Why Did Moff Gideon Want Grogu?

Kidnapped within the last few episodes of Season 2, Moff Gideon takes Grogu for an unknown purpose. Why did Moff Gideon want Grogu?

Moff Gideon wants Grogu so he can study his blood. Grogu has “rare properties” and an exceptionally high Midi-chlorian count, making him ripe for research. Gideon wants to use the research to restore power to the Empire.

This claim is confirmed by Gideon himself, but also from the scientist who briefly works on and studies Grogu.

Moff Gideon explains why he wants Grogu

In The Mandalorian Season 2 finale, titled “The Rescue,” Din Djarin has a conversation with Moff Gideon. Leader of a remnant of the Empire, Gideon captures Grogu for unknown reasons and flees with the child.

Thanks to a perilous rescue mission, Djarin is able to reach the holding bay that contains Grogu. He opens the door to see the Child, sitting on a bench with handcuffs around his wrists. Gideon, Darksaber in hand, tells Djarin to drop the blaster.

Djarin does so and kicks it over to Gideon. The Empire Leader says he’s aware that Djarin has been traveling with Bo-Katan. Gideon correctly assumes that Bo-Katan and her boarding party have arrived, seeking the Darksaber.

Gideon explains that whoever owns the Darksaber lays claim to the Mandalorian throne. Disinterested in the history lesson, Djarin tells Gideon to keep the Darksaber. He says he only wants the kid.

Shockingly, Gideon seems to agree. He sheathed his Darksaber and says he already has what he wants from Grogu, being the child’s blood.

All Gideon wanted, he claims, is to study Grogu’s blood. He says Grogu is extremely gifted and has been blessed with rare properties that have the potential to bring back order to the galaxy. 

Earlier in the show, a scientist who was working on Grogu says the Child has extremely large M-Counts. These “M-Counts” are likely the Midi-chlorian Levels established in the Prequels. Qui-Gon, who fights alongside Obi-Wan, speaks highly of Anakin’s Midi-chlorian levels These levels can indicate the scale of someone’s sensitivity to the Force.

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So that’s the answer. Moff Gideon wants Grogu so he can study his blood. The Child has an exceptionally high Midi-chlorian count and other rare properties.