Skeleton Crew Episode 7 Review: Mixed Bag

by

You can now watch the second-to-last episode of the series “Skeleton Crew” on Disney+. Although I found it generally enjoyable, some illogical writing made it less enjoyable for me.

I found the first three episodes quite enjoyable, but episode 4 significantly dropped in quality. Episodes 5 and 6 were acceptable, but things improved with Episode 7 – however, its potential was somewhat hindered by poor writing and awkward scenes. When it comes to blending kids with something akin to Star Wars, it’s essential to steer clear of cringe at every turn (and I’m looking at you, Phantom Menace). Fans already anticipate this, and incorporating cringeworthy moments just turns into an exasperated reaction.

I appreciated the first three episodes because they seemed mature and avoided being overly silly or condescending to viewers. Unlike some shows targeted at children, Star Wars wasn’t simply popular with kids because it was made for them; it captured audiences of all ages due to characters like Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and the menacing Darth Vader. It wasn’t until George Lucas introduced the Ewoks that Star Wars started feeling a bit too silly, and things went downhill from there.

In Episode 7 of “Skeleton Crew”, the show is exceptionally engaging until roughly the midway mark. Jude Law, who has consistently delivered exceptional performances throughout the series, regains not only his initial vessel but also the Onyx. The droid 33, a character I’ve grown fond of due to the unique personalities of all Star Wars droids, fits seamlessly into the role of a pirate droid. It’s quite logical that a droid on a pirate ship would adopt pirate-like behaviors, especially if programmed to do so by the captain. Moving on…

At some point, 33 asserts that a ship can have only one captain. Jod Law’s character, Jod, swiftly comprehends the situation, as does Wim. However, Jod uses his intelligence to prevent Wim from voicing it. Eventually, Wim proclaims himself as the captain and lays claim to the ship.

In the midst of what should be a great episode, here comes a moment that’s downright baffling – almost laughable. Fern blurts out something incomprehensible, “I call unclaimsies.” I had to double-check to make sure I wasn’t mishearing, even resorting to turning on subtitles. To my dismay, the closed captions confirmed it. Then, 33 just goes along with this nonsense and attacks Jod. I can’t help but shake my head, muttering under my breath, “Just so frustratingly stupid.

It’s hard not to imagine a writer or producer in a bind, coming up with an outlandish plan for the children to regain control of the ship. It’s just awful. The concept doesn’t align with the Star Wars universe and seems illogical. This idea feels more like a misguided adult trying to add something “cute” rather than something kids would actually think of. I can’t help but roll my eyes at how poorly it was executed.

In an unexpected twist, the pirate ship seizes the Onyx upon its arrival at Attin with a tractor beam, which is quite normal. However, when the Onyx manages to break free, rather than relying on the tractor beam for chase, they dispatch ships instead. One might wonder why they wouldn’t simply use the tractor beam again?

As a movie enthusiast, I must express my bewilderment over this film’s plot twists. Initially, character 33 knocks out Jod and, it seems, subsequently heaves him off the vessel. But here’s where things get murky: When the children miraculously reclaim the ship due to some unclear circumstances they label as “unclaimsies,” Jod inexplicably strolls back aboard as they depart from the pirate ship harbor. This leaves me scratching my head. Later, in a shocking turn of events, Jod takes 33 by surprise, decapitates him with a lightsaber, and reclaims the ship once more. Frankly, I’m left wondering if this was an intentional plot point or merely a script error!

The script contains only a brief stretch of weak writing, roughly one to two minutes long. However, this section serves as a bridge propelling the storyline from “location A to location B.” Unfortunately, it fails to deliver its purpose effectively, and these problematic scenes significantly undermine the entire episode.

“So, what did I like about the episode?

The narrative itself is strong, albeit with some rough spots in its delivery. I must say, Jude Law delivers another outstanding performance ( frankly, who else among us wouldn’t want him to squash that rat? C’mon!). The young actors are equally impressive. As previously mentioned, their on-screen dynamic seems authentic, as if they’ve been friends for a long time.

Apart from expressing my gratitude for the well-crafted special effects, let me add that it all appeared stunning. The scenes featuring Attin and the mint were particularly captivating.

Just as with previous episodes, I found myself eagerly anticipating more. However, it’s disappointing to know that there’s just one episode remaining to tie up all the loose ends. Here’s hoping it won’t end in a suspenseful manner, leaving us hanging.

The Verdict:

I was hoping the quality of the writing was superior. The episode had potential to be exceptional. Regrettably, I must rate it a 6 out of 10. If you disregard the writing issues I pointed out previously, you might find it quite enjoyable; however, I find myself unable to overlook them. Accepting its flaws feels like endorsing them, which may encourage more subpar writing. I aspire for it to reach its full potential.

If they had done it right, the episode probably would have been a 9/10.

By any chance, did you hear what the pirate ship chasing the children is called? It’s the “Ravager.” It gave me a vibe similar to James Gunn’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” films; the pirates have a certain resemblance too.

Read More

2025-01-09 00:01