these species definitely age differently than humans in the Star Wars cannon.
When you look at how Baby Yoda acted in season one, he was similar to an infant or toddler in human years. With that in mind, it’s hard to imagine that Baby Yoda will utter “may the force be with you” or any other words.
More than likely, Baby Yoda will continue to babble with his words, but show an increased power with The Force. As for this prop bet, there’s no value in the “no” option.
‘May the Force Be With You’ Said –No (-5000)
Will Sasha Banks Character Die in Season 2?
- Yes (+600)
- No (-2000)
This is a great week for WWE superstar Sasha Banks. Not only will she appear in The Mandalorian season two, but she just won the SmackDown women’s title by vanquishing her biggest rival and former best friend Bayley. She’s become the third woman to win all of the WWE’s women’s championships.
Banks’ WWE storyline could be swapped for one in the Star Wars cannon and we wouldn’t be the wiser. Perhaps, she will join in Mando’s quest to protect Baby Yoda and vanquish a few bad guys along the way.
Sasha is rumored to play Sabine Wren. Yet, like most of the characters mentioned above, there’s been enough doubt cast over these potential roles that most of them have yet to be officially confirmed. Nevertheless, it’s safe to make the assumption that Banks will play Wren.
#TheMandalorian Season 2 “is going to be so incredible,” teases actress @SashaBanksWWE! Full quote: https://t.co/fwseduNiEO
— Star Wars Direct (@StarWars_Direct) October 20, 2020
Sabine Wren is a Mandalorian who led a rebellion against the Galactic Empire. She has a lengthy storyline that crosses over from books to animated series. Wren is a powerful warrior who would definitely become a much needed ally for Mando.
Wren also has a link to the darksaber, which should come into play since Ahsoka Tano and Moff Gideon are both in season two of The Mandalorian.
One more nugget of Star Wars info, Wren and Ahsoka Tano were seen heading off together at the end of Star Wars Rebels, which takes place prior to The Mandalorian in Star Wars cannon.
I think there’s a better chance that Tano ends up dying in season two than Wren. Let’s not forget that one of the voices that Rey hears when she’s battling Emperor Palpatine at the end of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is Ahsoka Tano along with, Yoda, Luke, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Anakain Skywalker
Let’s hope that neither end up dying and we get to see their characters for a few seasons on The Mandalorian. As for this prop bet, take the “no” option.
Will Sasha Banks Character Die? –No (-2000)
Will Luke Skywalker Make an Appearance?
- Yes +140
- No -200
Most casual fans didn’t realize that Mark Hamill actually made a cameo in the first season of The Mandalorian. Hamill voiced the character EV-9D9 who was a droid bartender who worked at the Mos Eisley Cantina on the planet Tatooine. This vocal appearance by Hamill took place in episode five.
Now that @themandalorian secret is out-might as well reveal I am vocally represented in ALL SW films except the Prequels. Thanks to @matthewood for using me in Rogue One, Solo & the Sequels, so I DO have lines in #EpVII. Hint: Look for parts played by Patrick Williams.#TrueStory https://t.co/kRQlo7uub8
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) June 20, 2020
Along with The Mandalorian, Hamill confirmed over the summer via Twitter that he has participated in all of the Star Wars films except for the prequels:
“Now that The Mandalorian secret is out-might as well reveal I am vocally represented in all Star Wars films, except the prequels. Thanks to Matt Wood for using me in Rogue One, Solo & the Sequels, so I DO have lines in Ep. VII. Hint: Look for parts played by Patrick Williams.”
In addition to a cameo last year, there are some theories and possible clues that Hamill could appear as Luke Skywalker in the upcoming season of The Mandalorian.
Season Two Will Have a Jedi Theme
Let’s start with the obvious, Since Mando is searching for Baby Yoda’s kind, the Jedi, it’s believed that season two will have an overarching Jedi theme. In other words, Mando will be on the hunt for all things Jedi, which means that at some point Luke Skywalker’s name has to come up.
We also know that Anakin Skywalker’s former Jedi padawan Ashsoka Tano is supposed to be in season two, so it’s not a far stretch to believe that there will be more Jedi related scenes and conversations.
Luke is an “Expert” on the Yoda Species
Luke is a leading expert on all things Jedi related, which includes the Yoda species. After his deep relationship with Master Yoda, it’s believed that Luke has a strong understanding of who or what Yoda was. That’s enough of a reason for Hamill to make a cameo in season two.
We Don’t Know What Luke Was Doing
In Star Wars cannon, we don’t exactly know what Luke Skywalker is up to at the timeframe that The Mandalorian takes place in.
We do know that The Mandalorian takes place roughly five years after Return of the Jedi, so Luke is still an active, passionate Jedi at this point and not the disheartened Jedi from the recent trilogy of films.
There’s a chance that Luke is out hunting Siths or learning more about their way. He could also be aiding in restoring peace throughout the galaxy.
Luke could even be starting up his “Jedi academy” that was referenced in the recent trilogy. He did end up training his nephew Ben Solo/Kylo Ren who went on to destroy it all, which sent Luke into a self-exile.
Since there isn’t concrete evidence as to what Luke was up to at this point in time, The Mandalorian could take creative liberties and have Luke help with Baby Yoda in some way.
The Season 2 Trailer Shows an X-Wing
In the trailer for season two of The Mandalorian, we see X-wings appear. Now, this isn’t a big clue that points to Luke, but it does add more depth to the other clues and theories mentioned above.
Keep in mind, Luke flew an X-wing into exile over two decades later. So, if he’s flying what’s believed to be his original X-wing nearly 25 years later then it’s safe to assume he’s still using one during the timeframe that The Mandalorian takes place in.
Last, but Not Least
Lastly, Jedi Master Luke feels any disturbance or usage of The Force. So, there’s no possible way that he didn’t feel Baby Yoda use powers of The Force in season one.
Because of this, it makes a great deal of sense that Luke seeks to find Baby Yoda at some point. Why not in season two of The Mandalorian?
If I were directing this season, I would have Luke make a cameo appearance in the season finale. Can you imagine how crazy Star Wars fans will go if they see Luke Skywalker?
There would be a huge buzz for the next 10 to 12 months until season three comes out in 2021. I would imagine that season premiere would shatter records and help boost Disney+ subscriptions.
For this wager, I am going with my heart over my head and taking the “yes” option. Call it wishful thinking, or call it The Force, I’m choosing to believe in a Luke Skywalker cameo.
Will Luke Skywalker Make an Appearance? –Yes (+140)
Rick Rockwell
As a longtime freelance writer, avid sports fan, former athlete, and experienced sports bettor, Rick Rockwell has risen up the ranks at GamblingSites.org to become the self-professed “King of the Blog” in his first year with the site. …
