More than a week has passed since the final episode of Skeleton Crew, and it’s sad how little of an impact this show has had on pop culture. I guess not a lot of people were watching? Which is a damn shame, because Skeleton Crew is a great show that had a lot of fun in the Star Wars universe! I had a blast!

TV Show Rating: 9/10 – Great

Like everyone else, I find Star Wars TV to be hit and miss. I haven’t outright hated any show, but wasn’t too impressed with Ahsoka or Obi-Wan Kenobi. I had no idea what to expect with Skeleton Crew when it was announced and teased for years; I barely paid any attention. But that first trailer piqued my interest and I’m happy to have watched every episode week-by-week. This is one of the good ones!

Join me after the jump for my full thoughts/review of Skeleton Crew. Expect FULL SPOILERS for the whole season. And feel free to share your own in the comments below!

6. Nailed everything it was going for

Skeleton Crew is a self-contained combination of The Goonies and Treasure Island, set in the Star Wars Universe, and the show nails that idea to perfection. It’s just so much fun! Take a bunch of troublemaking kids, each with their own distinct personalities, and send them on a wild, pirate-filled adventure! Each episode stood out as its own story with its own world to explore, which was awesome. The danger was just real enough to not be too childish, while likewise not getting so crazy as to be unwatchable for the younglings. It struck that perfect all-ages balance of good Star Wars.

The whole show told a very nice story from beginning to end, and each episode was rewarding and entertaining. The show then nailed the landing and left things open for more adventures, if we’re that lucky. This was a classic action adventure story, making great use of the Star Wars universe, while staying contained to itself. No unnecessary cameos or character appearances. No forced crossovers. Just a straight forward, entertaining adventure that leaned heavily and cheerfully into its inspirations and used them nicely. Quality all around.

5. Perfectly cast

The cast was great, from all four kid stars to Jude Law to the parents and other opponents. This show had Jaleel White in a supporting role! Talk about fun. Jude Law was a great choice as Jod, doing an excellent job of juggling both the kids and his secrets. More on him in a little bit.

The real stars of the show were the kids, each one doing a great job with their character. Ryan Keira Armstrong as Fern, Kyriana Kratter as KB, Robert Timothy Smith as Neel and Ravi Cabot-Conyers as Wim all did fantastic jobs as these new, young characters. Each one was a star in their own little way, keeping the story going and easily carrying it on their little shoulders. Each one got their own story arc, to an extent, and each one delivered when it counted. Hopefully we can expect good things from all of them going forward.

4. Would have liked more clear cut character arcs for the kids

Though if I’m being totally honest, I would have liked stronger, more clear cut character arcs for each of the kids. I may be stumbling into the idea that the arcs were clear enough and I just need to think about them better, but I would have just liked it to be stronger for each kid. What did Wim learn? What did Fern learn? Was Neel’s journey of bravery clear enough in the end? What about KB? She got that one episode, but was it enough? I’m not even sure what I’m asking for, just a clearer understanding of the personal journeys each kid went on and how they were changed for the better at the end of the series.

I also wanted more distinct costume changes to signify their journeys. As adorable as it looked, Neel wore the same overalls for the whole adventure. His space girlfriend should have given him like a poncho or a shawl or something, just to visualize their growth.

3. Loved Jod’s betrayal

I didn’t see it coming and I wasn’t sure if he would stick with it, but Jod Na Nawood was an awesome villain! He wonderfully rode the line of sly bastard, while still clearly coming to care a little bit about those kids. Not enough to get a full redemption arc at the end — which I wouldn’t have wanted — but enough so that he didn’t just kill them in that final showdown. I really liked that. I also liked how the show set up his betrayal. Every single adult the kids encountered said not to trust Jod, but they did, because they’re kids and they’re loyal like kids. And then when he gets what he wants, Jod betrays them in the treasure vault, and it was an awesome scene! Added an excellent amount of menace to the series. And the chance still existed before the end that he would fully embrace the kids against his pirate allies, but I’m glad he didn’t. Jod with a blue lightsaber was wonderfully threatening. And yet…yeah, you could tell he didn’t want to kill those kids. Great performance by Jude Law all around.

2. Needed an epilogue

Simple as that. The show ended too abruptly. The kids were reunited in the finale, Wim looked admiringly at some X-Wings and then credits. No thank you, especially if we never get a second season. They should have jumped ahead a week or so in time to show us at least a glimpse of what everybody gets up to now that At Attin is exposed to the rest of the universe. Show them integrating with the New Republic. Show Wim and the gang doing something cool. I dunno. That final episode could have just really used an epilogue.

1. Hope we see them all again!

I don’t have an actual article to cite, but I’m pretty sure I read somewhere that the kids are planned to return somewhere in the greater Mandoverse crossover. I also read somewhere that, when they do come back, enough time will have passed that the characters will match the ages of the actors. So that’s good! Both of those things are good! I would love a second season of Skeleton Crew, but in case we don’t get it, those kids can show up anywhere now. Keep those actors in the rolodex and bring them back for something. The Mandalorian and Grogu movie? Sure! The big crossover that comes after that? Absolutely! Let them help take down Thrawn. Whatever Star Wars decides, I really want to see this gang again. It would be an acceptable forced crossover, in my opinion.

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