– Spoiler Review –
With The Book of Boba Fett’s “Chapter 4 – The Gathering Storm,” it riles up ingredients that bring the show back to form a bit after last week, finally exposing the bond formed between Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen) and Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison), while hinting at what’s to come in the war for Tatooine.
The flashback section of the show was a big letdown last week in “The Streets of Mos Espa,” the Tuskens who took in Boba being slaughtered off-screen and wasting all their potential. “Chapter 4 – The Gathering Storm” doesn’t make up for this choice and only serves to highlight how unnecessary it felt to kill them all off, as while Boba gets his revenge, it’s so easy and quick it almost feels like an afterthought and not particularly rewarding for the character or the story. Thankfully, the rest of the time “The Gathering Storm” spends in the past produces a stellar episode and finally reveals why Boba even wanted to take over Jabba’s Throne and why Fennec continues to stick with him. Fennec’s death in The Mandalorian was its own problematic moment, and while her return (and animated appearances) has certainly done the character justice since then, it’s been unclear why she’s decided to stick around with Boba Fett and even join him on this crusade, while the only reasoning we’ve had is also problematic to an extent, her fulfilling a life debt to Boba that robs the character of agency. “The Gathering Storm” fixes that aspect of their relationship, as it reveals Boba recovering her body after the events of The Mandalorian’s “Chapter 5 – The Gunslinger,” how he has her saved, and their time together helping them form a bond instead of simply a life debt connection. As they recover his ship and attempt to look for his armor in the sarlacc, the two find themselves working well together, and their uneasy alliance leads to them discussing the future, as they both so recently have been left for dead. His time with the Tuskens showed him you need a tribe, something he had years ago when he was much younger during the Clone Wars, but he’s been independent pretty much ever since and look where it got him, dead on Tatooine with no one caring enough about him to rescue him. Fennec’s always been an independent contractor and enjoys the freedoms it gives her, but Boba’s tired of being in the same situation as her, tired of finding themselves in danger on the behest of those he deems less intelligent than he, so he offers an alliance to start his own house and finally make smart decisions. Said offer comes with loyalty, he’d give his life for hers, which is something no crime boss or bounty giver would ever consider pledging, and it’s an offer that appeals to Fennec. She’s all brains and tons of muscle, as she proves handily throughout the episode, and she knows a good deal when she sees one, joining him in the quest to start a house that won’t leave others like them dead so quickly. It would’ve been nice to have this a little sooner, but I’m glad they didn’t wait any longer on the show, as it helps connect us with the characters now ahead of the final three episodes instead of leaving their motivations and goals opaque. I do wish Boba seemed more concerned about protecting the Tuskens’ claims to the Dune Sea as he was bringing stability to the planet, but hopefully along the way he can give the remaining Tuskens some standing peace with everyone else.
“Chapter 4 – The Gathering Storm,” looks to finish off the flashbacks for the show, as the episode ends with everything catching up to the start of the show, while they are a showcase for Fennec Shand, the true badass here. Boba initially investigates getting back his Firespray gunship from Jabba’s Bib Fortuna’s Palace, but there’s too many guards for him, though the Force works in mysterious ways and he sees flares in the horizon, leading him to the body of Fennec Shand, whom he takes to body modifiers in Mos Eisley, those who likely gave the gang of youngsters he just hired their own modifications. Once she awakens and considers his request for her to help with his ship to pay her debt, they set off to storm the Palace, Fennec’s reconnaissance droid giving them an idea on how to sneak in and how many guards they’d be up against in case they sound any alarms. Things start out alright, in a funny and enjoyable sequence in the kitchen with some droids, from a similar droid to EV-9D9, the cooking droid seen in the background of Attack of the Clones, to a LEP-series, often seen in The Clone Wars show making its transition to live-action here, which Boba chases around the kitchen. They make it to the hanger but the alarm goes off, bringing a full swath of guards, which Fennec holds off in a seriously impressive display of her abilities, either shooting them all or punching them off the ship, which she manages to do AND open the door. She comes in clutch again when they go to investigate the sarlacc pit to look for Boba’s armor, as the beast awakens and clutches on the ship, pulling it down in a seriously scary and surprising display of power, and she manages to drop a seismic charge in and finally kill it for good; it’s definitely one of my favorite parts of the chapter. We not only got to understand Fennec’s motivations finally, but she also took front and center this episode, showing off her considerable skills and more of why she’s such an exciting character myself and many others cannot wait to see more of!
In the present, “The Gathering Storm” might not be as exciting, but it does have a few interesting moments and contains quite the tease for what’s to come on the show. Knowing the Pykes are slowly moving in on his new territory, Boba decides to show his face to instill calm, though his visit to Garsa’s Sanctuary comes at an interesting time. Krrsantan, nursing his wounds and hurt ego after his failure, eyes up a pack of Trandoshans having a good time and proceeds to start beating them up, to let out his anger. Boba shows up as the beat-down begins, but it’s Garsa herself whom calms things down. Jennifer Beals is the most impressive actor on this show, it feels like to me, and yet she’s so underutilized, something her moment talking to Krrsantan to let the Trandoshan go only highlights more as she chews up the scenery, making it feel palpable she could break through to the beast that is Krrsantan. Sure, he still tears the Trandoshan’s arm from its socket after she calms him down, and he pays her, but it was impressive her ability to break through and so calmly approach so volatile a situation. Boba recruits Krrsantan afterwards, seeing he’s aimless, and the brute is now on his team for protection. I’m hoping we have more Garsa because holy tauntauns is she a great part of the show, while I’m ecstatic this means more Krrsantan going forward (and maybe more potential for Doctor Aphra making an appearance as well?!?).
Fennec and Boba decide to call in all the family heads around Mos Espa to broker a deal, to have them help fight the encroaching Pykes, but it’s a hard sell and Boba/Fennec know it. They even question why he deserves to sit on the throne, and rightfully so, but an appearance from Fett’s new rancor, that scares everyone but him and Fennec, puts that concern to rest. As much as they understand the problem of the Pykes, there isn’t any direct conflict with any of them, so why get involved in a war they’ll profit from no matter the winner, especially since some already get spice money from the Pykes? They’re in the same boat as the Hutt twins were, but at least once Boba asks them to stay neutral if the Pykes recruit the families against him, they all agree on it. War is on the horizon and there’s no way out of it, but the meager forces they already have won’t be enough against the Pykes’ considerable resources, so what are Boba and Fennec to do? Fennec suggests hiring an army, given the treasure trove of credits Boba has, and that’s when the episode teases the return of a familiar helmet, something fans of another live action show have been waiting for: Din Djarin! Djarin’s theme from The Mandalorian cues up as the episode closes, promising a little update on what’s been happening with the new Mandalore since we left him at the end of season 2! Will he have an army of Mandalorians to bring to Boba’s aid? Will we see the schism between him and Bo-Katan? Will he still be Mandalore, the darksaber in hand? Looks like we won’t have to wait until season 3 in December 2022 for the first answers on Din’s next steps! {Din appearing has been rumored for nearly a year now!}
Here are a few other things:
- The gentleman who modifies Fennec to save her life? I guess he’s a musician named Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner, having been the bassist for the band Suicidal Tendencies and has worked with artists like Kendrick Lamar. That’s a fun little cameo and I wonder how he got it worked out!character named after him in Star Wars Rebels, his work is canon now as well! What a great way to honor his contributions to the Saga and its overall look/designs!
The Book of Boba Fett’s “Chapter 4 – The Gathering Storm” course corrects the show enough to regain more excitement, as it helps flesh out its stars and narrow its focus for the big fight ahead.
+ Fennec and Boba motivations explored
+ Fennec badass-ing her way through the episode
+ Garsa’s little moment/Mandalorian tease
– Biker gang death doesn’t help Tusken situation
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website on Twitter @MynockManor and Instagram @mynockmanor.
THE BOOK OF BOBA FETT REVIEWS
Chapter 1: Stranger in a Strange Land | Chapter 2: The Tribes of Tatooine | Chapter 3: The Streets of Mos Espa