The Book of Boba Fett lets the past die in an action-packed finale

The Book of Boba Fett has come to a close, and in its season finale, Boba, Fennec Shand, Mando and all the other major players on Tatooine band together for an epic showdown against the interloping Pyke Syndicate.

Everything in the first season has led to this moment, as Boba (Temuera Morrison) and Fennec (Ming-Na Wen) gather their forces to firmly stake their claim as the leaders and protectors of Mos Espa and surrounding communities.

While they were mostly outgunned by the Pyke’s sheer numbers and their terrifying new Scorpenek battle droids, the scrappy sand planet crew is, of course, triumphant in the end, thanks in large part to Boba triumphantly storming in atop his Rancor and a certain little green guy who chose the way of the Mandalorian over the ways of the Jedi.

SPOILERS ahead for The Book of Boba Fett season finale!

In the name of honor

In fighting the Pykes, Boba has a chance to prove to the people of Tatooine that he actually cares about them and their territory more than he cares about turning a profit through dealing in spice. This turn has been building over the season, and mostly has to do with Boba’s time with the Tuskens and finally being welcomed into a family rooted in loyalty and honor. Family, friends and loyalty are things Boba never really had for most of his life, and it’s clear now that they’re exactly what he deems worth fighting for.

A key part of the action-packed battles include the revelation that the ruling families have tricked Boba into thinking they would remain neutral, but in reality, the families were being paid by the Pykes to turn on him. After Boba’s scattered forces are attacked, blaster bolts fill the screen as the groups fight their way back to the ruins of Garsa Fwip’s destroyed Sanctuary.

Fighting hordes of Pykes and then massive, shielded Scorpenek battle droids (the newer version of the Droidekas from the Clone Wars), Boba’s crew is scattered and seems on the brink of defeat. And then Boba triumphantly rides in on his pet Rancor to save the day.

Grogu, the Mandalorian

We didn’t have to wait long to learn what Grogu chooses. It’s what we all wanted: Grogu is back with his dad, Mando Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), wearing that adorable Beskar chain mail shirt like the tiniest green Hobbit in The Lord of the Rings.

We don’t see Grogu choosing, but instead see R2-D2 flying Grogu to Mos Eisley in Luke’s X-Wing, landing in Peli Motto’s (Amy Sedaris) shop, much to her delight. Peli reunites the little green guy with Din, and even mid-battle it’s the cutest reunion we could have hoped for.

As Luke said in the previous episode, it’s clear Grogu isn’t really learning anything new from the Jedi master, but rather is remembering his training at the Jedi Temple way back during the Clone Wars. Grogu shows off his training by crippling the last Scorpenek droid before it can hurt Mando and then using the Force to calm the rampaging Rancor.

After the battle is won, Mando and Grogu zoom off into the twin sunset in the N-1 Starfighter, with Grogu taking the domed droid seat behind Din.

Cobb Vanth is alive

In Episode 6, Marshal of Freetown Cobb Vanth (Timothy Olyphant) is shot by notorious bounty hunter Cad Bane, who also shot the village’s deputy.

But we all knew Cobb Vanth wasn’t really dead, and finale’s mid-credits scene confirms it. He’s sleeping and healing inside Boba’s Bacta tank while the Mod Artist (Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner) looks over him.

We aren’t shown the extent of Cobb’s injuries, but it looked like Cad Bane shot him in the shoulder. Still, he was hurt enough to require Bacta and modification with droid parts.

The next time we see Cobb, he’ll likely be a cyborg. Does this mean we’re getting a Book of Boba Fett season 2? Possibly, as this series is the only one so far that’s firmly set on Tatooine. The Obi-Wan Kenobi show will start on Tatooine, too, but that’s further back in the timeline.

The verdict: The Book of Boba Fett

The Book of Boba Fett is far from the perfect Star Wars show. There were some pacing and plotline issues, and two out of the season’s seven episodes were largely missing the eponymous anti-hero and were more like episodes of The Mandalorian. The show’s penultimate episode did include a few moments with Boba, but he just stood around and nodded at Fennec and Mando — a bit like what he did in the original trilogy.

But overall, The Book of Boba Fett is a solid and entertaining addition to the growing number of Star Wars TV series. The first part of the season gave us a deep character study of Boba post-Return of the Jedi, and the latter part was just a great Star War. Some of the episodes felt detached from the titular character, but that didn’t make them any less entertaining.

The season finale, “In the Name of Honor,” showcased the best of what the show has to offer: Boba coming face-to-face with his past while trying to solidify his future, and featured characters from virtually every era of the Star Wars universe.

The good guys — the ones with honor — win in the end, defeating the Pykes and their bounty hunter enforcer Cad Bane, and live to celebrate with their people in Mos Espa. There are even some sweet Meiloorun gifts for Boba, a nod to his role as the “godfather” protecting his people and also to the sharing of the Tusken black melons from earlier in the season.

While the mid-credits scene confirms Cobb Vanth is alive and will clearly return, we don’t get a confirmation of a second season. LucasFilm has not yet confirmed or denied anything, but that doesn’t mean Boba, Fennec or any of the other Tatooine players couldn’t show up in other upcoming Star Wars shows.

With or without a sequel, The Book of Boba Fett shows Tatooine is now in good hands.

Final thoughts

Boba Fett vs. Cad Bane: The duel in Episode 7 is a clear nod to the unfinished four-episode Bounty Hunter Arc of The Clone Wars. These episodes show more of Boba and Cad Bane working together but ending their relationship in a standoff, where Boba’s helmet got dented and Bane earned a metal head plate. In the season finale of The Book of Boba Fett, Bane’s head plate is seen when his hat is knocked off, and Boba kept the circular dent in his helmet after repainting it.

What to expect from The Mandalorian season 3: Father and son are finally reunited, and it’s so refreshing to see another Force-sensitive being refusing the ways of the Jedi. It was unfair for Luke to make Grogu choose (only a Sith deals in absolutes), which foreshadows the many mistakes Luke will make as he tries to rebuild the Order. As for Din and Grogu, we can’t wait to see what adventures they embark on next. Bo-Katan Kryze might need him to reclaim Mandalore, but only time will tell if she chooses to fight him for the Darksaber or works with him to help their people.

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