At times, the latest Disney+ streaming series, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, feels like a grand family adventure. The story is fun, the special effects are spectacular, and the series doesn’t take itself too seriously. However, the show feels so heavily invested in marketing toward children that it doesn’t seem like it belongs in the world of The Mandalorian or The Book of Boba Fett.
However, the pilot is engaging, with a wonderful opening sequence that is an adolescent homage to the original film’s opening. You will also notice a lack of star power in the first episode. Stars Jude Law and Kerry Condon are noticeably absent from their much-publicized roles. Still, the solid first chapter paves the way for a family-friendly series from start to finish.
Spolier alert: This article contains significant information about tonight's episode.
Watch the trailer here -STAR WARS :Skeleton Crew
The episode kicks off in the most unexpected way—not with Jedi, Sith, or starship battles, but on the quiet little planet of At Attin. It’s a place so ordinary you’d expect kids to spend their time doing homework instead of discovering starships. But right away, we meet the crew: Wim, Fern, KB, and Neel. They’re not heroes, not yet, anyway, but they’re just as cool. Wim is the ultimate Star Wars fanboy, always ready with facts about Jedi and Clone Wars ships. Fern is tough as nails and the boss of their little squad, though she’d never admit how much she cares. KB is the genius with wires and gadgets, and Neel is the heart of the group, quiet but always observing.
At Attin feels so normal it’s hard to believe we’re still in the Star Wars galaxy, but that’s what makes it awesome. It’s the kind of place where big dreams seem far away—until someone finds a hidden starship. Enter Wim, who stumbles across what is basically the greatest treasure in Star Wars history (to him, at least): an ancient, rusted starship hidden under vines in the middle of nowhere. It’s like a scene straight out of The Goonies, but in space!
Wim is the series’ main character, played by Encanto’s Ravi Cabot-Conyers. The adolescent child always has his head in the clouds, wanting to leave his “boring” home for a grand adventure. In the show, after missing his ride to school, Wim takes a shortcut through a ravine and stumbles upon what he thinks is an ancient Jedi temple.
He tells his best bud, Neel, played by Robert Timothy Smith, an alien youngling who looks like an adorable miniature Snuffleupagus, that Disney will market this holiday season. Of course, before they can visit again, Wim’s father, Wendle (Tunde Adebimpe), is called, and he is not happy with his son’s penchant for blowing off school. Of course, he doesn’t believe Wim’s story.
Fern is Wim’s classmate, and he overhears him telling his father he found an ancient Jedi temple while in the principal’s office. Ryan Kiera Armstrong (Firestarter) plays the character. It becomes evident from how the series has Fern act that she is the breakout character, acting like a tiny Han Solo.
When Wim and Neel return to the woods, Fern and her friend KB (Kyriana Kratter) have already located it. Together, they begin to dig out the temple, with Fern hoping to strip whatever piece of metal junk it is for parts. However, they find so much more than they could have ever imagined.
If there’s one rule in Star Wars, it’s that you never touch a mysterious button unless you’re ready for adventure—or chaos. Naturally, Wim ignores this and starts flipping switches and pushing every glowing button he can find. Fern yells, “Stop touching stuff!” but it’s already too late. The ship roars to life, shaking and sputtering like it’s been asleep for centuries. KB tries to figure out what’s happening, muttering, “This thing is older than my grandparents,” while Neel just clings to a wall, looking like he might faint.
And then it happens. The engines roar, the floor shakes, and suddenly, the ship is airborne. The kids scream, laugh, and panic all at once as they realize they’ve just taken off in a flying deathtrap. Fern is shouting for everyone to hold on, KB is frantically pressing buttons to stabilize the controls, and Wim looks like he’s living his dream. “We’re FLYING!” he shouts, and for a moment, you feel like you’re right there with them.
The second they break through the atmosphere, everything changes. The chaos fades, and the kids see the stars for the first time—not as tiny dots in the sky, but as a massive, glittering ocean of light stretching forever. It’s the kind of moment Star Wars does best, where you feel small but also connected to something huge and beautiful. Wim, who’s been dreaming of this his whole life, whispers, “We’re in space,” like it’s the most magical thing ever. Even Fern, who always has something sarcastic to say, just stares silently, her tough exterior melting for a moment.
The visuals here are breathtaking, with the soft glow of the stars reflecting on the kids’ awestruck faces. It’s not just a cool scene; it’s a reminder of why Star Wars matters. It’s about discovery, wonder, and realizing that the galaxy is so much bigger than you ever imagined.
Just when you think the kids are going to enjoy their magical space moment, reality hits them hard—pirates. A massive, beat-up pirate ship appears, locking onto their tiny, rusty vessel. These pirates aren’t the lovable rogues like Han Solo; they’re mean, scrappy, and ready to take whatever they want. Their leader, Grax, is a grizzled Rodian who sneers, “Kids shouldn’t play with grown-up toys.” The kids panic, and rightly so.
Fern takes charge, yelling at KB to find the weapons system while Wim freaks out and starts mashing buttons again. “Don’t touch anything!” Fern shouts, but Wim argues, “What if one of these buttons saves us?!” It’s a classic Star Wars moment: equal parts danger and hilarity.
My sneaking suspicion is that the man leading the raid may be Jude Law’s Jod Na Nawood. (Unless this is a new character or one from a previous brand I am unaware of.) We never see Law in the opening episode, which raises my suspicions. Shortly after the failed robbery, the masked man is attacked and dragged off, leading them on a failed mission.
The character that initiates the overthrow is a wolf-like creature, a race known as the “Shistavanen.” We see the character later, and this is interesting is that we haven’t seen a Shistavanen since The Clone Wars animated series. The race was only seen in the original Star Wars film. However, the character was cut from the 1997 special edition and other versions
In what can only be described as the luckiest accident in Star Wars history, the kids manage to fire a blaster turret. The shots are wild and completely uncoordinated, but somehow, they hit something important on the pirates’ ship, forcing them to pull back. It’s not exactly a heroic victory, but it’s enough to let the kids escape. Fern mutters, “We’re alive. That’s what matters,” while Wim, ever the optimist, grins and says, “I think we’re rebels now.”
After the excitement dies down, the kids are left with a sobering realization: they’re completely alone in space. Their ship is barely functional, they have no idea where they are, and the galaxy suddenly feels a lot scarier than it did a few minutes ago. The cockpit is quiet as they stare out at the stars, the weight of their situation sinking in. Wim breaks the silence with a nervous laugh. “So… what’s the plan?” Fern glares at him. “The plan is not dying.”
The episode ends with a stunning shot of their tiny ship drifting through the vastness of space, a single speck in a galaxy filled with infinite possibilities—and infinite dangers. It’s haunting and beautiful, leaving you desperate to see what happens next.
Episode 1 of Skeleton Crew isn’t just a great start—it’s the kind of Star Wars story that reminds you why you fell in love with this galaxy in the first place. It’s about adventure, friendship, and stepping into the unknown with nothing but hope and determination. The kids are funny, relatable, and impossible not to root for, and the mix of humor, heart, and high-stakes danger is pure Star Wars magic.
The pilot of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew ends with an unexpected twist! Wim finds not a lost Jedi temple but a galactic pirate ship! When Wim pushes a flashing green button, the ship powers on, and they try to escape out of the hatch. However, that’s when Wendle, out looking for his son, sees them on the ship as it rises into the air above the ground below.
Wim almost falls off the ship after it shifts. Fern, KB, and Neel save him, pulling him back through the hatch. The ship takes off, and Wendle is helpless to watch. As the ship leaves its planet and enters the atmosphere, it takes in the stars, but the vessel also enters hyperspace before the episode ends.
The first three episodes of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew were made available to critics. You can stream Star Wars: Skeleton Crew starting only Disney+ on December 2nd
As Wim might say: “We’re just getting started!” And honestly, I can’t wait to see where this story takes us.
The excitement of escaping pirates in Episode 1 is short-lived. Episode 2 opens with the kids’ stolen ship caught in a tractor beam and hauled onto a pirate mothership. It’s a gut-punch reminder that space isn’t just exciting—it’s dangerous. The mothership is a patchwork monstrosity of mismatched parts and flickering lights, the kind of place where even the walls seem to be plotting against you.
The kids—Wim, Fern, KB, and Neel—are shoved into a grimy cell, clearly out of their depth. Fern tries to stay tough, but her sarcasm only gets her so far. “Great. Stuck on a floating junkyard with pirates,” she mutters. Wim, ever the optimist, chimes in, “At least it’s a Star Wars kind of junkyard?” Fern rolls her eyes. Classic Fern.
In the cell, the kids meet Jod Na Nawood (Jude Law), a fellow prisoner with an air of mystery and just the right amount of swagger. Jod’s calm, collected demeanor is a stark contrast to the kids’ frantic energy. He doesn’t even flinch when the pirates threaten him, which only makes him more intriguing.
Wim, being Wim, immediately asks, “Are you a Jedi?” Jod’s smirk is pure Star Wars magic. “Not exactly,” he replies, cryptic as ever. It’s clear this guy knows things—maybe even Force-y things—but he’s not giving up his secrets just yet.
Fern isn’t sold on Jod’s cool act. “Why are you so calm? We’re about to be sold as cargo,” she snaps. Jod doesn’t even blink. “Because panicking won’t help,” he says, leaning back against the wall like he owns the place. It’s the kind of line that makes you trust him, even if you don’t know why.
Things escalate quickly when Grax, the pirate leader, decides the kids aren’t worth the trouble and plans to sell them to the highest bidder. It’s during this tense moment that Jod reveals he’s more than just a random prisoner. As the pirates argue over rations in the mess hall, Jod uses what can only be described as Force-adjacent abilities to short-circuit the ship’s power systems. The lights flicker, alarms blare, and chaos erupts.
“Now’s our chance,” Jod says, his calm breaking into urgency. Fern immediately takes charge, rallying the group. KB hacks into the ship’s security systems with improvised tech (seriously, where does she keep finding all these wires?), and Neel trips a guard with surprising precision. Wim grabs a loose metal rod and waves it like a lightsaber, yelling, “Stay back!” It’s both heroic and hilariously ineffective.
The escape isn’t exactly smooth. The kids and Jod race through the pirate ship’s labyrinthine corridors, dodging blaster fire and leaping over obstacles. Jod’s experience shines as he disarms guards with minimal effort, his movements precise and efficient. Wim watches in awe, whispering to KB, “He’s definitely a Jedi.”
Once back aboard their own ship, the chaos doesn’t stop. Fern scrambles to power up the engines while Jod calmly takes the co-pilot seat. “This ship’s older than me,” he mutters, flipping switches with practiced ease. Fern shoots him a look. “Can it still fly?” Jod smirks. “We’re about to find out.”
The pirates aren’t about to let them go so easily. Smaller ships are launched in pursuit, and a wild chase ensues. Blaster fire lights up the dark expanse of space as Fern struggles to keep their ship steady. KB shouts directions, Neel clings to his seat, and Wim yells, “Go faster!” as if that’s helpful.
Because it’s Star Wars, there’s an asteroid field. The ship plunges into the debris field, dodging rocks the size of banthas while the pirates struggle to keep up. Jod’s calm instructions guide Fern through the chaos, though she can’t resist snapping, “You could’ve warned us about the giant space rocks!” Jod, unbothered, replies, “You’re doing fine.”
The sequence is classic Star Wars action—fast, intense, and punctuated with just the right amount of humor. Wim tries to help by manning a turret, but his shots are hilariously off-target. “You almost hit us!” Fern yells. Wim grins. “Almost isn’t hitting, though!”
Eventually, the pirates fall behind, and the kids’ ship limps out of the asteroid field, battered but still flying. For a moment, there’s silence—a rare moment of peace.
With the immediate danger behind them, the kids finally confront Jod. Fern demands answers. “Who are you?” Jod, ever the enigma, sidesteps the question. “Just someone trying to get home,” he says, staring out at the stars.
Wim, of course, isn’t satisfied. “But you are a Jedi, right?” Jod glances at him, his smirk returning. “Not all heroes carry lightsabers, kid.” It’s a perfect Star Wars line—cryptic, inspiring, and just vague enough to keep us guessing.
Despite her frustration, Fern can’t deny Jod saved them. “Thanks,” she mutters begrudgingly. Jod nods, his expression softening. “Sometimes, all you need is a little help.”
Just as the crew starts to relax, the ship’s scanner picks up something massive heading their way. Jod’s face darkens as he peers at the display. “Brace yourselves,” he says. The ominous tone in his voice sends chills down your spine. The episode ends on this cliffhanger, leaving us desperate to know what’s coming.
Episode 2 builds on everything that made the premiere great—heart, humor, and high-stakes action—while introducing new layers of intrigue with Jod Na Nawood. Jude Law’s performance is effortlessly captivating, balancing mystery and charisma in a way that keeps you hooked. The kids continue to shine as a chaotic but lovable crew, each bringing unique strengths (and weaknesses) to the table.
The action is thrilling, the humor lands perfectly, and the quieter moments—like Jod’s cryptic wisdom—add emotional depth. The episode captures the essence of Star Wars: adventure, danger, and a sense of wonder that reminds us why this galaxy far, far away continues to enchant us.
Episode 2 of Skeleton Crew is a stellar follow-up that cements the show as a must-watch for Star Wars fans. The introduction of Jod Na Nawood adds a compelling dynamic to the group, and the kids’ journey feels both relatable and epic. With danger lurking around every corner, one thing is clear: this crew has only just begun their adventure.
As Wim would say: “We’re basically legends already.” And honestly? He’s not wrong.