Trailer footage for The Mandalorian season 3 teases dark secrets about the surviving Imperials in the Star Wars galaxy. Despite featuring brand-new adventures with Din Djarin and Grogu, the Imperial remnant will still have a presence in The Mandalorian season 3. Djarin starts training Grogu in the ways of the Mandalorian while seeking redemption on the planet Mandalore, but there may be a dark connection between the Imperials and the ruins of the Mandalorian homeworld.
In the official trailer for The Mandalorian season 3, Grogu and Din Djarin have reunited after the child's decision to abandon his Jedi training with Luke Skywalker, which happened in The Book of Boba Fett.
Flying across the galaxy in Djarin's modified N1-Naboo starfighter, the iconic duo will eventually make their way to Mandalore. Having removed his helmet in The Mandalorian season 2, Djarin must venture into the mines of his ravaged planet to redeem himself and become a true Mandalorian once more. However, it seems Djarin and Grogu will face some significant Imperial entanglements on Mandalore itself.
The Empire's Dark History With Mandalore Explained
Following the turmoil of Mandalore's attempt to remain neutral during the Clone Wars, the newly-risen Empire eventually came to the warrior world and created massive divisions between the various clans. While some served the Empire, others continued to resist. Eventually, the Empire decimated the entire planet during the Night of a Thousand Tears - a genocide that massively wiped out the majority of the Mandalorian population. Moff Gideon participated in the massacre, and this is likely when he recovered the legendary Darksaber, claiming it from previous wielder Bo-Katan Kryze, Mandalore's ruler at the time.
The Book of Boba Fett confirms that Gideon was directly involved in the Night of a Thousand Tears. According to Paz Viszla and the Armorer, "the blood of millions" is on his hands. This suggests Gideon orchestrated the genocide himself. While Din Djarin seems confident that the New Republic will execute Moff Gideon for his crimes following his arrest in The Mandalorian season 2, the New Republic may try using Gideon in The Mandalorian season 3 to find other leftover Imperials, giving Giancarlo Esposito's character a role in the upcoming season, as well as a potential opportunity to escape custody.
The Mandalorian Season 3 Trailer Teases Imperials Are Still On Mandalore
The Imperials might still have a presence on Mandalore even after the Empire lost the war against the Rebellion, and was replaced by the New Republic. As seen in The Mandalorian season 3's trailer, a squadron of TIE Interceptors are pursuing a Gauntlet-class Mandalorian starfighter, suggesting that Bo-Katan's conflict with the Imperials is still ongoing. With Bo-Katan seeking to reclaim her home, it would make sense that her primary opposition would be the last remains of the Empire.
Furthermore, Bo-Katan and Din Djarin could fight in The Mandalorian season 3. Djarin inadvertently claimed the Darksaber by defeating Moff Gideon in combat at the end of The Mandalorian season 2, signifying his right to rule the Mandalorian people. As such, Djarin and Grogu coming to Mandalore may result in a clash with Bo-Katan, who undoubtedly wants the Darksaber to cement the rule she held before the Empire destroyed her planet. However, the potential presence of Imperials on Mandalore could become a larger threat that brings all Mandalorians together, regardless of the Darksaber's ultimate wielder.
Did Moff Gideon Hide The Imperial Remnant On Mandalore?
Considering Moff Gideon's prior connections to the world of Mandalore and the teases in the new trailer for The Mandalorian season 3, it is possible that the very world the Empire ravaged became their refuge after the New Republic won the Galactic Civil War. Claiming a conquered world as his own would certainly fit with Gideon's character and dark past, and would likely be somewhere the New Republic would not immediately think to investigate, given its desolation. While Moff Gideon likely works for someone higher up - Grand Admiral Thrawn, maybe - Imperials using Mandalore as a hiding place would still be a very dark twist.
It certainly seems that the Mandalorian people will need a unifying threat in The Mandalorian season 3, and the chance to rid their world of its Imperial remnant could easily fill that role. The likes of Bo-Katan Kryze and Din Djarin will be even more keen to set aside their differences because of the dark irony behind Mandalore potentially becoming a safe haven for the surviving Empire, who brought it to ruin years prior in Star Wars canon. The Mandalorian season 3 could become a climactic fight for the soul of Mandalore itself.