Chapter 7: In the Name of Honor

This episode was predictable, anti-climactic, and flat. The action was a mess. The tension was forced. The plot was muddled. There weren't any surprises.

And top of it all, Robert Rodriguez cannot direct.

Cad Bane and the Pyke Syndicate attack Mos Espa.

Generally I think it is a disappointing end to the show and mixes clichéd action sequences with uninspired scenes of dialogue. However, I cannot deny it contains plenty of entertainment for those who prioritise spectacle.

Although good, the previous two episodes deviated hugely from the Tatooine story, and it killed most of the momentum building up to this conflict. As a result I have very little investment in what happens to Boba or any of the characters here, outside of the Mandalorian and one other. I also think it suffers from too many characters being involved. I think it would have been better focusing on less individuals and improving the quality of their contributions.

I think several of the dialogue heavy opening expositions explain too much. Do we really need someone to tell us the entire plan upfront? Filmmakers should show it in a series of reveals as opposed to one big information dump. Speaking of reveals, the Tusken related dialogue should never have been included so early as it lessens the impact of the later conversation between Fett and Bane.

I think the visuals are a mixed bag. The cinematography, effects and art design, as ever, are brilliant, but the general flow of it I found to be a bit messy. There are contrivances galore to bring about certain confrontations between characters and allow characters to save others. One character randomly disappears for a period of time and conveniently appears for a 'cinematic' showdown. Lots of baddies shoot blasters but cannot hit a barn door with a banjo. It also uses one of my pet hates: slow motion strutting. There are a few sequences I like that involve tributes to classic movies, but I won't spoil plot by mentioning specifics.

Unfortunately many comments on IMDB seem to demonise one director based on speculation about creative decisions made during the production. For me the biggest problems are in the writing, particularly relating to the volume of characters, lack of focus and the development of Boba Fett. There is only so much a director can do with weak material.

Ending on a positive, my 6 year old daughter enjoyed every minute of it so I think it deserves an extra point for holding her for the duration. That is usually a sign of decent visual storytelling.

Everything brilliant apart from cyberpunk vespa gang. Please release a cut without them, they are cringeworthy and their dialogues are horrible. Worst thing to happen to Star Wars since jar jar Binks.

Both exactly what I was expecting and oddly anticlimactical, is how I'd describe the finale of the first season of "The Book of Boba Fett".

Team Fett gather together at the site of the bombed-out bar and then spread out around Mos Espa looking for signs of the Pyke Syndicate. They fail though to see Cad Bane (Corey Burton) who approaches the bar to negotiate their surrender. Their refusal kick starts a battle between the two forces. Betrayed on numerous fronts, and hopelessly outgunned by battle droids, Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison) makes a desperate decision. Meanwhile, a lone X-Wing lands in Peli Motto's (Amy Sedaris) hanger.

It was apparent, from very early in the series, that the finale was going to be Boba Fett's stand against the overwhelming odds of the Pyke Syndicate. I want to start with some of the positives about the episode. It looked amazing; the scenes with the Rancor running amok looked great and the fight scenes were much better than they have been earlier in this run, even if the targeting on those battle droids definitely needs an upgrade.

My big problem is that I don't feel like there's any connection between Fett and the people of Mos Espa. It feels like the Pyke Syndicate should have taken over immediately after Jabba's death and been cruel overlords, only for Fett to act as liberator, effectively repeating what he did with the Tusken Raiders in the flashback story and inspiring an uprising. But that's not what actually happened, Mos Espa appeared to be doing reasonably well without Fett, only for him to come in, aggravate the situation, get several of them killed and incur lots of property damage, much of which was caused by the Rancor HE RELEASED, only for them to treat him like Don Corleone at the end of it anyway. Guys... he caused the problem he's then saved them from?!?

As a series, I didn't hate it... but I do feel it's been a lot less self-assured than "The Mandalorian" has been. Would I watch a second season? Of course I would, we've established a bunch of characters and I'd really want that Star Wars / Deadwood style show that I mentioned a couple of episodes back. However, I'd really like them to decide if there's a story worth telling, before going ahead with it.

After two absolutely brilliant episodes, this felt like a bit of a let down finale . Having enjoyed all of the series except any scene involving the 'mods'... I find myself saying why... and I can only assume that it's due to the unimpressive direction of Robert Rodriguez.