Season 1, Episode 2, titled “Way, Way Out Past the Barrier,” directed by David Lowery and written by Christopher Ford and Jon Watts, continues the Disney Plus series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. This fascinating episode delves into how dark the galaxy can be for children, to the extent that they begin to regret embarking on their adventure in the first place. When one ventures far from home, the longing for the familiar and the yearning to return become inevitable.

The central theme of this episode revolves around the concept of consequence. Wim and Fern face the repercussions of venturing into the unknown, and dragging KB and Neel into their escapades. They pay the price by confronting the harsh realities of the pirate world. The galaxy, as they come to realize, is not the adventurous playground they had imagined but rather an unforgiving dystopia dominated by chaos and war. Star Wars carries its name for a reason: it is a saga of endless wars spanning stars and worlds. As such, this episode serves as a cautionary tale for children, illustrating that taking fantasies to the extreme and running away from home in search of adventure can lead to regret, remorse, and profound loneliness.

The Children are Lost

The Jedi ship’s droid, SM-33 (Nick Frost), awakens and initially views the protagonists as intruders. Fern (Ryan Kiera Armstrong) manages to calm SM-33 by deceitfully claiming she murdered the droid’s captain to assert dominance, a tactic that surprisingly works. However, SM-33’s memory functions have been compromised due to a rat consuming critical components. As a result, the only viable option is to head to a nearby starport to repair the ship. While Wim is ecstatic to be on an actual adventure, the rest of the children feel homesick, with Fern rightfully blaming Wim for landing them in a “PG-13” situation.

The Pirates

The group arrives at Port Borgo, a hostile and unwelcoming starport that serves as a haven for pirates to convene, recover, and repair their ships. Their search for assistance in returning home proves futile, as At Attin is regarded as a mythical and legendary place, akin to El Dorado or Atlantis. Their plea for help goes disastrously wrong, attracting the attention of pirates such as Vane (Marti Matulis), who begins chasing them. Although SM-33 saves the children, they are ultimately captured by Pirate Captain Brutus (Fred Tatasciore and Stephan Oyoung), who locks them in his brig.

In the brig, they encounter Jod Na Nawood (Jude Law), a Force user. While Jod initially appears to be a kind figure, he is likely the ruthless Captain Silvo, whom Brutus overthrew in the first episode. It seems probable that Jod intends to manipulate and deceive the children to lead him to At Attin, using the location of the paradise world and its potential treasure to reclaim his status as a feared pirate captain. However, it is also possible that Jod’s pursuit of power and glory may wane over time as he forms a genuine bond with the children. In essence, Jod’s character is reminiscent of Stanley Pines from Gravity Falls, but with a more cunning and ruthless edge.

Rating: 9/10