‘Mandalorian’ season 3, episode 7 recap: The Spies

The Mandalorian season 3 penultimate episode heated things up and left our heroes with a fate undecided, promising a high stakes conclusion. Much of the more playful tone was left behind as characters faced deadly foes. Let’s get right to it.

Spoilers ahead.

Mandalorian season 3 episode 7 begins with confirmation that Elia Kane is working for and reporting to Moff Gideon. She provides intelligence to him that the Mandalorians are uniting, information he brings to the Shadow Council. This scene really lays foundations for where the Star Wars universe is heading next: Grand Admiral Thrawn’s return is imminent (and will be a major antagonist in Ahsoka). Brendol Hux, the father of trilogy character General Hux (played by brothers Brian Gleeson and Domhall Gleeson, respectively) mentions “Project Necromancer” — the Imperial experiments that will attempt to clone and revive Emperor Palpatine in Episode IX. And, most significantly, the members of the Council reveal that Imperial leadership is not as scattered or defeated as they want the New Republic to think.

Gideon is granted Praetorian Guards and ample resources to defeat the Mandalorian resistance “once and for all” and in this he truly does seem a capable and dangerous adversary.

Both factions of Mandalorians — the Nite Owls and the Children of the Watch — converge on Nevarro under the leadership of Lady Bo-Katan Kryze. High Magistrate Karga offers a surprise gift to Grogu, his very own Jaeger combat vehicle in the form of IG-11’s shell-sans-memory circuits. IG-12, as the model is known, has been redesigned by the Anzellans to be piloted by Grogu, who immediately launches into his klepto tendencies.

The Mandalorians leave for Mandalore with a scouting party consisting of both factions planning to find the Great Forge on the surface before bringing the rest of the fleet to settle. On the surface, they find surviving Mandalorians who have remained faithful after surviving the Purge of Mandalore. Bo-Katan reveals that she had surrendered to Moff Gideon with his promise that Mandalorian survivors would be spared — a promise he broke after the Night of a Thousand Tears. That was when she lost the Darksaber and the Mandalorians were divided. 

Here, Din Djarin gives a moving pledge to “Lady” Bo-Katan Kryze — a title he uses for the first time in addressing her. He insists that loyalty, honor, and character are what matter to him — traits she has. “Your song is not yet written. I will serve you until it is,” he vows (causing everyone in love with Pedro Pascal to rightfully swoon).

On the surface, a skirmish breaks out between Paz Vizsla and Axe Woves, which is stopped by Grogu and IG-12. A mythosaur breaks through the surface before the party is able to retreat to the Great Forge.

There, they are ambushed by Gideon and Imperial Dark Troopers armored in Mandalorian Beskar and jet packs. The Mandalorians are divided and outnumbered, with Bo-Katan watching helplessly as Din is captured by Gideon, who demands the Darksaber so that Mandalore can live on in him. Instead, she uses the blade to carve a retreat, held by Paz Vizsla, who gives his life taking out the Imperial Jumptroopers before falling to three Praetorian Guards.

Some have wondered how Moff Gideon knew where to find the fleet and how to build the Beskar armor. Could there have been a betrayal among the Mandalorians? Even from the Armorer? What will happen to the fleet? What will happen to Din? 

This week’s finale will be one to watch.