Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for The Mandalorian season 3, episode 8
The Mandalorian season 3 has ended, though it left plenty of teases in its wake for The Mandalorian season 4. Following the demise of Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) and the reclamation of the Mandalorian homeworld, The Mandalorian season 3 was a solid trilogy ender, providing a strong culminating story that first began when Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) met the child known as Grogu. However, theories are already being formed as to where the duo will go next in The Mandalorian season 4.
In The Mandalorian season 3, episode 8, Mandalorians banded together and successfully fought back against the Imperial Remnant hiding on their homeworld. It was also revealed that Moff Gideon had his own designs apart from the rest of the Imperial Shadow Council. In the aftermath, Mandalore was reclaimed under the leadership of Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) while Din Djarin officially adopted Grogu as his son. Thanks to Djarin’s new job working with the New Republic going forward and the need for a new antagonist, there are quite a few narrative possibilities for the future. Here are some early theories for The Mandalorian season 4.
Din Djarin Clashes With New Imperial Warlords
As seen in the final scenes of The Mandalorian season 3 finale, Din Djarin cut a deal with the New Republic’s Captain Carson Teva (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee). Proposing to work as an independent and off-the-books contractor, Djarin offered to help the overextended New Republic track down other Imperial warlords in the Outer Rim. Case in point, The Mandalorian season 3, episode 7 featured quite a few unnamed Imperial Moffs on the Imperial Shadow Council alongside Grand Admiral Tharwn’s right-hand-man Captain Pellaeon and Commandant Brendol Hux.
Just like Thrawn himself, it would certainly be exciting to see an Imperial Moff jumping from Legends to the official Star Wars canon, becoming a new villain for Djarin to face now that Gideon is no more. While a canon version of Zsinj or Ysmanne Isard would be very cool to see, a brand-new Imperial created for The Mandalorian season 4 could be just as dynamic as well. Either way, Din Djarin and the newly renamed Din Grogu hunting down a new Imperial warlord together seems to be the most likely theory.
Moff Gideon Is Still Alive (Thanks To Clones)
One of the biggest theories online is that Gideon somehow lived and will return in The Mandalorian season 4. Despite Djarin and Grogu destroying Gideon’s secret clones whom he wanted to make artificially Force-sensitive, it’s been suggested that the Gideon in the dark trooper armor was also a clone. Supposedly, the real Gideon was never on Mandalore to begin with, and it was just his clones who met their demise.
A big part of the evidence for this idea lies in Gideon’s lack of a mustache in The Mandalorian season 3 which he had in the first two seasons. However, it still seems like a pretty big stretch. After all, destroying the clones ahead of the battle with Gideon in his new armor felt very definitive, as were the Moff’s comments claiming his clones weren’t yet finished and had yet to draw their first breaths.
Elia Kane Creates Mandalorian and New Republic Tensions
Following The Mandalorian season 3, Elia Kane (Katy O’Brian) is presumably still working within the New Republic government despite her true loyalty to the Imperial Remnant. Although she was a spy working for Moff Gideon, it stands to reason she could still find ways to hinder the New Republic’s efforts in the Outer Rim. It would be very interesting to see Kane return in The Mandalorian season 4, perhaps discovering Din Djarin’s unsanctioned work with the New Republic. Kane is still uniquely positioned to be a continued threat, and she could easily create divisions between the New Republic and the Mandalorians overall.
Grand Admiral Thrawn Goes To War With Mandalore
Although not directly seen in The Mandalorian season 3, Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen) was referenced by Captain Pellaeon during the Imperial Shadow Council meeting. Pellaeon confirmed Thrawn’s imminent return along with the shattered Empire’s military might. While Star Wars fans can expect to see Thrawn’s live-action debut in the upcoming Ahsoka series, the “Heir to the Empire” will be much bigger than any one show. Set to become an overarching villain, Thrawn’s return could also result in a war with Bo-Katan and the Mandalorians who must now defend their reclaimed home. After all, Pellaeon did say the reclamation of Mandalore would be problematic for the Imperial Remnant.
The Mandalorian Discovers Project Necromancer And The First Order
As part of Din Djarin’s new work with the New Republic, the Mandalorian bounty hunter and Grogu could be the first to discover the true lengths and goals of the Imperial Remnant and their attempts to create the eventual First Order seen in the sequel trilogy. While the First Order has already been teased through the appearance of Brendol Hux and Praetorian guards, The Mandalorian season 4 could go even further. Case in point, more insights into Project Necromancer and its probable ties to Palpatine’s resurrection would be very compelling.
The Knights of Ren Will Debut In The Mandalorian Season 4
Keeping the same idea of foreshadowing the sequels with future seasons of The Mandalorian, an appearance from the Knights of Ren could be very interesting. Confirmed to be active during this period thanks to the canonical comics, it’s known that the Knights entered Palpatine’s service just ahead of Return of the Jedi. As such, it would be very cool to see the Knights of Ren receiving some much-needed redemption on-screen with a possible role in The Mandalorian season 4.
Mandalore’s New Age Is Established With Mythosaurs
Although Din Djarin and Din Grogu were set up to have adventures beyond Mandalore, one would hope that their fellow Mandalorians would continue to play a role going forward. A new age has come for Mandalore under Bo-Katan’s leadership. Even though the Darksaber was destroyed in The Mandalorian season 3 finale, Mandalore still looks to Kryze for guidance now that they’re all united, having become stronger than ever before.
Keeping that in mind, it would certainly be satisfying to see the ongoing growth of Mandalore along with the return of the mighty mythosaurs which were teased in The Mandalorian season 3. Here’s hoping they emerge from the depths in The Mandalorian season 4, fulfilling the ancient prophecies which saw the creatures heralding a new age for Mandalore and its people.
All episodes of The Mandalorian season 3 are now streaming on Disney+.
