Warning! SPOILERS for The Book of Boba Fett episode 3.
Jabba’s worst background crime has become even more sinister thanks to The Book of Boba Fett. What has become known as Jabba’s palace over the course of the franchise is actually a bit misleading, considering that Jabba wasn’t the one that even built the Dune Sea’s most imposing structure. When Jabba assumed control of the structure, he also took advantage of the original inhabitants, and, oddly enough, Boba Fett seems to be doing exactly the same thing.
When Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, there is a spider-like robot in the corner by the entryway that can be seen for just a brief moment. This mechanical creature houses the brain of a B’omarr Monk, a member of the religious group that were the actual builders and original inhabitants of what came to be known as Jabba’s palace. To them, the palace had been their monastery. Yet, when Jabba took over, he kept them around simply because he thought they were unusual and entertaining. Shortly after Jabba was killed, the Monks reclaimed their monastery, only to be ousted once more by Bib Fortuna.
Whether Jabba is using his palace rancor to kill visitors or commanding those around him to do his bidding, he has proven time and time again to be an evil ruler. Although Boba Fett has made strides to be a fair and honest ruler, he has strangely continued Jabba’s legacy of invasion through brute force without a care for the palaces’ original inhabitants, possibly doing this out of a sense of ignorance. The B’omarr Monks no doubt deserve justice, thus making Boba Fett's relationship with the religious group a particularly insightful point of interest with regards to Boba Fett's moral com.
Boba Fett understands the importance of making friends and learning whatever he can from whoever he can. Through a series of flashbacks, the show has depicted what Boba Fett has learned about the Tusken Raiders’ culture and traditions. He has become sensitive to their ways, taking care to learn about the often misunderstood Sand People. Because of this, it is all the more strange that Boba Fett hasn’t acknowledged the B’omarr Monks. Given his acute awareness of how being open to different ways can help him to be a better ruler, it would seem only logical to learn about these mysterious Monks.
Boba Fett is also an upstanding ruler that believes in justice and he does not kill unless it is absolutely warranted, unlike his predecessor. The B’omarr Monks are not simply strange creatures that walk around with brains in a glass enclosure, they were powerful enough to take over Jabba’s palace after he was killed. The Monks worked hard to achieve enlightenment and they are surely extremely intelligent considering the lengths they have gone to in order to preserve their brains. There must be some kind of knowledge that Boba Fett could gain from them, and, in return, he should honor them by giving them a place in their own monastery.
There is no mistaking that Boba Fett is a different kind of ruler from Jabba, which is what makes his ignorance of the B’omarr Monks all the more unexpected. It is possible that The Book of Boba Fett will address this point later in the series. So far, the only appearance of a Monk in the show was during a brief transition scene outside the palace. The B’omarr Monks have been trampled by others time and time again, but like he came to understand the Tuskens, hopefully Boba Fett will also come to understand the Monks and finally do them justice.
The Book of Boba Fett releases new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.
