Skeleton Crew Plays With Its Jedi Obsession

As a lifelong Star Wars enthusiast who has spent countless hours debating the finer points of the saga with fellow fans, I find the premise of “Skeleton Crew” particularly intriguing. The series’ exploration of the commodification and mythologization of the Star Wars universe resonates deeply with me, having grown up in a world where the Force was as much a part of my childhood as the toys and action figures that filled my room.

For as long as there has been Star Wars, there has been a consumerist element to its sprawling universe, because that’s what modern fandom is: buying stuff to prove that you like something. The new, aggressively Amblin-influenced Star Wars: Skeleton Crew takes that paraphernalia-as-personality quality a step further with a main character who, while living within this galaxy far, far away, is also a fan of this galaxy. He’s got Jedi and Sith action figures and comics, and an endless interest in Jedi lore to the detriment of his education and his relationship with his single father, giving Skeleton Crew a meta flair that is, in the first three episodes of that were provided to critics, by far the most interesting thing about the new Disney+ series.

In the realm of storytelling, Skeleton Crew, crafted by Christopher Ford and Jon Watts, presents a fresh take on the coming-of-age genre, a genre already rich within its Star Wars universe. Unlike the epic journey of Luke Skywalker, this tale is less tethered to the destiny-driven narrative of the original trilogy and more reminiscent of the underdog camaraderie reminiscent of Steven Spielberg and John Hughes. Set post–Return of the Jedi, pre–The Force Awakens, the story unfolds in a galaxy where the New Republic strives to uphold order, but piracy is on the rise. This criminal activity seems distant from the idyllic planet of At Attin, characterized by affluent suburbs and well-kept urban centers. However, for preteen Wim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers), his world is nothing more than dull monotony. He yearns for excitement, and for him, that means an escapade involving Jedi.

In contrast to his peers preparing for a life-deciding career test, Wim, one of the characters from ‘Skeleton Crew’, is shown as being captivated by Star Wars lore instead. He imitates Jedi and Sith voices while playing with action figures, stays up reading about Jedi victories on his tablet, and uses a toy spaceship as a pretend lightsaber to enact duels with his friend Neel (Robert Timothy Smith) on their way to school. When Wim discovers a mysterious structure in the hill between his home and school, he believes it’s a Jedi Temple, despite it obviously being a spacecraft. His classmates, Fern and KB, regard him as childish, and their dislike intensifies when they, along with Wim and Neel, end up lost in space after Wim accidentally activated the craft.

The initial episodes of Skeleton Crew intriguingly portray Wim’s fandom, particularly his Jedi obsession, serving as a shield against his loneliness. Instead of drawing him closer to potential friends, it seems to push him further away. For instance, this is somewhat reminiscent of Kamala Khan in the TV series Ms. Marvel, who initially comes across as being isolated due to her excessive love for the Avengers that sets her apart from her peers and family. In one scene, Wim and Fern encounter each other outside their school proctor’s office. When Fern asks what he’s in trouble for, she is initially captivated by his hover-bike stunts until she realizes they are merely a side show to his Jedi interests. Later on, when they debate whether to trust the enigmatic rogue character played by Jude Law, Wim argues that his use of the Force makes him inherently noble. However, Fern is skeptical; she essentially dismisses Wim’s idealized depiction of Jedi as “defenders of justice and peacekeepers in the galaxy.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve found myself intrigued by the portrayal of Wim in “Skeleton Crew.” Unlike his father and peers who dismiss his love for Jedi as childish, the show hasn’t fully explained why this fascination is considered so uncool. Is it because his interest in the Jedi’s role in overthrowing the Empire makes him a history buff? Or is it a reflection of his current identity, a phase he’ll outgrow during his space journey? Whatever the reason, it’s refreshing to see such a departure from the typical themes in “Skeleton Crew,” which often feels like a rehash of the more popular “Stranger Things.

In a subtle yet intriguing twist, the story Skeleton Crew subtly hints at the origins of the myth turned reality in the saga from Episodes IV to VI , without explicitly stating it. The action figures of Wim resemble Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, but aren’t confirmed to be these characters. Moreover, the lightsaber fight between Wim and Neel seems to echo The Empire Strikes Back, though it doesn’t mention it directly. However, this playful allusion is one of the many ways that Skeleton Crew challenges conventions by presenting Wim’s character flaw as a borderline obsession with these iconic characters, leading to a myriad of speculations about the Star Wars galaxy, how its inhabitants dealt with the fall of the Empire, and how the Rebel Alliance’s actions were narrated for posterity.

There’s still ample opportunity in the current eight-episode season of “Skeleton Crew” to soften the existing conflicts and transform Wim’s fascination with Jedi lore into a positive trait. However, there’s also room for the show to delve further into the assumed goodness of the unnamed character played by Law, and the wisdom he may impart upon the young characters.

2024-12-04 00:54

Skeleton Crew Plays With Its Jedi Obsession

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