WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett "Chapter 5: Return of the Mandalorian" and "Chapter 6: From the Desert Comes a Stranger," streaming now on Disney+.
Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett featured multiple surprise appearances from past characters in "Chapter 6: From the Desert Comes a Stranger," including Cobb Vanth, Ahsoka Tano, Luke Skywalker and Cad Bane. In the midst of all of these exciting returns, one of the episode's best callbacks was overlooked. When the Mandalorian traveled to Freetown, formerly Mos Pelgo, he passed by a Jawa Sandcrawler with an unusual hood ornament: a Krayt dragon skull. While the skull attached to the Sandcrawler was a fun visual, the adornment also revealed a little more about the Jawas themselves.
It is reasonable to assume that the skull belonged specifically to the Krayt dragon killed by the Mandalorian, Cobb Vanth, the citizens of Freetown and a tribe of Tusken Raiders in Star Wars: The Mandalorian "Chapter 9: The Marshal." In The Book of Boba Fett, the skull served as a visual reminder to the audience of the Mandalorian and Cobb Vanth's earlier deal and the origin of their friendship. The skull also highlighted how formidable the citizens of Freetown can be when allied with the right people. However, the Jawas were not a part of that original alliance or fight. So how did they get it?
The Jawas' possession of the skull revealed more about their culture. Viewers have mainly seen Jawas scavenging for mechanical parts. The inclusion of the skull on their sandcrawler proved that the Jawas actually scavenge for more diverse goods and are willing to use those goods to appear more intimidating to others. Jawas have attacked to defend their livelihood before, as seen in The Mandalorian "Chapter 2: The Child," when a group of Jawas defeated Din Djarin after they stole parts from his Razor Crest. The Tatooine Jawas' possession of the skull highlighted that they are formidable opponents for anyone who may cross them.
The Book of Boba Fett has already shown that Jawas are far smarter than they have been given credit for. In "Chapter 5: The Return of the Mandalorian," Peli Motto and Din Djarin hired Jawas to scavenge more parts for his new starfighter. Peli explained that she often gave Jawas wishlists of parts that she wanted and they delivered her requests. In order to be able to fulfill these orders, the Jawas had to have a strong understanding of engineering and electronics. Rather than being just scavengers and mistaking Boba Fett for a droid, Jawas actually may be one ofthe most technologically savvy cultures in Star Wars.
"Chapter 5: The Return of the Mandalorian" also showed Jawas' courage and may have foreshadowed a future alliance between the two. They stole cryogenic density combustion booster for Din from a Pyke Syndicate ship -- a daring maneuver considering how formidable the Pyke Syndicate is. These Jawas were likely the same ones that scavenged the Krayt dragon skull, because the Krayt dragon scavengers were shown waving at Din as he flew by, indicating that they knew him and were happy to see him. Since they're on good terms, he could ask the Jawas for help as he continues to recruit allies for Boba Fett. They may be a useful ally against the Pykes in the future, possibly working as saboteurs to ensure that the Syndicate doesn't spread its reach.
So while the skull on the Jawas' Sandcrawler was a brief callback, it could also be a sign of the Jawas' future importance in The Book of Boba Fett's season finale. While Jawas have been underestimated in the past, they've gained more prominence recently and a partnership with Boba Fett and his forces could further showcase their skills. The Jawas may become a pivotal ally in the upcoming war and could spell doom for the Pyke Syndicate's attempts to take Tatooine.
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