The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 1 Explains What Happened To Moff Gideon Between Seasons

Warning: this post contains spoilers for "The Mandalorian" season 3 premiere.

After more than two years away (technically speaking), Mando and his pal Grogu returned to Disney+ in "The Mandalorian" for the long-awaited season 3 premiere. Yes, Din Djarin and his little green pal are back together thanks to what happened in "The Book of Boba Fett," which was not at all touched on in this latest episode, but that's another story entirely. What the episode did explain, however, is what happened to Giancarlo Esposito's Moff Gideon following the events of the show's season 2 finale.

In the 17th chapter of the series, titled "The Apostate," Mando returns to Nevarro to pay a visit to Greef Carga (Carl Weathers), who is now High Magistrate Carga. The place has exploded with good fortune and hardly resembles the wasteland of scum and villainy it once was. At one point, Greef explains to Mando that he needs a marshal to help lay down the law around these parts. Mando then inquires as to what happened to Cara Dune. In reality, Gina Carano was fired from the show, but Cara is a very real character. "After she brought in Moff Gideon, she was recruited by special forces," Greef explains. As for Gideon? "He was sent off to a New Republic war tribunal."

At this point in the "Star Wars" timeline, we're probably getting close to 10 years since the events of "Return of the Jedi," give or take. The New Republic, which was formed by the Rebellion after Palpatine was defeated, would have a pretty decent foothold now, even though the remnants of the Galactic Empire are still out there. The big question is, what did they do with Gideon after/during this tribunal? What punishment will he suffer for his atrocities against the galaxy?

For now, all we have is a mere off-the-cuff mention from Greef about it, but it's enough to give us at least some idea of what happened to this very important character from the show's first two seasons. The big lingering question is whether or not we're ever going to see him again. Cara Dune feels like someone we are never, ever going to see on screen again as the special forces are surely a busy group, and it's a big galaxy. But if Moff Gideon isn't dead, one has to imagine he and Mando will come face-to-face again. In Gideon's mind, they surely have unfinished business to attend to.

One thing to keep in mind is that the New Republic isn't nearly as cold-hearted as the Empire was. Even a war tribunal judging someone this high up in the former regime's ranks is not going to sentence the man to a cruel death, more than likely. That is to say, he's probably going to be tossed into captivity in some desolate place. And, if movies and TV have taught us anything over the years, no prison is inescapable — not even a space prison. Point being, if you were going to bet on it, put money on seeing Gideon again. As for when, why, or even how that will happen? Speculate amongst yourselves.

"The Mandalorian" season 3 premieres new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.