Editor’s Observe: The next accommodates spoilers for ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.’Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is frankly a small miracle throughout the Star Wars franchise. Because it gears up for the upcoming season finale this week, the sequence has consolidated itself as among the finest in Star Wars, one thing actually distinctive: a youngsters’ present with a giant coronary heart. Satirically, it was capable of obtain this by following a recipe set by one other, a lot darker, hit Star Wars sequence, Andor. As diametrically distant as they might appear, these two sequence have extra in frequent than you’d count on.

‘Skeleton Crew’ Doesn’t Rely on the Bigger Star Wars Canon

Andor has apparent ties to the bigger galaxy since it is a prequel sequence to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, however one among its biggest deserves is definitely getting as distant from it as attainable. Season 2 clearly has to strengthen these ties, however it would not appear like will probably be “Rogue One 2.0.” simply Andor Season 2. Deep down, Andor isn’t concerning the struggle itself, however slightly about radicalization and the rise of fascism on a big scale, so there isn’t a level in tying every little thing to pre-existing lore.

Skeleton Crew works throughout the similar framework, minus political critique, after all. It references subsequent to nothing within the bigger franchise canon, though every little thing that occurs within the galaxy is interconnected. New Republic patrols are after the youngsters, pirates run amok within the Outer Rim, and presumably even former Jedi are concerned, however none of that issues, as a result of the sequence isn’t about that. By separating itself from the bigger galaxy, Skeleton Crew gave itself the liberty to be a kids’s fable, one thing distinctive in Star Wars. Jod Na Nawood (Jude Regulation), for instance, would not must be a Jedi or have a posh backstory, he works completely the best way he’s.

Neither Andor nor Skeleton Crew relying on beforehand established lore doesn’t suggest they’re disconnected from Star Wars, after all, simply that they are often watched by themselves, as an alternative of requiring earlier viewing of one other film or sequence. Each work greatest doing their very own factor, and are higher off being extra involved about telling their very own tales as an alternative of being one other piece of a bigger puzzle. You do not have to know a lot about Star Wars to look at both property.

‘Skeleton Crew’ Isn’t Afraid To Dip Its Toes within the Darker Elements of Star Wars

Skeleton Crew could also be a kids’s present with the makings of an area fable, a typical cautionary story about discovering that the world is larger (and extra harmful) than we thought. However not relying on the bigger canon means it will possibly additionally adapt its tone, from a style perspective. Most of that is once more seen by Jod’s jarring descent into villainy, going from giving Jedi classes to Wim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers) to holding a knife to Fern (Ryan Kiera Armstrong) in Episode 5, for instance.

Jod is a good character, actually, one which maybe wouldn’t have been attainable to exist if Skeleton Crew needed to adjust to typical Star Wars requirements. Star Wars isn’t any stranger to telling kids’s tales, and, though there may be loads of violence, they’re nonetheless toned down, specializing in the drama slightly than the actions — apprentices turning on masters, freedom fighters, and many others. However in Episode 7, Jod shoots Brutus (Fred Tatasciore) in chilly blood, lashes out on the youngsters, and even threatens their dad and mom. It is fairly darkish, maybe solely Anakin Skywalker’s (Hayden Christensen) scenes with the Tuskens in Star Wars: Episode II – Assault of the Clones and the Jedi younglings in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith examine.

Andor was the primary Star Wars sequence that gave itself the liberty to be gritty and darkish with out having to hold an underlying lesson for a PG-13 viewers. It is a sequence recognized for its nice dialogue, however most of it will not have been attainable if it needed to match inside Star Wars viewers requirements (which could be stated for Rogue One). The identical goes for Skeleton Crew‘s use of violence and grownup themes. It is a advanced fable, and it advantages from with the ability to brazenly present Jod’s deceitful and cruel habits, with out risking being too infantile — youngsters can grasp advanced characters too. Star Wars wants extra sequence which can be capable of see lore as a framework as an alternative of constraints, and each Andor and Skeleton Crew are nice examples of tips on how to do it.

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is obtainable to stream on Disney+ within the U.S.WATCH ON DISNEY+