By Thomas Bacon
The Mandalorian season 3, episode 7 comes to an explosive climax, setting up a stunning finale, the Ahsoka Disney+ TV show, and even the Mando movie!
This article contains spoilers for The Mandalorian season 3, episode 7.The Mandalorian season 3, episode 7 came to an explosive conclusion, finally revealing the true scale of the Imperial threat. The New Republic believed Palpatine's death was the beginning of the end for the Empire. As seen in Chuck Wendig's "Aftermath" trilogy, the Galactic Civil War lasted only another year afterward, as the Emperor initially lashed out in a fury before retreating to the planet Jakku for a final battle with the forces of the nascent New Republic. In the aftermath of the Battle of Jakku, the Republic signed a peace treaty on Coruscant.
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Related: Star Wars: What Happened At The Battle of Jakku Explained
The Mandalorian season 3, episode 1 strongly suggested the Republic was foolish to believe the Empire defeated, and even more unwise to disarm. Set five years after Return of the Jedi - four after the official end of the Galactic Civil War - it revealed a rising Imperial presence on the Outer Rim. One key player was Giancarlo Esposito's Moff Gideon, a mysterious figure who wielded the Darksaber, the legendary blade of Mandalorian leadership. Now, though, The Mandalorian season 3, episode 7 has finally revealed the true scale of the Empire in this time period, setting up a dozen potential plots that could bring the Empire down - and dealing the Mandalorians a terrible defeat.
Why Moff Gideon Has Taken Mandalore As His New Base
The Mandalorian season 3, episode 7 reveals the Empire has taken Mandalore as a base. This was foreshadowed in The Mandalorian season 3, episode 3, when TIE Interceptors attacked Bo-Katan's Gauntlet - a fleet of ships lacking hyperdrive units, and yet present in Mandalore's planetary system with no sign of a capital ship dropping them off. It's easy to see why Moff Gideon was drawn to claim Mandalore as a base; the Purge of Mandalore disrupted the world's electromagnetic field, meaning it's impossible to scan the planet from space. He no doubt deliberately spread rumors the planet was poisoned and uninhabitable, ensuring nobody would ever return there.
What Does Moff Gideon Plan To Do With Din Djarin?
Unfortunately for Moff Gideon, Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) learned Mandalore could actually be reclaimed. Moff Gideon had established his base around the Forge, a holy place for Mandalorians because it was where beskar had first been shaped and molded. This was a logical choice for Gideon, because the Forge will likely be situated near to rich deposits of beskar, some of the first to be mined by the Mandalorians, and he has his own plans for this rare metal alloy. Sensing the Mandalorians planned to reclaim their homeworld now they had learned it could be lived upon, Moff Gideon set a trap for Din Djarin and the Mandalorians.
The Mandalorian season 3, episode 7 sees Moff Gideon go to surprising lengths to capture Din Djarin. It's unclear why he expended such effort; it may simply be to avenge himself, because Din was the one who defeated him in an earlier duel. More likely, though, is that he believes Din Djarin to be a unifying factor among the Mandalorians, one who has helped bring opposing factions together. Gideon seems to be a plotter and schemer, too, so it's also possible he believes Din useful bait. He knows Grogu cares about Din Djarin, and clearly has designs on the Child.
Why Paz Vizsla Had To Die: His Mandalorian Sacrifice Explained
With Din Djarin captured, Moff Gideon believed the Mandalorians would surrender to him - as they had done years ago, as they attempted to avert the Purge of Mandalore. But the Mandalorians have been forged by their experiences, just as heat and pressure allow for the forging of beskar, and they are even more resistant now than they were before. This time, all the Mandalorians are agreed there will be no surrender, and they retreat from Moff Gideon and his forces, no doubt planning a counter-attack. Tragically, Paz Vizsla (Tait Fletcher) recognizes the forces arrayed against the Mandalorians are too great, and that his fellow Mandos need a chance to escape. Given he has the greatest firepower, he stays behind to cover their retreat.
Pz Vizsla's heroic sacrifice feels perfectly in keeping with the Mandalorians' warrior culture. It's also reminiscent of some of the most powerful moments in Star Wars' old Expanded Universe - notably the death of Jedi Knight Ganner Rhysode in Matt Stover's novel Traitor, part of the original Star Wars "New Jedi Order" saga. His death will surely be remembered in songs of heroism for as long as Mandalorians endure.
The Praetorian Guards & Supreme Leader Snoke Connection
The Mandalorian season 3, episode 7 marks the chronological debut of three members of the Praetorian Guard - crimson-clad warriors who seemed to be the logical successors of the Emperor's personal guards. Trained in several martial arts - including Teräs Käsi, one that allows a non-Force-user to go toe-to-toe with a Jedi - the Praetorian Guards are a true force to be reckoned with. As formidable as they may be, though, Moff Gideon is clearly wary of wasting them; they only emerge when the firefight is over, when their skills will be most useful. The Praetorian Guards are destined to become part of the First Order, guardians of Supreme Leader Snoke himself. They will finally be slain in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, a testament to the skills of Rey and Kylo Ren.
How Moff Gideon Got The Darksaber From Bo-Katan Solves A Mystery (& Sets Up Their Rematch)
The Mandalorian season 3, episode 7 finally answers a mystery that's been rumbling in the background since the Darksaber made its live-action debut at the end of the first season; it reveals how Moff Gideon initially acquired the Darksaber in the first place. It seems Bo-Katan attempted to prevent the Night of a Thousand Tears by surrendering to the Empire, hoping her homeworld would be spared. Ironically, of course, this act of surrender means Moff Gideon would never have been seen as a legitimate owner of the Darksaber anyway; he never won it in battle. Moff Gideon, of course, betrayed Bo-Katan and initiated a planetary bombardment anyway.
It's long been clear The Mandalorian season 3 has been setting up a rematch between Bo-Katan and Moff Gideon. This time, she knows Moff Gideon cannot be trusted, and she isn't going to surrender. Given Moff Gideon was defeated by Din Djarin season 2's finale, and Bo-Katan is clearly a superior fighter, he's surely going to be bested.
Grand Admiral Thrawn Mentions Set Up Ahsoka & The Mandalorian Movie
But The Mandalorian season 3, episode 7 confirms Moff Gideon is only one of the Imperial leaders; he is part of a Shadow Council, a body formed in Wendig's "Aftermath" trilogy but believed to have been defunct after the Battle of Jakku. The scattered Imperial warlords are actually part of a conspiracy, co-ordinating their efforts to bring back the Empire. Only two are named: Xander Berkeley's Gilad Pellaeon and Brian Gleeson's Brendol Hux. Pellaeon is an important character from the old Star Wars Expanded Universe, while Brendon Hux is the father of Armitage Hux from the sequel trilogy - and a founder of the First Order.
Even more exciting, though, is the mention of Lars Mikkelsen's Grand Admiral Thrawn, who the Shadow Council believe to be their great hope. Thrawn was name-dropped in The Mandalorian season 2, with Rosario Dawson's Ahsoka Tano sensing he is out there somewhere, a growing threat to the galaxy. Lucasfilm has already confirmed Thrawn will have a major presence in the upcoming Ahsoka Disney+ TV show, and he's expected to be the main villain of the upcoming Star Wars movie set in The Mandalorian era. It makes sense for Thrawn to be mentioned in this context, and particularly for him to be associated with Pellaeon; Captain Pellaeon was originally envisioned as the Watson to Thrawn's Sherlock Holmes, working under his command and learning from him.
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The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 7 Is Really The Return Of The Empire
All this means The Mandalorian season 3, episode 7 is really the return of the Empire. Star Wars Legends set up Thrawn as the "Heir to the Empire," and the same approach is being taken in the Disney canon as well. He will fail, of course, but at this moment it's difficult to see how he will be defeated, especially with the New Republic unwisely choosing to disarm after the end of the Galactic Civil War. Meanwhile, he is working with multiple Imperial warlords, each of whom could be just as significant going forward as Moff Gideon himself. The Mandalorian season 3, episode 7 is sending the franchise in a thrilling new direction.
Episodes of The Mandalorian release Wednesdays on Disney+.
FAQs
Did Bo Katan surrender? ›
Earlier in the episode, we learned that Bo-Katan tried to surrender to the Empire during the Purge in order to spare all remaining Mandalore cities and Mandalorian lives. However, after accepting her surrender and the Darksaber, Gideon betrayed her.
Why did the rebel pilots let Mando go? ›They let Mando go because “these are trying times,” and they have more important adversaries to face in maintaining order in the new democratic galaxy.
Who was the spy Mandalorian? ›To The Mandalorian's credit, one spy is revealed fairly quickly: New Republic Amnesty Officer Elia Kane (Katy O'Brian).
Who is the guy in Mandalorian episode 7? ›Giancarlo Esposito believes that his character Moff Gideon cannot be described as a "good" or "bad" character, but instead as a man attempting to restore the order in the aftermath.
Is Bo-Katan a hero or villain? ›Bo-Katan Kryze is a supporting antagonist in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and a supporting character in Star Wars Rebels and the tritagonist of the Disney+ series The Mandalorian.
Why does Bo-Katan hate Jango Fett? ›Bo-Katan and her warriors, the Nite Owls, are part of the Death Watch, and therefore fought against Jango Fett's faction of true Mandalorians during their Civil War, likely contributing to Bo-Katan's hostility towards any of Jango's clones.
Why has Mando never heard of Jedi? ›So why didn't Mando know about the Force and the Jedi? Well, there is a simple answer. Djarin was only a child during the Clone Wars. The circumstances surrounding his becoming a Mandalorian foundling were also very violent and traumatic.
Why can t Mando remove his helmet? ›The Helmet Represents the Mandalorian Way
They should be putting him on posters and telling foundlings bedtime stories about his adventures in hopes that they'll follow in his footsteps.
Religious Mandalorians like Din Djarin prove their devotion to the creed by never removing their helmets.
Who was the mando Jedi? ›Upon seeing the Jedi's force abilities, the Mandalorians created gadgets, weapons and armor to counter Jedi abilities. Despite the animosity between the Mandalorians and the Jedi, Tarre Vizsla became the first Mandalorian Jedi. As a Jedi, Vizsla built the Darksaber and used it to unite his people as their Mand'alor.
Who was the first human Mandalorian? ›
Te Sol'yc Mand'alor (Mandalore the First) was the original leader of the Mandalorian people who led them to the planet that would later bear his name.
Who is Mandalorians father? ›Bernard Bullen: Father, Din Djarin Father.
Who has the Darksaber last? ›For now, Din Djarin still controls the Darksaber in The Mandalorian, which recently kicked off its third season. We haven't seen him ignite the ancient blade yet. However, Bo-Katan and The Children of the Watch are still aware he has it.
Is Mandalorian armor lightsaber proof? ›Beskar, also known as Mandalorian iron or Mandalorian steel, was an alloy that was used in Mandalorian armor and was notable for its high tolerance to extreme forms of damage. In its purest forms, the metal was durable enough to withstand a direct blaster shot and could repel lightsaber strikes.
Can a Mandalorian be a Jedi? ›Jedi and Mand'alor
Tarre Vizsla was a Force-sensitive human male who, as a child, was eventually inducted into the Jedi Order, becoming the first Mandalorian to do so. Tarre eventually became a Jedi Knight.
Star Wars' Bo-Katan has the Darksaber.
Did the Darksaber belong to Bo-Katan? ›Following the Empire's occupation of Mandalore, Bo-Katan refused to surrender to the Emperor's tyranny. Years later, she joined with rebel Sabine Wren to help destroy an Imperial weapon that targeted Mandalorian armor. After their victory, Sabine gifted the Darksaber to Bo-Katan.
Does Bo-Katan know who Boba Fett is? ›Bo knows that Boba is a clone. She does not recognize him by his armor, but only by his voice, which is when she says “you are not a Mandalorian.” Boba tells her that he never said he was.
Who killed Boba Fett? ›Boba Fett was definitely dead. We all saw it: a partially blinded Han Solo unknowingly whacked him with a stick in Return of the Jedi, his jetpack malfunctioned, and then he fell into the mouth of a massive sand monster.
Who is Boba Fett's son? ›...
| Jango Fett | |
|---|---|
| Temuera Morrison as Jango Fett in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) | |
| First appearance | Attack of the Clones (2002) |
| Created by | George Lucas |
| Portrayed by | Temuera Morrison |
Who is Boba Fett's wife? ›
Sintas Vel was a female Kiffar from the planet Kiffu, who became a bounty hunter at a young age. It would be during her career as a bounty hunter that Sintas would meet fellow bounty hunter Boba Fett, whom she fell in love with and later married when she was eighteen years old.
Did Grogu choose Mando over the Jedi? ›After being given an impossible choice by Luke Skywalker in Boba Fett Episode 6, Grogu chooses to leave Yoda's lightsaber behind and join his surrogate father Mando (aka Din Djarin) once again.
Will Mando meet Luke Skywalker? ›So, while not impossible, it's highly unlikely that the series will see Luke Skywalker in Mandalorian again quite so soon. That being said, Luke clearly has ties to Ahsoka, and the previously animated Clone Wars character is finally getting her own show on Disney+.
Why does Din Djarin hate droids? ›It was later revealed in season 1 that Din's disdain for droids came from the fact that his parents were killed by Separatist battle droids during the Clone Wars.
Do Mandalorians sleep with their helmets on? ›By this logic, it's likely that Mandalorians are also able to remove their helmets for sleep as well. Since Mando felt comfortable enough to unburden himself of his headgear when eating, there's a good chance that he is fine with leaving it off when he is isolated from others while taking a snooze.
Why can't Mando lift the Darksaber? ›The Darksaber grows heavier and heavier. Eventually, she can no longer lift the activated weapon at all.
Is Grogu related to Yoda? ›Is Grogu Yoda? According to the events of "The Mandalorian" so far, Grogu and Yoda are not the same character. They are simply from the same species. The name of this species has never been revealed since "Star Wars" creator George Lucas wanted to give Yoda a sense of mystery.
How old was Master Yoda when he died? ›Rather than destroy his father, Luke sought to bring him back into the light. At 900 years old, Yoda passed away, telling Luke that there was another Skywalker.
Who betrayed Mando? ›Greef Karga has betrayed Mando before so he was on edge when he takes Grogu back to Navarro for a meeting with the Imperial client behind his bounty. Greef surprises Mando and Cara Dune when he betrays the Guild members accompanying him to join their team after Grogu saves his life.
Why do Mandalorians hide their face? ›But, it appears something changed between the events of Revenge of the Sith and the end of the original series. During this time, the Mandalorians appear to have suffered some sort of devastating loss to their clans, forcing them into hiding, and leading them to keep their helmets on at all times.
Why did Mandalorians hate Jedi? ›
Some Mandalorians, most notably members of Death Watch, held a grudge against the Jedi for their perceived crimes against Mandalore during the Mandalorian-Jedi War. During the Clone Wars, anti-Jedi sentiment further developed in a segment of the galaxy's public opinion.
Does the Darksaber use a kyber crystal? ›The darksaber does have a kyber crystal just like all other lightsabers do! The crystal is the heart of the saber, giving it not just its color but its energy as well. Kyber crystals are unique, and for the Jedi, the crystal chooses its owner.
Is Mando Boba Fett's son? ›In comparison, Boba Fett isn't Mandalorian and hasn't adopted their creed. As established in 2002's Attack Of The Clones, Boba is an unmodified clone of Jango Fett – a Mandalorian bounty hunter who raised him as his son on the planet Kamino.
Who was protecting Grogu before Mando? ›The Nikto hideout was an encampment located on the desert world Arvala-7 that was controlled by a gang of Nikto mercenaries in 9 ABY, guarding an infant named Grogu.
Is Moff Gideon a Sith? ›The case for Moff Gideon NOT being Force-sensitive
From an in-universe perspective, having Moff Gideon being some kind of low-key Sith, or even non-aligned Force user creates a power imbalance between the heroes in the show and the bad guys.
1. Te Ani'la Mand'alor: Mandalore the Ultimate. This is hands down the strongest, most powerful Mandalorian of all time. Mandalore the Ultimate was legendary, and he was the Mandalore who united all of his culture and the remains of his nearly extinct species, the Taung.
Why were Mandalorians and Jedi enemies? ›The War. A series of conflicts fought between the Mandalorians and the Jedi Order, the Mandalorian-Jedi War saw the advancement of Mandalorian technology when they collided with the Force-wielding Jedi, whose abilities they didn't understand.
Who is Yoda's wife? ›...
Minch Yaddle.
| Yaddle Minch | |
|---|---|
| Biographical information | |
| Skin Color | Green |
| Family information | |
| Family | Yoda Minch (husband) Yoder Minch (son) |
Sabine Wren
Initially, she struggled with the Darksaber much like Din Djarin, but Jedi Kanan Jarrus (Freddie Prinze Jr.) helped her work through her feelings and learn to work with the blade. After her training, she wielded the Darksaber with great skill, in spite of her lack of Force sensitivity.
Like other typical lightsabers, the Darksaber could not cut through pure beskar, however, it was capable of heating it to the point of turning red.
What is the rarest Mandalorian armor? ›
Mandalorian armor forged from beskar was highly prized for its incredible resilience, and while sets of armor were often passed down from one generation to the next, beskar armor was considered the most valuable.
Can lightsabers cut through Vibranium? ›“A lightsaber will cut through anything,” Jackson says without hesitation. “Vibranium also.” So there you have it. It looks like, from this small sample, most people are in agreement that Captain America's shield can't hold up forever.
What cuts through Beskar? ›Beskar armor can resist the first few blows of a lightsaber, but repeated strikes at the same spot will damage the armor though. Beskar was resistant to lightsaber strikes to a large extent. The reason Mandalorians adopted beskar was, during the Jedi-Mandalorian Wars, that it could take several lightsaber blows.
Why aren t Mandalorians Force-sensitive? ›Because Mandalorians are not part of the Republic, there are fewer chances for any Force-sensitivity to be recognized, or for those who are Force-sensitive to be trained by Jedi.
Can an Ewok be a Jedi? ›An Ewok Jedi was in activity at some point following the founding of the New Republic in 4 ABY. Unusually for most Ewoks, this Ewok was born with the necessary mental capacity to access and utilize the Force.
Is Mando Force-sensitive? ›Din Djarin Is Force-Sensitive
But Mandalorians are trained to have Jedi-like reflexes to be able to overpower them, some of their armor and weapons even mimic Jedi abilities, like their sonic repulsors that knock objects away like a Force push.
Star Wars Rebels
During the Galactic Empire's occupation of Mandalore, Bo-Katan refused to serve the Empire and was forced to abdicate, being replaced by Clan Saxon.
Sometime during Bo Katan's brief rule, the Empire decimated Mandalore, killing many Mandalorians and scattering the rest throughout the galaxy. This purge is when Bo Katan lost the Darksaber to Moff Gideon.
Why did Bo-Katan refuse the Darksaber? ›Because she had it and lost it through a personal failure. Bo-Katan's quest is neither for the Darksaber not for the title of Mand'alor. It is for personal redemption, the restoration of her honor and the honor of her house and clan. She gains none of those things by merely accepting the Darksaber from Din.
What happened to Bo-Katan Darksaber? ›Bo-Katan Didn't Win the Darksaber From the Mandalorian, She Earned It. Going by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows rules, Din was the master of the Darksaber because he won it from Gideon. Yet, the nightmare techno spider-crab that captured Din defeated and disarmed him.
Did Bo-Katan own the Darksaber? ›
The specifics as to the exact nature of transitive properties of the Darksaber's ownership are a little sketchy at this point, but given what has been revealed through the series so far, Bo-Katan should — by virtue of having defeated the creature that itself defeated Din — be the wielder of the Darksaber.
How old is Bo-Katan vs Obi-Wan? ›Bo and Obi-Wan are about 56 when they appear in Rebels (1 BBY), and Bo is about 67 years old by the time of The Mandalorian Season 2 (~10 BBY). So yeah. That's definitely different from how Bo looks in Mando S2.
Who did Obi-Wan love? ›Duchess Satine Kryze | StarWars.com.
Why do Mandalorians hate Jedi? ›Some Mandalorians, most notably members of Death Watch, held a grudge against the Jedi for their perceived crimes against Mandalore during the Mandalorian-Jedi War. During the Clone Wars, anti-Jedi sentiment further developed in a segment of the galaxy's public opinion.
Why did the empire wiped out Mandalorians? ›None other than Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) lead the Empire's forces in their decimation of Mandalore. During the night, the planet was attacked by gunships with repeating blasters. These gunships took out fields of Mandalorian recruits, destroying the people's ability to oppose the Empire.
Does the Darksaber have a Kyber Crystal? ›The darksaber does have a kyber crystal just like all other lightsabers do! The crystal is the heart of the saber, giving it not just its color but its energy as well. Kyber crystals are unique, and for the Jedi, the crystal chooses its owner.
Why can Moff Gideon use the Darksaber? ›Sure, he was a as a self-righteous, ambitious bit of bantha poodoo, but he still wanted to see Mandalore thrive under his leadership. Thus, the Darksaber accepted him like it would any other Mandalorian leader.
Why is the Darksaber hard to wield? ›The Armorer mentions in passing during The Mandalorian that the difficulty related to wielding the Darksaber is driven by its user fighting against the blade itself rather than letting themselves go with the natural flow of combat.