A new episode of The Book of Boba Fett, the latest Star Wars TV series, has arrived on Disney+. “Chapter 3: The Streets of Mos Espa” features Boba Fett continuing his rule over Jabba’s empire as a crime lord. The episode begins with 8D8 telling Boba that his predecessor, Bib Fortuna, filled the pockets of Mayor Mok Shaiz, and everyone is waiting to see what kind of leader Boba will be. Unfortunately, despite introducing a few new ideas into the Star Wars galaxy, Chapter 3 is another weak addition to the series with good moments but uncharacteristically poor writing and bland direction.
Each episode of this series has introduced mildly new ideas to the franchise. For example, this episode has water monger Lortha Peel (Stephen Root) asking Boba to punish a group of cyborgs who steal his water. Boba pays Peel and employs the cyborgs, which is refreshing for Star Wars. It is fascinating to see Boba resolve conflicts without immediately resorting to violence, giving the show a unique feel. This is a crime show above anything else, and while it feels like a fresh take on the galaxy, it is beginning to wear out its welcome.
RELATED: The Book of Boba Fett – Chapter 2 Review: Finding Its Footing
During a flashback in the bacta tank, Boba recalls his business with the Pyke Syndicate and returns to find the Tusken tribe has been destroyed by the Nikto gang. This scene works quite well, almost reminiscent of the scene in A New Hope when Luke returns home to find his aunt and uncle killed. Both scenes are quietly emotional, not relying on words but the pain we feel from the protagonist. This appears to be the end of the Tusken storyline, which may allow for a greater focus on the present-day storyline that may tie into the past with the return of the Nitko gang.
Boba is then woken up from the bacta tank by Wookiee bounty hunter Black Krrsantan, who ambushes him and immediately fights the cyborg youths, the two Gamorrean guards, and Fennec Shand. Given the amount of opposition Black Krrsantan had to get past, it is no wonder why writer Jon Favreau doesn’t even bother to answer how the Wookiee got past them in the first place. Boba hired all of these characters to defend him, and somehow, Black Krrsantan got through all of them and only fought them after nearly killing Boba. The fight scene lacks the thrills of Chapter 2’s fight where Boba takes down the Nitko gang but offers enough novelty for Star Wars.
We then have the Hutt twins returning to provide Boba with a rancor. The rancor keeper is portrayed by none other than Danny Trejo, and the episode sets up the potential of seeing Boba learn how to ride the rancor. Next, Boba, Fennec, and the gang go after Mok Shaiz, which leads to a speeder chase where the cyborgs chase after the majordomo. The speeder chase could have been thrilling, but instead, it has the energy of a podracing sequence. There are attempts to throw obstacles at the characters, but it feels lethargic and forgettable. The majordomo tells them the mayor is working with the Pykes. As more Pykes arrive on Mos Espa, Boba decides to prepare for war.
RELATED: The Book of Boba Fett Primer: What Is a Rancor and How It Links to Fett
The week-to-week release schedule may be the cause of the show’s current feeling of emptiness. The show is setting up Mok Shaiz and the Pykes as its antagonistic forces but is barely spending any time with them. Even the cyborg characters introduced in the episode have minimal characterization and don’t feel like characters beyond their purpose in the story. They have minimal dialogue or personalities and do not feel distinct. The show is making us wait week after week for answers to vague mysteries, all told in unremarkable fashion.
While the episode makes the wise choice to focus on the present-day storyline, the story is frustratingly barebones. The show has also entirely been set on Tatooine, a drab, colorless location despite being set in a galaxy with many more worlds and species to explore. The show is taking a lot of time to tell a story lacking in surprises, doing very little with its story and characters. Fennec has had nothing to do besides stand next to Boba and reiterate his sentiments. The show is merely scratching the surface of what it can be, and while the story may ultimately have a tremendous pay-off, this particular episode had very little to offer.
SCORE: 5/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 5 equates to “Mediocre.” The positives and negatives wind up negating each other, making it a wash.
