Star Wars: The Skeleton Crew – Episode 3 Recap & Review

Very Interesting

Episode 3 of Skeleton Crew begins with the parents gathered and worried. With the kids gone, they learn from the Safety Droid that because they’re outside the Safety Barrier, the Supervisor can’t risk any contact with the ship. It would appear that right now, the kids are on their own.

Speaking of which, it turns out Jod Na Nawood is helping the kids here for a simple reason. He could have escaped at any time, yes, but he doesn’t have a ship so why would be go? Anyway, now that he does have a ride, he works with the kids to get them out.

Fern doesn’t trust him and believes this is the wrong move, but begrudgingly joins them all the same, as they walk casually through the market. After all, it’s easier to blend in with the locals than to walk through empty corridors. They make it back to the ship quickly but that’d way too simple.

The kids want SM-33 back and given Na Nawood’s a Jedi and the code means they don’t leave anybody behind, it’s on him to get the guy back. The trouble is, the place is abuzz right now with the jailbreak. Still, Na Nawood makes it into the chamber and grabs the droid. Unfortunately, things don’t go to plan.

An old “friend” Benjar Prenic is there, and he decides they should call in Captain Brutus and the guards. This prompts a big ol’ chase but our Jedi makes it into the ship with the droid ahead of the Captain and the others, who are smashed into and knocked down.

With the attention all on them, the Jedi and the kids try to snap the cable holding them back. Cannons are locked on their position, and they decide to push into hyperdrive, which does the trick. The cable whips back, smacks into the pirate bay and causes big damage. Captain Brutus is not happy though and decides they should follow.

On the ship, Jod takes an interest in the kids being from At Attin, but of course SM-33 doesn’t know where that is and he’s not really much help here. It’s been a long day though and after some food, the kids sleep. Well, except KB, who has done the calculations and isn’t sure that Jod really is a Jedi.

Regardless, Jod shows up at his friend’s moon, intent on getting them a ride home. Or, well, at least the directions anyway. The trouble is, he doesn’t fully trust her and warns the kids that she may stab them in the back if they’re not careful.

The group arrive to see Kh’ymm, who refers to our captain as “Crimson Jack” before letting him in as he promises “something special”. She has maps of every star in the galaxy, along with hyperspace routes between them too. It turns out At Attin has been scrubbed from the archives and right now, there is no route back. There is a scroll though, which depicts the Jewels of the Old Republic, but right now, the only thing to do is describe the topography of the planet and the surrounding star system.

Kh’ymm works her magic and manages to narrow down the location. However, she stalls for time and ends up calling in the rebels. She warns the kids that Na Nawood just wants their treasure but after a bit of a scuffle, and blasting the computer, Jod manages to get the coordinates and they rush out.

Just before they leave, KB speaks to Kh’ymm, who encourages her to call at any time. Outside the ship, Na Nawood admits that he’s not actually a Jedi, but he does agree to get them home given there could be a prize for doing so. On the ship, with X-Wings after them, Neel ends up flying while the others are on cannon duties.

With everyone working together, they eventually make the jump to Hyperspace and lose their pursuers.

The Episode Review

So Skeleton Crew returns this week with a slightly improved episode, one that leans into the adventure and adds in a dash of humour for good measure. The tone in this has been the strongest part and now we’re starting to get some answers to what’s going on. The mystery surrounding Jod is surprisingly intriguing, and the practical effects in this definitely help to sell the story.

However, we don’t have much context around Na Nawood’s past which will hopefully be fleshed out later on in the show. Furthermore, the series has kinda side-lined Wim completely, despite the first two episodes showing him as the focal point of the show.

Of course, this is very much a series designed for a young audience and after a slightly lackluster opening couple of chapters, this one definitely feels much more consistent. Hopefully things will pick up from here, and whether the kids actually have the right coordinates or not, is up for debate. We’ll find out next week!