The starship Onyx Cinder has finally reached its destination, and the young crew of the Skeleton Crew has faced their final test. In the climactic episode titled “The Real Good Guys,” the series co-creators Jon Watts and Christopher Ford, with Watts at the helm as director, deliver a thrilling conclusion to this coming-of-age adventure set in the vast expanse of the Star Wars galaxy.
Skeleton Crew
Picking up immediately after the events of the penultimate episode, the finale thrusts us back into the heart of the intrigue, with the enigmatic Jod (Jude Law), still masquerading as a Jedi Master, tightening his grip on the unsuspecting inhabitants of At Attin. Our young heroes – Wim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers), Neel (Robert Timothy Smith), Fern (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), and KB (Kyriana Kratter) – find themselves trapped in a web of deception, forced to watch as their parents, Fara (Kerry Condon) and Wendle (Tunde Adebimpe), fall prey to Jod’s manipulative charm.
Jod, ever the cunning manipulator, wastes no time in isolating the children, confining them to their quarters under the watchful eyes of the ever-present droids. His suspicions, particularly towards the quick-witted Fern, lead him to bring her along on his visit to the elusive Supervisor, accompanied by her mother, Fara.
Meanwhile, Wim finds himself in an awkward dinner with his father, Wendle, who remains blissfully unaware of the true danger lurking beneath the surface. Wim’s attempts to warn his father about Jod’s true nature are thwarted by the ever-vigilant droids, leaving Wendle with more questions than answers.
The tension escalates as Jod, Fern, and Fara ascend to the Supervisor’s chamber, only to find a desolate and eerie environment. The grand reveal of the Supervisor as a large, imposing droid (voiced by the incomparable Stephen Fry) evokes a sense of wonder and echoes the iconic moment in The Wizard of Oz when the true nature of the wizard is unveiled.
However, this moment of revelation quickly takes a dark turn as Jod’s true colors are exposed. His lightsaber ignites, piercing the Supervisor’s core, plunging At Attin into darkness, and revealing his sinister intentions.
With the arrival of Jod’s pirate frigate and the commencement of their attack on At Attin, Wim and Wendle find themselves caught in the crossfire. Neel and KB, ever resourceful, join forces with Wim and Wendle, embarking on a daring mission to seek help from the enigmatic pirate captain, Kh’ymm (Alia Shawkat), whom they had encountered earlier in their journey.
Their escape attempt leads them through treacherous terrain, pursued relentlessly by the ruthless pirate Vane (Marti Matulis) and his cohorts. Neel, separated from the group, stumbles upon a powerful turboblaster, mirroring his fascination with weaponry from his previous encounter with Hayna (Hala Finley) on At Achrann.
Back on the Onyx Cinder, Wim, KB, and Wendle face a new challenge: the ship is grounded by docking clamps, rendered useless without power. Wendle, with his Level 7 Systems Coordinator expertise, guides them towards a solution, while Fern, held captive by Jod, devises a plan to thwart the pirate’s schemes.
Jod’s grip on At Attin tightens as he broadcasts a message of domination, promising mercy to those who submit to his rule. However, Wim, in a moment of unexpected bravery, confronts Jod with a clever ruse, claiming to have summoned the New Republic B-Wings to their aid.
The deception buys precious time for Wendle to restore power to the docking clamps, allowing KB to pilot the Onyx Cinder into space. Neel, armed with the turboblaster, provides cover fire, while KB manages to send a distress signal to Kh’ymm, requesting assistance from the New Republic.
Jod, increasingly agitated by the children’s resilience, unleashes his frustration, leading to a chaotic confrontation. Fern’s attempt to disarm him with a stolen blaster further fuels his anger. Meanwhile, KB, unable to warn Kh’ymm about the Barrier surrounding At Attin, faces a perilous re-entry into the planet’s atmosphere.
The sight of the Onyx Cinder hurtling towards destruction triggers a wave of remorse in Jod, prompting him to reveal his tragic backstory. His tale of a lost childhood, a Jedi Master’s betrayal, and a life marred by hunger and desperation paints a picture of a man driven by survival and a thirst for wealth.
Jod’s vulnerability, however, does not deter Wendle from confronting him, leading to a physical altercation. In the ensuing chaos, Jod’s lightsaber falls into Wim’s hands, and a desperate struggle ensues. Wendle and Fara seize the opportunity to lower the Barrier, paving the way for the New Republic’s intervention.
As the New Republic forces engage the pirates, the children and their parents escape, leaving Jod to face his fate. The final moments of the episode are filled with both triumph and uncertainty. KB and SM-33 (Nick Frost) miraculously survive the crash of the Onyx Cinder, while Wim witnesses the New Republic’s victory, reminiscent of the iconic broom boy scene in The Last Jedi.
The “Skeleton Crew” finale delivers a powerful and emotionally resonant conclusion to the series. The episode masterfully blends action, suspense, and character development, leaving the audience with a sense of closure while also hinting at the possibility of future adventures.
The series as a whole has proven to be a worthy addition to the Star Wars universe, capturing the spirit of George Lucas’s original vision while also exploring new and exciting territory. Despite facing challenges in the Nielsen ratings, “Skeleton Crew” has garnered critical acclaim for its storytelling, character development, and stunning visuals.
While the future of the series remains uncertain, the finale leaves the door open for further exploration of these characters and their journeys. Whether or not Disney greenlights a second season, “Skeleton Crew” has undoubtedly left its mark on the Star Wars galaxy.
