The Book Of Boba Fett Episode 6 Ending Explained
Warning: Spoilers ahead for "The Book of Boba Fett" Chapter 6
While the "Star Wars" galaxy is an ever-expanding sandbox for creators like Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni to play in, it certainly feels a little small at times. "The Book of Boba Fett" Episode 5 sees a welcome return from Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) in what is essentially "The Mandalorian" Season 2.5 — and it sets a high bar for fans going into Episode 6. Luckily, Favreau and Filoni really know their audience, because it's crammed with cameos and Easter eggs from previous movies and fan-favorite shows. Boba Fett's (Temuera Morrison) looming war with the Pyke Syndicate still takes place in the background of Tatooine, but there's a much bigger focus on some other characters this time around.
Okay, we've used the Force to dodge spoilers for long enough, so we'll be talking about the episode in detail from here on out. Favreau and Filoni make it clear that we're taking another detour away from Boba for this episode within the opening few minutes, as audiences are brought back to Cobb Vanth (Timothy Olyphant), who is still the Marshal of Mos Pelgo — sorry, Freetown. Vanth is another person on Tatooine who's had enough of the Pyke Syndicate's Spice trade, and he even holds a gang of them up as they're roaming the desert. Sure, he's a vicious gunslinger with a quick draw, but he's pledged to put some good into the galaxy by protecting Freetown from crime.
It's not a long scene, only showing Vanth killing the Pykes and dumping the Spice, but it makes it clear that Vanth and Freetown could become key players further down the line. Remember, Boba's going to need all the help he can get if he wants to get rid of the Pykes for good. Anyway, on to "The Book of Boba Fett" Chapter 6, "From the Desert Comes a Stranger."
Grogu starts his Jedi training
Most of the episode takes place on a lush, green jungle planet where Grogu trains under Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), with a little help from Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson). See, it's crammed with cameos — but they're definitely welcome after Episode 5 teases that Din is heading to visit the little green foundling. It's clear this is a version of Luke who is still very much enchanted by the Force and its meaning in the wider galaxy, which is why he's building a new Jedi academy.
The episode makes a point of homaging Luke's own training on Dagobah as he does an assault course through the jungle — all with Grogu strapped on his back. He also explains to Grogu that he's met someone of his kind before: Yoda (Frank Oz). This hammers home the mystery of Grogu's past, because we still don't know much of where he comes from before his time at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. After a brief flashback to Grogu watching the Clones decimate the Jedi during Order 66, it's clear the youngling has repressed his memories due to trauma.
But when Din turns up to give him the Beskar armor made from the spear, Ahsoka points out that if Grogu sees him it'll hinder his training. Remember, Jedi are meant to distance themselves from emotional detachments. So, the Mandalorian leaves without saying hello, which is heartbreaking, quite frankly. But it's understandable, as Din leaves Grogu with Luke so that he can learn the ways of the force, and like any parent, he just wants what's best for his child. Anyone else crying? Okay, moving on.
Boba assembles his squad
Although the episode spends a lot of time with Grogu, Luke, and Ahsoka — it quickly remembers that this is "The Book of Boba Fett," and we haven't actually seen the titular bounty hunter for a while. So, we're graciously given a quick scene that establishes Boba's ambitious new crew, as Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen) fills them in on the situation with the Pyke Syndicate. This doesn't do much in the way of the story aside from getting all of these characters in a room together. However, the danger of the Pykes is pushed to the forefront when they bomb the Sanctuary bar, presumably killing Garsa Fwip (Jennifer Beals) and her employees.
This really leans into the crime story of it all, as the bombing feels like something out of "The Untouchables," "The Godfather," or "The Departed." The Pykes make the first move in their war with Boba over the Tatooine territory, showing that they're not bothered that he's all about ruling "with respect." Hopefully, this pushes Boba to let his new squad loose on the syndicate, although given that the Pykes are a huge organization, this might not be a good idea. Which is why Din Djarin offers to reach out to Cobb Vanth and Freetown in an effort to bolster their numbers.
See? That's why the episode kicks off by bringing Vanth back. Although the Freetown folk aren't exactly keen on wading into a brewing war, helping out will benefit them in the long run. It's clear that the Pykes are going to keep using the Mos Pelgo/Freetown territory to move Spice, so if Vanth and the villagers want them gone, they'll have to throw in with Fett and his crew. Unfortunately, this doesn't end well for Vanth.
Cad Bane makes his live-action debut
Boba Fett might recruit some backup, but the Pykes have deep pockets to buy some muscle of their own — hiring legendary bounty hunter Cad Bane (Corey Burton/Dorian Kingi) to make a point to the Freetown citizens by shooting Vanth and killing his deputy. He also says that Freetown will be left alone if the Pykes' Spice trade continues. Yeah, sure it will. This is likely going to spur the villagers into joining Boba's gang in exchange for getting rid of the Pykes.
For "Star Wars" fans who haven't seen the animated shows, Bane's arrival will feel a little strange because it doesn't really explain who he is, so here's a quick history lesson. The Duros gunslinger is a key character in Dave Filoni's "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" and "Star Wars: The Bad Batch," often working for shadowy figures like Count Dooku (Corey Burton) and Darth Sidious (Ian Abercrombie). He duels Obi-Wan Kenobi (James Arnold Taylor) and Anakin Skywalker (Matt Lanter) a number of times in the series, but this is the first time he's been given the live-action treatment.
His costume and look in "The Book of Boba Fett" are perfectly translated from animation, and if you're wondering about those tubes attached to his face, they help him breathe, even when he's being force-choked by Jedi. Much like Fett, Bane has a number of weapons and gadgets to help him kill his targets — including a flamethrower and jet boots. All this is to say that Fett has a very big fight on his hands if he goes up against Bane in the final episode of Season 1.
Grogu has a choice to make
Episode 6 leaves fans on a tantalising cliffhanger, as it ends on the jungle planet with Luke giving Grogu an emotional choice. Luke offers to give Grogu the Beskar chainmail armor that Din brought him, but that means he'll choose emotional attachment over mastering his abilities in the Force and becoming a Jedi. However, Skywalker also offers to give him Yoda's old lightsaber. The weapon is obviously the right size for Grogu, as he's not much smaller than Yoda. But picking his Jedi path means he might not see Din ever again... Luke, don't do this to us.
The Jedi points out that it could take Grogu years to become a full Jedi, and because he has a much longer life span, "a short time for you is a lifetime for someone else." Remember, Yoda is around 900 years old when he dies in "Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi." It's a heartbreaking choice for the audience, because obviously we all want to see Grogu back with Din as they go on adventures across the galaxy. But in the long run, it would be much better for the adorable green critter to stay with Luke and learn the ways of the Force — and it would also mean that he'll unlock the memories of his past.
Of course, there's the small issue of what would happen to Grogu if or when Din dies, as he's not exactly in a safe line of work, after all. The difficult choice might be the better one... But we'll just have to wait for "The Mandalorian" Season 3 to see what Grogu decides to do.