'The Mandalorian': Boba Fett and Fennec Shand's team-up deserves an origin story like Kuiil and IG-11's
Spoilers for 'The Mandalorian' Season 2 Episode 6 'The Tragedy'
At long last, a Season 1 cliffhanger mystery has been resolved. Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen) was left for dead in the Dune Sea of Tatooine, but a mysterious caped figure with metallic boots that clinked as they walked appeared before her. Fans have been making a number of guesses as to who it could be, and those who bet on Boba Fett (Temeura Morrison) have just won big — although with their appearance this episode, everyone's a winner.
Though Fennec Shand first appeared as a lone wolf sort of bounty hunter, she appears to have allied herself with Boba Fett in a permanent way. A quick introduction reveals that Boba Fett saved her life, doing so by giving her a number of cybernetic upgrades, earning her loyalty for life. The pair doesn't get much time to discuss it, however, as they're soon attacked by Stormtroopers seeking out Grogu, which is really the episode's biggest shame.
In Season 1, Episode 7, we're introduced to another character who was left for dead — IG-11 (Taika Waititi). The former assassin droid was found and repaired by Kuiil (Nick Nolte), and the episode in question managed to fit in an entire origin story for the pair. It was a largely silent montage, showing Kuiil's dedication to the droid, repairing IG-11 and reprogramming it to care and protect, instead of just kill. Making time for that montage made both characters — excellent in their own right — that much stronger together.
There's obviously a similar story behind Boba Fett and Fennec Shand — or at least there seems to be the potential for one. Fennec Shand does not appear to chafe under her duties to Fett, she in fact appears to be quite a cheerful ally to the bounty hunter, and they make a fantastic team. Fans have been demanding a Boba Fett spin-off of some sort for years, and after seeing him in action this episode, it's high time that Disney gives in to the fans' demands. If they do go ahead with that spinoff, however, then Fennec Shand should absolutely be a part of it.
The next episode of 'The Mandalorian' airs December 11, on Disney+.
