Skeleton Crew Skeleton Crew 1.07 - Discussion Thread (Spoilers Allowed)

Maybe not Hondo himself, but I can't shake the thought that Tak Rennod is/was a Weequay, from the modeled skull behind his throne and one with the same features on the laser trap. To your overall point, I generally don't care to speculate much with these stories, but it's fun with this one -- knowing how well the show's done with hints and setups, wondering what details will factor in at this point and which way things will go.

 

Almost ranked this a one by accident

 

Super late with this, but in a way it's good. I was going to give an 8, but from rewatching and then turning it over in my mind I kept finding more details, so it's a 9.

Part of that rating still comes from the surprise factor; the show pulled off a dark turn for Jod one episode after it did for 33, and now this one. Getting past the surprise, though, gave some more clarity. It's striking to have the darkest part of the episode interrupt the moment when everything becomes light and peaceful, when the kids see their homeworld in a literal new light. This hit harder the second time, maybe partly from the knowledge of what happens next. There's also a nice visual contrast between the light of the parents' message and the silhouette of Jod, both with the framing of the cockpit entry.

Jod himself is still fascinating, and I think this episode kinda works as a microcosm of his progression: a captain of failed exploits now chasing ghosts; playing a sort of unassuming, somewhat awkward crewman; until the opportune moment. And there's the greed as a driver. I like the layering within his frustration and verbal abuse (and what people have interpreted from it). Closer than ever to his goal, he's still hitting snags and once again alone, recalling his pressured admission in the third episode. Speaking of which, KB (mis)calculates keeping Brutus as leverage, but Jod doesn't work that way: "Sometimes, you have to trust your gut." His calling the kids weak hearkens back to Hayna.

Kudos to Ryan Kiera Armstrong for the emotional battle within Fern while glaring at Jod. I love Fern's growth through the season. I love her playing with Neel and reassuring Wim in this episode. The titular line is nearly the same as her taunt to Wim back in the premiere except for the subject pronoun. On the writing level, I like that the kids play it safe after Jod's threat (granted there's the traumatic aspect, too), partly because it shows more of the young cast's acting through just expressions.

The reunion is another part that had more impact the second time, with the delineation between tension and relief clearer, and helped by the music. Also, I realized the Onyx Cinder is back underground. Maybe that detail's trivial, maybe not, and that's part of the fun with this show. On to the finale!

 

Back on At Attin. The parents are now fully in the picture, which really makes this a show for families. So the treasure is a very large bank vault; not just ordinary loot that was plundered off-world. Jude Law's character seems to be just evil and greedy. I'm still not sure what gives with him being Force Sensitive, but maybe the last episode might give some backstory on that.