Mandalorian: Season 3

March 3, 2023

“The Mandalorian” returned to Disney+ on March 1 for a third season and it is picking up right after Din Djarin took off his helmet and now he has to find a way to redeem himself with the creed.

The main purpose of the first season of “The Mandalorian” was for Din Djarin to protect the child Grogu from the Imperial remnant. Season 2 focused on returning Grogu to where he belongs.

Moff Gideon was the antagonist from last season, and we believe he will be coming back this season. Moff Gideon wanted Gorgu for his force sensitive blood. We thought that this might have something to do with him trying to create clones of Emperor Palpatine who had been resurrected. There is a theory, which is most likely true, that Emperor Palpatine wants to use some of his blood and Grogu’s blood to make Snoke.

On top of that, Bo-Katan lost the dark saber to Moff Gideon prior to the Mandolorian getting it, but she refused to take it back when it was freely offered to her. Now she is on a personal redemption arc in her character development. She wants to restore honor and respect to her homeland of the Mandalorian people.

Nine episodes will comprise season 3 with a new episode released each Wednesday. Episodes are expected to run between 40 and 50 minutes with the final episode scheduled for April 19.

Editor Katie Johnson and Staff Writer Jenson Mahr will be here every Thursday to recap and give our opinion of each episode.

Episode 1: The Apostate

Disney%E2%80%99s+first+photo+of+Mandalorian+season+3.+Vale+and+the+pirates+meet+Greef+Karga+and+DIn+Djarin+for+the+first+time.+The+Pirates+become+possible+enemies+after+a+shootout+in+the+streets+of+Navarro.

Lucas Film Studios

Disney’s first photo of Mandalorian season 3. Vale and the pirates meet Greef Karga and DIn Djarin for the first time. The Pirates become possible enemies after a shootout in the streets of Navarro.

As far as first episodes go to start off the new season of “The Mandalorian,” the main purpose of the season is for Din Djarin to redeem his faith.

In the first episode of season three, we learn what the Mandalorian must do to redeem his religion from becoming an apostate. 

For Din Djarin to redeem himself and show that he is loyal to the Mandalorian creed, he must travel to the depths of Mandalore and bring back proof to the Armorer that he has bathed himself in living waters. By creed this would uplift his decree of exile. 

The first episode of “The Mandalorian” begins with a child being baptized in the name of the Mandalorian religion. The Armorer who oversees the Mandalorian culture expresses their religion by baptizing the child with his helmet. This type of baptism is a part of their culture referring to the Mandalorian creed. The Mandalorians’ creed is that they can never remove their helmet.

[H]e must travel to the depths of Mandalore and bring back proof to the Armorer that he has bathed himself in living waters.

— Staff Writer Jenson Mahr

Later after meeting with the Armorer, Din returns to the planet Navarro with Grogu alongside him. The Mandalorian’s plan is to meet with his old friend Greef Karga and acquire a droid named IG-11. IG-11 was first programmed to be a killer droid but was then reprogrammed to be a medical droid.

In the past, Din did not trust the droid, but he had a change of heart after IG-11 saved his life back in the beginning of Season 1. After Din convinces Greef to allow him to rebuild IG-11, the droid’s circuits get fried and he transitions back to his original programming, which is to be a killer droid. Din gave the IG unit to an anzellan for him to fix it so he can take it on his quest to Mandalore.

While finding a droid to take with him to Mandalore, Din makes enemies with the local pirates on Navarro. While protecting his friend Greef Karga, Din shoots some of the pirates, although leaves the main pirate, Vane, alive.

Since Vane could be an enemy later during the season, he probably should not have left him alive when he had the chance. 

Later in the episode, Din fights Vane and a few of his friends in space as they surround him. Vane traps Din to where he has target lock on him, but Din is able to escape quickly without any hesitation. The pirates hint at future villains that may show up throughout the rest of the season. 

[Bo-Katan] is able to give him the exact coordinates to the place on Mandalore that he is looking for to atone for his sin.

— Staff Writer Jenson Mahr

After escaping the pirates, Mando visits the planet Kalevala to meet Bo-Katan, a previous ruler of the Mandalorian. Din Djarin recently became the Mandalorian ruler because he acquired the dark saber in a fight with Moff Gideon. 

Din hopes that he can join Bo-Katan and her lawful Mandalorians, but it turns out that her people were fractured after attempting to obtain the dark saber. Instead, she is able to give him the exact coordinates to the place on Mandalore that he is looking for to atone for his sin. 

After receiving the coordinates, Din and Grogu leave ominously. 

To wrap up this week’s episode, here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Bo-Katan and the pirates from Navarro might crop up as enemies later in this season
  • With Bo-Katan being a possible enemy, she might fight Din Djarin for the dark saber 
  • Din must return to Mandalore to redeem his faith of his creed
  • Grogu caught his eye on a purgill while in hyperspace, which could possibly hint at an appearance of Ezra Bridgard later on in the season.

Episode 2: The Mines of Mandalore

Din+Djarin+takes+a+look+in+the+cave+where+all+the+remnants+of+homes+and+cities+were.+Episode+2+focuses+on+Djarin%E2%80%99s+quest+for+redemption+via+the+Living+Waters+of+Mandalore.

Lucasfilms

Din Djarin takes a look in the cave where all the remnants of homes and cities were. Episode 2 focuses on Djarin’s quest for redemption via the Living Waters of Mandalore.

Episode 2 begins after Bo-Katan has given Mando and Grogu the exact coordinates to Mandalore so he can atone for his sin.  

Din Djarin and Grogu go to Mos Isley on Tatooine where they talk to Peli Motos. She persuades them to take an escort droid with them to Mandalore. 

As they reach hyper-space, Din proceeds to tell Grogu about Mandalore and where he grew up on the Moon Concordia next to the planet. Once they land on the planet’s surface, Din reminds Grogu of the path that Bo-Katan wanted them to take.

He sends an R5 unit to scope out the planet and is surprised to find that the planet is breathable. This gave Mando hope that the Living Waters did exist and were still intact so he could complete his mission.

Three main points from this episode:. 

Inhabitants living on Mandalore

When he first arrived on the planet, Mando was shocked to see that he could breathe on the planet and Bo-Katan was right that it was not cursed. 

The Armorer had previously informed Din that the planet was uninhabitable and dangerous to be on…

— Editor Katie Johnson

The Armorer had previously informed Din that the planet was uninhabitable and dangerous to be on, but there are living creatures on the planet.

As they moved deeper on the planet he reached a cave and was attacked by Allimates. Din uses the dark saber to fight them off when his regular weapons fail. 

He also encounters crab-like robotic creatures living in a lair littered with Mandalorian helmets. This crab-thing catches Din by surprise and traps him inside a kind of cage spinning over a fire with fluid-draining tubes attached. 

Grogu helps the mission 

After Mando is captured, Grogu hops back into the pod and speeds away where he has R5-D4 fly him to Kalevala to alert Bo-Katan.

As Grogu leads Bo-Katan back down to where Din is trapped, she tells him a bit of her own story. She explains that she is the scion of the family who once ruled Mandalore, before the Empire and militant sects like Din’s wrecked everything. She had even befriended Jedi as well.

She disagrees and says that Mandalore is a tomb of what it once was. 

— Editor Katie Johnson

This interchange provides background information related to Bo-Katan and the planet in general.

Bo-Katan was willing to save Din Djarin 

When Grogu first landed on Kalevala, Bo-Katan was pretty angry with Mando and was going to get rid of him “once and for all.” When she came out she was shocked to see Grogu alone and she was willing to help save Din. 

Once they rescue Mando, he tells Bo-Katan that she was right that the planet was not cursed. She disagrees and says that Mandalore is a tomb of what it once was. 

Then she leads them to the Living Waters where she recites another legend. She explains the Mythosaur that lived in the mines of Beskar but was allegedly tamed by Mandalore the Great. 

To think about for next week’s episode:

  • Mando has been to the Living Waters, so his main mission should be complete. What’s next?
  • Bo-Katan saved Mando twice. Is she about to use him for another quest?

Episode 3: The Convert

Dr.+Pershing+sits+with+the+robot+to+discuss+whether+he+is+continuing+to+like+the+amnesty+program+or+not.+This+episode+focuses+on+Dr.+Pershing+and+his+new+job+in+the+amnesty+program+with+the+New+Republic.

LucasFilm

Dr. Pershing sits with the robot to discuss whether he is continuing to like the amnesty program or not. This episode focuses on Dr. Pershing and his new job in the amnesty program with the New Republic.

Episode 3 begins with Bo-Katan staring at the depths of the Living Waters in shock. In the previous episode, it was revealed that a living Mythosaur lies at the bottom of the mine. Din and Bo-Katan leave the planet when Din awakes after almost drowning in the water.

After leaving the planet, Din and Bo-Katan are surrounded by Imperial Remnants in Tie Interceptors. They lead the squadron of Interceptors back to Bo-Katan’s planet on Kalevala, and Bo-Katan drops Din to his ship mid-air so Din can assist Bo-Katan on taking down the Interceptors in his N-1 Starfighter.

They are able to take out the first phase of Interceptors until another squad arrives and destroys Bo-Katan’s home. Immediately, Bo-Katan is enraged, wanting to risk everything and take down the rest of the Interceptors that show up. Din persuades Bo-Katan into letting go of what had happened. Din and Bo-Katan leave the planet and head where the Imperial Remnant would never find them. 

The scene then transitions to Coruscant, where the episode features Dr. Pershing for most of the episode. Dr. Pershing is a brilliant scientist who developed cloning technologies and completed science experiments on Grogu in past seasons. Dr. Pershing now works on cataloging data cards with the New Republic.

Mandalorians used to ride and tame these Mythosaur creatures.

Later, Dr. Pershing reunites with Elia Kane, a former worker for Moff Gideon. Elia is another survivor of Moff Gideon’s previous republic, and she now lies within the New Republic doubtfully. 

At the end of the episode, Din and Bo-Katan are redeemed for their sins because they both were bathed in the Mandalorian waters. 

Three main points from this episode: 

Bo-Katan sees the living Mythosaur

After coming into contact with the Mythosaur, Bo-Katan realizes that it could be the last Mythosaur alive. These creatures have been around for centuries. 

Back in ancient Mandalorian times, Mandalorians used to ride and tame these Mythosaur creatures. Nevertheless, it was believed that these Mythosaur creatures became extinct long before the purge on Mandalore occurred.

Din and Bo-Katan leave the planet and head where the Imperial Remnant would never find them.

The last time the Mythosaur was mentioned was in Season 1, Episode 1, when Kuiil mentions to Din Djarin that his ancestors used to ride the Mythosaurs.

Dr. Pershing’s adventure

Throughout the episode, Dr. Pershing and Elia Kane take an adventure to an abandoned Imperial ship to steal the mobile lab station that was soon to be scrapped by the New Republic. As they steal the cloning supplies from the lab, they come across the authorities. 

When they were caught, Elia turned to the authorities side, blaming Dr. Pershing. Dr. Pershing wakes up in a lab where the mind-flayer is being used on his brain. As one of the doctors leaves the room, Elia cranks up the intensity on the mind flayer, practically destroying Dr. Pershing’s brain. 

Din Djarin and Bo-Katan redeemed

Din and Bo-Katan return to the planet Arvala-7 where the Armorer and other Mandalorians now stay. Din returns with the good news that he had completed his mission since he bathed himself in the Living Waters of Mandalore. His proof of redemption was the small funnel of water he collected before he left. 

Dr. Pershing wakes up in a lab where the mind-flayer is being used on his brain.

Alongside Din was Bo-Katan, mentioning that she was a witness of his redemption and that she went to get him in the water. This made the Armorer realize that Bo-Katan had also bathed herself in the waters. 

Now that both Din and Bo-Katan are redeemed, the big question is: Will Bo-Katan stay with the creed and fight alongside other Mandalorians to get her revenge on the Imperial Remnant that destroyed her home? Since Bo-Katan and Din have more allies, they stand a chance against the Imperial Remnant. 

Topics to think about for next week’s episode:

  • Will Bo-Katan keep her helmet on and if she will fight alongside the creed? 
  • What is going to happen with Dr. Pershing?
  • Why did Elia Kane betray Dr. Pershing?

Episode 4: The Foundling

Kelleran+Beq+accompanies+Grogu+to+a+ship+in+order+to+help+him+avoid+Executive+Order+66.+This+scene+is+important+because+it+shows+how+the+Jedi+are+dedicated+to+keeping+Grogu+safe+and+the+way+of+the+Jedi+alive.

LucasFilms

Kelleran Beq accompanies Grogu to a ship in order to help him avoid Executive Order 66. This scene is important because it shows how the Jedi are dedicated to keeping Grogu safe and the way of the Jedi alive.

Last week’s episode was different from the episodes we have previously seen. It did not follow any of the main characters, and instead followed the story of a former Imperial scientist Dr. Pershing seen in previous seasons.

Episode 4 starts out right after Bo-Katan and Mando leave Kalevala in the wake of storm troopers. They travel back to where the other Mandalorians are living. The first part of the episode is more focused on Grogu’s and other foundlings’ training. 

Din Djarin focuses on Grogu becoming a true Mandalorian foundling. Grogu spars against a boy named Ragnar who was more equipped in using Mandalorian weapons and was not afraid to show it when he went against the much smaller child. Grogu eventually had to use some of his Jedi training to win. 

Later in the episode, the Armorer forges Grogu a Mandalorian chest piece and tells him about the Mandalorian way. The sounds of the metal being hit triggers memories from Grogu’s past. At the end of the flashback Grogu receives a round Beskar chest piece after already having the Mithril shirt made of Beskar.

The three main points from this episode: 

With the help of the Naboo Royal Security, they are able to escape the planet.

— Editor Katie Johnson

Flashback 

In the flashback, Grogu is being defended by the Jedi during the purge on the Jedi temple on Coruscant and the person who saved him in the end. Turns out it was Master Kelleran Beq who rescued him. With the help of the Naboo Royal Security, they are able to escape the planet.

The flashback was epic and definitely left me wanting more while having so many questions. This flashback is the key to Grogu understanding who he is and what he wants to be in the future. 

I have a feeling we will be seeing more Kelleran Beq this season and other seasons to come.

Saving Ragnar 

Ragnar was the young Mandalorian child that had trained with and sparred against Grogu. 

Ragnar was captured by a dinosaur-like creature. It was later said that he was just one of the children they had been losing. Din, Paz Vizsla, and other Manadalorians take to the sky and chase the creature.

When they return back to the other Mandalorians, they bring back with them three more foundlings to train.

— Editor Katie Johnson

The party who went to save Ragnar was led by Bo-Katan herself. They make camp for the night near the nest and plan to climb it the next day. Despite her strong leadership and strong initiative, Bo-Katan could be considered another “foundling” of the group, since she has forgotten the traditions of old.

When they reach the nest, Ragnar is nowhere to be seen. His father Paz Vizsla had rushed in too soon and was about to be eaten by the creature’s three babies. 

The pursuit ends with Ragnar being saved, while the creature ends up being eaten by a creature that looks similar to the mythosaur. When they return back to the other Mandalorians, they bring back with them three more foundlings to train.

Purpose for Grogu

 Grogu comes from the Jedi, yet when he trained with Luke Skywalker in the way of the Jedi, he refused. Early in the episode it is revealed that he retained some of the knowledge. In the training scene he applies his retained knowledge with his current training in the way of the Mandalorian. 

Soon he will have to establish a true path for himself.

— Editor Katie Johnson

I believe Grogu is going to be instrumental in helping create a better relationship with the reestablishment of the Jedi. As Grogu grows so will his knowledge of the Force and the Mandalorian ways. Soon he will have to establish a true path for himself. 

Grogu is a developing character to watch. He may be young, but he has enormous potential. 

Things to think about for next week: 

  • Are Mandalorian myths real after all Bo-Katan has told the Armorer about the mythosaur she saw and the creature that looked similar to the mythosaur?
  • Grogu is having more flashbacks, so his memory might be returning.
  • Grogu training in the ways of Mandalore has started, and we should expect to see more tactics and occurrences of him using the Force.

Episode 5: The Pirate

Zeb+Orrelios+talks+to+Carson+Teva+at+the+bar+to+request+support+on+Nevarro+against+the+pirates.+This+scene+cameos+Zeb+in+the+live-action+Mandalorian+series.+

LucasFilms

Zeb Orrelios talks to Carson Teva at the bar to request support on Nevarro against the pirates. This scene cameos Zeb in the live-action Mandalorian series.

After last week’s episode, we had an exciting moment witnessing Ahmed Best, who played Jar Jar Binks in “The Phantom Menace,” playing Kelleran Beq.  In this week’s episode, we are presented with a plan of how the rest of the season will play out along with the escape of Moff Gideon and Bo-Katan becoming a leader of the Mandalorians.  

Episode 5 starts off with the pirates arriving back on Nevarro to attack Greef Karga because of the dispute that went on earlier in the season. Greef requests backup from the New Republic, but Carson Teva informs him that his alliance on Nevarro is now independent. 

To help Greef’s case, Carson Teva travels to the Outer Rim to make contact with Din and the other Mandalorians to inform them that Greef is once again in trouble with the pirates. Din and the other Mandalorians agree to support Greef to help protect Nevarro from the pirates after discussion. 

…finds Mandalorian fragments of Beskar alloy embedded in the wall of the desecrated shuttle. 

— Staff Writer Jenson Mahr

After a successful battle against the pirates, Greef Karga and his people are able to feel safe again, especially when he awards the Mandalorians free land allowing Greef to request for help whenever it is needed.

At the end of the episode, we get a glimpse of the ship that Moff Gideon was kept under arrest on, which was flying to Coruscant. Carson Teva sends R7’s probe droid around to scan the shuttle and finds Mandalorian fragments of Beskar alloy embedded in the wall of the desecrated shuttle. 

The three main points from this episode:

Zeb’s cameo

Zeb Orrelios is one of the main characters in “Star Wars Rebels,” the animated series. This was the first time seeing Zeb in a live action series.

In this episode, Zeb unexpectedly shows up at the bar talking to Carson Teva, where Zeb mentions that the New Republic has a backlog of requests from different planets and that Nevarro would probably be ignored. Zeb was a former rebel and is now a New Republic pilot. 

Earlier in the season, the show hinted at a possible appearance of a “Star Wars Rebels” character, which many thought would be Ezra Bridger, but instead, we got a Zeb cameo. The question is whether or not there will still be an Ezra Bridger cameo. 

All of these possible “Star Wars Rebels” easter egg cameos could be hinting for the upcoming show “Ahsoka.” 

Bo-Katan leading Mandalorians 

Later in the episode after defeating the pirates, the Armorer wishes to speak with Bo-Katan. The Armorer instructs Bo-Katan to remove her helmet, which would violate the creed. 

At first, Bo-Katan seemed hesitant to take her helmet off but felt it was not a violation since the Armorer had commanded her to do so. At this point, the helmet rule is supposedly optional, showing that Bo-Katan must be respected by her followers since she has become more flexible as a Mandalorian everywhere she goes.

[Bo-Katan] is earning respect from the Armorer.

— Staff Writer Jenson Mahr

The Armorer mentions to Bo-Katan that she has walked both worlds and that she is suited once again to lead and unite the Mandalorians. She has proven herself loyal to the creed, especially when she mentioned the mythosaur to the Armorer and saved the foundling in the last episode. 

With Bo-Katan stepping up as ruler of the Mandalorian creed, she is earning respect from the Armorer. This could be a big step for the Mandalorian creed having a new ruler, especially one who is as courageous and ready to help others as Bo-Katan is. 

Moff Gideon escape

At the end of the previous season, Moff Gideon was arrested after the attack on the cruiser. He was taken aboard the Lambda shuttle to travel to Coruscant for his trial. While being taken to Coruscant, a group of Mandalorians hijacked the prison shuttle, taking Moff Gideon with them.

When Teva arrives at the shuttle, he scans the ship and finds a shard of Beskar. This is where Teva takes it as a sign that Mandalorians were definitely involved. The big question is which clan of Mandalorians was involved.

One clan of Mandalorians that was possibly involved are the Imperial Super Commandos. Gar Saxon, who was a former ruler of the Imperial Super Commandos, died in “Star Wars Rebels.” This raises the question of who the new ruler of the Imperial Super Commandos could be.

Things to think about for next week:

  • Will more characters from “Star Wars Rebels” appear?
  • Moff Gideon has escaped, so who is responsible?
  • Will Bo-Katan fight for the dark saber that Din Djarin possesses?

Episode 6: Guns for Hire

Bo-Katan+accepts+the+Darksaber.+This+image+signifies+that+Bo-Katan+is+not+only+the+true+ruler+of+Mandalore+but+the+person+who+will+be+responsible+for+bringing+all+Mandalorians+together.+

Lucasfilm

Bo-Katan accepts the Darksaber. This image signifies that Bo-Katan is not only the true ruler of Mandalore but the person who will be responsible for bringing all Mandalorians together.

Last week’s episode was pretty action-packed. We return to Nervaro with Greef Karga and the pirates. The Pirates have attacked the town and Karga has called for reinforcements from the New Republic. With the help of the Mandolarians, the pirates were defeated, helping the Mandalorians gain a new home as well as protection. Bo-Katan and Mando get a new mission to reunite all Mandalorians.  

Din Djarin, Grogu and Bo-Katan Kryze pay a visit to Plazir-15, an Outer Rim planet known for having a diverse population and a nearly all-droid workforce. They are searching for Plazir-15’s private mercenary force who are Mandalorians for hire led by Axe Woves, a former subordinate of Bo-Katan. In order for them to get access they have to stop all of the droids from turning on the people and whoever is causing it. 

The Mandalorians’ investigation leads them back to Commissioner Helgait, who was up to no good. As it turns out he was actually a secret radical, plotting to disrupt the planet’s lifestyle by infecting the droids with malicious nanobots designed to restore the machines to their original war-like programming. 

Bo-Katan and Mando get a new mission to reunite all Mandalorians.

— Editor Katie Johnson

With the royal couple, Captain Bombardier and The Duchess, happy Bo-Katan and Mando are finally able to complete their mission. In order for her to complete her mission, Bo-Katan must fight her former subordinate to retake her army.

Three main points of this episode:

Bo-Katan has the DarkSaber 

Bo-Katan was finally able to complete her mission and retake command of her former army from Axe Woves.

The two Mandalorians fight, Bo-Katan wins, and then Din announces that because she previously saved him from an alien creature that had taken his Darksaber, she is the weapon’s rightful owner and Mandalore’s rightful ruler.

[Bo-Katan] is the weapon’s rightful owner and Mandalore’s rightful ruler.

— Editor Katie Johnson

The Darksaber is an ancient, black-bladed Lightsaber. It was created by Tarre Vizsla, the first Mandalorian ever inducted into the Jedi Order. Following his passing, the weapon was kept in the Jedi Temple until members of House Vizsla stole it during the fall of the Old Republic. 

The New Republic is holding back on the growth of its inhabitants 

The New Republic has been too quick to dismantle some of the Empire’s perfectly good infrastructure, and too inattentive to the often widely ranging needs of faraway planets.

This may be the reason why Commissioner Helgait was plotting to disrupt the planet’s cushy lifestyle by infecting the droids. After all he did say the planet is “unrecognizable” since Captain Bombardier, who used to work for the Empire, arrived. To get attention from the New Republic to help the Outer Rim planet thrive and become more successful in the future.

I have a feeling we will be seeing more of the issues with the New Republic when it comes to planets on the outer rims of the galaxy. 

Once the droid does some research, it discovers all the malfunctioning droids were served the same batch of Nepenthé.

— Editor Katie Johnson

Nepenthé

After Din finds the spark pad in the droid he and Bo-Katan travel to the location of a droid bar. When they get into the bar, the droid-tender explains he wants to help, so that the droids will not be replaced. They find out that every droid is served Nepenthé, which is a lubricant that can also rewire and reprogram the droid’s circuitry.

Once the droid does some research, it discovers all the malfunctioning droids were served the same batch of Nepenthé. In the droid morgue, with the help of a lab tech, they remove some of the Nepenthé to test it.

They look into the Nepenthé and find nano droids, including their chain code.They then discover these nano droids were purchased by one man alone, Commissioner Helgait.

Things to remember for next week’s episode:

  • Were the rogue Mandalorians the ones who freed Moff Gideon? 
  • Will Moff Gideon make an appearance soon?
  • Will there be more traveling to more plants in search of Mandalorians?

Episode 7: The Spies

Moff+Gideon+walks+down+the+long+corridor+of+doors.+On+the+side+are+altered+Super+Imperial+troopers+made+of+Beskar+armor+that+are+used+later+in+the+episode.+

LucasFilm

Moff Gideon walks down the long corridor of doors. On the side are altered Super Imperial troopers made of Beskar armor that are used later in the episode.

Last week’s episode was not as action-packed as other episodes. The most important part of last week’s episode was Din Djarin returning the Darksaber to its rightful owner, Bo-Katan Kryze. At the end of the episode, all of the Mandalorians reunite and agree to take back Mandalore together. 

Episode 7 mainly focuses on the Mandalorians taking back Mandalore and Moff Gideon’s return. The episode starts off back on Coruscant, where Elia Kane talks to a hologram of Moff Gideon using a probe droid. The scene transitions to Moff Gideon walking into a room with holograms of the Shadow Council. The Shadow Council is full of the biggest villains in the galaxy that come together to discuss projects for the future. 

The Mandalorians take the long lost survivors along with them underground to retake their home planet.

— Staff Writer Jenson Mahr

Din Djarin and Bo-Katan bring aboard the Mandalorians from the previous episode to unite with other followers of the Mandalorian creed. When the Mandalorians land on Mandalore, while making their way to the underground city forge, they come across a barge full of other Mandalorians who survived the purge on Mandalore. The Mandalorians take the long lost survivors along with them underground to retake their home planet.

Toward the end of the episode, the Mandalorians encounter Moff Gideon and his squadron of troops, who trap the Mandalorians in their facility. Before Moff Gideon makes his attack he mentions to the Mandalorians that this would be the end of the purge destroying all Mandalorians.

Three main points of this episode:

Moff Gideon’s return

Moff Gideon has returned to take back the heir of the empire while Grand Admiral Thrawn is supposedly missing in action, but is clearly alive after his appearance in the recent “Ahsoka” trailer. 

Gideon declared that he would bomb the remaining Mandalorian fleets that were still orbiting around the planet.

— Staff Writer Jenson Mahr

The link between Moff Gideon’s escape episode to now is quite clear based on the Beskar alloy fragments being detected because he is applying Beskar armor to the new imperial trooper suits. 

In the episode, Moff Gideon plans to get rid of the Mandalorians once and for all, but the episode ends with him trapping some of the Mandalorians in a room. Gideon declared that he would bomb the remaining Mandalorian fleets that were still orbiting around the planet. Since there could be no communication with the fleets, Bo-Katan would have to use the Darksaber to cut a hole in the wall to escape and warn the fleet. 

Rise of the New Empire

The rise of the New Empire is the aftermath of the Galactic Empire that Moff Gideon is trying to rebuild after Palpatine’s death. Gideon has updated technology like new stormtrooper suits using Beskar armor.

Gideon has also experimented with cloning while being a part of the empire in “The Mandalorian.” Last season, he used Grogu’s blood to transfuse his blood into Dark Troopers, and now he could be cloning Snoke or Emperor Palpatine.

At the end of the episode, when Moff Gideon reveals himself to the Mandalorians, he has created a new suit for himself built fully of Beskar armor. 

The new technology for troopers like Praetorian Guards raises the question of whether this new empire is slowly becoming the First Order. 

— Staff Writer Jenson Mahr

At the end of the episode, Praetorian Guards appear taking down Paz Viszla. In “The Last Jedi” these Praetorian Guards made their first appearance during the First Order era. The new technology for troopers like Praetorian Guards raises the question of whether this new empire is slowly becoming the First Order. 

Battle on Mandalore

On their home planet of Mandalore, the Mandalorians plan to take back the forge. When they return to the part of the city underground, they are surrounded by Moff Gideon’s flying Imperial troopers. Moff Gideon’s plan was to lead the Mandalorians into a room to trap them. Moff Gideon’s plan was successful when he was able to surround Din Djarin with his troopers and hold them hostage. 

While capturing Din Djarin and keeping the other Mandalorians trapped, Moff Gideon mentions how he is building new technology for the empire that will have more lethal skills than before, especially with the trooper designs using Beskar armor. Gideon will create a new army based off of strong factions such as Jedi’s ancient skills, cloning, and Mandalorians. 

Bo-Katan finally uses her Darksaber to cut a hole in the wall behind them to escape and inform the other Mandalorians about the attack Moff Gideon had just called in. While the Mandalorians escape, Paz Vizsla loses his life while protecting the rest of the Mandalorians so they can escape. Remaining Super Imperial troopers were sent in to stop Paz. Paz was still standing until he was wiped out by Praetorian Guards. 

Things to think about for next week’s finale:

  • Will Din Djarin be rescued by Mandalorians?
  • How will the rest of the season play out with Moff Gideon trying to end the forge of the Mandalorian race?
  • Will Bo-Katan defeat Moff Gideon?

Episode 8: The Return

Bo-Katan+Kryze+uses+the+Dark+Saber+to+fight+Moff+Gideon+after+she+saves+Mando+from+being+killed.+During+the+fight%2C+Moff+Gideon+melts+and+destroys+the+Dark+Saber.+

LucasFilms

Bo-Katan Kryze uses the Dark Saber to fight Moff Gideon after she saves Mando from being killed. During the fight, Moff Gideon melts and destroys the Dark Saber.

Compared to other season finales, this one was pretty short but filled with numerous fight scenes. Episode 8 ties the whole season together bringing in all three of the main points from throughout the season. 

The central one involved the larger story of the Mandalorians themselves and how they overcame obstacles. Then the other two points involved obstacles to the Mandalorians’ plan: the overwhelmed and inattentive New Republic bureaucracy and the Imperial remnant forces commanded by the fugitive Moff Gideon.

Picking up where last week’s cliffhanger left off, the episode begins with Din Djarin escaping his stormtrooper captors with the help of some cool spinning kicks and the timely arrival of Grogu in his IG-12 attack armor. 

The pair then go after Gideon, which requires them to pass through multiple deflector shields guarded by troopers with increasingly more powerful weaponry. It is like video game levels. In each level it gets harder and harder to fight them but soon Din Djarin overcomes them.

When Din Djarin and Grogu reach Gideon after destroying a chamber full of his clones, the aspiring emperor boasts about his scheme to acquire mastery of the Force through science. After, he commands his Praetorian Guards to attack Din Djarin.

With the Mandalorians and the Empire at each other’s throats there was not much down time in between the fighting. Some of the Mandalorians retreated to the caves with the other Mandalorians who had stayed on the planet. They show Bo-Katan how to cultivate the plant life in the caves. 

The plants had not grown naturally for centuries because of the planet’s civil wars and overreliance on industrialization. 

While that was going on the Mandalorians came swarming down in their jetpacks and engaged in hand-to-hand combat with flying stormtroopers. Bo-Katan reaches Din Djarin and Grogu and uses the Dark Saber to fight against Moff Gideon.  

Moff Gideon destroys the Dark Saber when Axe crashes a light cruiser into the base, prompting Grogu to make a force shield. Moff Gideon was promptly covered in the fire.

The seed of hope for the Mandalorians to prosper happens after Moff Gideon’s defeat and is shown when the Armorer relights the Great Forge and then recommences the process of anointing foundlings in the Living Waters. 

Din Djarin asks for Grogu to go through the ritual, but because the child cannot speak and has no parents to vouch for him, the Armorer hesitates. Din Djarin formally adopts his ward, now given the name Din Grogu. 

This episode was a clear set up for season 4. The Mandalorians will have to learn to work with other fragments who do not share the same beliefs as them since they are all united as one people.

To wrap up this season keep these things in mind:

  • How will the Mandalorians respond when they learn that the Dark Saber has been destroyed? 
  • Moff Gideon is presumed dead, but he was wearing armor made of Beskar. 
  • With Din Djarin and Grogu back on Navarro, they will soon have to find more work to make a living, leading to new adventures.

Season 3 – Recap

Listen as Editor Katie Johnson and Staff Writer Jenson Mahr sit down and discuss Season 3 of “The Mandalorian.” They discuss likes and dislikes of the Mandalorian series and the potential for the next season.

Click the image above to listen to the full podcast.

Leave a Comment

The Prowler • Copyright 2024 • FLEX WordPress Theme by SNOLog in

Comments (0)

We welcome your comments, but only those comments that are appropriate for a high school publication will be posted. Comments that are derogatory or use inappropriate or vulgar language will not be posted.
All The Prowler Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *