Episode 7 Analysis: The Crew's Reunion and Jod's Double-Cross

Spoiler Alert: This article contains a detailed overview of the 7th episode of Skeleton Crew. So, turn around if you haven’t watched it yet.

Previously on Epi 1: "This Could Be a Real Adventure," Epi 2: "Way, Way Out Past the Barrier,”  Epi 3: "Very Interesting, as an Astrogation Problem,” Epi 4: "Can't Say I Remember No At Attin,” Epi 5: “You Have a Lot to Learn About Pirates,” and Epi 6: “Zero Friends Again."

We're Gonna Be In So Much Trouble

With so many twists and turns, episode sixth of Skeleton Crew kept us on our seats the entire time. This made the wait for the new episode all the more difficult. After last week's turmoil, the wait for the new episode was just unbearable. So, without waiting any further, let's get into it.

The episode opens deep in At Attin forest, where the children’s parents are desperately trying to make a makeshift transmitter. The goal of the parents is to try and send a message to their kids. While they are secretly trying to do this, suddenly, lights turn on in the woods, and they get found by the Supervisor’s Security Droids. 

Determined to send the transmitter, Nooma, Neel’s Mother, grabs the transmitter, but she is stunned by a droid’s fire. Maree, one of KB's mothers, snatches it from Nooma and leads the group further into the woods. As they flee from the droids, the parents fall one by one by being stunted by the droids, leaving only Fara, Fern's mother. Driven, she activates the transmitter, watching as the signal breaches the planet's Barrier.

Aboard the Onyx Cinder, Fern, KB and Neel are all happy that they get to go home, but on the other hand, Wim is wrestling with regret and the fear of returning to his monotonous life. Despite Wim’s frustration, the others valued their journey as it was a chance for them to grow.

Suddenly, the pirate frigate emerges from hyperspace near At Attin. Brutus, the Captain of the ship, stares at the swirling Barrier surrounding the planet, doubting that there is any planet behind it. Jod tries to counter his skepticism with the help of SM-33, who reveals the Barrier is a well-known trap. Brutus sends a fighter ship to test the barrier, only to watch it destroyed. Seeing this, Brutus gets furious, and he tosses Jod into the airlock, demanding answers.

Jod tries to save himself by questioning SM-33 about Captain Tak Rennod's method of crossing the Barrier. Before Brutus can act any further, the Onyx Cinder suddenly appears, trying to cross the barrier. Recognizing its importance, Jod asks Brutus to capture the ship with a tractor beam as it will have the way to enter At Attin.

As the Cinder comes aboard the frigate, chaos erupts. The kids are able to trap Brutus by using the ship's mechanical crane. KB, with the help of her cybernetics, makes her voice robotic and demands their release. Jod, capitalizing on the situation, kills Brutus to scare the kids and takes control of the pirates. With Brutus gone, the pirates shift their allegiance, and Jod orders them to capture the children.

While Jod and other pirates are inside the Captain's quarters, the transmitter from the kids' parents finally reaches the ship. It shows a heartfelt message from the parents urging the kids to seek a Republic Emissary to learn how to cross the Barrier—a rite of passage for graduates of their academy. Inspired by the message, Fern begins formulating a plan to take control of Cinder back, but Wim impulsively attacks the pirates, leading to the group's capture.

Wim’s defiance forces a technical debate on pirate law about who the new Captain of the ship is. This prompted SM-33 to declare the Cinder a "kid-only" vessel. Taking this as an authority, SM-33 incapacitates Jod and ejects the pirates. The children and SM-33 pilot the ship into the Barrier, pursued by enemy fighters. The Barrier obliterates the pirate ships, sparing the Onyx Cinder. This is when Fern discovers that the Cinder is actually an At Attin ship.

As they near At Attin, the ship goes into autopilot mode, and suddenly, Jod reappears, having stowed away. Wielding the lightsaber acquired from Captain Rennod’s lair, Jod destroys SM-33 and corners the children. Jod takes control of the ship, declaring the kids as weak and unfit and threatening to kill anyone who resists.

On At Attin, the parents are detained by Security Droids as they explain their actions. Their conversation is halted mid-way as the Supervisor announces the arrival of an Emissary ship. KB’s parents identify the ship, confirming their children are aboard. The ship lands and is transported underground, cutting off Jod’s attempt to call for reinforcements.

In the subterranean vault, Jod discovers a fortune in Old Republic credits, with the droids revealing the existence of over a thousand such vaults. His joy is short-lived. Above, the children reunite with their parents in a heartfelt moment. But the reunion is interrupted when Jod emerges, igniting his lightsaber.

This is it for now from our side, we will be back with the eighth and final episode of Skeleton Crew very soon. Till then, may the Force be with you.