Skeleton Through

The final episode of Skeleton Crew aired last night and, due to the show's extraordinarily low ratings, people are saying it's the last of the series rather than merely the season. I found the episode frustrating and out of touch with itself but I can see what was trying to say, that the show itself had actual ideas and themes its creators, John Watts and Christopher Ford, were working through, which is more than I can say for The Acolyte, Ahsoka, and Obi-Wan Kenobi. So, while I think the show was misfire, I do think it had good aim.

The last episode further emphasised the show's similarity to Treasure Island as it seems clear that Jude Law's character, Jod, is meant to occupy the same murky position of audience sympathy that Long John Silver inhabited in Robert Louis Stevenson's classic pirate novel (as well as many of his other novels, including Jekyll and Hyde, Master of Ballantrae, and Kidnapped). It's a tricky balance to pull off and, unfortunately, the show falls right off the tight rope, but I do kind of respect the intent.

The problem is, there's never a moment where I want the kids to win. The show throws us such broad hints that society on At Attin is sterile and really more Imperial than Old Republic, and Jod, despite Jude Law's performance infusing the character with bitterness, remains the more attractive and sympathetic alternative throughout. What is a morally complicated and riveting situation in Treasure Island is all too clear in Skeleton Crew so when characters act like things aren't clear, or clearly opposite of what they are, it's extremely discordant and a little infuriating. It's not helped by moments like when KB successfully pulls off a landing and Fern screams like we just saw her blown to smithereens. Or the pirate invasion where they're shooting at everyone but we never see anyone killed or injured, or the last minute appearance by Rebel fighters who open fire on the pirate ship without warning.

The intention may have been to nod at the undercurrents of Revenge of the Sith, to hint that the identity of the "real good guys" might not be so clear but I would be very surprised if anyone came away from this thinking Jod deserved to be thwarted. It was also kind of frustrating that Kelly Macdonald's character never returned. It would be kind of nice seeing a series about her and Jod having adventures far away from At Attin and those kids.

Skeleton Crew is available on Disney+.