Review | The Book Of Boba Fett: Chapter 3 (The Streets Of Mos Espa)

“The Book Of Boba Fett Chapter 3 is a passable, but polarizing affair, often packed with great moments.”

With last week’s second episode fading into memory it’s time to reopen The Book Of Boba Fett for Chapter 3. Having seen Boba rise to prominence among the Tusken Rider tribe, all eyes are on where the third chapter will take us. But can the latest installment banish the doubts and cement Fett’s time as the new Daimyo of Mos Espa?

Sadly, this week is a yes with a but. In truth, Chapter 3 is a polarizing affair, often packed with great moments. But in equal quantity, questionable choices are being made. And the trend is alarming. The result is a serviceable episode mired by too many ideas being thrown into the mix at the expense of character development. So let’s dig in and unpack this mixed experience.

THE STREETS OF MOS ESPA

Last week’s eventful episode established that the Hutt Twins were behind the attempt on Boba’s life. Krrsantan made his presence known, and the flashback sequences cemented Boba’s standing amongst the Sandpeople. And that’s us all caught up. Chapter 3 kicks off with Mos Espa’s new daimyo dealing with the problems of the citizens he is tasked with protecting. It seems that a group of “cyborg biker thugs” have been terrorizing local businesses and plundering their goods. Fett is tasked by a water supplier to rid him of this annoyance in exchange for an increase in tributes. Here’s where things begin to unravel for this episode.

LEGACY

Fett fans have held the iconic bounty hunter in high regard for well over four decades, but something is amiss in The Book Of Boba Fett. The “most feared bounty hunter” in all the galaxy appears to have lost his reputation. In fact, the water vendor reveals that none of the denizens of Mos Espa respect him. Moreover, he is viewed as a weak ruler. An unfortunate byproduct of his newfound benevolence. Now, stop me if I’m wrong, but this contradicts every incarnation of Fett’s esteemed history.

From the infamous Holiday Special to his appearance in The Mandalorian, Fett’s reputation proceeds him, and his vengeance is swift. However, in this series, Boba is portrayed as a weakened shadow of his former self with all the traditional trappings stripped away. Don’t get me wrong, I’m relishing the added character depth being afforded to him. But this is far from the bounty hunter of Star Wars lore. And that is a trend that needs to be addressed very soon.

FLASHBACK

Following the trend of past episodes, chapter 3 then slips back into the customary flashback sequence, but this one is as emotional as it comes. Not only does this sequence offer some of the finest iconographies of the series so far, but it delivers a tragedy many of us didn’t see coming. And the final shot is heart-wrenching. But as the flashback concludes, we learn that more sinister forces are involved in Boba’s solo story, and they will have a major influence over his reign as daimyo.

CYBORGS OF ANARCHY?

Returning to the present and instead of curtailing the biker gang’s constant theft of water, Fett enlists the juveniles’ services and tasks them with watching over his interests. Whether they are hired muscle or a bunch of rebellious teenage spies, the gang feels wholly out of place in the galaxy far, far away. In what feels like a cross between George Lucas’ American Graffiti and Robert Rodriguez’s Spy Kids, this gang of youths is thrust into the action. And the episode sufferers as a result. Their involvement feels too “real world” for me, and overall, their involvement delivers too many cringe-worthy moments that will have fans rolling their eyes in disdain.

HUTT TRUCE?

The saving grace of the episode is the return of the Hutt Twins and Krrsantan. I said last week that they will have a deeper role in proceedings moving forward, so I’m delighted to see them back. And the tribute the Hutts pay as they prepare to abandon Tatooine will have fans licking their lips in anticipation. Although Krrsantan confronts Fett during the episode, I foresee the mighty Wookiee returning before the final curtain to repay Boba’s compassion.  And that will be a team-up for the ages. I’m calling it now!

As the third chapter draws to a close we are left with a bizarre episode that delivers some iconic moments at the expense of meaningful character development. Something I hope the writers eradicate in the coming weeks. The series is suffering from an unwelcome stop-start fad, and Fett’s newfound benevolence continues to erode his esteem. To retain control over the Mos Espa populace, he intends to rule with respect. But there is only so far that sentiment can take him.

THE CAST

As is always the case, the strength of this series rests upon the shoulders of its cast. And as always, Temuera Morrison delivers in a big way. Although the new benevolent side of Fett is far from what legacy fans have come to expect, his appeal is growing amongst the new generation. Which is always a positive. Sadly, Ming-Na Wen’s Fennec Shand continues to be pushed into the shadows, and I feel that her involvement is doing the character a massive disservice. But I hope she’ll be given the chance to make up for it when the spice hits the fan in the coming weeks.

VERDICT

Overall, I have mixed feelings about this episode. It delivers some of the most appealing iconographies of the series so far. And some of the most visually immersive shots to date. Not to mention Krrsantan in action! But with the addition of the teenage rebels without a cause and Boba’s unwelcome benevolence; the episode falls far short of expectations. However, there are two cameos this week that will have Mando fans grinning from ear to ear. And Rodriguez fans laughing with delight. But they aren’t enough to save Chapter 3 from hitting the rocks.

In the end, we are rewarded with a disjointed episode that sacrifices character development for luminous hoverbikes; benevolent heroes, teenage melodrama, and converging storylines. Overall, a disappointing 39 minutes and change.

The Book Of Boba Fett is streaming on Disney Plus now.

Phil Roberts

Phil Roberts is the Owner, Daily Content Manager, and Editor-In-Chief of The Future of the Force. He is passionate about Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Follow him on Twitter where he uses the force and babbles frequently!