Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Reactions
Episode 1: This Could Be a Real Adventure
As the NDA came down for those who had seen the premiers yesterday before the 9PM EST airtime, we saw a lot of comments about the first episode being slow to start, but it picks up from there in the next two episodes. If episode 1 was slow, I am concerned for how quickly the episodes are going to fly by! Maybe it’s because I went into the headspace that this show’s primary audience is younger, but I thought it did a wonderful job of introducing all of the characters.
They didn’t bury the lead like I thought they were going to, showing us without showing us that Jod Na Nawood is also Captain Silva during the opening credits scene. It’s hard to mistake the speech cadence of Jude Law when you’ve spent the past 30 years seeing him on screen. They’re immediately setting expectations, which tells me there will be a big twist for him in a future episode, likely 7 based on interviews he’s given.
The kids are exactly as they were advertised to be:
- Wim with his head in the clouds, just wanting to strike out on a big adventure
- Neel the model student and comic relief
- Fern the rebel
- KB the quiet techy
They gave us more than that, though; they gave us their environments to show exactly why they are the way they are (minus KB, who remains a mystery outside of her friendship with Fern). Wim is being raised by a single dad who seems to work too much, leaving his son to his imagination. I can see where Wendle is going to have some serious character growth at the end of the series, making the parents not just 2D stereotypes.
Neel has an idyllic family filled with siblings, perfect for their suburban paradise. I’m totally rooting for him when it comes to being able to talk to his crush, Roona, at the end of this.
Fern’s mom, Fara, being a member of the planetary government, makes Fern’s rebellion feel a little less forced than it may have in the trailers leading up to the show airing. Her mom expects perfection, when Fern just wants to be a kid. Is it an incredibly common trope? Yes, but I’m here for it.
KB is simply introduced as Fern’s best friend. I’m assuming we will learn more about her home life in future episodes.
Beyond the kids, we get to learn a little bit more about the planet they are on, even if we don’t get a name yet. It feels very much like Miranda from Firefly in that it’s kind of it’s own bubble, literally calling their atmosphere The Barrier. You are breaking the law by breaching the barrier, which makes it feel like something nefarious is afoot in the government of this planet.
Other than the Captain Silvo part at the very beginning, there were no huge ‘Ah hah’ moments in this first episode, it was purely introduction. It was a fun time and made me excited for the rest of the series to unfold.
Episode 2: Way, Way Out Past the Barrier reaction coming Thursday, 12/5/24