Spoilers for The Book of Boba Fett episodes 1-5. 

With the latest episode of The Book of Boba Fett essentially being another episode of The Mandalorian, this choice by Disney+ ultimately has huge implications for the future of Star Wars TV on the Disney platform. The decision to make The Book of Boba Fett episode 5 center entirely around the Mandalorian Din Djarin was a bold one for sure, but one that seems to have paid off. While the majority of the episode's plot seems to be limited in its connection to Boba Fett’s story so far, as the episode unravels it becomes clearer as to why the show has been set out this way. 

Viewers were teased at the end of episode 4 with The Mandalorian theme, hinting heavily that Din Djarin might return in The Book of Boba Fett as some of the much-needed muscle Fennec Shand was speaking about. Many wondered why Boba Fett isn’t in episode 5 of his own show, and at first glance, it does seem to be a weird narrative decision. By the time of the episode's conclusion, however, not only does it make sense in regards to the once again converging story arcs between Boba and Din, but also makes sense in regards to setting a wider precedent for the Star Wars Disney+ shows moving forward. 

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While The Mandalorian itself has been used to introduce a slew of characters both new and old, including Boba Fett himself, it has thus far maintained its lens solely on Din Djarin’s story. With more and more characters being added to this era of Star Wars and plenty of shows to come, it only makes sense that they are going to become increasingly intertwined. With various characters and story arcs being moved around in the background, such as Grand Admiral Thrawn’s set up to be a villain for this era of Star Wars and not just the Ahsoka show, individual shows are bound to increasingly include external story arcs.

Not only was the narrative decision to feature Din Djarin front and center of episode 5 a way to set a precedent for Star Wars shows moving forward, but it was also a clever way of showing how the characters can relate. Viewers have been settled into thinking along with the context of Boba’s story—one of tribe, family, and settling down to create something bigger and better than what came before. With Boba having lost everything that came before this moment, the show has introduced another beloved character into the exact same context before pushing them back together.  

How Disney+’s Shows Are Connected 

Ahsoka Tano draws her lightsabers in The Mandalorian.

The interconnected nature of the new Disney+ shows has already been explored by The Mandalorian, a concept that has now been greatly expanded by The Book of Boba Fett. Boba Fett being in The Mandalorian ultimately strengthened the overarching plot, and while Din Djarin is back to return the favor, these aren’t the only two occasions where this concept has been used. The Book of Boba Fett might be the first time an entire episode has been dedicated to a character separate from the show's main story, but it seems to simply be another step in the attempt to achieve storyline integration. 

At the center of the question as to how all of these characters are connected is the simple answer that they exist in a Star Wars era where there are simply a lot of remaining characters who have been around for a while. Ahsoka Tano is set to have her own show but fought in the Clone Wars with Bo Katan, and both characters have now crossed paths with Din Djarin. There are plenty of theories floating about, such as The Mandalorian era being an Imperial Civil War, involving characters such as Thrawn, who as previously mentioned has also been introduced to the wider narrative through The Mandalorian but will most likely play a larger role in Ahsoka. Having such an array of unique characters appearing in each other's shows connects all of the shows together, and allows for the setup of a greater, galaxy-wide plot involving them all. 

Why Boba Fett’s Mandalorian Episode Is Such A Big Deal For Star Wars

Boba Fett, Din Djarin and Grogu

The Return of the Mandalorian in episode 5 of The Book of Boba Fett is therefore a massive step in the direction of overarching story integration for the Disney+ Star Wars shows. The Mandalorian has served as an introduction for many new and returning characters of great significance to this era of Star Wars, providing many of them—Boba Fett included—a pathway to their own shows. This level of character integration between shows has led some viewers to consider Book of Boba Fett as Mandalorian season 2.5. With the airing of the second major Star Wars TV show, Boba Fett has been able to turn things up a notch and provide pathways back to pre-established characters of importance—in this case, Din Djarin. 

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Ultimately, The Book of Boba Fett has taken the concept set up by The Mandalorian that these shows can be used to introduce characters and has expanded upon it greatly. It’s a decision that signifies something similar to The Clone Wars animated show, whereby there were individual story arcs with focal points, however, shared characters across them who had their own character development. Din Djarin has his own character development within The Book of Boba Fett but has ultimately been set up to serve the plot of Boba’s arc as a result. This ultimately sets a precedent that the multitude of characters in these shows are not just cameo appearances, nor are they bumping into each other, but they are designed to intertwine and bounce off each other, foreshadowing an exciting and ever-growing future for Star Wars. 

Will Other Shows Copy The Book Of Boba Fett’s Mandalorian Episode?

Din Djarin, Thrawn and Ahsoka Tano

Considering it very much seems as if both The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett have been used to set the precedent for what is to come, and introduce the cast of this era of Star Wars, it seems heavily likely that the upcoming shows will follow along with this trend. It is no mistake that Din Djarin has bumped into characters such as Ahsoka, and it would certainly be a missed opportunity if all of these characters who are now familiar with one another do not meet again. With Thrawn being set up to be the main antagonist, and Ahsoka set up to take center stage in Thrawns’ opposition, she won’t be able to do it alone. 

Having a history with Bo Katan herself, and now both of them knowing Din Djarin, it certainly seems unlikely that they won’t have a major part to play in each others’ stories. Boba Fett has used the opportunity of similar story beats, that being the loss of family and the search for a new one to connect Din and Boba, and explore Din’s story in-depth in another character's show. As the roster of tv shows grow on Disney+ it would make complete sense if other characters start to receive this treatment, as alliances and friendships are forged, and the battle lines are drawn when the greater overarching plot is revealed. 

Why Star Wars Needs To Find The Right Balance In Connecting Its Shows

Lom Pyke, Boba Fett and Din Djarin

While these prospects are exciting, they can equally be concerning. Faith in Disney is low, with fears of Disney mistakes over Boba Fett’s hero rebranding. While some of these fears are certainly unfounded, it also makes sense to keep the shows going slow and steady to ensure that the overall plot is well-done and not half-baked. The introduction of Din Djarin made for good timing in Boba’s show. Not only did the characters already have a strong connection, but Din’s nomad nature was well established by the two seasons of his own show. He had visited Tatooine many times before, and it didn’t feel forced for him to return and bump into Fennec. 

The Star Wars galaxy however is a big place, and the over-use of one character bumping into another not only threatens to feel forced, but entirely unrealistic. The shows need to be careful and use slow, tangible plot points to draw characters together. With that being said, Boba Fett has proven itself good thus far, and The Mandalorian is already renowned for being hugely successful. While the showrunners most certainly need to make sure that they continue cautiously and do the right thing, there is no tangible reason as to why viewers should be concerned. 

Ultimately, the structure and writing of the new show proposes some exciting changes to the Star Wars formula, and to continue the unique presentation of the Disney+ shows.  It is looking more and more likely that the style of stories being told will mirror The Clone Wars but live-action, especially with Dave Filoni so involved. The prospects of an increasingly integrated cast and story not only foreshadow bigger and better events but gripping storylines. If this is the case, then The Book of Boba Fett’s Mandalorian episode truly is huge for the future of Star Wars’ Disney+ shows.

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