Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Book of Boba Fett episode 1.
Boba Fett remains one of the galaxy’s deadliest warriors, yet he seems weaker than usual in The Book of Boba Fett. Having been raised and trained by Jango Fett, a Mandalorian warrior, veteran, and bounty hunter, Boba Fett eventually took his late father’s place as the galaxy’s deadliest mercenary, yet he’s no longer in his prime after escaping the sarlacc pit. While Fett is repeatedly shown to live up to his legendary reputation in both The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, the latter series shows the bounty hunter-turned-crime lord continuing to recover from his time in the sarlacc.
Despite Boba Fett’s training and a vast arsenal of weaponry, he is, ultimately, human. During his battle with the Rebellion’s heroes in Return of the Jedi, Fett’s jetpack was infamously struck by a blind Han Solo, activating it and sending the bounty hunter tumbling into the Great Pit of Carkoon. Like his Legends-era counterpart, Boba Fett escaped the sarlacc, a seemingly impossible task for most beings.
Boba Fett’s triumphant return in The Mandalorian featured him reacquiring his iconic Mandalorian armor and laying waste to a sizeable detachment of Stormtroopers. Despite his well-honed fighting skills and weapon-laden beskar armor, Boba Fett is shown having to spend time in a bacta tank in The Book of Boba Fett episode 1. Like his Legends counterpart, The Book of Boba Fett all but confirms that the sarlacc’s stomach acid left Fett with long-term physical damage, requiring him to periodically immerse himself in bacta healing fluid.
In-universe, Fett’s long-term injures from his time in the sarlacc may partially explain his newfound attitude in both The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. Fett’s embarrassing defeat may have rendered him humbler and his newfound weakness likely contributed to his far less solitary behavior. Fett rescued Fennec Shand from what should have been an instantly-lethal blaster bolt wound and he continues to work alongside her as a crime lord. Fett spared two Gamorrean Guards as well, offering them employment, a decision that proved wise during an ambush in Mos Espa. Fett’s vulnerability means he’s more willing to accept help and cooperate with other criminals.
From a real-world perspective, Fett’s newfound weakness humanizes him. Boba Fett is often seen as a near-invincible fighting machine by the Star Wars fandom, and while both canon and Legends cater to this view of Fett, both continuities also make sure to remind the fandom that Fett is, despite his skills and gear, a vulnerable human who can make errors in judgment. The Book of Boba Fett, like Legends, shows that Fett’s Return of the Jedi defeat left long-term damage that humbled him.
Boba Fett may be starting the next chapter of his life as a crime lord, but his bounty hunter past, particularly his defeat by Han Solo, will continue to affect him. Fett’s regular bacta treatments may gradually return him to full strength, but his ordeal changed him as a character. Boba Fett may be physically weaker in The Book of Boba Fett, but he’s become stronger as a character since his embarrassing defeat.
The Book of Boba Fett releases new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.
