While <em>Star Wars: Skeleton Crew</em> diverges from the typical narratives of the Star Wars universe, it cleverly integrates numerous references to the broader franchise. For instance, Jod’s (Jude Law) moniker, Crimson Jack, draws from the Star Wars Legends, while the mention of Atollon connects to the animated series Star Wars: Rebels. Additionally, the series pays homage to less mainstream content by featuring a ship reminiscent of the one found in the Disney Parks attraction Star Tours. These subtle nods may not fundamentally alter the storyline, but they enrich the universe and create delightful moments for fans to uncover. Notably, Episode 6, titled “Zero Friends Again,” introduces an intriguing Easter egg that reflects a lesser-known aspect of the franchise, specifically echoing the Star Wars: Millennium Falcon – Smugglers Run attraction at Disney Park’s Galaxy’s Edge.

This Easter egg is more of a thematic connection rather than a direct reference, yet it significantly enhances the narrative of Skeleton Crew. Both stories share a central element: the presence of pirates in the galaxy. The characters Fern (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), KB (Kyriana Kratter), Whim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers), and Neel (Robert Timothy Smith) inadvertently cross paths with pirates when they find themselves lost. In contrast, Smugglers Run casts guests in a mission guided by the iconic Hondo Ohnaka (Jim Cummings), a character introduced in Star Wars: Clone Wars. However, Episode 6 makes a more defined connection between the two narratives.

Discover the Exciting Adventure of Smugglers Run

To infuse the Star Wars experience into the theme parks, Disney developed an immersive area known as Galaxy’s Edge, which can be found in both Disneyland and Disney World’s Hollywood Studios. This captivating land showcases the planet Batuu during the timeline of the sequel trilogy, providing guests with a unique experience. Smugglers Run takes this experience a step further by featuring Hondo, a character exclusive to the attraction, enriching the lore of the Star Wars universe. In this interactive adventure, Hondo recruits guests for a mission involving his company, Ohnaka Transport Solutions. However, true to Hondo’s character, the mission is fraught with illegal activities and perilous situations. The objective requires piloting the legendary Millennium Falcon to steal coaxium from the First Order and smuggle it back to him, showcasing the thrilling risks inherent in a pirate’s life.

The Smugglers Run ride offers fans a chance to step inside the Millennium Falcon, providing an interactive experience that varies based on each participant’s skills. Riders are assigned specific roles—pilot, gunner, or engineer—as they embark on their mission. Notably, the storyline of Smugglers Run isn’t directly referenced in Skeleton Crew due to the chronological differences between the two narratives. Instead of reproducing details from the ride, Skeleton Crew captures a similar dynamic as the characters, like the riders, strive for escape, enhancing the viewer’s immersion into this adventurous universe.

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Exploring the Intriguing Parallels Between ‘Skeleton Crew’ and Smugglers Run

The episode showcases the central group of children embarking on distinct journeys as they grapple with their situation regarding the absence of Jod or SM-33 (Nick Frost) and their ship, the Onyx Cinder, now out of reach. While Whim and KB develop a bond through their efforts to find a secure route back to their ship, Fern and Neel engage in a perilous ascent. However, the reference to Smugglers Run only becomes apparent when all four characters reunite, equipped with a newfound understanding of their individual strengths and capabilities. After the Onyx Cinder is carelessly discarded into a junk pile, it suddenly becomes accessible. Yet, with a threatening trash compactor looming, ready to crush both the ship and the children inside, the four kids scramble to escape.

Neel, Fern, KB, and Whim tackle their tasks in a manner reminiscent of Smugglers Run, where Neel and Fern handle the piloting duties, KB boosts the ship’s power, while Whim focuses on eliminating the machine that attacks them. Each character fulfills a role akin to those assigned in the attraction. Fortunately, they narrowly evade disaster when Fern activates the Emergency Hull Demolition button, allowing the Onyx Cinder to shed its outer layer and liberate the ship from the compactor’s grasp. This clever division of tasks echoes the collaborative nature of Smugglers Run, making it a subtle yet significant Easter egg that enriches the connection to the theme parks for attentive viewers.

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Four kids make a mysterious discovery on their home planet that leads them to get lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy.

Release Date

December 2, 2024

Creator

Cast

Jude Law, Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Kyriana Kratter, Robert Timothy Smith, Tunde Adebimpe, Kerry Condon, Nick Frost

Seasons

1

Franchise

New episodes of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew are released every Tuesday on Disney+.

WATCH ON DISNEY+