First introduced in The Mandalorian's 5th episode ("The Gunslinger"), Ming-Na Wen's Fennec Shand has quickly become a fan-favorite character since Disney took over the galactic franchise. At least part of this is due to her chemistry with another beloved character: Boba Fett.
Shand has made appearances in Star Wars: The Bad Batch, but it's her role in The Mandalorian and, now, The Book of Boba Fett, that has endeared her to millions. In those projects, she's had some wonderfully memorable quotes that show just how tough, yet personable, she is.
The Mandalorian
"Oh, Look, The Suns Are Coming Up."
Shand is being led through the desert by Toro Calican, an amateur bounty hunter. She says, somewhat cheerily, "Oh, look, the suns are coming up." Most people, when led by a bounty hunter to their incarceration or death, would be far more concerned for their well-being than Shand. And that is very telling in regards to her survivability in the dangerous, crime-ridden areas of the galaxy she calls home.
Then, Calican is foolish enough to brag about his supposed bounty hunting prowess, to which Shand replies, "I mean, it seems like he's calling all the shots."
The Mandalorian
"Your Name Will Be Legendary."
Fennec is a pro. So, she knows an amateur when she sees one. A bounty hunter who is on their own for the first time in a long time, traveling across the galaxy in search of a person with assumedly many names.
This means she knows how to manipulate the amateur, and she does work her charming magic on Calican. She knows how to twist situations so they benefit her, and never was that more obvious than her work (manipulation must be in the repertoire of an experienced bounty hunter) in chapter 5 of The Mandalorian. She tries to persuade him, saying that letting her go would be advantageous for him via: "Your name will be legendary."
The Mandalorian
"And If You Remember, I Don't Miss."
The Mandalorian has finally gotten Grogu to the Seeing Stone so he can reach out and find his Jedi brothers and sisters. However, they're not alone. Boba Fett is right on their tail and he has a companion (whose identity is a mystery to the titular character).
Mando says to Boba, "As soon as I see that muzzle flash, you're both dead." To which Boba replies, "I didn't mean she was going to shoot you. My friend's locked onto that little companion of yours on the henge." Then, Boba's companion's voice is heard: "And if you remember, I don't miss." What sells the line, outside the confidence, is the fact that Din recognizes her instantaneously, despite her having only been in one other episode by the point of chapter 14.
The Mandalorian
"You Concentrate On The Troopers, I'll Take The Cannons."
The Book of Boba Fett is similar to The Mandalorian in that both are in the adventure-of-the-week format, but Boba features Shand on a consistent basis. This means she takes the lead just as much as the title character, which was an ability very much alluded to in Mandalorian.
Towards the end of the 2nd season, when Shand is in league with Cara Dune (Gina Carano) mid-battle, Dune says "We're gonna have to take out those cannons if Boba's gonna get close enough to lift 'em outta there." To which Shand replies: "Shouldn't be a problem. You concentrate on the troopers, I'll take the cannons." That's the type of confidence that would make civilians feel safe were she on their side.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch
"It's Okay To Break The Rules Sometimes."
What intergalactic bounty hunter hasn't been quoted saying this at one time or another? Shand is the type to be laissez-faire unless she can help it, or unless her wallet needs thickening. Shand is also the type of character fans want to see interact with the big Star Wars players.
"It's okay to break the rules sometimes" sounds like advice from an experienced headhunter to an amateur one, as if weening them into the world of depravity. But Shand certainly has a worthy heart, even if it is rough around the edges.
The Book Of Boba Fett
"They're Hutts. We Would Have To Get Permission If You Wanna Kill Them."
Like Boba, Shand knows what the Hutts are and, especially, were. They're the Michael Jordan of slimy (literally) gangsters in the Star Wars universe.
Shand also seems like the one person (besides perhaps Luke in Return of the Jedi) who could come face to face with the Hutts and actually talk down to them. But she also knows how they operate, she respects that, and she's survived in a dangerous galaxy...that in and of itself is far more worthy than the respect she's shown the galaxy's worst. And that's why she'll rise to the top, because if any Star Wars bounty hunter deserves a spinoff series, it's Shand.
The Book Of Boba Fett
"You All Accrued Wealth And Riches Under Jabba The Hutt. You Can Again, If You Listen To Boba Fett."
Of all the things that fans learned in The Book of Boba Fett's first episode, the fact that he's been employed by more families than the Hutts is one of the biggest. Thus far, he's been shown to be an Imperial lackey, if even he's one who holds himself outside their grasp. He's a contractor, and he's been around.
The same could be said of Shand, yet she shows her loyalty to someone she respects. For Star Wars fans, there's hardly anyone more likable than Boba Fett, so in their eyes, her respect will be pointed in the correct direction. Shand seems like she's playing her cards cautiously, waiting to throw down the death blow and collect the chips on the table.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch
"The Galaxy Is A Dangerous Place To Be On Your Own."
If any quote explains exactly who Shand is, it's "The galaxy is a dangerous place to be on your own."
It's a vaguely threatening statement, and Shand's personality allows it to straddle the line. Is she threatening someone? Trying to guide them? Or perhaps a bit of both. That's the appeal of Shand, she seems as though she has a strict code of ethics just below the surface, but she's extremely hesitant to reveal it to another individual.