The Space Western That is ‘The Book of Boba Fett’

‘The Book of Boba Fett’ has ended with episode seven, but that doesn’t mean we can’t talk about the space western that it is. There are a lot of good things to talk about in the series involving this anti-hero bounty hunter turned mafia lord, and his lackeys. Take note that this series review CONTAINS SPOLERS so just turn a blind eye to Tatooine for a while if this bothers you.

Boba Fett in Tusken Clothing

Of course, the first itty-bitty detail about Boba Fett that started coming up in ‘The Mandalorian’ is: how did he even survive the Sarlacc Pit? This is answered in the series when he immerses himself in the Bacta tank to recover his strength. Not only is it revealed how he escapes from the Sarlacc Pit, ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ also explains why he was even using a Tusken Gaffi Stick in ‘The Mandalorian’, AND how he recovered his Slave One (Yeah, I’m still using THAT name). This just makes the character more bad a@@ than he already is.

Boba Fett and Fennec Shand

‘The Book of Boba Fett’ also explores the relationship of Boba, and bounty hunter turned ally, Fennec Shand. Part of the story explains how Fennec survived her encounter with Mando. Watching this series, you can understand now why Fennec apprears to have an undying loyalty towards Boba. As it stands, Fennec is the undisputed right hand woman to Boba’s mafia empire on Tatooine.

Boba Fett with his Gamorrean Guards

With the story of Boba and Fennec’s relationship taking center stage, we also get to see how Boba builds his empire from the ground up using the remnants of Jabba’s criminal empire. Boba gets to recruit more followers such as the Gammorean Guards he has, and the wookie Black Krrsantan. He is even able to recruit a teenage gang from the streets of Mos Espa. All these lead the progression of Boba Fett’s establishment as a true power on Tatooine.

Boba Fett on his throne

Of course, this being part of the established Mandalorian universe in Star Wars, we also get glimpses of Din Djarin, and his story as it crosses over ‘The Book of Boba Fett’. Here we see what he has been doing after season two of ‘The Mandalorian’, and we get a glimpse of his continuing father-son relationship with Grogu who also shows up in this series. Other recurring characters that appear include, Luke Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, and Cobb Vanth. It’s entertaiing to note that ‘The Return of the Mandalorian’ episode was to my mind the best episode of the series, AND it didn’t even show Boba Fett althroughout.

The Mandalorian with the Darksaber

Furthermore, to Clone Wars fans’ delight, Cad Bane makes his live action debut in ‘The Book of Boba Fett’. Not only is Cad Bane a fan favorite, he is also the former teacher of Boba Fett. However, here he is the primary opponent of Boba in what ultimately reminds you of those cowboy westerns of yore. Cad Bane learns first hand that his former student has grown to proportions that even he cannot match. As a result of the conflict with Cab Bane and his employer The Pyke Syndicate, Boba Fett gets enough clout to truly be the Daimyo of Mos Espa.

Cad Bane in Mos Espa

Overall, ‘The Book fo Boba Fett’ is a continuation fo the Star Wars tale started by ‘The Mandalorian’. Though it has its own voice, and style, it still is part of the same timeline. If the first season was any indication, there are more stories to tell about this anti-hero as he continues to establish himself as the ruler of his blossoming criminal empire. That being said, there is also enough in this series to make us giddy with aniticipation of what’s to come outside of ‘The Book of Boba Fett’. The galaxy from far, far away is growing very well. May the Force be with it. This is the Way.

Fett and Shand on Mos Espa

If you’re one who likes space westerns, give this series a try. ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ is now streaming on Disney Plus.

The Evolution of Bryce Dallas Howard in Star Wars

If you aren’t familiar yet with the work of budding director Bryce Dallas Howard in the Star Wars mythos, it’s about time that you familiarize yourself with it. Following in the footsteps of her legendary director-father Ron Howard, Bryce has added directing to her already well-known acting resume. To say that she is doing well would be a complete understatement. Let’s take a look at what she’s done so far for the Star Wars Universe.

The Mandalorian: Santuary

Her first crack at Star Wars was in Episode 4 of ‘The Mandalorian’ entitled ‘Sanctuary’. Here we see Mando (Pedro Pascal) combine forces with Cara Dune (Gina Carano) to save a small village from a group of raiders reinforced by the presence of an AT-ST (All Terrain Scout Transport). Of course, the AT-ST was modified by the raiders, but that still meant that Mando would have his hands full trying to save the village with this overpowering advantage. Here, Bryce was given the responsibility of introducing one of the best characters of the series in Cara Dune. At this point, ‘The Mandalorian’ was still growing its fandom as a space western. ‘Sanctuary’ did show Bryce Dallas Howard as more than capable of providing the background of Cara Dune, and adding to the already vast Star Wars bevy of characters.

The Mandalorian: The Heiress

With one episode under her belt, Bryce Dallas Howard proceeded with an even bigger episode in ‘The Mandalorian’. Episode 11 entitled, ‘The Heiress’ not only did she get to introduce Bo-Katan Kryze to her live action debut, bu she also gets to incorporate actress Katee Sackhoff into the Star Wars stable of actors. For those who aren’t familiar with Bo-Katan (seriously, why aren’t you?), she is the fan favorite animated characte that first appeared in ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’. As for Katee Sackhoff, people who are fans of the rebooted sci-fi series ‘Batllestar Galactica’ in the early 2000s will recognize that name. Katee is science fiction royalty now with Bo-Katan under her belt of acting roles aside from Starbuck from ‘Battlestar Galactica’. This was one of the best episodes of season two of ‘The Mandalorian’, and she has shown that she is very much capable of grander storytelling.

The Book of Boba Fett: Return of the Mandalorian

So, when ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ was announced over a year ago with Bryce Dallas Howard being identified as one of the directors for the series, I wasn’t surprised, and was expecting great things from her. She didn’t disappoint. ‘Return of the Mandalorian’ directed by Bryce Dallas Howard is the best episode in ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ to date. She masterfully incorporates elements of previous lore with newer elements which effectively draws in more people to this already massive Star Wars fandom. She truly is following the lead of forerunners Jon Favreau, and Dave Filioni. And what is that exactly? Geeking out with past lore to creat even geekier lore to the delight of many Star Wars fans.

In her own little trilogy (see what I did there?), Bryce has shown that she understands fully what it takes to handle a Star Wars property. She didn’t have to throw away all that came before to create something new. She used the longtime lore as a foundation to build something truly great: stories that welcome fans of any generation with utmost respect of what came before.

There was a time when some creators would argue that you can’t please past and new fans of Star Wars. That it was time to move on from the old. Bryce Dallas Howard has followed in the footsteps of Favreau, and Filioni in disproving that assertion. You CAN create something new WITH the old. More power to you, Bryce. Here’s hoping you can create your own Star Wars movie or your own Star Wars series someday. This is they way.