The Mandalorian season 3, Episode 7, “Chapter 23: The Spies,” introduced a new character to the Star Wars canon, Commandant Brendol Hux. While Brendol is a new addition to the live-action universe, he has previously appeared in the Star Wars: Aftermath trilogy by Chuck Wendig.

Who is Brendol Hux?

In the episode, Brendol is a member of a Shadow Council working on “Project Necromancer,” a mysterious cloning project that could have significant implications for the galaxy and Mandalore. Brendol’s connection to the Shadow Council raises questions about his involvement with Emperor Palpatine’s return, as Palpatine was previously revealed to have been cloned in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Brendol’s backstory is explored in the Aftermath trilogy. He was a junior officer in the Republic’s army before joining the Imperial ranks, where he founded an academy that trained Imperial officers and sought out Force-sensitive students for the Inquisitorious.

Brendol’s personal life was marked by abuse and neglect towards his son, Armitage Hux. Born out of wedlock, Armitage was subject to both physical and verbal abuse from his father, who frequently expressed his disappointment with the child. This upbringing would shape Armitage’s own path in life, as he became a general in the First Order and ran its Stormtrooper training program.

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Brendol’s involvement with the Imperial Remnant after the fall of the Empire is also explored in the Aftermath trilogy. He was rescued by Fleet Admiral Gallius Rax and appointed to the Shadow Council, where he trained child soldiers as Rax’s personal guards. When Rax’s efforts to implement the Emperor’s destructive contingency plan were foiled, Brendol was forced into an uneasy alliance with Grand Admiral Rae Sloane, who ordered him to teach Armitage everything he knew.

During a mission to the planet Parnassos, Brendol encountered the warrior Phasma, whom he brought back to the First Order and appointed as his protege and bodyguard. However, Phasma’s loyalty ultimately lay with Armitage, and she poisoned Brendol, leading to his demise.

Brendol’s appearance in The Mandalorian raises questions about his involvement with the Shadow Council and “Project Necromancer.” Will his past experiences with cloning and child soldiers come into play? And will we see more of his history with the First Order explored in future episodes of The Mandalorian or other Star Wars media?

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While Brendol’s appearance in The Mandalorian may be brief, his connections to the wider Star Wars universe suggest that his impact on the story could be significant. Fans will no doubt be eager to learn more about this enigmatic character and his role in the Shadow Council’s plans.