In this week’s episode of The Book of Boba Fett, “The Gathering Storm,” we finally learn exactly how Boba Fett’s alliance with Fennec Shand was originally forged. After he saved her from the brink of certain death, Fennec assisted Fett in reclaiming his ship from Jabba’s palace, and she stuck around for some other pertinent errands, too. In the current day, Fett adds a new ally to his repertoire, an agreement is made with the powerful families of Mos Espa, and the return of a key character is teased as the planet is on the brink of war.
An alliance is forged
This episode finally reveals the finer details behind Boba Fett and Fennec Shand’s partnership. Cut back to The Mandalorian season 1, episode 5, “The Gunslinger,” which found Din Djarin looking for work on Tatooine while Peli Motto was working on the Razor Crest. He met a bounty hunter named Toro Calican, whose target was Fennec Shand. After they caught her, Fennec tried to manipulate Toro to free him, but he shot her in the stomach instead. The Book of Boba Fett shows a flashback that picks back up where the end scene of that episode of The Mandalorian left off when Boba Fett found Fennec left for dead in the desert. The original scene had immediately lit up fan speculation over the return of Boba Fett, so it was only fitting to return to it.
After finding her, Boba Fett takes Fennec Shand to a mod-parlor on the outskirts of Mos Eisley, which explains why her stomach is partially made up of droid parts now. When Fennec finally comes to, she agrees to help him recover his ship (which is currently parked inside of Jabba’s Palace) in order to repay her debt to him. The old Boba Fett would have been able to waltz right in to get it back, but he’s less persuasive these days without the help of his armor.
The two stake out the building, only to find that it’s teeming with guards everywhere. Fett shares an endearing goodbye with his faithful bantha before they sneak inside. They make it to the ship but hit a bit of a snag when a guard sounds the alarm. However, between the two of them, they manage to make it out alive with the ship intact. Boba Fett asks Fennec where she’d like him to drop her off now that her debt is paid, and she asks where he’s headed next instead, saying that she’ll come along for the ride.
Running errands with Boba Fett
Now that Boba Fett has his trusty ship back, he has a few errands to take care of. The first on the list is avenging the Tusken Raiders. He finds the Nikto sand riders making their way through the desert and ruthlessly shoots them all down without so much as a second glance. With that problem out of the way, he goes to revisit an old haunt: the Sarlacc. Given his state when he desperately crawled out of the pit, he has no clue that his armor was stolen by Jawas, and he’s convinced that it’s still in the belly of the Sarlacc. Despite Fennec’s hesitance, he brings hovers the ship over it as close as possible, which becomes a problem when the Sarlacc wakes up and grabs ahold of them. Things are looking grim, but Fennec thinks to release one of the ship’s seismic charges, and the Sarlacc is toast. Afterward, Fett insists on crawling into the remains of the pit to continue looking for his armor, which he obviously doesn’t find, and an unimpressed Fennec dumps water on him to clean the Sarlacc acid off.
Plans for a new future
Later, Boba Fett and Fennec sit around a fire, and they discuss Fett’s plans to form his own house. As a former bounty hunter himself, Fett reflects on how many times they’ve been hired to do jobs that could have been avoidable. He’s tired of their kind dying because of the idiocy of others. And he wants Fennec by his side. She’s uncertain about this because she wants her freedom, but Fett promises her loyalty, a cut of the success, and a pledge of his life to protect hers. She tells him that living with the Tuskens has made him soft, but he corrects her. It has made him strong. You can only get so far without a tribe.
Recruitment continues
Boba Fett wakes up in the current day, and as he gets out of the bacta pod, his dressing droid congratulates him. He’s completely healed. Fennec tells him that there’s still no sign of the Mayor. Later, he stops in at the Sanctuary, where Krrsantan has decided to pick a fight with the Trandoshans (much to the dismay of Garsa Fwip). After Krrsantan leaves, Fett finds him and offers him a job working with him at the Palace.
A plea
Mos Espa’s ruling families, the Trandoshans, the Klatooinians, and the Aqualish, gather for a meeting with Boba Fett at the Palace. After an introduction from Fennec, Fett explains to them that he has no designs on their territories. He has simply asked them there to make a mutually beneficial proposal. He explains how the Pyke Syndicate is mustering troops in Mos Espa. Their spice trade is affecting Tatooine. They have bribed the Mayor and are now draining the planet of its wealth.
Initially, they’re a bit hostile toward Fett’s leadership, asking what’s preventing them from killing them and taking what they want. However, the dinner table has been conveniently placed over top of the rancor pit, and the hungry creature chooses that moment to reach up through the grates and roar. They settle back down, and Fett proposes that all of the families join in a defensive alliance against the Pyke Syndicate. However, recognizing that the feud is between Fett and the Pykes, they state that they have no interest in spilling their own blood for him. Fett says that he will fight the battles alone, and he will make the streets safe again so that they all may prosper. Instead, he asks that they all simply remain neutral if the Pyke Syndicate asks them to betray him. They agree to his terms.
The return of …
After their guests leave, Boba Fett tells Fennec that they must prepare for war. In turn, she asks him how much treasure they have in reserve. Fett assures her that he has plenty of credits, but it’s muscle that they’re short on. Fennec replies, “Credits can buy muscle if you know where to look,” and her statement is followed by the telltale notes of The Mandalorian theme. It looks like Din Djarin will be making an appearance in The Book of Boba Fett!
The next episode of The Book of Boba Fett will premiere exclusively on Disney+ on Wednesday, January 26. Follow along with all of our weekly recaps here.
