In The Book of Boba Fett’s spin-off episode (which is an oddball to say the least, considering that The Book of Boba Fett is a spin-off of The Mandalorian…), we’re reunited with Mando, who has returned to his bounty hunter ways, but is missing two things: little Grogu and his Razor Crest (although he has gained a beskar spear and the Darksaber). The last time we saw Grogu was in The Mandalorian Season 2 finale “Chapter 16: The Rescue”, in which the foundling is taken in by none other than Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). Luke promises Mando that Grogu would be trained to refine his Force abilities, and that he would be safe with his own kind. But Grogu isn’t the only thing Mando loses in Season 2. In the episode “Chapter 14: The Tragedy”, we see the official return of Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison), who, along with Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen) helps Mando battle Imperial remnants while Grogu reaches out to the Force amid the ruins of an ancient Jedi temple. While Boba Fett is successful in helping Mando fend off the Empire, the distraction has allowed Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) to dispatch his Darktroopers to kidnap Grogu and bring him under his possession onboard his ship. From orbit, to ensure that Mando does not follow, Moff Gideon then blasts the Razor Crest to smithereens. This is the last time we ever see the Razor Crest in the show, which hasn’t just served as a method of transport for Mando for almost two seasons, but has also acted as his home, as well as Grogu’s. In the two episodes that followed, Mando was without a ship, and relies on his allies, Cara Dune (Gina Carano), Bo-Katan (Katee Sackhoff), and Boba for transport. However, in The Book of Boba Fett episode, “Chapter 5: The Return of the Mandalorian” (which really ought to be called “Chapter 17”, seeing as it’s in no way whatsoever a Boba Fett episode), Mando returns to his old friend Peli Motto (Amy Sedaris) in Mos Eisley on Tatooine, who has been building for him a new “Razor Crest”. But Mando is surprised - and disappointed - to learn that his new ship won’t be a gunship, or anywhere near the size of the Razor Crest, for that matter. Instead, it’s a Galactic Republic-era, Queen of Naboo-mandated N-1 Starfighter. In other words, it’s extremely fast, but it’s also very small. After Mando and Peli finish constructing it, Mando takes it out for a test flight, and we see him tear through the winding desert canyons in Tatooine (just like the Pod Race in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace). And it’s in every way faster and sharper than his previous ship, the Razor Crest. There’s also no doubt that this will be his new ship from now. Not only does it scream Star-Wars-merchandise-waiting-to-happen, the spare seat located about the cockpit, which would normally house an Astromech unit, has been left deliberately empty, as Peli is aware that Mando doesn’t exactly love droids (despite having overcome his lifelong hatred). However, it’s pretty obvious that this seat is going to be reserved for a “child” of some kind. Whether that’s Grogu or a new child altogether remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure - the Razor Crest definitely won’t be coming back! Star Wars: The Mandalorian Season 3 is scheduled to be released on Disney+ on February 2023.
