Ok, so here is my The Book of Boba Fett Episode 5 review. And yes, it does feel like Mando Season 3 episode 1. Normally I try and stay away from any spoilers and try and say what I thought of the episode in a more general way. However, I would say the nature of this episode would make this extremely difficult to discuss without spoilers.
Therefore,
SPOILERS for The Book of Boba Fett Episode 5 Below!
Ok, let’s just get right to why this is a tough episode to review. It’s honestly not The Book of Boba Fett. Please don’t take this as a criticism, because I thought this episode was astounding from start to finish, the brutal fighting, the great new locals and worldbuilding. Even the little jokes and Easter eggs were all spot on. However there is no Boba Fett and Fennec Shand has a 30 second cameo. This is The Mandalorian next episode rather than being Boba Fett.
Now, we all knew Boba Fett was the next step of the story begun in The Mandalorian, but I don’t think any of us expected what was essentially Mando S3E01. I do recall now hearing that whilst Boba Fett was filming our sources said some filming was also completed for Mando Season 3. Then we had a proper date from when Mando S3 was beginning and we wondered what the truth was? I guess now we know. It’s easy to see why some who work for Lucasfilm would have seen filming for this episode and assumed it was for Mando S3, because it kinda was.
It also seems like a good reason for why Boba Fett is 7 episodes long instead of the rumored 6 we had heard way, way back.
Where to Start?
The Ringworld was very Halo like but also very cool and something I would expect to see in the Star Wars Universe. The initial Bounty Hunt combat scene was awesome and brutal with Dinn taking no prisoners, literally, and using his new Darksaber in combat. The first 10 minutes blew me away and I was completely immersed for what came afterwards. Luckily that was also filled to the brim with awesome.
That rumor we ran from Bespin Bulletin that the N-1 Naboo ship may become Dinn’s new ride was spot on. However even when we see it at first, I was like, big deal? However, after Dinn and Peli, with the aid of some Jawa’s locate specific parts and turn the ship into a hot rod, I was sold. There are so many The Phantom Menace vibes in this episode. Even as someone who thinks that’s the worst ever Star Wars movie, i have to say I loved them. Before that we had some cool world building when Mando visited the Armorer once more and we even got a challenge from a Vizsla for the Darksaber. The flashbacks to the glassing and destruction of Mandalore though was like something out of the Terminator and I loved it. It still felt like Star Wars.
RELATED: The Book Of Boba Fett Episode 4 Review – Best Episode Yet?
If this was Mando S3E01 then I’m giving it an A+ and going home happy. However I do wonder whether I can really look at this as an episode from The Book of Boba Fett? It honestly did not feel like a Boba Fett episode whatsoever. That’s despite the clear connections built in and the fact Shand comes to seek Dinn’s aid at the episodes close. I guess the only way I can review this, is as an episode from this season of Boba Fett. After all, that’s what the title says, despite the name of the episode being ‘The Return of The Mandalorian’. So if I’m not taking points off for ‘not being Boba Fett‘? Well there’s my grade.
GRADE: A+
Be sure to leave your own The Book of Boba Fett Episode 5 review below if you can. Or feel free to call it Mando Season 3 Episode 1 if you prefer, I won’t argue. Sound off below as always.