Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Episode 3 brings the fun back to a galaxy far, far away

As a seasoned spacefarer who’s navigated through countless cosmic dramas and epics, I must admit, Disney+ has finally managed to captivate this old-timer with their latest offering – Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. After years of wandering the intergalactic wasteland, searching for that elusive gem of a space show, Episode 3, “Very Interesting, As An Astrogration Problem,” has finally landed on my radar.

With Episode 3 of “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew“, Disney+ could potentially be lifting the jinx that’s been affecting their efforts to create live-action TV series within the “Star Wars” universe.

In the third episode of the series, strangely named “A Space Navigation Dilemma,” Silver (played by Jude Law) successfully breaks free from detention along with the children. Subsequently, they make a run for it in their spaceship from the spaceport. As they reveal their origin from the mythical planet At Attin, Silver seeks out Kh’ymm, an old acquaintance who possesses star charts to almost every planet in the cosmos. Gleaning some details from her, he sets off a chain of events that leads to the New Republic apprehending him before he can pinpoint the precise location.

Initially, the first two episodes of the series moved at a somewhat leisurely pace, filled with establishing the narrative and characters. They were decent enough, but lacked that extraordinary spark. However, after the most recent episode, I must admit that I’ve become thoroughly captivated. “Skeleton Crew” isn’t a show with an incredibly complex plot, but rather a delightful small-scale journey.

It’s also helped by the fact that “Crimson Jack” Silver is now a main character. Jude Law is an incredibly charismatic actor and is excellent at playing the “lovable rogue” kind of pirate, much like Jack Sparrow. The name “Silver” is a reference to the infamous character Long John Silver from Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic book Treasure Island. I wonder if this also hints at a similar kind of character? Long John was also a likable guy with a two-faced personality, who made an immediate impression on young Jim Hawkins, even getting him to join his crew.

Using his Jedi-like skills, Crimson Jack has successfully charmed Wim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers) and Neel (Robert Timothy Smith). However, not much is known about his background or the reasons behind his imprisonment. While he appears to be assisting these children in their quest to return home, it’s clear that if Attin truly holds a vast treasure, he’ll be seeking his share.

In this episode, all the personalities gradually mesh together, although they mainly stay rather basic. Wim yearns for excitement, Fern (Ryan Kiera Armstrong) aspires to lead, Neel is fearful of nearly everything, and KB…Admittedly, I’m not completely clear on KB’s (Kyriana Kratter) intentions or her character. I hope she becomes more integral to the storyline soon, but at the moment, we don’t get much insight into her, other than that she seems doubtful of Silver.

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Episode 3 brings the fun back to a galaxy far, far away

Review: Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Episode 3, “Very Interesting, as an Astrogation Problem”

I’m confident that there will be numerous opportunities for the children to showcase their characters over the next five episodes. One particularly exciting moment is when they must confront a couple of New Republic X-Wings pursuing their spacecraft, as they search for Silver. Under Silver’s guidance, Neel takes control of the ship, while Wim and Fern man the guns, and KB works on the hyperdrive. This scene embodies what every kid who adores Star Wars would imagine doing, and it is executed in a believable manner, avoiding the pitfalls associated with the Mary Sue trope.

To be honest, although the intrigue surrounding At Attin as a secret planet with links to the Old Republic is interesting, it doesn’t seem to hold much importance or impact for me. The scene where the parents express their worry over their missing children doesn’t add much substance either. Perhaps if the designers had made the planet appear more ancient or disconnected from other galaxies, it might have been more compelling. However, since it looks quite similar to other worlds, I even mistook it for a New Republic planet in the initial episode. What I truly enjoy is following the pirate and the group of children on their exciting escapades, so let’s stick to that.

Over the past ten years or so, my enthusiasm for Star Wars had waned due to its numerous highs and lows. I wasn’t exactly bursting with anticipation for Skeleton Crew. However, this series has far surpassed my expectations, offering an entertaining experience that keeps you hooked. Despite the uncertainty about its intended audience – whether it’s for 10-year-olds or 50-year-olds – it undeniably marks a high point in live-action Star Wars productions, delivering unparalleled fun.

Indeed, the plot of “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” can be quite handy at times, and I’m eager to find out if all the initial elements will culminate in a fulfilling conclusion. For now, though, the Force seems to be on our side with this story, guided by a mysterious pirate who could potentially be a Jedi.

Episode grade: B+

2024-12-12 21:41

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