qxx said:
Let's meet in the middle, Fett in palace: Good. Fett on barge: Bad.

Fett on barge is definitely bad. It’s not only his undignified demise that’s the problem; he’s a bumbler throughout the entire fight.

Fett in palace is not good. At best, it’s neutral, because it’s not plagued by the same problems as his appearance at the Sarlacc pit. Do you think his presence in the palace adds anything to the film? If not, it’s a pointless dilution of the character and a distraction from what really matters. Not a horrible thing, but not a good thing either. Plus, including him in the palace might lead to the viewer expecting him in the later action sequence and wondering when he’s going to show up. There’s no need for him; if he can be excised, do it.