Whew. As season finales go, today's episode of The Mandalorian - appropriately titled "The Rescue" - definitely didn't disappoint, and "Chapter 16" is one fans are likely going to spend a very long time discussing. It kicks off with Din Djarin and Boba Fett tracking down Bo-Katan Kryze and Koska Reeves after hijacking an Imperial shuttle with Doctor Pershing on board. As expected, he is indeed a cloner, while comments from one of the Imperials about the "millions" that died on both Death Stars (while describing the Rebels as "terrorists") definitely leaves us with something to think about. Back to Bo-Katan, though, and she immediately picks up on the fact Boba is a clone. A scuffle between the bounty hunter and Koska follows, but the duo eventually agree to help rescue Grogu in exchange for the Darksaber and possible help from Din to retake Mandalore down the line.
Their plan goes off without a hitch, and Cara Dune, Fennec Shand, Bo-Katan, and Koska all blast their way through Moff Gideon's cruiser while Fett distracts some TIE Fighters and Din sneaks off to rescue The Child. Along the way, he comes face-to-face with a Dark Trooper that completely overpowers him; these droids are no joke, and while that Beskar spear is eventually enough to put it down, it's down to pure luck that Din is able to blast the rest out of an air lock.
Heading to Grogu's cell, he finds the Darksaber wielding Gideon waiting for him. The bounty hunter agrees to let him keep that and leave as all he wants is The Child. Gideon agrees, claiming that he already has what he needs from the Force-sensitive being to restore "order" to the Galaxy. We know that's not true, though, because Pershing never made it there as far as we can tell (unless they caught him as he was leaving), but it comes as no great surprise when Gideon attacks. As for that mention of "order," we're left to assume that the Grogu's DNA played some small role in the creation of Supreme Leader Snoke and Emperor Palpatine's return. However, without ample time to take his blood, it's likely those experiments were never fully completed, hence why Palpatine spent so long in the shadows.
A battle ensues which ultimately sees Din emerge the victor; he's now the rightful owner of the Darksaber, something Gideon takes great delight in when they reach the bridge. While the Mandalorian offers to yield it to Bo-Katan, both she and the Moff know that in order to take it and be the rightful ruler of Mandalore, she will need to defeat Din in combat. Before we get to that, the Dark Troopers return, and it's clear our heroes are going to be obliterated by them. However, it's then that a single X-Wing approaches the ship. Who could it be?
A mysterious, cloaked figure with a green lightsaber makes short work of the droids, and is clearly strong in the Force. In a scene reminiscent of Darth Vader's attack on the Rebels in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, this Jedi tears his way down the corridor towards the bridge where Grogu, watching him on a monitor, clearly feels a connection to them. Din opens the door, and there Luke Skywalker stands. He vows to train Grogu, and after a tearful goodbye which sees the bounty hunter remove his helmet (seemingly for good), The Child leaves with Luke and R2-D2. That's how things end, and while there are clearly more stories to be told here - dear God, please say Grogu isn't killed by Kylo Ren - this particular one is over.
There is, however, a post-credits scene. You can read more about that by clicking here.
Take a look at some new stills from "The Rescue" below: