Warning: SPOILERS for The Book of Boba Fett episode 3.
The Book of Boba Fett episode 3 teases a new crime syndicate that the Hutts are scared of, which is quite surprising considering their place as one of the galaxy's most powerful organizations. The power of the Hutts has been firmly entrenched in Star Wars since A New Hope thanks to Jabba the Hutt. His death is a major factor in the events of The Book of Boba Fett, including two other members of the Hutt clan appearing. In doing so, the show reminded viewers of their power and teased the threat of a new syndicate.
The Hutt twins debuted in The Book of Boba Fett episode 2 to try and claim Jabba's territory as their own, but Boba Fett stood his ground that Tatooine was now under his control. It seemed that the Hutts would be a problem for the former bounty hunter down the line as a result. However, The Book of Boba Fett episode 3 saw the Hutts make a surprising move. They reveal they're leaving Tatooine because Mayor Mok Shaiz already promised it to another syndicate. The Hutts don't want to be involved in a war, but they also are seemingly scared of the new syndicate coming to Tatooine as they tell Boba Fett he should leave just like them.
It is a fascinating progression of the Hutt clan and raises questions about why they are really so scared of Tatooine's new crime syndicate. They clearly come to the planet with the idea of taking over and are willing to kill Boba Fett to do it. The switch to them quickly leaving Tatooine and making peace with Boba Fett comes out of nowhere, but it does show just how scared the Hutts are of this new crime syndicate. The Book of Boba Fett indicates that the Pyke Syndicate is who the Hutts are running from, even though the Pykes have always been a lower-tier criminal organization compared to the Hutts. It seems that the fear the twins now have is the show's way of teasing how powerful Boba Fett's next threat is, as the Hutts wouldn't be so cowardly towards an inferior opponent.
There is also the possibility that the Hutts' fear comes from a place of inadequacy. Jabba was the one who was really in charge of the Hutt clan, so the twins and others might not be as well suited to keep the empire afloat. They don't seem to have the same ruthless nature that Jabba did either. Since Leia killed Jabba in Return of the Jedi, the Hutts may no longer have the resources, skills, or desire to remain part of this world. That could be why they are cutting their losses and returning to Nal Hutta. But, they are still clearly scared of Tatooine's new crime syndicate too, otherwise, they wouldn't suggest Boba Fett should also avoid them.
The Book of Boba Fett will now need to reveal if the Pyke Syndicate is indeed the threat that the Hutts are scared of or if they are just a pawn in a larger scheme. The franchise could elevate the Pyles to a much greater threat and use the remaining four episodes of the show to do just that. However, The Book of Boba Fett could also reveal that the Pykes are working for Crimson Dawn, which would make Qi'ra's syndicate the true threat the Hutts are eager to avoid.
The Book of Boba Fett streams Wednesdays on Disney+.
