Skeleton Crew finale aired nearly a month ago, so now feels like the perfect time to discuss why you need to be watching this latest journey into a galaxy far, far away.
And what better time to have this conversation? The ever-so-entertaining discourse from the Star Wars fanbase about the show’s viewership and place within cannon are long in the rearview. The NFL comes to a close this weekend. The appointment viewing schedule, outside of the premieres for Yellowjackets and White Lotus, is fairly quiet right now.
1. They Made Star Wars Story for Kids, Not Just Star Wars Characters for Kids.
Showing the trailer for Skeleton Crew to my daughter, I reflexively said, “Well you like Star Wars, you should love this.”
She corrected me, as she often does, that she really didn’t love the stories in Star Wars, she liked characters. She loved Rey, Ahsoka (who she dressed up as last Halloween), Sabine, Hera and of course everyone’s favorite sweet baby boy, Grogu. She loves the “tough girls” and the adorable Grogu, but then went on to explain to me that most of the stories in Star Wars are just too dark and too serious.
So there was some hesitancy in diving into Skeleton Crew. However, once the series began and my daughter saw there were actual kids, who were her age (or close to it) going on intergalactic adventures, she was all in. Skeleton Crew treats its kid heroes as regular old kids getting into troublesome situations that any kid could find themselves. My daughter found herself immediately connecting to KB (Kyriana Kratter) because she’s “smart and knows science.” The adventures, even as fantastical as they may be in the series, are ones kids can daydream themselves into, much like their parents did with the adventures in the original trilogy and the prequels.
2. Skeleton Crew Never Dumbs Things Down for the Kids.
One of the worst things about kids or YA fare is that often times the script dumbs things down for the kids instead of treating them like they have functioning braincells. Listen, shows or films geared towards kids should be on the level Tenet (which adults can barely figure out), nor should they be a 10 on the David Mamet scale of dialogue. Yet, there’s also no reason for a plot to be put in a blender and served to kids like they’re infants. Adults don’t have to be sniveling buffoons, nor the kids be of such superior intellect that it feels nearly impossible (see any Home Alone film past the second one, and that’s pushing it). And let’s face it, as adults this dumbing down can make it excruciating for adults to watch.
Luckily, Skeleton Crew had the team of Jon Watts and Christoper Ford — the men behind Spider-Man: Homecoming — as writers and showrunners. This team knows how to write dialogue that feels natural for not just young characters, but young performers as well. They know how to build complex, human adult villains (who are able to use their age and experience in monstrous ways. They also have a keen ability to know when to make things dark and when to make things more lighthearted. This is what grabbed so many of us as kids when we first watched George Lucas’ vision come to life. Now Watts and Ford have found the way (like Lucas) to not only grabs the attention of a young audience, but sustains it — which no matter the generation or age — is never an easy proposition. And yes, it makes things a lot more enjoyable for the parents as well. This creates a wonderful bonding experience between parent and child over space piracy.
3. It Feels Right at Home in the Star Wars Universe.
Skeleton Crew fits perfectly within the Star Wars universe, and these are the type of stories that Disney should be telling. They’ve taken a classic tale — in this case Treasure Island — and placed it into the beautiful dream that is Star Wars. Sound familiar? Yes, this is the exact formula Disney has applied to so many of its animated tales — from Snow White and Sleeping Beauty to Tangled and The Sword in the Stone.
Every detail of Skeleton Crew feels perfect within the realm of post-Return of the Jedi Star Wars, while also feeling distinctly its own thing. There’s X-Wings, lightsabers, droids and mentions of the Jedi and the Republic. Yet, we’re also taken to places like the suburban At Attin, a space port, the spa planet of Lanupa and various other locales that aren’t Tattoine, Alderaan or Coruscant. There’s also no reliance on previous Skywalker lore, existential debates on the Force and Stormtroopers missing their wide open targets. This story is independent of everything in the films, The Mandalorian and Ahsoka. It’s not beholden to any previous stories, so the overwhelming need to ponder “How does this all connect” isn’t necessary to our viewing, nor is it distracting.
4. Jude Law Steals the Show.
Jude Law is great. He’s a two-time Oscar nominee (for Cold Mountain and The Talented Mr. Ripley) and has been the star of numerous high profile and big budget successes. Personally, this writer will sing his performance in The Road to Perdition to the highest of heavens. In Skeleton Crew, he’s the perfect. He vacillates between working as a complimentary piece to the young crew and carrying the series on his back. Law seems to be having the time of his life giving his character (we’re not spoiling any of that) a Han Solo-inspired lovable rogue-like charm. He’s such a captivating presence in the series and is one of the main reasons the series is able to walk the line of being for both children and adults alike.
5. Neal and Why We Must Defend Him at All Costs.
Neal is one of the most adorable and endearing characters that’s been created within the Star Wars Universe since BB8. The corduroy overall wearing, comb over-sporting, always follows the rules Myykian BFF to our one of main characters Wim is the everyman of the series. We all grew up with someone like Neal, or hell maybe we were Neal! Regardless, Neal is such a relatable and endearing character that evokes so much sympathy that you can’t help but fall in love with him.
