Season 1, Episode 1, titled “This Could Be a Real Adventure,” directed by Jon Watts and written by Watts and Christopher Ford, serves as the opening of the Disney Plus series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. Set during the New Republic Era, the series is a Star Wars adaptation inspired by The Goonies (1985). While the story and universe differ, the show’s concepts draw heavily from the spirit of the classic film. In many ways, Skeleton Crew feels more engaging than Ahsoka and The Acolyte and is poised to achieve a level of success comparable to The Mandalorian (except Season 3) and Andor.
The central theme of this episode revolves around the concept of adventure. During our youth, we often fantasize and play pretend, imagining ourselves as characters—or even creating our own—within the fantasy worlds we adore: Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, Marvel, DC Comics, and more. However, as we grow older, the embers of this passion for adventure often dim. Adulthood brings the realization of the impossibility of these dreams, leading many to accept reality over fiction. Yet, the ember of adventure never truly fades; it remains within us, waiting to be reignited if we allow ourselves the courage to keep it alive.
The protagonists of Skeleton Crew are on a similar journey in their childhood, but unlike Earth, the fantasies they cherish actually exist in their galaxy. This idea may seem sentimental, but it mirrors Luke Skywalker’s own journey. As a child, he dreamed of a life beyond Tatooine, and those dreams eventually led him to become a renowned Rebel pilot and, later, a great Jedi Master. This is what the iconic twin suns scene in A New Hope was all about.
The Protagonists
The episode begins in the tranquil world of At Attin, the fabled lost planet of eternal treasure, regarded by many pirates during the New Republic era as mere legend. Despite its mythical reputation, At Attin is a thriving home to the young protagonists: Wim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers), Fern (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), KB (Kyriana Kratter), and Neel (Robert Timothy Smith). At Attin resembles Earth, with humans and aliens coexisting harmoniously in suburban neighborhoods. The children themselves feel like everyday Star Wars fans, except they reside in a galaxy far, far away.
During a class session, Undersecretary Fara (Kerry Condon), who is also Fern’s mother, delivers a lecture about the upcoming Career Assessment Test, scheduled for the next day. The test results will determine the students’ future roles within At Attin’s republican society and its Great Work: maintaining At Attin’s strength and prosperity. Fara’s lecture, coupled with the students’ dreams, highlights how deeply the notion of contributing to the preservation of At Attin’s society is ingrained in their everyday lives.
However, the protagonists stand apart, harboring a shared desire to become adventurers who explore the galaxy like members of the Jedi Order. Because of this ambition, they are often perceived as rebels and troublemakers by their peers and authority figures. Wim, Fern, and KB are particularly bold in their rebellious phases, while Neel, though more level-headed and humble, shares a touch of their rebellious spirit. For instance, Wim and Neel enjoy pretending to be Jedi Knights, engaging in playful duels, while Fern and KB find thrill and excitement in swoop racing.
The Pirate Ship
One day, Wim is late for his bus ride and decides to use a swoop bike to take a shortcut to school. However, he becomes lost in the forest and stumbles upon what appears to be a “Jedi Temple” ruin. Excited by his discovery, Wim later takes Neel to the “Jedi Temple” entrance, but they are followed by Fern and KB, who learn about Wim’s endeavor. This leads to a disagreement between the boys and the girls. Fern and KB want to salvage the temple for mechanics and parts, while Wim and Neel are more interested in exploring it.
Despite their differences, the group agrees to investigate the “Jedi Temple” ruin together. As they explore, they uncover that it is not a ruined temple at all, but a pirate spaceship. During their exploration, the kids accidentally activate the ship, which initiates its autopilot sequence. The ship suddenly takes off into space and enters hyperspace, leaving the children both amazed and terrified. The dramatic liftoff is witnessed by Wim’s father, Wendle (Tunde Adebimpe), who is left horrified by the perilous situation his son has gotten into.
Rating: 9/10