Star Warshas had a rough couple of years in terms of backlash and controversy, butStar Wars: Skeleton Crewis proving to be a truly brilliant addition toStar Warsmovies and TV shows.Star Warsshows have increasingly faced controversy in recent years, whichthe backlash toThe AcolyteandThe Acolyte’scancelationboth made abundantly clear.The Acolytewas far from the firstStar Warsproject to have such a negative reception, though.
Realistically,Star Warshas had an uphill battle sinceStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, which is largely considered one ofStar Wars’worst movies. A few exceptions to this negative reception includeThe MandalorianandAndor, which is no doubt whyStar Wars’upcoming moviesincludeThe Mandalorian & GroguandStar Wars’upcoming TV showsincludeAndorseason 2 (one of just two confirmed upcoming shows currently). Yet,Skeleton Crewis rivaling these two fan-favorite shows already.
The Characters Of Skeleton Crew Are The Real Draw
Jod Na Nawood And The Kids Are The Reason The Show Works
Jude Law’s Jod Na Nawood is undoubtedly a major factor in the show’s success. The mystery surrounding the character, including the question of whether he’s really a Jedi or just a Force-sensitive person appropriating some of the teachings of the Jedi, has been fascinating since before the show even premiered. Six episodes in,Skeleton Crewhas impressively continued that air of mystery without making it feel too drawn out or exhausted.
Jod also continuesStar Wars’long-standing tradition of the found father trope, the likes of which have also been seen with Anakin Skywalker and Qui-Gon Jinn inStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Ezra Bridger and Kanan Jarrus inStar Wars Rebels, and most obviously Grogu and Din Djarin inThe Mandalorian.Star Warsand the franchise’s audience clearly love dads, and Jod perfectly fit the bill (at least until his betrayal of the kids inSkeleton Crewepisode 5). However, the kids are just as big a draw, if not more so.
The kids are just as big a draw, if not more so.
Skeleton Crew’sfour main kid characters—KB, Wim, Neel, and Fern—have proven not only to be charming and funny but also perfect stand-ins for some ofStar Wars’best characters. Fern’s natural leadership and stubborn ways are strongly reminiscent of Princess Leia, for example, and Wim is similarly a Luke Skywalker replacement, living his childhood on a quiet planet while desperate for great adventure. Neel has also captured the hearts of viewers with his adorable appearance.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Cast & Character Guide
Since Lucasfilm debuted the trailer for Skeleton Crew, it’s helpful to know who is in Disney’s latest Star Wars show - & who their characters are.
The most recent episode, “Zero Friends Again,” also finally gave KB her time to shine, and it was brilliant. In the episode, KB stood up for herself, telling Fern that she couldn’t do all the same things Fern could do and explaining to Wim that it’s important for her friends to understand that she is different.This is perhaps some ofStar Wars’best disability representation to date, and it was incredible to see.
Skeleton Crew Perfectly Understands What Star Wars Means
Skeleton Crew Has Nailed The Themes Of Star Wars
From the beginning,Skeleton Crewfelt like a return to form, especially when it came to the personalities and motivations of the show’s main characters. Jod Na Nawood’s rough exterior and swagger are quite similar to Han Solo’s characterization inA New Hope, and, despite Jod turning on the kids at the end ofSkeleton Crewepisode 5, it was clear that Jod did have a softer side hidden far beneath the surface, just as Han ultimately did.The themes ofSkeleton Creware also true toStar Wars’message from the very first movie.
The most obvious thematic connection betweenSkeleton CrewandStar Wars’other movies and TV shows is that of found family. Although the kids didn’t initially get along, they have become incredibly close over the course of the show. Moreover, while Jod again did turn on the children inSkeleton Crewepisode 5, prior to that, he was very clearly the ‘found father’ figure.
Other themes, including bravery in the face of insurmountable odds and compassion for and selflessness towards others, are also prominent in the show. Most recently, inSkeleton Crewepisode 6, KB even referred to Wim as a Jedi, not because he possessed the Force or was skilled in battle but because he had helped her when she was in need. In many ways,Skeleton Crewis reinforcing the very earliest valuesStar Warsheld.
KB even referred to Wim as a Jedi, not because he possessed the Force or was skilled in battle but because he had helped her when she was in need.
Skeleton Crew Skillfully Avoids A Massive Star Wars Trap
Skeleton Crew Doesn’t Rely Upon Connections To Other Star Wars Stories
Skeleton Crewalso seems to have learned from some ofStar Wars’biggest mistakes of late, including a reliance on characters and storylines that have come before. TheStar Warssequel trilogy was perhaps the most obvious example of this, as those movies were heavily criticized for borrowing so much from the original trilogy. Specifically,Star Wars: The Force Awakensreceived plenty of backlash for at times seeming like a copy ofA New Hope.
Star Warsshows have fallen into this trap too, though, with there being too much emphasis on a connection to majorStar Warscharacters (especially the Skywalkers) and recycled plot points, particularly when it comes to the Jedi versus the Sith.Skeleton Crewhasn’t come close to falling into that trap, though. Yes,Skeleton Crewhas plenty of Easter eggs, but the story truly stands on its own two feet, setting it apart in the best way.
This Is The Kind Of Star Wars We Need To See
This Show’s Formula Is Exactly What Star Wars Should Follow Moving Forward
LikeAndor,Skeleton Crewis truly a standout, especially compared withStar Wars’most recent live-action projects. Both shows bring genuinely innovative characters and concepts to the franchise while also maintainingStar Wars’original themes and messages. Moreover, both shows have the exact spirit audiences have long loved to see inStar Wars.
LikeAndor,Skeleton Crewis truly a standout, especially compared withStar Wars’most recent live-action projects.
A New Hopewas all about unlikely heroes rising up against a seemingly unbeatable Empire and finding strength and bravery within themselves that they hadn’t realized was there before. InAndor, Cassian Andor certainly fits that description, as he becomes a true Rebel fighter over the course of the show. InSkeleton Crew, the kids might not be tackling an oppressive regime in the same way, buteach of them has had to find confidence and courage on this journey through Wild Space.
There are currently two episodes left inSkeleton Crew, which may mean the show is about to get even better before it concludes. It will be thrilling to see how this story ultimately wraps up (and whether it will truly be over or if it will be renewed for season 2). For now, though,Star Wars: Skeleton Crewhas more than proven itself as one ofStar Wars’very best TV shows of late.
The first six episodes ofStar Wars: Skeleton Creware now streaming on Disney+.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew
Cast
Skeleton Crew follows four ordinary children who become lost in the expansive Star Wars galaxy. As they navigate unfamiliar worlds and the challenges they present, the group endeavors to find their way back to their home planet, undertaking a journey across the iconic Star Wars universe.
