Ryan Shoots First: Skeleton Crew (S1 Ep3) “Very Interesting, As An Astrogration Problem”
I can’t tell you how refreshing it was last week to see generally universal enjoyment for something from Star Wars. Even the most grift farm of YouTubers and their fanbases couldn’t deny how much of a fun adventure Skeleton Crew was. This week saw the premiere of the third episode which was seen by those who went to the theatre premieres last week so some of this isn’t new, but man did it push everything further and build on the strength of the first two episodes.
One of the key aspects of Coming of Age, Adventure stories is the kids have to be highly competent, almost to the point where the adults, specifically their parents, are all dumb by comparison. Goonies, Stranger Things, take your pick, if the kids are stupid the whole game is ruined. Skeleton Crew this week did a great job of showing the kids as competent foils for Jude Laws character and even though they have grown up in isolation a kid’s world really is never much bigger than their home town so much of that street smarts is still there. KB and Fern specifically show that they are instantly on to Jod’s lies but that isn’t the end of it. They are constantly trying to expose him and laying traps for him to fall into. It’s not just dialogue saying “Hey look we’re smart kids” they show it in their decision-making and their reasoning of the situation. The show only works if the kids work and they continue to nail that dynamic. Even Wim who is maybe the most naive is also the one filled with wonder and adventure so it isn’t that he is stupid he is just blinded by his thirst for adventure and hero worship.
Back at home, I cannot remember a genre piece like this one where the mystery back at home is just as interesting. Usually whatever is happening with the parents or back at home is a low B plot at best and just serves to keep the parents busy to answer the question of “why can’t they find their kids”. In SC, however, this is just as much a key to the plot. This whole planet is frozen in time removed from the larger galaxy, they are unaware of the Empire, or really any events since the OG republic. Who is the Supervisor? Do they know? What is “The Great Work”? We may have some theories from the lore but this is a massive mystery that is tied hand in hand to what the kids are going through and that is a cool unique dynamic to have in a show like this. When we cut to the parents it is not throw away content, I found myself paying close attention to those scenes to try and figure out as much as I could about this planet and what is going on. So with a new status quoe set on the ship and the power dynamics slightly even with Jod, it will be interesting to see how that plays out as now every Bounty Hunter in the galaxy is on their tail and they aren’t even sure where or what home is.
Observations
- It’s such a twist to make the story back at home such a mystery
- That mural is interesting
- This girl is smart.
- Oh Neel
- Hahaha best droid voice ever.
- I love this droid shop
- The music is great here.
- That was cool seeing what happens to bounce back from hyperspace
- Aww Neel hungry
- So many questions!
- That owl is a cool character
- Big moment for the kids to pretty much piece it together that quick.
- That kid is living his dream
- What a fun show.
