The 2nd chapter in The Book of Boba Fett, The Tribes of Tatooine, is a massive improvement over the strong, somewhat perfunctory 1st chapter.
The Tribes of Tatooine follows a similar structure to the 1st chapter. Boba’s return to the Bacta Tank is used as a flashback device to his time as a Tusken Raider. When he’s not healing up in the Bacta Tank, he’s trying to grab control of Tattoine’s underworld through respect. These elements were present in the 1st episode, but are fleshed out better in this episode.
The flashback sequences are the major focus of The Tribes of Tatooine. Boba’s new code of honor and respect makes more sense at the end of this episode. He assimilates into their culture and also helps them succeed in a fantastic train heist. The Tusken Raiders definitely bears a resemblance to The Fremen in Dune and that’s a compliment to this show.
The assassination plot continues from chapter one with several interesting characters introduced. The Godfather in space vibes definitely come into clearer focus in this episode. Jabba The Hutt’s cousins aptly named The Twins, show up to claim the role of daimyo. The scene is fantastic.
The longer runtime is another benefit to the episode. Scenes were given more time to breathe and build.
Humor by the supporting cast still feels out of place in a similar manner to Amy Sedaris in The Mandalorian. However, the performances by Temuera Morrison, Ming-Na Wen and Jennifer Beals make up for the comedic shortcomings.
With the overview out of the way, let’s dive deeper into the elements that stood out in The Tribes of Tatooine. There may be some minor spoilers. The Book of Boba Fett is available to stream on Disney Plus.
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The Tribes of Tatooine Rob a Train
The flashback sequences begin with the Tusken Raiders teaching Boba how to fight using gaderffii staff.
A train carrying spice speeds through Tusken Raider territory. After some Tusken Raiders are shot and killed, Boba takes it upon himself to track down the Nitko miners. He uses his skills to obtain a speeder bike and heads back to the village.
The Tusken Raiders, as is their custom, start to dismantle the bike. Like the Tusken Raider did early in the episode with the gaderffii staff, Boba stops them and teaches them how to operate the bike as a tool. The train sequence is a nice tip of the cap to 1962’s Lawrence of Arabia starring Star Wars actor Alec Guinness.
Once Boba is able to stop the train, the owners are told to walk away and not to pass through this part of Tatooine again. Later, Boba goes through a ceremony of sorts involving a lizard going up his nose and him performing a haka-like dance around a fire. The ceremony seems to allow Bobo to break away from the shackles of his past.
Order of the Night Wind
The assailant from the previous episode is a member of the Order of the Night Wind, a group of assassins. Fennec Shand and Boba are able to get the information from the assassin with ease.
They pay a visit to the Mayor Mok Shaiz, voiced by Robert Rodriquez. Shaiz denies involvement, kills the assassin without hesitation, thanks Boba for bringing the assassin to him and shifts the blame to Garsa Fwip. While Garsa does try to maintain her composure, Boba can tell she’s flustered and calls her on it.
Fwip says the twins are coming, Boba’s heard nothing about it. Right on cue, there’s a long drum roll causing everyone to eventually stop in their tracks. Garsa was telling the truth.
The Twins
Boba heads outside the sanctuary. He asks Fennec to watch his back. The Twins approach Boba atop their “litter.” They declare the role of Daimyo is theirs as it belonged to Jabba. Boba disagrees. Since he killed Bib Fortune, the throne belongs to him.
The Twins decide against bloodshed for the moment, but leave Boba with a word of warning to “sleep lightly.” Boba wonders aloud if killing The Twins is the next move. Fennec mentions that he’ll need permission before doing so. I’m going on a limb here, but I’d be shocked if Crimson Dawn isn’t the outfit Fennec is referencing.
The scene with Boba and The Twins was the highlight of the episode. Three gangsters staring each other down and trying to figure out their turf was exactly the type of scene I wanted to see from this series and it didn’t disappoint.
The biggest surprise was Black Krranstan being among The Twins posse. He and Boba had a connection in the comics, I believe it was the Vader series, but I’m not sure. There seems to be some recognition by Boba, but nothing concrete could be gleaned from that exchange.
Final Thoughts on The Tribes of Tatooine
The 2nd chapter sharpens the formula established in chapter one. Steph Green did a phenomenal job as director. She does a great job of drawing out the tension in the scenes leading up to The Twins reveal. Jon Favreau‘s script does a much better job of meshing the western themes of the Tusken Raiders with the gangster story in Mos Espa.
The Review
The Tribes of Tatooine
PROS
- Direction by Steph Green. She allowed scenes to breathe and really made train sequence pop.
- The Twins were awesome at conveying the gangster vibe that should be the show's strength.
- Temuera Morrison, Ming-Na Wen and Jennifer Beals are outstanding.
- Who doesn't love a great train heist.
CONS
- Some of humor and tone doesn't always fit in certain scenes.
