This article was originally published on SFFGazette.com; be sure to keep checking that site for all the latest updates on Star Wars and The Mandalorian!
Part of the fun of watching The Mandalorian is seeing the episode title come up on screen for the first time. Disney+ tends not to upload those for a couple of days until after each instalment drops on the streaming service to maintain the surprise, and we're sure many of you raised your eyebrows when "The Return" flashed up yesterday.
There are many characters that could have referred to, but in the end, we learn that it's IG-11!
While battling Moff Gideon's Praetorian Guards, Grogu's IG-12 suit is destroyed, bringing a somewhat premature end to his time wearing that. When he and Din Djarin visit their New Republic ally Carson Teva, The Child spots an IG head that the bounty hunter accepts as a down payment for future missions he takes on behalf of his new employers.
There's been some speculation online that it might be IG-88's head, the villainous droid we were first introduced to in The Empire Strikes Back. We can't confirm that right now, but with the missing part they needed, IG-11 is finally restored and becomes Nevarro's new Marshall.
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Taika Waititi lends his voice to the restored droid and, with that, The Mandalorian regains one of its most beloved characters.
As you can see below, IG also gets something of a new look as the town's protector, and we're guessing this closes the door on Gina Carano ever making her return as Cara Dune after she was recruited by the New Republic (in reality, the actress ended her Hollywood career after some controversial social media posts).
Regardless, this is a great payoff to the story about restoring the droid which began in the season 3 premiere, and a real fan-pleasing moment in a finale that's full of them.
Are you happy to see IG-11 make his return?