Warning! SPOILERS for The Book of Boba Fett episode 4 ahead.

Star Wars finally explains three lingering questions from The Mandalorian with The Book of Boba Fett's most recent episode. Spinning out of The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett is exploring the next chapter in the titular bounty hunter's life as he seizes control of Jabba the Hutt's criminal empire. Meanwhile, the Disney+ series is also using flashbacks to fill in Boba Fett's backstory, explaining what happened to him between Return of the Jedi and his surprise return in Mandalorian season 2.

When Boba Fett returned in The Mandalorian season 2, the biggest question viewers had was how did he survive his unceremonious fall into the Sarlacc Pit? The answer wouldn't come until The Book of Boba Fett episode 1, where the first of many flashbacks shows Fett burning his way out of the creature's belly. From there, he digs his way to the surface and collapses, only to have his armor stolen by some passing Jawas. As Fett lies unconscious on the Dune Sea, he's discovered by Tusken Raiders who at first take him prisoner, but after some trials, welcome him into their tribe. Another flashback reveals the brutal massacre of these Tusken Raiders, leaving Fett to travel the desert alone. Altogether, this nearly explains how Boba Fett went from being presumed dead to reappearing alongside Fennec Shand in The Mandalorian season 2, but there were still a few more mysteries that have now been cleared up.

Related: How Book Of Boba Fett Changes The Mandalorian Season 2's Ending

In the flashback scenes of The Book of Boba Fett episode 4, "The Gathering Storm", the first of these mysteries to be explained is how he rescued Fennec Shand. After discovering her where she was left for dead in The Mandalorian episode 5, Fett brings a critically wounded Shand to a mod-parlor. There, her injured abdomen is repaired with droid parts in the same process the biker gang Fett hires in the present day have used to modify themselves. In return for saving her life, Shand next helps Fett reclaim his ship (now officially dubbed the Firespray) by infiltrating a heavily guarded Jabba's Palace. Reunited with his ship, Fett returns to the Sarlacc Pit in search of his armor, clearly not having realized it was stolen by Jawas while he was unconscious.

Fennec and Boba in the Book of Boba Fett

As Boba Fett and Fennec Shand hover above the Sarlacc Pit in the Firespray, the creature attacks, lunging at the ship with its infamous beak. Thinking quickly, Shand drops a bomb into its gaping maw, freeing them and killing it. Fett takes the opportunity to traverse the Sarlacc's remains in search of his armor, but comes up empty, receiving only burns from the Sarlacc's acid for his trouble, which he's seen still healing with a Bacta tank in the present day. Believing his armor to be lost in the pit of the dead beast, Fett has no idea it's actually been sold to the Marshall of Mos Pelgo, Cobb Vanth, explaining why he never bothered to come and take it back himself.

Having The Book of Boba Fett's story told in both the present day and in flashbacks has been met with a mixed response from audiences. Still, it's hard to argue the flashbacks haven't been important, with each providing important context for Boba Fett's return in The Mandalorian. Along with answering how Fennec Shand is still alive, it's revealed the debt she owes Fett, explaining why she appears so devoted to him. The flashbacks have also explained how he regained his ship and why he didn't have his iconic armor, needing instead to retrieve it from Din Djarin. Most importantly, though, The Book of Boba Fett's flashbacks have explained the changes in Fett's outlook, using his time among the Tusken Raiders for a reassessment of what he wants in life. No longer content to risk "dying because of the idiocy of others," Boba Fett is finding a new purpose, one that sees him coming to Djarin's aide in The Mandalorian season 2.

Next: Boba Fett Episode 4 Ending Teases Mandalorian Cameo: Will Din Djarin Appear?

The Book of Boba Fett releases new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.

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