I think a big issue I have with Boba Fett’s characterization here is that he keeps saying he’s the ruler (daimyo) and that he wants to rule with respect, but he shows almost zero leadership in pretty much every situation where leadership, strength, and decisiveness are needed or appropriate (especially if he wants to establish himself as the guy in charge).
When people complain he seems too weak, it’s not because of his success or failure in battle. It’s his absolutely wishy-washy lack of any real leadership skills.
There’s a such thing as “tough but fair” which is what Fett needs to be (and I think what we all anticipated). But so far he really isn’t.
And it’s especially jarring since that is the characterization we saw with his appearances in Mando and it was fantastic.
I don’t get this, are you saying he was a good leader in his appearances in The Mandalorian season 2? Because I don’t see it. He ordered Fennec around a bit, but that’s about it. They served as temporary killers for hire as they (or rather just Fett) owed Din a debt. Fett was briefly doing what he’s always done, kill for someone else, though obviously for a noble cause this time. Now in BOBF he’s trying to run a small criminal empire (though that’s probably just a facade for an ulterior motive) which involved a entirely different set of skills.
No, the lack of leadership is a general complaint about the way his character is written on this show specifically. Although his indecisiveness plays a huge part in that lack of leadership and that particular aspect (indecision) does run contrary to what we saw in Mando.
But what I was really referring to with my last paragraph was the tough-but-fair issue. In Mando he seemed to be going down a path of becoming like a typical John Wayne character: tough as nails and harsh on the surface, but with a deep sense of loyalty, respect, and true kindness (not surface politeness, but the kind of guy who would sacrifice anything to help someone he deemed worthy of that help). The kind of guy who would exhibit “tough love” like immediately throwing a kid in a lake upon finding out the kid hasn’t learned how to swim yet.
But the Fett we’re getting comes across as MUCH softer than that. Too much, IMO (and apparently plenty of others). We were hoping for a grittier, rougher “nice guy”. And it’s worth noting despite his desire to be nice and respectful, he is still trying to be an organized crime boss!! He just seems too soft, indecisive, and lacking in leadership to succeed in that role so far.