It’s exciting to have a new Star Wars series to talk about. The first two episodes of Skeleton Crew are finally here (and a day early). Monday night will not be the new release cycle, starting next week the series will resume the typical release pattern (i.e. Tuesday nights at 9 pm EST). I will be sure to point out any fan service/easter eggs. Let’s get started with Skeleton Crew – Episodes 1 & 2.
Feel free to skip around if you prefer.
Spoilers Ahead!!!
Episode 1 – This Could Be a Real Adventure
Title: This Could Be a Real Adventure
Director: Jon Watts
Runtime: 46 minutes
In the first episode we, of course, meet the four main protagonists; Wim, Neel, Fern, and KB. The pacing of the first episode is a little slow but it takes the necessary time to set up each character. It has a heavy Spielberg influence with an Amblin Goonies-meets-ET feel. I don’t think that detracts from the show; it’s a unique side of Star Wars. It’s a side we don’t get to see very often and implies it’s tailored to a younger audience.
I’ll admit, I was a little put off by the “chalkboard” in the classroom having a bit of an LCARS feel. I wonder if someone in the arts department is a bit of a Trekkie.
Easter Eggs
Most of the easter eggs I’ve found are more nostalgic. For instance, I’ve already alluded to the Amblin-like feel of the first episode. Despite their similarities, Neel is not Ortolan (the same species as Max Rebo). This has been confirmed in an interview with Jon Watts.
The pilot of the school bus is an RX droid whom many of us should recognize as the pilot from the Star Tours rides at Disney and the DJ from Oga’s Cantina at Galaxy’s Edge.
A deep-cut easter egg is the hologram circus Neel’s siblings are watching. This is from the Star Wars Holiday Special which, I assume, not a lot of people have seen. Even the music is the same. This one might be my favorite easter egg simply because of its obscurity.
Speaking of deep cuts, the name of the bully Fern and KB are supposed to race is Bonjj Phalfa. Many believe this is a reference to Bob Falfa, the name of Harrison Ford’s character from American Graffiti.
Episode 2 – Way, Way Out Past the Barrier
Title: Way, Way Out Past the Berrier
Directed by: David Lowery
Runtime: 29 minutes
This episode moves much faster now that the kids are officially lost in space (wait, that’s a different show. Danger, Will Robinson!!). This episode sets up the various mysteries of this series. What is programmed into the navigation system of the starship (whose name is The Onyx Cinder) that it leaves the planet and immediately jumps into hyperspace? Why have the pirates and the onboard droid never heard of the planet the kids are from? What is the story behind Jude Law’s character?
Easter Eggs
This episode has some fun easter eggs beginning with Nick Frost’s character. The droid’s name is SM-33 which is a play on “Smee”, the first mate of Captain Hook in Peter Pan. I feel like if Bob Hoskins were still alive he would have provided the voice instead of Nick Forst. Speaking of first mates, Vane makes an appearance. You may remember him as Dorian Shard’s first mate from Season 3 of The Mandalorian.
Nobody at the spaceport has heard of At Attin (the children’s home planet) or considers it to be a myth. Some kind of fictional “treasure planet”, which gives me El Dorado vibes. While being questioned about their planet the name Aldhani is mentioned. This is the planet from an episode of Andor with The Eye celestial event.
A couple of other fun easter eggs are Jaleel White (aka Steve Urkel from Family Matters) and a hint of the Binary Sunset music motif near the end of the episode. There is also some heavy Pirates of the Caribbean influence.
A deep-cut easter egg is the Teek ferryman. If you’ve ever seen Ewok movies (ex: The Battle for Endor), the ferryman in this episode is the same species as Teek.
Initial Impressions
So far I think this is a good show. Anyone who grew up in the 80s and 90s will enjoy the subtle nods to Goonies and ET and a bit of Pirates of the Caribbean. This will be a great show for the kids but I think there is enough here to keep the adults interested as well.
Pirates are not a new thing to the Star Wars universe. In the original trilogy, Lando even refers to Han as “you old pirate”. Of course, if you’ve watched the Clone Wars, Rebels, and Star Wars Resistance there are lots of pirates.
The most famous of them is Hondo Ohnaka. With so much emphasis on pirates in this series, we have to finally get a live-action Hondo. My guess is not until the end. Perhaps it’s even Hondo who knows the actual location of At Attin; it seems like information only he would know.
What things did you spot?
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