Ever since The Book of Boba Fett began there’s been a niggling feeling that something has been missing from Fett’s story. But chapter four, “The Gathering Storm,” has finally delivered it: motivation.
Crumbs have certainly been left over the last three episodes hinting at Boba’s purpose for displacing Bib Fortuna and taking over as daimyo in Mos Espa via his sojourns to the past in his bacta tank. Now writer Jon Favreau has effectively pulled those loose threads together to give meaning to his present-day movements.As with most Star Wars stories, there’s a strong colonial undercurrent to Boba’s mission to take back control of Tatooine from invading outsiders who are claiming ownership over the planet’s natural resources. The massacre of the native Sand People weighs heavily on Boba, and Temuera Morrison shrouds himself with this survivor’s guilt in every sorrowful glance. But Boba also uses that grief, and the lessons his dearly departed friends taught him about community strength, solidarity, and loyalty to drive his mission against the Pyke Syndicate’s stranglehold over spice production and commerce.
As with most Star Wars stories, there’s a strong colonial undercurrent to Boba’s mission to take back control of Tatooine from invading outsiders who are claiming ownership over the planet’s natural resources. The massacre of the native Sand People weighs heavily on Boba, and Temuera Morrison shrouds himself with this survivor’s guilt in every sorrowful glance. But Boba also uses that grief, and the lessons his dearly departed friends taught him about community strength, solidarity, and loyalty to drive his mission against the Pyke Syndicate’s stranglehold over spice production and commerce.
'The Book of Boba Fett' returned with a high-octane, action-packed Episode 4 with Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen) getting that ample screentime that was lacking in the season so far. While 'The Mandalorian' Season 2 introduced Boba Fett and also showed Shand over the course of the second installment. The latest episode sees how Boba helps revive Shand after she was shot point-blank in the gut. In 'The Gunslinger,' the Master Assassin talks her way around Calican after fighting her way around him. While Din Djarin/Mando captures her, Calican goes against his own partner and shoots her.
But now, she's survived with a modifier in Mos Eisley fixing her up making her part-human, part-machine. It is revealed that Boba was the one who found her near-dead in the desert and he rescues her while also nursing her back to health. The duo team up to retrieve his ship and take down the guards. Not just does this prove that they're efficient as a team, but it also shows the start of a partnership and friendship. There is also a bit of 'The Mandalorian' Season 2 events that tie to the present episode.
The present sees him add Krrsantan to his team. He also attempts to strike a deal with the bigwigs of Mos Espa to bring order back in Tatooine. He calls for all the families of Mos Espa to take on the Pyke Syndicate. The families agree that Boba and Shand would fight for the people and in return, these families remain neutral to any offers made by the Mayor and the Pyke Syndicate. What works in the favor of the episode is the intense action and the crisp pace. Running to around 47 minutes, the episode establishes the relationship between Boba and Shand.
And by the looks of it, there also appears to be another Din Djarin and Boba reunion as 'The Mandalorian' theme plays subtly in the final moments. The duo with Shand have been known to make a neat team as seen in season 2, and perhaps it is time for another Mandalorian tag team.
'The Book of Boba Fett' drops weekly with a new episode every Wednesday on Disney Plus.