Phil Roberts 
“This week, The Book Of Boba Fett will delight Mando fans and disappoint Fett fans. And that alone makes this sensational episode the most enjoyable disappointment of the season so far.”
With last week’s action-packed episode now fading into the sands of Tatooine, it’s time to head back to the Outer Rim for The Book Of Boba Fett Chapter 5. After reclaiming Slave 1 from the depths of Jabba’s Palace and culminating the flashback sequences; Boba is searching for muscle to help him prepare for war against the Pyke Syndicate. But after teasing the return of Din Djarin, can the series build upon the previous chapters and stick the landing as we enter the second half of the season?
Sadly, this week’s episode will divide the fanbase. And I’m struggling to come to terms with what transpires in a chapter titled “Return Of The Mandalorian.” Now, to be clear, I loved this chapter. BUT, instead of enjoying an episode of The Book Of Boba Fett as billed, I sat down to an episode of The Mandalorian. And that felt like a major disservice to the character the show is based on. So, join me as I dive in headfirst and try and make sense of it all.
RETURN OF THE MANDALORIAN
After last week’s stellar episode, Chapter 5 kicks off on a distant world. A technologically advanced city built into an enormous planet-sized ring. It’s quite the spectacle. And as the episode begins to unfold we are reunited with an old friend. Enter Din Djarin. The Mandalorian returns in a big way and we follow his return to bounty hunting. It’s an absolute joy to be reunited with him, especially as we haven’t seen him in action for the better part of a year. And his return is as visceral as ever. He exhibits his lethal prowess with his newly acquired Darksaber and let’s just say that I’d hate to be on the receiving end of his onslaught.
TRAINING
After claiming the bounty on his latest conquest, we follow Din as he works to master the blade with the help of some old friends; who we also haven’t seen for a while. It’s a long-overdue reunion, and as events continue to unfold, The Mandalorian is forced to make an impromptu return to Tatooine. And his return delivers in a big way. What follows is a Mando fans’ dream. Even more old friends return, and Prequel fans can look forward to a literal feast of easter eggs. But as the enjoyable 51 minutes come to an end and the credits roll, fans are left asking…where’s Boba Fett?
THE MANDALORIAN 2.5
As eluded to earlier, I was baffled by the Boba Fett no show. And in truth, this cannot, in good conscience be called an episode of The Book Of Boba Fett. Because instead, we are treated to what amounts to an episode of The Mandalorian 2.5. An episode designed to fill in the blanks after the culmination of season two and explain what happened to Mando in the aftermath. Which is fine. If it was an episode of The Mandalorian.
But this series belongs to Boba Fett. And as a lifelong Boba Fett fan, I have been yearning for a series devoted to this character for well over four decades. So, to have an entire episode of his series ripped away and devoted to Mando is a bitter pill to swallow. I hope Jon Favreau intends to return the favor in The Mandalorian Season 3!
THE CAST
So far, this series has been enriched by a string of spectacular performances from Temuera Morrison. He has added new depth to Boba’s persona and although his benevolence has divided the fans, his performance has been a true highlight of the series so far. But sadly, Boba isn’t a part of this episode. Instead, Pedro Pascal turns in another solid vocal performance, and the returning supporting cast serves up a familiar Mando masterclass. But unless I dip further into spoiler territory, I cannot elaborate on the rest of the cast. Sorry readers.
VERDICT
Overall, I absolutely loved this episode of The Mandalorian. It was an absolute joy to be reunited with Din Djarin, and I cannot wait to see where his adventures take him moving forward. Chapter 5 is packed full of familiar faces, intense action, and more iconography that you can shake the Darksaber at. Prequel fans can look forward to an absolute feast of easter eggs and familiar locations. And that is more than enough to make this the must-see event of the week. However, when all is said and done, I cannot look past the omission of Boba Fett from his own series.
What we are left with is a chapter that will delight Mando fans and disappoint Fett fans. Especially those who, like me, have been waiting decades to see a series devoted to Boba Fett. In what will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the best episodes of the series so far, fans will have to reconcile with the fact that the title character is nowhere to be found. And that alone makes this sensational episode the biggest disappointment of the season so far.
The Book Of Boba Fett is streaming on Disney Plus now.
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!
