Warning: this article contains full spoilers for The Book of Boba Fett Episode 5! If you haven't already, be sure to check out IGN's review of the new episode.
The Book of Boba Fett experienced a major shift in direction in Episode 5. Boba himself sits out this episode completely, as the series pivots to touch base with everyone's other favorite Mandalorian, Din Djarin. In fact, fans could be forgiven for thinking they were watching the Season 3 premiere of The Mandalorian.
This episode certainly hints at the future direction of the Disney+ series, revealing what's become of Mando since his fateful duel with Moff Gideon and what motivates him now that he's parted ways with Grogu. Let's break down what this episode reveals and what it means when The Mandalorian finally returns for a third season.
The Mandalorian's Season 2 finale leaves Din Djarin in an ambiguous place. He's successfully defeated Moff Gideon and reunited Grogu with his fellow Jedi. But by beating Gideon and claiming the Darksaber, Din has just inadvertently staked a claim as leader of Mandalore. It's clearly not a responsibility he wants, but it's not one he can simply pass off with zero consequences.
It's unclear exactly how much time has passed between the end of Season 2 and the present-day storyline in The Book of Boba Fett, but this episode does confirm that Din has parted ways with Bo-Katan and made no effort to claim his throne. We're left to assume Mandalore is still a war-torn ruin. In fact, we see a brief flashback showing the Empire's total devastation of that once-proud world.
Episode 5 gives us a clearer idea of Din's character arc in Season 3. He has to come to terms with his destiny and accept the responsibility the Darksaber brings with it. He has to learn to wield the blade properly, both in a literal sense and in terms of evolving from lone gunfighter to a leader of a scattered people.
We also learn Din is dealing with the shame of unmasking himself in Season 2. The rules of Mandalorian helmets are surprisingly complicated, but as far as Din and his particular tribe of Mandalorian fundamentalists are concerned, a true Mandalorian should never uncover their face. This seems to be the basis for Din's ongoing quest in Season 3. He has to travel to Mandalore and seek out the secret pools that can cleanse him of his shame. This gives our hero an excuse to travel to Mandalore, and seeing the Empire's devastation firsthand may be what spurns him to embrace his destiny.
Whether Din will actually undergo the cleansing ritual remains to be seen. The fact that he removed his helmet in Season 2 is meant to be a positive step forward - a sign that he puts the needs of others above the rituals of his cohort. He has no legitimate reason to feel ashamed, and he may come to realize that over the course of Season 3. If these Disney+ shows have taught us anything, it's that not all Mandalorians share the same beliefs. That may prove to be a major hurdle when it comes to uniting factions like Bo-Katan's Nite Owls and The Armorer's fundamentalists.
Din completed his quest to reunite Grogu with his fellow Jedi, but this episode suggests we haven't seen the last of Grogu. Din clearly misses the little guy and yearns for a reunion, if only to satisfy himself that Grogu is in safe hands. Because apparently Luke Skywalker making mincemeat of an entire Dark Trooper platoon wasn't confidence-inspiring on its own.
This episode shows Din's Beskar spear being melted down to make a new piece of armor. Din hopes to find Grogu and give him the armor as a gift. We don't get a clear look at what was forged from the spear, but the links suggest some sort of chainmail shirt, similar to Frodo's unbreakable mail in the Lord of the Rings movies.
For now, it's unclear when or even if we'll see that reunion. Din finally has a ship again after losing the Razor Crest in Season 2. But after being recruited as Boba Fett's muscle, Din makes it clear he has a delivery to make first. We'll have to see if his side quest is explored in Episode 6 or if that mission happens offscreen. This is still ostensibly Boba Fett's show, after all.
Whether or not we see this teased Mando/Grogu reunion, we'll definitely see another team-up between Din and Boba Fett before The Book of Boba Fett wraps. And it stands to reason this series will continue laying the groundwork for Season 3, just as The Mandalorian originally teed up The Book of Boba Fett.
There's no release date for Season 3 yet. However, actor Giancarlo Esposito indicated back in August 2021 that Season 3 would begin filming "soon." It's widely assumed the series will return in late 2022, after The Bad Batch: Season 2 and the Obi-Wan Kenobi series have had their time in the spotlight.
We also know Carl Weathers is returning as Greef Karga, which could suggest Din will continue taking on bounty hunting missions in between sorting out his Darksaber-related woes. However, don't expect Gina Carano's Cara Dune to return. Carano was fired by Lucasfilm after a series of "abhorrent and unacceptable" social media posts, and reports suggest the planned Rangers of the New Republic spinoff series may be rolled back into The Mandalorian.
For more on the future of this franchise, brush up on what to expect from Star Wars in 2022.
Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.
Continue reading...
The Book of Boba Fett experienced a major shift in direction in Episode 5. Boba himself sits out this episode completely, as the series pivots to touch base with everyone's other favorite Mandalorian, Din Djarin. In fact, fans could be forgiven for thinking they were watching the Season 3 premiere of The Mandalorian.
This episode certainly hints at the future direction of the Disney+ series, revealing what's become of Mando since his fateful duel with Moff Gideon and what motivates him now that he's parted ways with Grogu. Let's break down what this episode reveals and what it means when The Mandalorian finally returns for a third season.
The Darksaber and the Fate of Mandalore
The Mandalorian's Season 2 finale leaves Din Djarin in an ambiguous place. He's successfully defeated Moff Gideon and reunited Grogu with his fellow Jedi. But by beating Gideon and claiming the Darksaber, Din has just inadvertently staked a claim as leader of Mandalore. It's clearly not a responsibility he wants, but it's not one he can simply pass off with zero consequences.
It's unclear exactly how much time has passed between the end of Season 2 and the present-day storyline in The Book of Boba Fett, but this episode does confirm that Din has parted ways with Bo-Katan and made no effort to claim his throne. We're left to assume Mandalore is still a war-torn ruin. In fact, we see a brief flashback showing the Empire's total devastation of that once-proud world.
Episode 5 gives us a clearer idea of Din's character arc in Season 3. He has to come to terms with his destiny and accept the responsibility the Darksaber brings with it. He has to learn to wield the blade properly, both in a literal sense and in terms of evolving from lone gunfighter to a leader of a scattered people.
We also learn Din is dealing with the shame of unmasking himself in Season 2. The rules of Mandalorian helmets are surprisingly complicated, but as far as Din and his particular tribe of Mandalorian fundamentalists are concerned, a true Mandalorian should never uncover their face. This seems to be the basis for Din's ongoing quest in Season 3. He has to travel to Mandalore and seek out the secret pools that can cleanse him of his shame. This gives our hero an excuse to travel to Mandalore, and seeing the Empire's devastation firsthand may be what spurns him to embrace his destiny.
Whether Din will actually undergo the cleansing ritual remains to be seen. The fact that he removed his helmet in Season 2 is meant to be a positive step forward - a sign that he puts the needs of others above the rituals of his cohort. He has no legitimate reason to feel ashamed, and he may come to realize that over the course of Season 3. If these Disney+ shows have taught us anything, it's that not all Mandalorians share the same beliefs. That may prove to be a major hurdle when it comes to uniting factions like Bo-Katan's Nite Owls and The Armorer's fundamentalists.
Will Grogu Return?
Din completed his quest to reunite Grogu with his fellow Jedi, but this episode suggests we haven't seen the last of Grogu. Din clearly misses the little guy and yearns for a reunion, if only to satisfy himself that Grogu is in safe hands. Because apparently Luke Skywalker making mincemeat of an entire Dark Trooper platoon wasn't confidence-inspiring on its own.
This episode shows Din's Beskar spear being melted down to make a new piece of armor. Din hopes to find Grogu and give him the armor as a gift. We don't get a clear look at what was forged from the spear, but the links suggest some sort of chainmail shirt, similar to Frodo's unbreakable mail in the Lord of the Rings movies.
For now, it's unclear when or even if we'll see that reunion. Din finally has a ship again after losing the Razor Crest in Season 2. But after being recruited as Boba Fett's muscle, Din makes it clear he has a delivery to make first. We'll have to see if his side quest is explored in Episode 6 or if that mission happens offscreen. This is still ostensibly Boba Fett's show, after all.
When Will The Mandalorian Return?
Whether or not we see this teased Mando/Grogu reunion, we'll definitely see another team-up between Din and Boba Fett before The Book of Boba Fett wraps. And it stands to reason this series will continue laying the groundwork for Season 3, just as The Mandalorian originally teed up The Book of Boba Fett.
There's no release date for Season 3 yet. However, actor Giancarlo Esposito indicated back in August 2021 that Season 3 would begin filming "soon." It's widely assumed the series will return in late 2022, after The Bad Batch: Season 2 and the Obi-Wan Kenobi series have had their time in the spotlight.
We also know Carl Weathers is returning as Greef Karga, which could suggest Din will continue taking on bounty hunting missions in between sorting out his Darksaber-related woes. However, don't expect Gina Carano's Cara Dune to return. Carano was fired by Lucasfilm after a series of "abhorrent and unacceptable" social media posts, and reports suggest the planned Rangers of the New Republic spinoff series may be rolled back into The Mandalorian.
For more on the future of this franchise, brush up on what to expect from Star Wars in 2022.
Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.
Continue reading...