The synopsis for The Mandalorian season 3 sounds worryingly like another Empire return. Star Wars began by introducing the big bad Empire, which dominated and ruled the galaxy, and since then, it’s tended to lean on this motif like a crutch. The prequels—though they were not warmly received at first—were an exception, since the Separatists were never quite a match for the Republic’s army and resources. But the original trilogy, sequel trilogy, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and Andor all feature a Rebellion or Resistance fighting to overthrow the Empire or First Order. The same story has been told again and again.
It makes sense why Disney would shift The Mandalorian‘s focus to the formation of the First Order, since it would allow The Mandalorian to set up the sequels. As of now, the sequel trilogy has few spin-offs that support and lead up to it. Comparatively, the prequels and original trilogy have an enormous amount of canon animation and spin-offs to bolster them. But if The Mandalorian does shift to an Empire-esque antagonist, it will draw the focus away from Din Djarin and Grogu’s character development. It’s time for Din to fight for his rightful place as a Mandalorian, rather than just become another Star Wars Rebel.
The Mandalorian Season 3 Shouldn’t Just Be Another Imperial Resurgence
According to The Mandalorian season 3 synopsis, the New Republic is attempting to distance itself from the dark history of the Empire. This could refer to The Mandalorian season 2’s Grand Admiral Thrawn tease. Thrawn—who has been missing in action since the Star Wars Rebels series finale—is expected to be the antagonist of the Ahsoka series, seeing as Ahsoka is the one who is searching for him and Ezra Bridger. But it might be Disney’s idea to first introduce him to live action in The Mandalorian season 3, which would help set up the Empire’s return and the First Order’s creation.
The Mandalorian season 3 already has several strong antagonist candidates to choose from without needing to resort to bringing back Thrawn. Though he was soundly defeated in The Mandalorian season 2, Giancarlo Esposito’s Moff Gideon has already been confirmed to return. And a strong theory suggests that Moff Gideon could be on Coruscant, standing trial or imprisoned for his crimes against the New Republic. Along with Gideon, Bo-Katan Kryze is also a strong option for a friend-turned-villain, since she longs for the Darksaber in Din’s possession.
Mandalore Has Its Own “Dark History,” Which Could Be Explored In Season 3
Rather than bring back Thrawn and the Empire again—which will inevitably turn the series into another Rebellion—it would be far better for The Mandalorian season 3 to focus on Mandalore. One of the scenes featured prominently in the season 3 trailer is of Sundari, the ruined capital city of Mandalore. First seen in The Clone Wars, Mandalore was at the time a pacifistic society under the rule of Duchess Satine—Bo-Katan’s late sister. The capital also has been host to several Mandalorian conflicts in the past, and it may be the site of a new Mandalorian civil war in season 3.
Mandalore has one of the most war-torn histories of any Star Wars planet in canon. Numerous houses and clans have shed each other’s blood for the sake of gaining power or furthering their ideals. During the Clone Wars, Mandalore was violently taken over by Maul and Death Watch—which eventually splintered off into Din’s clan, the Children of the Watch. During the Empire, Bo-Katan almost united the clans with a false claim to the Darksaber, prompting the Empire to obliterate Sundari. But even though it was the Empire that drove the Mandalorians to the brink of extinction, there is enough history to explore on Mandalore without involving the Empire.
A Mandalore-Focused Arc Would Make The Mandalorian Season 3 Matter
Now that Din owns the Darksaber in The Mandalorian season 3, he is positioned to unite the clans and rebuild Mandalore from the ashes of the Empire. Season 3 should not be about him fighting the Empire or Thrawn, but should focus on him fighting himself. In the beginning of the series, he drifted in the wind as a lone bounty hunter, donating portions of his profits to new Mandalorian foundlings. All of that changed when he stumbled across Grogu, and now that they have been reunited, it’s time for Din to step up and carve a path in the galaxy for his clan of two.
Din’s path forward is clear, but whether he has the bravery to seize the moment and become a leader remains to be seen. If Din wins the Civil War for Mandalore, it would allow him to create his own society in which he and Grogu can live in peace. Din has already bested former Imperials like Gideon, which is why pitting him against Thrawn would prove what’s already been proven. Bo-Katan is what stands in his way—not the Empire. While Thrawn can still appear to set up his role in the Ahsoka series, The Mandalorian season 3 should focus on the challenges he will face on Mandalore.