It really is a shame that the best episode so far in The Book Of Boba Fett is all about Mando. The Mandalorian protagonist gets a more interesting and dynamic arc in Chapter 5 than Boba Fett has all season.
And really, this entire episode—which was excellent—just makes me miss The Mandalorian that much more. I’ve already been comparing The Book Of Boba Fett unfavorably to its predecessor, and now we get yet another reminder of just how much more interesting Mando’s story and character are than Boba.
Even the setting is better, mainly because Mando rarely stays in one place for too long. Here, he tracks down a bounty and then visits a space station that looks like it was plucked directly out of Halo before making his way to Tatooine to find a new ship. You just get more of the Star Wars universe in The Mandalorian than you do in Boba Fett.
I’ve been thinking ever since last week’s episode that really all Boba Fett needed was that end-credits scene in The Mandalorian Season 2 where he and Fennec Shand kill Bib Fortuna and occupy Jabba’s palace. That would have been enough. The rest could have been left a mystery, talked about offscreen. He could have showed back up in other Star Wars shows.
In many ways, I just wish this episode was the Season 3 premiere of The Mandalorian, because it seems pretty clear that some really cool adventures await our hero—as well as a reunion with Grogu. I’m very excited for all of this—but much less interested in the feckless crime drama playing out in The Book Of Boba Fett.
In this stealth episode of The Mandalorian, we get all sorts of cool stuff. The opening fight with the bounty and his minions features Mando fighting with the Darksaber—somewhat clumsily—in a pretty tense fight that leaves him much worse for wear.
From here, he heads to the Halo where he never runs into Master Chief, but does make his way to the last remaining members of his covert. The Armorer and one other Mandalorian remain. The Armorer expounds a bit on the history of the Darksaber and the plight of Mandalore in some much-needed backstory.
She also tells Mando that his Beskar steel spear can pierce Beskar armor and that the metal should only ever be used for armor, to keep the Mandalorians safe. He asks her to melt it down for a Foundling—Baby Yoda—and when she says he belongs to the Jedi now, and that their creed rids them of all attachments, he points out that their creed is the opposite. Mandalorians rely on one another.
She agrees, and forges something for Grogu—something we’ll see when Mando meets back up with the little guy (hopefully) either in this show or The Mandalorian Season 3.
The other Mandalorian at the covert then challenges Din Djarin to a duel, hoping to claim the Darksaber for himself. He very nearly bests our hero, but Mando gets the better of him. Just when all seems to be going his way, the Armorer asks the other Mandalorian if he’s ever taken off his helmet. He says no. When she asks Mando, he hesitates and finally admits the truth. He has—though his reasons were pure enough (he had to be healed by the droid the first time, and he had to say goodbye to his baby the second).
The Armorer excommunicates him from their ranks for his apostacy, showing just how truly absurd this little cult really is. They’re down to three members, but their code means Mando has to go—and with the mines of Mandalore destroyed, there’s no clear path for him to return. Perhaps he should just go join Bo Katan, after all.
From here, he heads to Tatooine where he runs into an old friend, the mechanic Peli Motto. She’s found an old N-1 Starfighter to replace his lost Razorcrest. You might recognize the ship from the prequel Star Wars films—and Motto even references the queen of Naboo.
With the help of some Jawa scavengers (somehow Motto has dated one in the past, something I’d really rather not think about) they get the ship up and running. After taking it for a joyride—and a chance encounter with a familiar New Republic pilot—Motto asks Mando what he thinks of the new ride.
“Wizard,” he says, clearly impressed. It’s a tighter fit than his old ship—it won’t be able to carry many carbonite-frozen bounties—but it’s faster, nimbler and just cooler all around. Motto even removed the droid seat behind the pilot’s seat, knowing how our favorite bounty hunter feels (or, rather, felt) about droids. It’s the perfect little seat for Baby Yoda now!
In the end, Fennec Shand shows up and tries to hire Mando to help Boba Fett as muscle-for-hire. He tells her he’ll do it for free, but first he has to visit a “little friend.”
When we see them next, is this how he plans to introduce Grogu to people? Say hello to my little friend!
Just to recap, in this episode we got some cool fights with the Darksaber, a dive into the lore and history of Mandalore and its downfall, a Mandalorian duel for control of the Darksaber, a bunch of character development of Mando who is clearly still all broken up about losing Grogu, and a restored N-1 Starfighter that really moves. And the terrifying image of Peli Motto dating a “very furry” Jawa. I can’t shake this from my brain.
What a great episode! What a shame we aren’t getting The Mandalorian Season 3 and will, by necessity, return to the rather less compelling story of The Book Of Boba Fett next week. Will Mando be there? Or will he be waylaid somehow on his new quest to check in on Grogu?
We’ll find out next Wednesday! If I’m not mistaken there are just two episodes remaining in this show, so whatever is going to happen with the big bad Pyke Collective needs to happen soon.
Also, how adorable is this gift-wrapping?
One final note: The musical theme for The Mandalorian is just so damn good. I can’t get over how much it adds to the Western feel of the show. Boba Fett has some similar threads, but—like the show itself—never reaches the same heights.
This is also the top-reviewed episode of the season, meaning viewers and critics all agree that this show is at its best when it’s another show entirely. Sigh.
What did you think of Chapter 5? Let me know on Twitter or Facebook.
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