Boba Fett is back and fans are finally getting a glimpse into enigmatic bounty hunter. Boba Fett became a fan favorite after Empire Strikes Back with the character shrouded in mystery while exuding a bad ass gunslinger mentality. The Book Of Boba Fett is the long awaited chance for fans to learn what happened to him between the events of Return Of The Jedi and The Mandalorian. The new series was set up with an exciting post credit scenes after The Mandalorian season 2 finale with Boba Fett and Fennec Shand. taking over Jabba’s palace and criminal empire after killing Bib Fortuna.
The first episode of Book Of Boba Fett jumps straight into the titular character’s past as he recalls his escape from the sarlacc pit while undergoing bacta tank treatment. But this is not the Boba Fett that fans remember from the original trilogy. It seems that what happened to him after his fateful fall into the sarlacc pit has changed his outlook, with the new crime lord striving to rule by respect instead of fear. Although this new idealism proves to be difficult to implement for a criminal syndicate and a crime ridden town, Mos Espa, that has long been run on fear, it does set up an intriguing character arc for Boba Fett.
“Stranger In A Strange World” digs into Boba Fett’s past revealing how he escaped the infamous sarlacc pit and how he lost his armor to the Jawas right out of the gate. It also reveals that Boba was taken by Tuskens which seemed to have a major impact on his new outlook as he slowly earns the respect of his captors throughout the episode. The continued development of Tuskens in Star Wars is intriguing and makes it clear that while this culture can be violent there is more to them than initially met the eye.
The flashbacks begin to answer quite a few questions that Star Wars fans have had, especially after the second season of The Mandalorian, but with the focus so heavily on Boba’s past it does slow the pacing on the present storyline in the first episode. Boba’s time with the Tuskens seems like it will be an integral part of his character development, but some of the scenes likely could have been somewhat condensed with more time being put into the current storyline and world building of Mos Espa.
With how much of the episode was focused on Boba’s past, not much of Mos Espa was explored. Boba receives tributes in his new palace, a new antagonist is set up for Boba in the form of the mysterious Mayor, and Boba may find a potential ally in Garsa Fwip (Jennifer Beals), although in Mos Espa it’s hard to trust anyone.
MING-NA WEN AND TEMUERA MORRISON SHOW OFF COMPELLING CHEMISTRY IN THE BOOK OF BOBA FETT’S FIRST EPISODE
The chemistry between Ming-Na Wen and Temuera Morrison once again proves to be dynamic and compelling. Temuera Morrison is able to infuse the infamously stoic bounty hunter with an underlying struggle based around his new perspective on respect, as well as the scars, both physical and mental, that he gained after the sarlacc pit. Ming-Na Wen is able to balance the menacing threat of Fennec’s assassin training, her undying respect and loyalty for Boba, as well as a dry wit in a truly compelling performance. The actors play well off each other and their dynamic is likely to be a strong point throughout the series.
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The action featured in the first episode of Book Of Boba Fett was exciting with both Temuera Morrison’s Boba Fett and Ming-Na Wen’s Fennec Shand getting the chance to shine. Boba proved his strength as he fought a terrifying sand creature while Fennec’s parkour chase scene was a highlight of the episode. The fight scene in the streets of Mos Espa was impressive although it does raise some questions about Boba’s strength, after he needs to be taken to the bacta tank, and the attackers, possibly working for the Mayor.
The Book Of Boba Fett sets up an interesting feel for the city of Mos Espa with the underlying menace clear as Boba and Fennec attempt to set up their hold over the city. The series seems like it will be exploring the Star Wars criminal underworld in a way no other series or film has, although the first episode could have balanced the world building of Mos Espa with Boba’s past a bit stronger. The more contained storytelling that the series seems to set up does show promise for the further exploration of Mos Espa.
The Book Of Boba Fett is a solid first episode setting up Boba’s internal struggle, the dynamic between Fennec and Boba, as well as the power struggle of Mos Espa as Boba tries to hold onto the criminal empire he has taken. The exploration of Boba Fett’s past is intriguing and gives fans a deeper look into a character that has been infamously enigmatic.
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The new show leans heavily into the nostalgia with the hook of the series being that this is the Boba Fett story longtime fans have been waiting for. The story feels a bit more contained, seeming to set up a story focused on Boba and Fennec’s time on Tatooine instead of a larger galactic adventures. Although the first episode lacks a Grogu level twist to hook those who aren’t major Boba Fett fans, The Book Of Boba Fett seems to set up an exciting new series with a lot of potential.
New episodes of The Book Of Boba Fett premiere on Disney Plus every Wednesday. What did you think of the first episode of The Book Of Boba Fett? Are you excited to see where the series goes from here? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or on our social media and check back with The Illuminerdi for more Star Wars and The Book Of Boba Fett.
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