The controversy around this one episode of The Book of Boba Fett hasn't stopped it from receiving praise by post-credits scene surprise announcement in The Mandalorian season 2's highly-rated finale. Ultimately, however, it fell short of viewers' expectations, and it was met with overall mixed reviews.

This mainly had to do with the fact that Boba Fett's story felt far too unbaked, especially as the titular character of this show. In fact, the latter three episodes of the series focus mainly on Din Djarin, carrying on the iconic Mandalorian's story from his own TV show to act as a bridge for the The Mandalorian season 3. This was a highly controversial move, but one of these three episodes still received high praise from Pedro Pascal himself.

Pedro Pascal Was Surprised By Boba Fett's Return Of The Mandalorian Episode

He Didn't Expect It To Be "Such A Beautiful, Lonely Episode"

Din Djarin's first return to Star Wars after the heartbreaking, bittersweet finale in The Mandalorian season 2 was The Book of Boba Fett episode 5 "Chapter 5: Return of the Mandalorian." Just over a real-world year of waiting, audiences were ecstatic about the beloved hero's return, but the circumstances were quite odd. Rather than being featured in Boba Fett's own story, this episode solely followed Din Djarin for 50 minutes straight.

It wasn't only the audience who was shocked by this move. Even Pascal was surprised about it - but he absolutely adored it. Speaking to Empire Magazine at Star Wars Celebration 2022, Pascal reflected on "Return of the Mandalorian" and the idea of Din's story being continued in The Book of Boba Fett, a move that he considered "brilliant." Still, however, more surprises were in store for Pascal.

"What I didn't expect," Pascal revealed, "is such a beautiful, lonely episode that Bryce Dallas Howard directed so incredibly." Pascal hits the mark completely with this statement; "Return of the Mandalorian" quickly became a fan-favorite for telling the story of Din Djarin's loneliness without Grogu in a masterclass way. It's since become one of the TV show's highest-rated episodes on IMDb, just barely behind episode 6 "Chapter 6: From the Desert Comes a Stranger." There's only one problem with it.

It's A Shame This Brilliant Episode Has A Somewhat Tainted Legacy

It Really Should've Stayed In The Mandalorian

While most still regard this brilliant episode with the praise it deserves, similarly to Pascal's own thoughts on it, it does ultimately have a legacy that's tainted by the fact it feels more like a lost episode of The Mandalorian than anything else. It doesn't have a very fitting place within The Book of Boba Fett itself, and many hold the belief that it would have actually functioned better as the premiere episode for The Mandalorian season 3.

Boba Fett actor Temuera Morrison has, rightfully so, cited his own frustration with the decision to have Din Djarin come in and essentially take over his own show - and although he's mainly used humor in that respect, he's certainly entitled to feel such frustration over it. Morrison is a well-respected actor who's been with the franchise for almost 25 years, and having Boba Fett take such a backseat in his own series is downright unfair.

This is a shame in so many ways, because "Return of the Mandalorian" truly is one of the most brilliant episodes to come out of the entire The Mandalorian franchise. From The Mandalorian itself to the most recent "Mandoverse" show, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, this episode is undoubtedly top-tier. It establishes new lore about the N-1 starfighter from Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.

"Return of the Mandalorian" truly is one of the most brilliant episodes to come out of the entire The Mandalorian franchise.

Most importantly, however, it has some of the most crucial character development for Din Djarin, and it studies his character in a way we don't always get to see in The Mandalorian itself. It's just as Pascal described it, a beautifully lonely look at how Grogu has truly impacted his life forever. It's easy to see why Pascal has such high praise for this episode of The Book of Boba Fett, despite the somewhat controversial legacy that's now forever attached to it.