I really wasn’t looking forward to this one, so here’s my Skeleton Crew Episode 1 & 2 review and actually it’s not half as bad as I was expecting. In fact, I rather enjoyed the series so far. This is a SPOILER FREE review, but I’m going to assume people have at least seen the trailer and know the basic plot. As in, kids find spaceship, ship takes off, and they get lost in the Galaxy, where they run into pirates. If that just shocked you, maybe just skip to the GRADES below.

Episode 1

Episode 1 is the longest of the two and it does take its sweet time getting to the point of departure. However, I think we needed to see a little of what life was like on the planet of At Attin. The first two episodes establish a bit of a mystery to proceedings. One that we knew going in if you follow Star Wars news. Namely that the planet the kids are from isn’t known by anyone they find.

Now, there’s a bit more to that mystery explored in the show and I won’t spoil details. However, the set up of this mystery I think required us to spend time in this rather odd place. That reminds me, I was worried At Attin would feel too much like Earth. Kids living in the suburbs, going to school etc. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how alien it all still felt. I think partly because the way life is in At Attin is very different from how we would be comfortable living. Our leads don’t really understand their own world yet. Therefore to us (the audience) it remains a mystery. A mystery deepened by how the outside Galaxy reacts to it’s name.

Whether that resolves into an interesting and consequential mystery remains to be seen?

I enjoyed Episode 1 enough to keep watching, but for me things don’t really get going till Episode 2.  The first episode introduces us to the four kids who are leading the show and their home planet. In that regards it does it’s job and remains interesting enough to get through. A cold open on Episode 1 introduces us to the pirates who are clearly going to be heavily involved in this one.

GRADE: B-

Less Earthy than I had feared and At Attin is more interesting. The kids are okay so far and it sets the scene for the series ahead. Also not that much fun outside of the cold open and the episode finale.

Episode 2

I really think the series finds its feet once the kids are in the ship and lost. SM-33 is actually brilliant and my favourite character in the series so far. If you don’t know who Smee (get it, Peter Pan) is yet, I won’t spoil, but he’s brilliant.

The mystery of At Attin is deepened a little as the kids fly anywhere looking for help. Sadly for them, where they end up is not exactly a friendly place. As you’d imagine the kids get into trouble as kids do. The spaceport they arrive it as a new design and feels very much like Star Wars. The denizens of that spaceport are a collection of weird looking cutthroats like we haven’t seen since the Cantina in Star Wars: A New Hope.

RELATED: Star Wars: Skeleton Crew – Runtime Of Opening Two Episodes Plus Latest Promos Ahead Of Premiere

Dark as this place is, the show maintains that distance which can allow kids to watch without any worries from parents. There may even be a few moments your kids might laugh here. Additionally, if you’re an adult…well I laughed out loud twice in Episode 2. Once was a small humorous moment and the other was a fight scene with SM-33, which I thought was brilliantly done and even funny in moments.

For anyone wondering about Jude Law’s character? He only shows up at the very end of Episode 2. There a lot we could discuss (with full spoilers), but for now all I’ll say is, ask me again after Episode 3.

My only real criticism of Episode 2 is small. I do have a dislike for when the pirates are connected to sea faring pirates on Earth too closely. Mando Season 3 was too Earth piratey for me. So far Skeleton Crew is better in that regard. However, in one scene young Wim find some items from the previous crew. Said items could have been taking off One Eyed Willy’s ship in The Goonies. The old Earth hats and even an old telescope which seems completely unneeded in the Star Wars universe. Some folks don’t care about these little details, I do. Sorry if you think I’m being pedantic, but I am pretty pedantic when it comes to Star Wars.

GRADE: B+

Fun from start to finish, can’t deny it. Definitely aimed at kids/families though so don’t expect any adult drama. Yet, Skeleton Crew, if it keeps up with Episode 2 is I think going to be a fun addition to the Star Wars universe. Though I reserve the right to change my mind if it jumps the shark.

What do you think of Skeleton Crew Episode 1 & 2? As always let us know what you thought of the show, or my review down below in the usual spot.

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