The Skeleton crew is just Goonies in an episode full of adventure

Lucasfilm offers its fans two gifts this holiday season: new episodes of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew on Christmas and New Year’s Eve. On the one hand, it’s great because many of us are at home and able to watch. On the other hand, it is a little less amazing if you write on the show for work and I’m not working those days. So, that’s why this week’s recap – and next week’s – will be a day late. Our apologies.

But we like to think of those days off as a visit to the planet of Lanupa. A time and place to relax, rejuvenate, and, in the case of The skeleton crewlook for a hacker lair like anything right out there The Goonies. Let’s discuss episode five, “You have a lot to learn about pirates.”

At this point, we basically know what we’re going for The skeleton crew. Each week, the crew goes to a new planet to find a new clue that helps them get back to At Attin. And this week was no exception. After a too-easy turn to the good side for the droid SM-33, he reveals that At Attin’s location is hidden in the vault of his old boss. His name was Captain Tak Rennod, a name that immediately sparked Jod’s fancy. According to him, Rennod was the most ruthless pirate ever, a man who killed his entire crew in search of At Attin’s treasure. In Rennod’s secret lair, located under Skull Ridge Mountain, the crew can find their way home.

SM-33 remembers Skull Ridge Mountain, located on the planet Lanupa, as a brutal place, but now it is a luxury hotel and spa for adults only. Which is super weird in a Star Wars sense while also talking about how long ago Rennod’s adventure took place. Because, let’s not forget, the kids found Rennod’s ship – finally officially confirmed as the Onyx Cinder. although Lego told us that months ago– buried under At Attin with all dead. We are still very curious as to what happened with all that.

After some mischievous but welcome back at the hotel, Jod and the crew find themselves searching the underground spas of Lanupa for Rennod’s lair. We see all kinds of cool Star Wars foreigners, including a very ugly, very hungry Hutt. Jod also meets a bounty hunter named Pokkit (Kelly Macdonald da brave and Train spotting) who knows Jod as “Dash Zentin”. It’s at least his fourth alias which of course just raises more red flags about the character. Pokkit calls his first and Jod’s former crew, led by Brutus, are sent to Lanupa. And so the race begins. Will the pirates find Jod and the crew or will they find the lair?

Here’s where The skeleton crew it went full Goonies. After befriending a massive squid-like creature called a Cthallops, they break through the land and find themselves on a treasure-trapped path. You know, like when the Goonies broke the floor and had to follow a trapdoor to a treasure. Both had skeletons on the ground, both had pools of liquid to cross, both had anti-gravity spike chambers. No, wait, just The skeleton crew he had that. But in any case, the similarities are numerous, down to the actual treasure itself, which is also trapped.

As well as The Gooniesthe group finds that treasure room and it’s full of awesome stuff. Wim also sees a real lightsaber. Soon, he accesses a dataport and 33 is able to find the location of At Attin and a recording of Rennod. It’s clippy, so we can’t really see who he is, but the brief glimpse seems to show a cowboy hat, giving off Cad Bane vibes. Rennod’s message also reveals what, in particular, the treasure is in At Attin: the last mint of the Old Republic. Meaning, you can make your own money. (Also worth noting, the credits list Rennod’s performance as coming from Colin Follenweider, who is also Jude Law’s stunt double. Could Jod be related to Rennod? We’ll see.)

This revelation changes everything for Jod. Closer to the treasure than ever, he challenges Fern for the title of captain. She valiantly tries to fight back, but her Force powers are too strong. Then, in what is set to be one of those unforgettable Star Wars hero moments, Wim pulls out the lightsaber. He is about to fulfill every dream and fantasy he has ever had. But, when he turns it on, it’s upside down and flies. Jod tells 33 to capture the crew, but they quickly escape, while Jod grabs the lightsaber.

Our biggest takeaway from The skeleton crew Episode five is how much fun can be had in this story. Yes, there are some moments of pause, like Wim who is homesick and his father, back in At Attin, desperately trying to do something. But more than that, we love to see this group traversing the galaxy, solving puzzles, getting into trouble, and slowly figuring out this mystery. The mystery of why At Attin is so hidden, what do people really do there, and who the hell is this pirate Force-user Jod Na Nawood? What if that means we meet new aliens and bounty hunters on exciting new planets along the way? All the best.

You can stream the first five episodes of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew on Disney+.

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