Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Mandalorian season 2, episode 8, "Chapter 16: The Rescue."

In The Mandalorian season 2 finale, "Chapter 16: The Rescue," Moff Gideon says that Grogu's blood can bring "order," which could be another sign of his connection to Supreme Leader Snoke and, ultimately, Emperor Palpatine. Ever since it was revealed that the Empire was interested in the Child back in The Mandalorian season 1, with a Kaminoan symbol-sporting scientist, Dr. Pershing, carrying out the tests, fans have speculated that Baby Yoda could be used for cloning, and may even link to Palpatine himself, who was revealed to be a clone in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

The Mandalorian season 2 has only added more rhydonium to the fire, which direct confirmation that they were using Grogu's blood and giving it to host bodies, who could not handle the transfusion because of Baby Yoda's incredibly high midi-chlorian count. Coupled with some shots of twisted-looking creatures in tanks, then it further pointed to the end result of Gideon's plan being Baby Yoda's blood helping to make Snoke and/or Palpatine, though the former felt more likely given the appearance of what was in the tanks.

Related: The Mandalorian Season 2 Ending & All Twists Explained

This is doubled down on in The Mandalorian season 2, episode 8. When Din Djarin comes face-to-face with Moff Gideon and demands Grogu's return, Gideon agrees (though of course he is lying), by saying that all he wanted was to study the Child's blood, because his rare gifts and abilities, i.e. midi-chlorians/the Force, can "bring order back to the galaxy." This doesn't fully give away his plan, but it does better highlight a couple of key points. Firstly, that Grogu's blood will be used to create someone or something that is extremely powerful. Secondly, the choice of the word "order" feels like very deliberate phrasing, given the gradual teasing of the Empire's transformation into the First Order across The Mandalorian. In both cases, the signs point to Supreme Leader Snoke.

The Mandalorian Baby Yoda and Clones and Palpatine and Snoke in Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker

There are other possibilities - perhaps Gideon wants to use Baby Yoda's blood to create even more powerful Dark Troopers by making them Force-sensitive, or perhaps he even wants to become Force-sensitive himself, given he clearly has a Darth Vader complex - but neither fit quite as well as Snoke. Given that it's been confirmed the Supreme Leader is a Strand-Cast (a term previously used in The Mandalorian about Baby Yoda, although he isn't one), the fact that he would clearly need strong Force power to be created, the bodies in the tank looking at him, the hints of his music in that particular scene, and simply the fact it's a huge mystery to solve, then Grogu's blood being used to create Snoke does make the most sense, especially with the "order" tease thrown in there.

With that, then it would also mean Baby Yoda is inextricably linked to Emperor Palpatine as well. That's not to say his blood is used for Palpatine's return - though it remains a more outside possibility - but since Palpatine is the puppet-master behind Snoke and they are effectively one and the same, then it would mean Palpatine had to be aware of the Force-sensitive blood in some capacity, and could even learn of the Child's existence soon, if he hasn't already. The Mandalorian season 2 finale could have even made that more likely, as being with Luke Skywalker would presumably make him more aware of Grogu's presence as he becomes even stronger in the Force, though it does seem unlikely that it would end with Palpatine fully getting his hands on Baby Yoda.

It's unclear just how much of Baby Yoda's blood Gideon has - his words to Mando, though largely a trick, suggested he had obtained more of it even without Dr. Pershing being there. If that's the case, then Grogu could be used to create Snoke without Baby Yoda having to be dragged back into things. But with Gideon still alive and bigger threats out there, it's also possible there'll be more to this part of the story in The Mandalorian season 3 and beyond.

Next: Luke Skywalker In The Mandalorian Explained: Jedi Order & Baby Yoda's Future