Skeleton Crew’s finale finishes things in an abrupt way. The journey of Neel, Wim, Fern, KB, Jod, and SM-33 comes to an end with a few questions answered while many others remain open.
Is Jod an evil person
The end of Episode 7 set the tone for a dark and intense final episode. Jod killed Brutus and regained the leadership of the pirates while also eliminating SM-33 and temporarily taking the kids as prisoners. It really seemed like he embraced the entire villain role.
However, that changed during this final episode. His threats were believable, but Jod hesitated to do anything when he was defied multiple times.
Obviously, I do not want him to pull an Anakin Skywalker with the kids or their parents, but it removed all the darkness that was slowly achieved throughout all the previous episodes.
Jod’s greed is his main driving force. Everything he has done so far is to achieve the goal of claiming the ultimate price in the galaxy. He might not be the smartest or skilled individual out there but that hasn’t stopped him from getting so far.
But right at the moment when stakes are at their highest, he doesn’t even think about stunning any of the other people in the room. This would not be an issue for me if the series showed how the kids slowly changed their perspective but that is definitely not the case.
Characters are rarely black or white. There are many elements that define what makes them “good” or “bad”. Skeleton Crew didn’t give us a lot regarding Jod’s story other than the traumatic moment he had when the Jedi that found him was killed.
If they were not going to explore him further, it was more than possible to give him a really dark turn. Maybe doing so would remove the attention from the kids and that’s why they refrained from making Jod do something more than just threatening the kids and their parents.
It might be justified by some limitations that are unknown to me but I really wanted to see Jod go full villain mode. Imagine how interesting that could have been!
What a crappy supervisor
I can’t express how disappointing it was to see that the supervisor was nothing but a huge droid. It was the most logical choice to have a droid be the keeper of At Attin, especially if we consider how many times happened since the last time anyone from the outside made contact.
But even if it is “just a droid”, they could have done a better job at making it look less incompetent. This droid is the first and last line of defense of one of the most important planets in galactic history and the only protection it has is a small group of harmless security droids.
The worst thing is that it already knew Jod was lying and it still let him inside the main control room without taking any type of precautions. No wonder why the other similar planets to At Attin ceased to exist.
No emergency or backup system at all. The moment anyone with bad intentions walks past the door it’s over for the poor population. Imagine if the supervisor was guarded by a bunch of older HK assassin droids. That would actually reflect the importance of the Supervisor’s safety.
Instead, it’s in the middle of the room with the security droids very far from it and its eye socket completely exposed to an intruder it already knows to be armed.
Droids aren’t known for their self-preservation protocols, but this was a next level of negligence. It’s probably not a big deal, but I really thought that the Great Work and the people of At Attin would be protected by someone or something competent.
Calling the cavalry
This part of the episode felt like the quest of an old video game. Using the speeders to travel through the city, then inside the forest while avoiding the shots from the pirate ship. It’s not the biggest action sequence ever seen but I had so much fun watching it.
I liked that Wim and his dad bonded while all of this happened, from jumping the cliff to combining efforts to distract Jod, eventually allowing KB to take off. Their relationship is complicated, but these events will bring them closer than ever.
Neel didn’t do much but his little moment shooting the turbo laser was more than enough for me.
KB really outdid herself by flying all the way to the atmosphere and sending the message. Even if I was almost certain that no one would die on this show, the crashing ship made me feel really nervous.
This is probably the first and only time in the series that I consider the possibility of losing a member but thankfully both her and SM-33 survived the crash.
The cherry on top is definitely the small fleet of High Republic ships obliterating the pirate cruiser. X-Wings and B-Wings are my favorite Rebel Alliance/New Republic ships, and it was awesome to see them in action, even if it only lasted a few seconds.
The power of friendship
This final episode really highlights how everyone has changed since the first episode. They are scared to death, but they are not paralyzed by fear or panicking at all.
Even if their adventure lasted for just a few days, that was more than enough to change everything inside them. The way they think, how to approach dangerous situations, and how much they care for each other.
It’s easy to get paralyzed by danger when you are only looking after yourself but it’s a different story when the lives of your friends are at risk. Their fair share of experience with pirates and other dangers has turned the frightful kids into brave adventurers who can come up with a good plan by themselves.
That’s nothing surprising by itself in a Star Wars show but these are very young kids who have no previous training, experience, or the Force as their ally. My favorite part of this episode was seeing each kid doing their part of the plan.
KB takes the prize for the most outstanding one. She has proven to be the most resourceful and independent one. From repairing things to flying a starship on her own and even landing it in dire circumstances.
Fern is a natural-born leader. Because of her older age she also became the leader who the other three look up to. If things get bad, they know her plan is probably the best one. Not only that, I think that by the end of the series she also gained that confidence that was lacking during most of the series.
Neel is without a doubt the Samwise Gamgee of the group. He might not be the smartest, most confident, or bravest of them but that is never an impediment for him to do the right thing. Like the Star of Elendil, he will shine when every other light has faded.
Wim has finally learned that being the hero isn’t about having powers or playing brave in a decisive moment. Sometimes, true heroism is as simple as taking care of those around you. He is the only character who is frustrated and while I still think that he has more potential, I’m OK with the changes in his character.
Repeating other series’ mistakes
Duration and pace are two elements that Star Wars’ series often struggle to balance, and Skeleton Crew is no exception. With the exception of the first season of Andor, every other series had a season finale that I consider rushed. Both animated and live-action series.
I felt that everything was going so smoothly with the pretty much all previous episodes, which is already a rare thing. With an average duration of a little over thirty minutes, it is rare for me to feel this way, especially when there is only eight episodes in total.
That was until this episode released. I firmly believe that an extra ten or fifteen minutes would have made it a lot better. It was fun to see the pirates taking over, the kids calling for help, and when the New Republic blasted those pirates. But we don’t know what happened to Jod.
Imagine watching him being escorted aboard a New Republic cruiser while Mon Monthma arrives at At Attin. Everything is being connected in the recent series.
With the importance of At Attin to the New Republic it would have been a nice touch to tie it to the second season of Ahsoka and the upcoming Mandalorian movie.
Even if there are no plans for a new season, a final scene with the kids and their parents or a small epilogue would have been nice. What’s going to happen to the people of At Attin now that the Great Work is no more? Are these events going to be reflected in future shows?
There are so many possible implications and it’s a little frustrating that this time we don’t even get a small hint. Probably because not even the showrunners know if there will be an actual second season but there are still better ways to end a season/series.
Final thoughts
As you might have noticed, this last episode brought me mixed feelings. Some things were fantastic while others left me wondering “That’s it?!”. As much as I enjoyed the entire show, this final episode was a bit of a letdown for something that had huge potential to be a fantastic ending.
It’s been a few days and I am still trying to think of reasons why they decided to end it so abruptly. Leaving things open is a safe choice when you’re not sure if the show will be renewed, which is probably the case.
Regardless, I still think that the season finale was OK. It could have been amazing or very good but it’s hard to be consistent when there are so many writers and directors involved.
Who knows, maybe most people think it’s incredible and I’m being too nitpicky about a few things but that’s just how I feel.
If there are plans for these characters to appear in the future, I’d really like to see the older version of the kids.
Fern with a leadership role in the New Republic. KB as the head of intelligence. Neel as a politician, one of the few who really care about the people. Last but not least, I really see Wim as a pilot exploring all corners of the galaxy.
Easter eggs and references
Prototye B-Wing fighters
The B-Wings in this episode shoot a concentrated laser fire. This weapon was a prototype that first appeared in Star Wars Rebels and it looks like the New Republic has implemented it on their standard B-Wing fighters.
E.T.
They might not be carrying an alien species in a silly disguise but the hoverbikes jumping over the cliff is a nod to the similar scene in E.T.
HAL 9000
The Supervisor’s design and purpose are very similar to HAL 9000, the AI robot and main antagonist of the 1968 classic film Space Odyssey.
Did Palpatine know?
Despite being isolated, At Attin still received the message about the Jedi’s “treason”. It’s unclear when this happened but it really makes you wonder if Palpatine knew about At Attin.
Jod’s Master
It appears that the scene where Jod’s master is killed during Order 66 was actually filmed. Actress Yasmine Al Massri shared an Instagram post where she is seen wearing a Jedi Robe and preparing for it. She talks briefly about the scene not making it into the final cut but still being grateful about it.
This was the shortest acting job I have done but the most meaningful to the child in me.. playing a Jedi for one scene in Skeleton Crew.. I gave a speech when the crew wrapped me on set saying : you just created the first Arab female Jedi.. thank you.. the scene unfortunately Didn’t make it to the finale cut bc these things happen.. but I can not not share my experience and feelings.. even Liam rehearsed that scene with me and I got to brag about it with his friends which got me coolest mom respect for a moment
YAsmine Al Massri on Instagram
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.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Episodes 1 and 2: Breakdown and Easter Eggs
Skeleton Crew just aired its first two episodes and it’s everything you didn’t know you needed. A fun, entertaining show for all types of fans!
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Episode 3 Breakdown and Easter Eggs
The third episode of Skeleton Crew continues the story of Whim, Fern, Neel, Kb, SM-33, and Jod. While a few questions are answered but mysteries arise as the kids try to return home.
Star Wars Skeleton Crew Episode 4: Breakdown and Easter Eggs
The fourth episode of Skeleton Crew marks the first half of the series. Jod, KB, Fern, Whim, and Neel land on a mysterious planet full of ruins that looks like At Attin, but isn’t.
Star Wars Skeleton Crew Episode 5: Breakdown and Easter Eggs
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.
Star Wars Skeleton Crew Episode 6: Breakdown and Easter Eggs
Jod's treason left Wim, Neel, KB, and Fern on their own. In the sixth episode of Skeleton Crew, our favorite group of kids must think of a way to return to At Attin while also dealing with their personal differences.
Star Wars Skeleton Crew Episode 7: Breakdown and Easter Eggs
The seventh episode of Skeleton Crew took a really dark turn when Jod realized what he could find on At Attin. Glory and riches are at the tip of his hand and nothing will stop him from taking them.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Easter Eggs and References
Easter Eggs and references found in each episode of the TV series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew: cameos, hidden details, hints, and references.
