You Can Never Go Home
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew 1.1 “This Could Be a Real Adventure”
So, I do have an issue with this show right from the start. I get it, this is an MG show, and they want the home planet of the kids to be relatable.
I am finding an American car suburb run by Weylan-Yutani a little too relatable. It’s so familiar it just feels like lazy worldbuilding.
I mean, I would want off thatg rock too. Also, it appears to be a forcefield dome colony. These poor kids haven’t seen stars.
It also relies on ye olde “Kids playing in a field find” trope, which doesn’t bother me, but I know people who hate that one as much as I hate it was all a dream.
I did not, however, have a problem with the years-buried ship being perfectly functional. One of the things about the Star Wars universe is that there’s a culture of building things to last, building things to be easily repaired. Even on Coruscant, that’s how things are.
That’s the part of the Star Wars universe I most want to steal, okay?
I like the characters. They’re younger than I find easy to relate to at this time of my life, but they’re a fun bunch of kids.
I both dislike and feel sorry for Wim’s dad.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew 1.2 “Way, Way Out Past the Barrier”
The plot thickens. Apparently people think At Attin is a treasure planet. And by people, we mean pirates. After Fern convinces the ship’s droid that she’s the new captain, they go to the pirate base to get parts, supplies, and directions home. (The droid was dormant so doesn’t have any information).
Now everyone wants a piece of these kids. Including the “Jedi” in the brig. I don’t buy that he’s an actual Jedi. Force user, yes. Actual Jedi? Probably not. At the same time…these kids could use some adult help that isn’t a malfunctioning battle droid.
(Also, I’m pretty sure At Attin is even more totalitarian. Why does Wim have Old Republic credits that were apparently minted there?)
This is getting kinda fun, and also some of the aliens are cute.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew 1.3 “Very Interesting, As An Astrogation Problem”
I love the owl alien with the cluttered library. It’s ridiculous, but I love her.
How did Crimson Jack fake force powers? Or does he have minor training? Is he an ex Jedi? He hasn’t said he isn’t a Jedi either.
Theory: At Attin is a Republic science station. They’re so cut off they don’t know the Old Republic is gone. Poor kids.
The barrier is a nebula. Huh.
So, what exactly are they studying? The kids don’t even know…and I suspect it’s going to turn out to be something very dangerous.
The owl’s right. He can’t be trusted.
But…what choice do they have?
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew 1.4 “Can’t Say I Remember No At Attin”
There’s no time travel in Star Wars.
So, this has to be an identical settlement that collapsed a while back. And is now run by ruling tribes…who also seem to think there’s still a Republic.
The coordinates to At Attin should be in the Supervisor’s Tower. They aren’t…because, welp, the droid’s old boss made him scratch them out.
He even attacks the kids when pushed.
It’s all about the mythical treasure. Or maybe not-so-mythical.
What are they researching on At Attin? We don’t know, and maybe it will turn out to be a treasure indeed.
In the mean time, I can’t imagine spraining one’s trunk. Ow.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew 1.5 “You Have A Lot To Learn About Pirates”
I’m an idiot.
Of course At Attin is a mint. What else would you protect so thoroughly? Should have realized.
And Crimson Jack is more and more clearly a failed Jedi…and thanks for giving him a lightsaber, Wim.
But the temptation of a mint was just too great for him. He didn’t even want to hurt the kids.
He was even still going to take them home. Sort of.
There’s three episodes left and they have to get their ship (and droid) back. The poor droid, of course, has to follow orders.
Insert rant about droid slavery here.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew 1.6 “Zero Friends Again”
Fern and KB are fighting.
There’s a bit of an after school special feel to this one, because it gets slightly preachy about ableism.
Fern needs to remember not everyone can do things the way she can and that just because KB has cybernetic augmentation, that doesn’t mean she’s not disabled. Because she is disabled, and she hasn’t had maintenance, and Wim has to put her back together.
She also expects Neel, the elephant, to be able to climb. He does climb better than actual elephants, but he can’t climb like a human…his species was likely never arboreal.
We also find out the ship isn’t a piece of junk and the emergency hull demolition button blows off the outer disguise to reveal a nice, sleek corsair underneath.
I like that ship!
Fun episode but, like I said, a bit after school special-y.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew 1.7 “We’re Going To Be In So Much Trouble”
Yes, kids, yes you are.
So, it’s not a pirate corsair, it’s a mint courier, stolen from one of the other mint planets. Brilliant.
Crimson Jack is now showing his true colors; he was definitely the bad guy all along, but I think we knew that.
However, he’s having issues with officious droids and the Supervisor (which I am 99% certain is a static AI). Not to mention the kids’ parents.
He’s not going to be able to deal with this on his own…or is he? As he mentioned, the kids are sheltered.
So are the grownups.
These people don’t know how to handle evil. They don’t know what it is.
Except the kids.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew 1.8 “The Real Good Guys”
Called it. The Supervisor is, indeed, an AI. To fit the Star Wars aesthetic, they’re giant droid, but I’m still going to say static AI because they definitely aren’t moving.
Including to defend themselves. The moment Crimson Jack killed the supervisor I knew for sure At Attin was doomed.
Not doomed in the sense of going to be destroyed, but doomed in the sense of their way of life is over. Thanks to those kids…although they obviously didn’t do it on purpose.
(Ironically, the last communication the Supervisor received was Order 66).
We end the show with the barrier down, the Supervisor destroyed, and the people of At Attin now having to face a changed galaxy. They can’t pretend the outside galaxy no longer exists.
They’re going to have to find a purpose other than churning out old republic credits. Of course, they’re also rich, so…
Maybe At Attin will make a very nice resort planet?
Will there be any follow up to this? I’m interested in what happens next, but also reasonably satisfied with this ending. It will do.