Chris Connor reviews the third episode of Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett…
Following the extensive use of flashbacks in its opening two episodes, the third episode of The Book of Boba Fett picks up the main storyline considerably, answering some nagging questions and offering the best glimpse so far at how the strands in the story will overlap. The episode gives the clearest look at Boba’s ability to rule, as a local water monger claims that there is less order now than under the rule of Jabba. This leads Boba to track down water thieves who as it happens are struggling youngsters unable to find work in Mos Espa.
The biker gang introductions show the nature of life on Tatooine, something not properly explored beyond the childhoods of Luke and Anakin Skywalker. It seems the new additions may play a prominent role in the rest of the series, and while we don’t learn a huge amount about these new arrivals it does help flesh out the difficulties of surviving on such a desolate world.
The interspersing of the past and present segments is far less disruptive here than in previous episodes as Boba confronts the Pikes over the protection of Tusken lands. The meeting doesn’t go to plan and the tribe are slaughtered in retaliation. In the present meanwhile we learn that the Mayor is in league with the Pikes, giving us an idea of who the overarching adversaries for the remainder of the series will be.
It is a shame that the Tuskens who we have become acquainted with over the past two episodes won’t play a further role in the series as this element provided an interesting look into their indigenous culture and a move away from the barbaric depiction of the Original Trilogy in particular. In terms of the narrative it offers a key reason for Boba to be aggrieved by the Pikes and it helps to continue his character development into a warmer personality.
The mechanics of the world in this series excel at capturing the warring nature below the surface in the Star Wars universe with an assortment of syndicates striving for power in the wake of both Jabba and The Empire’s respective demises. The jostling power dynamic here involves the Pikes, Hutts and Boba himself, and it will be intriguing to see if this is carried over into other projects set in the same timeframe.
‘The Streets of Mos Espa’ sees The Book of Boba Fett finding its feet as it nears the halfway mark. If still not quite as assured as The Mandalorian the series is now beginning to unravel several of its story threads. Temuera Morrison continues to excel in the lead role portraying Boba at dual stages, while there is a welcome increase in responsibility for Ming-Na Wen’s Fennec Shand.
The action and visuals of the series continue to impress, and with The Book of Boba Fett now set up for an explosive second half we can expect things to ratchet up several notches in the coming weeks. While there are still some lingering questions, ‘The Streets of Mos Espa’ goes some way to justifying the series’ existence, with less meandering than previous episodes and with a clearer sense of purpose and place within the wider canon. One can hope the series is able to go on and carve out a distinct place in the Galaxy Far Far Away, one deserving of its titular character’s legacy.
Chris Connor
