Review: ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’ Season 1, Episode 6 “Zero Friends Again”

Directed by Bryce Dallas Howard, and written by Jon Watts and Christopher D. Ford, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Episode 6 picks up right where Episode 5 left off, continuing the crew’s tense journey with a combination of high-stakes action and emotional growth. The kids descend from the trap door, finding themselves in a snowy, unfamiliar environment. The crew’s immediate priority is to stabilize KB, who is knocked out after her “augs” (augments) malfunction, leaving her immobile. Fern, ever the reassuring presence, stays by KB’s side, comforting her as she sleeps. This moment sets the tone for the episode—tension mixed with a desire for connection, as the group must navigate internal and external threats.

Meanwhile, Jod, now emblazoned with the treasure discovered last episode, tries to make a quick getaway but is immediately thwarted. The spa employees of Lanupa have already arrived, and Captain Brutus’ crew captures him. In a final attempt to escape, Jod activates SM-33 to attack, which fails. The arrival of X-Wings in the Lanupa skyline shifts the dynamic, as they give chase to Brutus’ crew. The kids, still unfamiliar with the New Republic’s forces due to their home world’s isolation, are intrigued by the sight of the X-Wings but unable to communicate with them to help rescue them.

KB’s revelation that she has the coordinates to their home planet stored in her memory offers a glimmer of hope for the group. However, her pessimism about returning home is noticeable. As Fern tries to talk to her, KB becomes frustrated, snapping that Fern doesn’t listen, highlighting their growing emotional divide. The argument escalates when Fern presses KB on why she won’t share her concerns about returning to the ship. This moment shows the cracks in the crew’s cohesion as they struggle with miscommunication, and it’s clear that the bonds between the kids are being tested.

As the kids bicker, they encounter a group of strange, talking creatures known as Trash Crabs. The kids’ interactions with the Trash Crabs are both funny and revealing—showcasing their desperation to make sense of their situation. Fern wants to climb a mountain to get back to the ship, while Wim, more cautious, is worried about the risks of falling. The tension between them is palpable, with Wim’s cautiousness and Fern’s overconfidence leading to a childish argument. The group’s fractures are laid bare as they struggle to find common ground.

KB, who has decided to follow the Trash Crabs with Wim, expresses frustration at Fern’s expectations of her. She reveals that her augmentations, which are corroding due to the moisture in the environment, make her life much harder for her. This adds complexity to her character, as we learn that her hesitation to climb the mountain reflects her physical limitations. KB admits she’s unable to meet Fern’s idealistic view of adventure, leading to a poignant moment where she opens up about her fear of losing her only friendship if she admits weakness. Wim, ever the empath, offers to be her friend if she can’t connect with Fern, bringing a smile to KB’s face.

In a more dramatic shift, we cut to Captain Brutus’ ship, where Jod faces trial for his actions. His sentence: death by airlock. In a desperate final appeal, Jod leverages the pirate code and delivers a stirring speech about his hunger for fame and fortune, questioning the moral fiber of Brutus’ crew. He convinces them with the promise of a hidden treasure, revealing the long-forgotten planet of At Attin— where treasures supposedly never run out. His knowledge of the old Republic mint, coupled with his persuasive pitch, convinces Brutus’ crew to follow him, though with the caveat that Jod will need to pay up if he leads them into danger. The scene reinforces Jod’s cunning and manipulative nature, adding to his complex persona.

Meanwhile, KB and Wim’s journey takes another turn when KB’s augments begin to malfunction again. Wim, determined to help, sets off to find replacement parts while Fern and Neel continue their dangerous climb up the mountain. Fern’s overconfidence in her ability to lead is put to the test when Neel, struggling with the climb, becomes stuck. Fern’s pushy attitude doesn’t help, revealing her frustration with the slower pace of the group and raising questions about her leadership. 

Wim helps KB repair her augmentations. With a replacement microfuse, KB’s system powers are back on, and she thanks Wim, calling him a Jedi in gratitude. This moment is sweet and helps expand on the two characters’ personalities, while also deepening the emotional connection between Wim and KB, and adding a sense of hope to their otherwise perilous situation. Cut back to Neel, who is now tied to Fern to help him walk up the ladder on the side of the Lanupa ship platform. All the sudden Neel notices their ship is being picked up to which Fern responds by saying she has a way out of there. 

The kids’ journey takes another turn for the worse though as they encounter a massive Trash Crab, much larger than the smaller ones that led them there. The Trash Crabs’ mimicry, repeating words like “follow” and “food,” shows that the creatures function like real-life parrots. But just as things seem grim, Fern and Neel, atop the starship, arrive just in time to save Wim and KB, rescuing them from the giant crab’s attack.

However, their victory is short-lived. A rock thrown by the giant Trash Crab knocks one of the carrier starships off course, sending it crashing to the planet below. The group is now stranded, but they manage to reunite in a heartwarming moment as Fern rushes to hug KB, apologizing for her selfishness and not listening to her earlier. The kids reconcile, their emotional journey paralleling the physical one. But their relief is short-lived when they realize their ship is about to be destroyed by a giant smelting machine. In a final, desperate move, Fern overrides the emergency hull demolition sequencer to blow off the hull and save the crew, though it means they risk losing their ship.

While not as action-packed or revelatory as previous episodes, this installment continues to explore the emotional dynamics of the crew and the growing complexity of their relationships. The comedy, while present, doesn’t overshadow the deeper moments of introspection and character growth. The episode is solid and provides much-needed development for KB and Fern’s strained friendship, with the characters of Jod and SM-33 continuing to shine as key standouts. Despite a slightly slower pace, the show remains engaging, with plenty of room for intrigue in future episodes.

Rating: 7/10