This article contains spoilers for The Mandalorian season 3, episode 1.
The Mandalorian season 3, episode 1, “The Apostate” sets up the rest of the season in many ways, from direct namedrops to subtle details. After reuniting with Grogu in The Book of Boba Fett (with the final two episodes effectively playing out as The Mandalorian season 2.5), Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin is back to his own adventures in The Mandalorian season 3. Though Mando’s quest has been defined since The Book of Boba Fettwith Din instructed to go to Mandalore and seek redemption for removing his helmet, he is set to face a lot more challenges than just a trip to Mandalore.
The Mandalorian season 3’s premiere may have felt like just a preparation for the Mandalorian and Grogu’s journey to Mandalore. Still, there were enough hints for what is next for Din Djarin, especially during his conversations with old friends and Mandalorian colleagues. From a Mandalorianite to initiation The question of whether Mandalore has truly become uninhabitable, here’s how The Mandalorian season 3’s premiere sets up the upcoming episodes.
10 A Mandalorian Initiation Rite Is Shown (Who Is The Kid?)
The Mandalorian season 3, episode 1 opened with a Mandalorian initiation rite in which a child was given his helmet for the first time while pledging himself to the creed and the way of the Mand’alor. Though the scene ended up being a prelude to an attack from which Din Djarin would help save the Mandalorians led by the Armorer (Emily Swallow), the initiation rite was given enough attention from the show to be considered an important part of the plot. More specifically, the kid given a Mandalorian helmet appears to be important for the show’s future. One popular theory is that the Mandalorian kid is Paz Viszla’s son.
9 Din Djarin Is Going To Mandalore (Will He Be Redeemed?)
The Mandalorian season 3 was quick to retcon Din Djarin’s arc in The Book of Boba Fettwhich is curious given how surprising it was to have at least two Boba Fett episodes dedicated to Mando and Grogu. In The Book of Boba Fettthe Armorer was the one who told Mando he had to go to Mandalore and find the Living Waters beneath the mines, with Mando saying that he could not go on such a quest. In The Mandalorian season 3, episode 1, the Armorer now tries to discourage Din from going to Mandalore while Mando is adamant about going there. The scene also hints that Din or Grogu might be the “The Mandalorian Chosen One”.
8 Grogu Sees Purrgils In Hyperspace
While traveling through hyperspace in The Mandalorian season 3, episode 1, Grogu sees a flock of space whales – otherwise known as purrgil. These creatures made their debut in Star Wars Rebelsand possess the natural ability to travel through hyperspace as though they had a hyperdrive engine attached to them. Purrgil last appeared in the Star Wars Rebels series finale, when the Jedi Padawan Ezra Bridger summoned them to trap the flagship of an Imperial commander, Grand Admiral Thrawn. They vanished into hyperspace, with Thrawn’s flagship and Ezra aboard. This is expected to be the driving plot for the upcoming Ahsoka Disney+ TV show.
7 Nevarro Is Better Than Ever (Will It Last?)
Nevarro has been the starting point for many of the Mandalorian and Grogu’s adventures. From a place ruled by warlords and lost stormtroopers to a community with schools and an important role in the galaxy’s commerce, Nevarro is now better than ever under the guidance of Greef Karga (Carl Weathers). The Mandalorian season 2 had already teased how the planet was getting better following the events of season 1, and now High Magister Greef has shown Mando the once lawless planet could be even a place of retirement for the Mandalorian. The problem, however, is that things are just too happy in Nevarro, suggesting it could all easily fall apart.
6 Moff Gideon Is Mentioned (Will He Return?)
Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito), the main villain for seasons 1 and 2, was referenced in The Mandalorians season 3’s premiere. According to Greek Karga, Moff Gideon is set to face trial under the New Republic following his capture in The Mandalorian season 2’s ending. Considering how big of a villain Gideon was, to the point his true intentions are still a mystery, the character’s ultimate fate would surely not be revealed in a throwaway line. Instead, the reference to Moff Gideon is most likely a hint that the villain will be revisited at some point.
5 Greef Karga Is Attacked By Gorian Shard’s Pirates
The peace in Nevarro is already facing some challenges. Though there were no signs of former Imperials or warlords like Moff Gideon, the planet is now having to deal with pirates. As the influence of Palpatine’s fallen Empire fades away, the galaxy finds itself in a “lawless” period, especially because the weak New Republic is still establishing itself. In that scenario, bounty hunters and pirates have a clear path ahead of them. Greef wants to make Nevarro self-sustaining and a galaxy power of its own, which also means the planet may be without support when it comes to facing pirates like Gorian Shard (Nonso Anozie).
4 Mando Teaches Grogu How To Pilot
Grogu spent some time training with Luke Skywalker, and it is time for Mando to teach the child how to survive in the Star Wars galaxy. Now flying a Naboo N-1 starship, the Mandalorian explained to Grogu that being a Mandalorian is not just about fighting – you have to know how to guide yourself across the vastness of space. With so much at stake for the Mandalorian in season 3, Grogu needs to know how to escape from a situation by himself, for example. Though it was a brief moment, Mando’s flying lesson to Grogu teases that the child might end up piloting the N-1 at some point.
3 Mando Warns Grogu Never To Trust A Pirate
Pirates are going to be important in The Mandalorian season 3, and the space dogfight in the premiere proves it. The fact that Gorian Shard and his pirates followed Din Djarin looking for revenge suggests what happened on Nevarro was far more than a quick action scene and that Mando’s confrontation with pirates could be a recurring plotline in season 3. After facing remnants of the Empire for two seasons, it makes sense for Mando now to have a new type of “grounded” villain, pirates. Gorian Shard failed to kill the Mandalorian, but it does not seem like the Pirate King has given up.
2 Bo-Katan Gives Up Her Quest (Will She Become A Villain?)
Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) is expected to have a complex arc in The Mandalorians season 3, and the premiere proved it. After refusing to take the Darksaber from Din Djarin without a proper fight, understandable given what happened the last time Bo-Katan accepted the Darksaber from someone rather than winning it in combat, she has now given up uniting the Mandalorians. A significant change for a character who has fought for Mandalore since the Clone Wars, Bo-Katan giving up the fight gives Mando’s journey an even bigger importance. In theory, it is now up to Din Djarin to unite and lead The Mandalorians under the Darksaber.
Still, Bo-Katan did not seem happy with the fact Din Djarin, a member of a dissident Mandalorian clan who, according to Bo-Katan, helped divide the planet, now wields the Darksaber. What Bo-Katan will do next in The Mandalorian season 3 can settle whether the character will be a friend of Din, an antagonist to the Mandalorian, or even a villain. Bo-Katan has gone through some major events in Star Warsmeaning that for her to become a villain, the stakes would have to be quite high – a Mandalorian civil war, for example. As such, Mando and Bo-Katan’s conversation might have been the prelude to a bigger confrontation.
1 Din Djarin Wants To Discover Whether The Mandalorian Is Habitable
Din Djarin must learn what really happened to Mandalore, something of a mystery given Star Wars has not actually been to Mandalore for a few years now. Until now, it seemed Mandalore was uninhabitable – but Din Djarin is not so sure, finding a hint the Empire failed to erase all trace of life on his homeworld. The Mandalorian Season 3 will surely establish Mandalore’s actual fate.
The Mandalorian season 3, episode 1 is streaming now on Disney+. New episodes release Wednesdays.