The Mandalorian S3E2 Takes Us Back To A Phantom Menace Celebration
This article contains spoilers for The Mandalorian Season 3, Episode 2
"Star Wars: Episode 1 — The Phantom Menace" isn't regarded as one of the franchise's finest hours. However, most "Star Wars" fans will probably agree that it made some interesting contributions to the galaxy far, far away. "The Mandalorian" hasn't shied away from honoring ideas first introduced in George Lucas' polarizing blockbuster, as evidenced by one notable scene in the latest episode.
Season 3, Episode 2 of "The Mandalorian" sees Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) stop by Pelli Motto's (Amy Sedaris) garage on Tatooine. He's on a mission to find a droid that can accompany him to Mandalore so that he can bathe in the planet's waters and redeem himself in the eyes of his people, but that's another story.
Unfortunately, Mando's urgent mission means that he can't hang out and enjoy the festivities on Tatooine. His arrival on the planet just so happens to coincide with an event that was first introduced in "The Phantom Menace," and it's a day of celebrations for the locals.
The Mandalorian Season 3, Episode 2 brings back Boonta Eve
Boonta Eve was first shown in "The Phantom Menace," most notably during the pod race that Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) competed in. The race in question, known as the "Boonta Eve Classic," took place in the Mos Espa region of Tatooine, and it has a lot of historical significance to the culture.
Boonta Eve is a holiday that was established to commemorate the Hutts' victories over the Parliament of Moralan and Xim the Despot during the Third Battle of Vontor. The event was named after Boonta the Hutt, who supposedly became a god following the aforementioned events.
"The Mandalorian," meanwhile, reveals that Boonta Eve is a custom that's been embraced across Tatooine, as Season 3, Episode 2's shows the celebrations taking place in the Mos Eisley region. While it's a small detail, the revelation that Boonta Eve is a planet-wide event enriches the world-building and adds more information to the general "Star Wars" lore.