The Book of Boba Fett has concluded and it was quite the rollercoaster. There's some aspects I'm still digesting; some things I'm still kind of 'errrr....' on. Overall, it's a pulpy, crazy, colourful adventure. It has the same feel to me as the Star Wars comics: mad, brash and full of short, clippy lines that would fit well in a speech bubble. It's full of oddball characters that you might not see in other Star Wars media, but that would feel at home in an edition of Doctor Aphra (Krrsantan literally, obviously). The Mods, in particular, could be lifted straight from a comic.
There were definite highs in the series and, for me, definite differing directorial styles that made some things work and left me a little flat elsewhere. Chapter 7 being a case in point: Robert Rodriguez's style of blocky, paced action worked in the context of introducing Boba Fett in The Mandalorian Season 2, but felt slow and plodding in Boba. Compare that to Bryce Dallas Howard's more dynamic feel - she's quickly becoming a favourite Star Wars creator for me.
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| Lucasfilm / Starwars.com |
Whether Book of Boba is an interlude from The Mandalorian, or the Mandalorian's appearance is an interlude from Boba doesn't really matter to me. The colourful dramatis personae all seem to be part of an evolving, multi-strand story that I hope will take us to Mandalore and introduce us eventually to live-action Thrawn and Ezra Bridger.
I fully expect future seasons of The Mandalorian, Ahsoka and other series to feature this vivid ensemble cast. The period after Return of the Jedi is all of their stories. We're seeing bits and pieces from certain points of view and the whole picture may not become clear until several years down the road. Perhaps, much like real life.
I like this style. Yes, I would have wanted to see a bit more of Grogu's departure from Luke. But perhaps we will do - perhaps from Luke's perspective. I also trust that the creative forces involved had a reason to do it this way. I trust that there's things they want to show us in The Mandalorian Season 3 that mean we didn't need to see Grogu and Din's reunion in that show.
Grogu reuniting with Din makes sense at this time too - all the characters choose their tribe over the alternatives: Fett, Shand, Din, Grogu, The Armourer, the people of Freetown, and so on. Everyone retreats to, or stands up to become part of, their family or found-family. Except Cad Bane, of course...
I also want a side-episode all about R2 joy-riding Luke's X-Wing around the galaxy, after finally being allowed out on his own.