Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for The Mandalorian season 3, episode 7.
The Mandalorian season 3, episode 7 featured many huge moments, including the introduction of earlier versions of the Praetorian Guards from Star Wars: The Last Jedi. In the latter film, the Praetorian Guards were incorporated as the bodyguards of Supreme Leader Snoke. After Snoke's death in the film, the Guards attack Rey and Kylo Ren, with the duo defeating them in a lengthy battle in one of The Last Jedi's most exciting scenes.
In The Mandalorian season 3 episode 7's ending, the Praetorian Guards make a reappearance in Star Wars set before The Last Jedi. This is due to the return of Giancarlo Esposito's Moff Gideon, who is part of the Imperial Shadow Council working to re-establish the Empire's power throughout the galaxy using Grand iral Thrawn. At one point, Gideon requests the protection of the Praetorian Guards in a scene that reveals how the Guards went from working with the Empire in The Mandalorian to the First Order in The Last Jedi.
The Praetorian Guards Began With The Empire
The biggest reveal about the Praetorian Guards found in The Mandalorian is that they predated the First Order. Given that the guards were created specifically for The Last Jedi, it is interesting to know that they existed before Snoke's regime in Star Wars canon. The new Star Wars Imperial villain group - the Shadow Council - is shown to be striving towards the goal of rebuilding the Empire, with Grand iral Thrawn at its head. This makes it clear that the Praetorian Guards showcased in The Mandalorian season 3, episode 7 are under the jurisdiction of the Empire.
The Mandalorian takes place around 25 years before Star Wars: The Force Awakens, meaning the Praetorian Guards saw their origins long before The Last Jedi. In The Mandalorian, the Praetorian Guards are simply seen as more security for the of the Shadow Council, with Gideon requesting their aid in defending him against the Mandalorians. Regardless of their role under the Empire, the reveal that they predate the rule of Snoke and the First Order adds another layer to their history.
The Empire Evolved Into The First Order - And Their Role Changed
At some point in the decades between The Mandalorian and The Force Awakens, the Empire transitioned into the First Order, with the Praetorian Guards evolving with it. Under the Empire's rule, the Praetorian Guards were used as extra protection for of the Shadow Council, though they likely had another function which has yet to be revealed given Gideon's need to request for them. With the First Order, though, the Praetorian Guards had a different role.
As was established in The Last Jedi, the Praetorian Guards were assigned specifically to Snoke. They were only seen on Snoke's flagship and were foreshadowed to jump into action as soon as their Supreme Leader was threatened. This is paid off when Snoke is killed by Kylo Ren and the Praetorian Guards attempt to defeat him and Rey in retaliation. Some time after The Mandalorian, the Empire became the First Order, and the Praetorian Guards went from the security forces of Imperial Remnants to the main defense of the Supreme Leader.
The Mandalorian season 3 finale releases Wednesday on Disney+.