Star Wars Skeleton Crew Episode 5: Breakdown and Easter Eggs

Adrian by Adrian|

After finding a deceivingly dangerous planet, the kids learn a lesson about being a real pirate and what this could mean for them and their planet. The fifth episode of Skeleton Crew shows the true colors of Jod Na Nawood.

No one escapes bureaucracy

I feel so bad about the kid’s parents. The system that they have served for their entire lives has turned its back on them and ignored any of their requests for help. This has forced them to do things out of the law but their efforts are almost a joke.

With those robots always watching, it’s nearly impossible for Wim’s father to do anything. His lack of experience is surely a disadvantage, but the fact that everything is being monitored 24/7 makes it a lot more difficult.

Wims father breaking into the console
Wim’s father gets caught after breaking into the console

Luckily, with Fara in a supervising position, they have more room to try things and even make mistakes but it’s only a matter of time before someone above her starts noticing that something’s happening.

With each day, the kids get closer to home but this also comes with dangers that are getting exponentially worse. Pirates, bounty hunters, and who knows what else is coming after the kids. Being from a planet of eternal treasure is one good way to draw attention from all types of scum and villainy.

It’s been made very clear that the so-called supervisor has no intentions of helping the parents, but Fara still wants to use the “proper channels” to try to find a solution. When this doesn’t work, they will have no choice but to take desperate measures.

They might be bureaucrats themselves but there is nothing more determined than a parent wanting to find a missing child. I’m curious how far they are willing to go to find their kids, and most importantly, how far the Supervisor will go to prevent anyone from leaving the planet.

Slow character building

It saddens me to say that Wim has become an annoyance. He doesn’t provide anything of importance to the series compared to any of the other characters. The trailer showed him as a daydreamer who’s always wondering about what’s out there in the galaxy.

The moment he faced something dangerous, Wim started trembling in fear. That is more than understandable, he is just a small kid with no real grasp of the horrors that happen in the galaxy but so are Fern, Neel, and KB. His three companions have proved to be smarter, braver, and far more appealing.

Jod comforts Wim
Jod comforts Wim

I’m frustrated that Wim continues to be the little annoying kid who’s more of a burden than anything. He did find the Onyx Cinder, which is what began this entire adventure, and his credits have saved them more than a couple of times but other than that he has not contributed anything to the cause.

We still have three episodes left so there’s plenty of time for Wim to have his moment. The only thing that I want is for it to be “real”.

He doesn’t have to save everyone from a villain, use the Force, or anything crazy. Just a scene where it’s shown that he is growing up and someone different from the kid who we’ve seen in the first half of the series.

A man of many names

Jod Na Nawood, Crimson Jack, Captain Silvo, and now Dash Zentin. It’s facade after facade with whoever this man is. Someone who has put that effort into creating so many identities must have many reasons for it. I can’t imagine how many people he has double-crossed in order to give a new name every time he is involved with someone.

Pokkit meets Dash Zentin
Pokkit meets Dash Zentin

I would dare to say that Jod is heavily inspired by Jack Sparrow. He is charismatic, force-sensitive, betrays everyone, isn’t good or bad just for the sake of it, and has an impressive number of enemies.

Saying that Jod is unique would be an understatement. He’s what has kept the entire series interesting for me. As funny and goofy as the kids can be, that’s not enough to keep me entertained. But with Jod in the picture, every new episode comes with a bunch of questions and a few answers to already existing questions.

Despite his betrayal of the kids, I still believe that it’s likely that by the end of the series, he will be a trusted friend. If not friends, at least they would have to end on good terms.

Jod learns about the treasure
Jod learns about the treasure

But in order for this to happen, he will have to choose the kids over any eternal treasure. Maybe the kids will actually save him from a fierce enemy and he will repay with his loyalty. Similar to how Life Debts are given by the Wookiees.

This might be a big stretch, but for someone with the record of Jod, I don’t see many other ways in which it happens.

The pirate’s way

For how ruthless and untrusty they are, pirates still follow a code. I don’t know if this is historically accurate or if it’s an invention of modern media. Nonetheless, SM-33 is a strict follower of the code, and when Jod defied Fern for the position he was unable to do anything.

You can tell that Fern was both shocked and frightened about the idea of having to fight to the death with Jod for the position of captain. I’m glad that Jod didn’t hurt Fern and while I dislike what he did, I also understand the reason behind it.

Fern is defied by Jod
Fern is challenged by Jod

He wants to get rich no matter what, as a pirate, that is probably the one and only goal that truly matters to him. Following the ideas and orders of the kids would make everything slower and probably decrease the odds of success.

This is probably the best reminder that Jod’s biggest priority is to find the big treasure and not the well-being of the kids. At least for now. I am curious to see how things go with him as a captain. With all his charisma, experience, and luck, he still has a pretty consistent record of things going badly.

His crew removed him from duty, he probably has zero trusty allies, and with the kids now being prisoners the New Republic could escalate things when they find him.

I say when and not if because a scene of the launch trailer shows X-Wings surrounding the landing pad on Lanupa where the Onyx Cinder and the pirate’s ships are stationed.

X-Wings arriving at Lanupa
X-Wings arriving at Lanupa

Aside from the scene I just mentioned, there are just a few more that have not appeared in the series. None of them show anything that gives us any information that reveals anything important about the upcoming episodes so from now on we’re in the dark.

Final thoughts

This is probably my favorite episode so far. The story never felt slow, and we got to see many plots develop simultaneously. Many secondary characters have appeared throughout the series but most of them didn’t have much importance.

With the increasing involvement of bounty hunters and pirates, this is turning into something with real stakes for Wim, KB, Neel, and Fern. It’s no longer about just returning home, but actual survival.

It was nice to have an episode that lasted forty minutes. There are only three episodes left so hopefully this becomes a trend for what remains of the series.

The next episode’s director is none other than Bryce Dallas Howard so it’s safe to assume that is going to be one of the best episodes. I’m really excited about it!

Easter eggs and references

The mighty Cthulhu

Cthallops is a reference to the cosmic entity Cthulhu. This creature was created by H.P. Lovecraft. It is often depicted as a massive, greenish figure with a head that resembles a giant octopus.

A still from the show, showing Cthallops
Cthulhu art
Cthulhu image from Lovercraft Wiki

Professor Gorelox from Scipio?

The reason why the guards didn’t believe Jod’s lie is because Scipio is the homeworld of the Munn species. The same people who happened to be vacationing at the spa.

Munns are thin, tall, and pale. For reference, Darth Plagueis and the representative of the Banking Clan that appears in Attack of the Clones are both Munn.

Vacationing Munns
Vacationing Munns
Representative of the Banking Clan during Attack of the Clones

Banking is forever

Speaking of Munns. The fact that we see them still representing the Banking Clan shows that no matter who is in charge; Galactic Republic, Galactic Empire, or New Republic. they have persisted through time

This is a really good example of how truly resourceful people can outlive even the most powerful governments.

A brave bounty hunter

Pokkit, the pale bounty hunter is played by Kelly MacDonald. She is the actress who gave voice to Merida from Brave.

Merida Brave

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Episode Breakdowns and Easter eggs

Our breakdowns for each episode of the series includes deep analysis, references and explanations to other related events in the Star Wars timeline and all events that affect the characters and the plot of the series. We also have a section with easter eggs at the end of each article.

Adrian

Adrian

Studied psychology at his state University. The first game that left him speechless was Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Star Wars is his favorite franchise, but LOTR is right under it. He also loves music, particularly guitar and all the related gear to it.
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

We respect your privacy. Your email address will never be shared or sold.