The Book Of Boba Fett Episode 2 Review: An Unexpected New Threat To Boba’s Power Emerges In The Present

'The Book Of Boba Fett' continues to focus heavily on his past with the Tuskens, but introduces some intriguing new threats in the present day.

The Book Of Boba Fett continues to dig into Boba’s past and develop his character while still introducing some intriguing new threats in the struggle for control of Mos Espa’s criminal underworld.

The new episode digs a bit deeper into the present day storyline of Boba trying to take over as the crime lord of Mos Espa, but in a nearly 50-minute episode the present storyline is given only 14 minutes to develop. The mysterious mayor is quickly revealed with the introduction of Mok Shaiz an Ithorian in what feels a bit anticlimactic. Although this did lead to one of the highlights of the episodes, the introduction of the Hutt twins.

It seems Jabba’s cousins are unhappy with the former bounty hunter taking over what they still consider Hutt territory and have come to retake Mos Espa. The standoff between Boba and the Hutt twins is tension filled and while it doesn’t lead to an explosive confrontation yet, it does set up a new pair of adversaries for Boba. There is also the continued mystery of who hired the assassins to take out Boba with the prime suspect being the Mayor, although he quickly throws suspicion towards the Hutts.

THE BOOK OF BOBA FETT CONTINUES TO EXPLORE BOBA’S PAST WITH THE TUSKENS

“The Tribes Of Tatooine” splits the past and present storylines even more clearly than before with the second part of the episode focusing solely on Boba Fett’s continued journey with the Tuskens. A major focus for The Book Of Boba Fett has been on the Tuskens and humanizing these characters that have often been largely portrayed as one dimensional savage killers in the past. The Mandalorian began humanizing the Tuskens through Mando’s communication and cooperation with them, but The Book Of Boba Fett has gone even further.

The flashbacks have explored not only how Boba escaped the sarlacc pit, but how he has gained the trust and respect of the Tuskens and vice versa. The spiritual journey and internal growth Boba has experienced as he becomes a part of the Tusken tribe is interesting and unique. Boba’s time with the Tuskens seems to have changed the once ruthless bounty hunter into a leader with a new code of honor.

The train chase and fight is one of the highlights of the episode with obvious inspiration taken from classic Westerns. The dynamic action and movement is enthralling. The droid driving the train is captivating with his spidery limbs controlling the vehicle. While the speeder bike training montage beforehand is hilarious and develops the clear camaraderie between Boba and the Tuskens as well as Boba’s leadership.

Temuera Morrison is a stand out especially in the flashback scenes. Morrison adds a new depth to Boba, not only through his respect for the Tuskens, but his growth as a leader instead of a soldier. The combination of bewilderment and humility he brings to the scene with the leader of the Tusken tribe adds a levity to the episode especially in a very strange scene. The hallucinogenic vision that Boba experiences is interesting and further adds to his growth, but it is definitely playing in the stranger territory of Star Wars.

Ming-Na Wen continues to impress as Fennec Shand. While she isn’t a part of the action in the newest episode of The Book Of Boba Fett, she does add an element of sarcastic humor. Her dismissal of the assassin’s reputation and the empty threat of Jabba’s Rancour are hilarious and add a new layer to the intimidating assassin turned loyal second in command. Hopefully she will have more time to shine in future episodes.

The Book Of Boba Fett also featured the live action debut of a fan favorite Star Wars comic book character with Black Krrsantan an intimidating black furred Wookie who has his own history with Boba Fett. The Book Of Boba Fett also found an intriguing way to bring some of the Star Wars criminal underworld into the flashbacks with what looked like members of the Pyke syndicate using the train to smuggle spice through the deserts of Tatooine. Part of what works well with these cameos is they don’t overshadow Boba, but can easily lead to some interesting connections in future episodes.

The exploration of the Tusken culture and continued Tatooine world building is interesting, but the focus on this element of Boba’s story instead of the current criminal underworld storyline is a bit confusing. How these two storylines are connected beyond Boba Fett being at the center of both is still a mystery although the Pyke syndicate’s inclusion in the Tusken storyline may be a clue. “The Tribes Of Tatooine” continues to develop Boba Fett’s character and introduce exciting possibilities for the rest of the future, but hopefully the series will find a more balanced approach to the two storylines in future episodes.

What did you think of The Book Of Boba Fett “The Tribes Of Tatooine”? Do you want to see more of Boba’s time with the Tuskens or do you want to see more of the present-day story? 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.

KEEP READING: THE BOOK OF BOBA FETT EPISODE 1 REVIEW: A SOLID START THAT SETS UP NOSTALGIA HEAVY SERIES