The Mandalorian wakes up on the bank of the Living Waters and is asked by Bo-Katan if he saw anything during his descent. Surprisingly, he did not see anything as the lake was deeper than he expected due to seismic activity caused by the bombings. Mando collects water in a vial as evidence for his guild. During their journey to Kalevala, Bo-Katan's ship is pursued by five TIE interceptors, and they retaliate with their weapons. As they approach Kalevala, Mando uses the ship's blaster to destroy one of the interceptors. Upon arrival, Mando promptly boards his N-1 Starfighter and joins forces with Bo-Katan to bring down the remaining attackers. However, their triumph is short-lived as Bo-Katan's palace is destroyed by additional TIE bombers. Bo-Katan manages to destroy one of the bombers, but soon after, they are surrounded by more enemies and are forced to escape using hyperspace.
Dr. Penn Pershing, who we were previously introduced to as a scientist in Season 1, is giving a speech in a dazzling city. He talks about how he has turned over a new leaf and has been reborn under the Amnesty Program in Coruscant, distancing himself from the Empire's ways. An officer from the previous season attends the speech. During the speech, Pershing shares a personal story about his mother's death due to the lack of cloning facilities on his planet, which could have saved her life. After the speech, Pershing is congratulated by important figures and even the royals of Coruscant. Later, at the amnesty housing, he meets other officers, including G68, who had attended his speech. Pershing mentions that G68 used to work under Moff Gideon, who allegedly had his mind flayed, but this information is confidential. Pershing expresses his love for yellow travel biscuits, and to his delight, he finds a box of them outside his door at night.
The morning after his speech, Pershing, or L52, as he's known in the New Republic, is given Imperial Data Cards to be archived. He later takes a stroll through the bustling city with G68, munching on photon fizzles, the "Star Wars" equivalent of ice cream. As they explore the city, they have a good time, and G68 tricks Pershing into attempting to touch the peak of Umate, the tallest mountain on the planet, only to have a droid startle him instead, causing G68 to laugh at his expense. Despite this, the two seem to be forming a new friendship.
The following week, Pershing goes for his weekly evaluation with a droid, during which he expresses his desire to continue his research recreationally. However, the droid informs him that cloning research is prohibited by New Republic rules. Later, Pershing confides in G68 about his research plans and the need for certain materials. She agrees to help him acquire a mobile lab and other necessary equipment, but they will have to go beyond their designated perimeter, which could result in their arrest. Despite his fears, Pershing is convinced to take the risk by G68, who wants to do good after a lifetime of regrettable actions.
The next day, Pershing is given more data cards to destroy, but he realizes they still contain valuable information that could be salvaged. His frustration grows as he continues to destroy valuable data. During his evaluation, he confirms with the droid that their purpose is to help the New Republic, and upon receiving confirmation, he agrees to cross the perimeter with G68.
In the evening, L52 and G68 stealthily leave the perimeter and hop onto a train without tickets. However, their fun ride is cut short when ticket checker droids catch up to them. G68 encourages Pershing to jump off the train, and they head to the shipyard where he discovers the materials he needs to set up his temporary lab. G68 introduces herself as Elia Kane, and they are interrupted by noises from outside. They attempt to flee but are apprehended by soldiers. Surprisingly, only Pershing is arrested, while Elia takes the portable carry-on containing his materials.
Later, Pershing wakes up restrained on a bed, where a Mon Calamari technician informs him that Elia has reported his difficulty adjusting to his new environment and prescribes the use of a 6-O-2 mitigator to soothe traumatic memories. Pershing becomes agitated, thinking it's a mind flayer, but the technician assures him otherwise. As Pershing demands answers from Elia, she is praised by the overseeing officer, and Pershing is calmed by a mild charge. Elia asks to stay with him, but once the officer leaves, she turns up the regulator to the highest level, destroying Pershing's mind.
Returning to the previous narrative, Mando escorts Bo-Katan to the planet where the Children of the Watch have sought sanctuary and advises her to keep her helmet on as the guild members adhere to the Old Ways. Upon their arrival, Paz Vizsla intercepts them at the cave's entrance and accuses Din Djarin of being an apostate. However, Mando rebuts by stating that he has vindicated himself by traveling to the mines of Mandalore, and Bo-Katan supports his claim. Vizsla requests Bo to identify herself, calling her Nite Owl, an elite all-female Mandalorian squad that served under the Death Watch. Bo-Katan reveals her allegiance to Clan Kryze, but Vizsla accuses both of them of being apostates. Mando then presents the Living Waters, which he had procured, as evidence of his redemption, and the Armorer, the guild's leader, pours it into a bowl and certifies that it is enough proof of Din Djarin and Bo-Katan Kryze's redemption. Since Bo-Katan had also bathed in the Living Waters and had not removed her helmet, she is now a member of their guild, but she retains the right to leave at any time.
Mando's original plan was to bathe in the Living Waters to clear his name, but when he sank to the bottom, Bo-Katan had to rescue him, and in the process, she also bathed in the lake. Bo-Katan's decision not to remove her helmet after taking the dip made her a part of the guild, despite her initial disapproval of the Armorer's orthodox ways. By choosing to help Din Djarin, she embraced the Old Mandalorian Way and became a member of the cult that she once disliked. Bo-Katan's timely intervention saved Mando's life, and if she hadn't answered Grogu's call in the previous episode, she would have still been in the palace. This raises the question of who was responsible for sending so many TIE Interceptors to destroy the Mandalorian palace in Kalevala, a mystery that may be revealed in the upcoming episodes.
