Warning! This post contains spoilers for Star Wars: Skeleton Crew episode 8.
Five years afterThe Mandalorianfirst premiered,Star Wars’new show,Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, has remembered what madeThe Mandaloriansuch a rousing success in the first place.Star Wars: Skeleton Crewdid something not seen in theStar Warscorner of Disney+ since the premiere ofThe Mandalorianin 2019; it told a story about a previously unknown group of characters in an uncharted part of theStar Warsgalaxy. This is what madeSkeleton Crewsuch an exciting prospect.
Andoris a spin-off ofRogue One: A Star Wars Story,Ahsokais essentially a sequel toStar Wars Rebels, and bothAhsokaandThe Mandaloriantie in heavily toRebelsandStar Wars: The Clone Wars, too. EvenSkeleton Crew, with an entirely new group of characters, is loosely connected to the wider so-called “Mandoverse” because it is set during the New Republic era. And yet, despite this easily exploitable connection,Skeleton Crewand its finaledid somethingStar Warshasn’t done in a long time.
The Mandalorian Season 1 Avoided Easter Eggs So New Viewers Could Dive Right In
The Mandalorianwas a major deal when it first premiered in 2019. Not only was itStar Wars’first-ever live-action TV show, but it was also Disney+’s flagship series; it needed to be a big enough event to draw in both old and newStar Warsfans from all corners of the galaxy and show them that Disney+ was worth subscribing to. Clearly,The Mandalorianseason 1 succeeded – it became one ofStar Wars’most beloved projects, spawning numerous spinoffs and endless merchandising opportunities.
However, what madeThe Mandalorianso successful wasn’t just theStar Warsbrand attached to it;Lucasfilm was clever enough to produce a story that anybody, regardless of their previous history withStar Wars, could jump into. Sure, it drew from the previously underexplored canon lore of Mandalorian culture (including the Darksaber), but even there, it made its own rules. Din Djarin and Grogu formed a formidable, emotionally resonant duo, and though the show visited places like Tatooine, none of it truly tied back to the Skywalker saga or otherStar Warsstories.
Din Djarin and Grogu became part of a much wider galaxy, and The Mandalorian became a haven for previously establishedStar Warslore rather than a pioneer of new lore.
This all changed whenThe Mandalorianseasons 2 and 3 came along. Sure, you could argue that it was just a matter of time beforeStar Wars’wider lore came knocking onThe Mandalorian’s door, an inevitability due to Grogu’s Force-sensitivity and the remaining Mandalorians. However,The Mandalorianhas, in some cases, taken that connection too far.
Season 2 introduced Ahsoka Tano, Boba Fett, and Bo-Katan Kryze, all pivotal characters in the franchise. Luke Skywalker showed up in the finale. Suddenly, Din Djarin and Grogu became part of a much wider galaxy, and the show became a haven for previously establishedStar Warslore rather than a pioneer of new lore.
Skeleton Crew’s Finale Didn’t Feature Any Major Mandoverse Cameos
The Mandoverse shows have given audiences plenty of cameos. Some were great, some unnecessary.The Mandalorianseasons 2 and 3 included Ahsoka, Boba, Bo-Katan, Luke, and evenStar Wars Rebels’Garazeb Orrelios.Ahsokacarried theStar Wars Rebelstorch and re-introduced Sabine Wren, Hera Syndulla, Jacen Syndulla, Ezra Bridger, and Grand Admiral Thrawn.
EvenAndor, a unique show in its own right due to its storytelling approach and subject matter, couldn’t avoid including characters like freedom fighter Saw Gerrera or Senator Mon Mothma. None of these roles were mere cameos, per se (though Zeb had only a minor appearance inThe Mandalorianseason 3), but still. Everything is connected to something.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Cast & Character Guide
Since Lucasfilm debuted the trailer for Skeleton Crew, it’s helpful to know who is in Disney’s latest Star Wars show - & who their characters are.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, on the other hand, managed to include just one recognizable cameo from the Mandoverse.The pirate Vane, who helped Pirate King Gorian Shard invade Nevarro inThe Mandalorianseason 3, is now a player in Captain Silvo’s pirate crew, too. However, it’s important to note that Vane’s presence had no bearing on the story as a whole. His role was the definition of an Easter egg. If you knew who he was, that’s a fun bit of trivia, and if you didn’t, it will have had no impact on your understanding or enjoyment ofSkeleton Crew’s story.
Now, I won’t deny that when, inSkeleton Crewepisode 8, “The Real Good Guys”, the New Republic came torescue At Attinand a few X-Wings came flying in attack formation, I prepared myself to recognize some familiar faces. Zeb, Hera Syndulla, or perhaps Captain Carson Teva, who has shown his face in bothThe MandalorianandAhsoka. Instead, none of the X-Wing pilots looked familiar, and I can honestly say thatI’ve never been so excited about not seeing an instantly recognizable character in aStar Warsfinale before.
Skeleton Crew Is Better Off Without A Mandalorian Connection
Skeleton Crewmay take place in the New Republic era, but the creators and writers made the right choice when they decided not to include any major New Republic-era cameos. Part of what makesSkeleton Crewso special and refreshing is that watching it is an entirely new experience for both veteran fans and those less well-versed inStar Warsmyth. It’s an Amblin adventure that happens to be set in theStar Warsgalaxy, andwhile it takes full advantage ofStar Wars’ gorgeous and expansive world-building, it doesn’t rely on it to sell itself.
Now thatStar Warsis more interconnected than ever before, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’s individual strength is a beautiful thing to behold.
The characters, the locales, the narrative, and the mystery were all entertaining and enthralling enough on their own. Including anyMandalorian-era characters or storylines would have taken away from the experience of the finale – a brilliant finale, in my humble opinion – and reduced it to yet another “Mandoverse” show, a piece of the puzzle leading up toThe Mandalorian & Groguand Dave Filoni’sMandalorianculmination movie.
The Mandalorian & Groguis slated to be released on June 10, 2025.
Now,Skeleton Crewhas the chance to carve out its own legacy, both for its story and its characters. Will Wim join an unestablished Rebellion squadron someday? Will the kids try to find out what happened to the legendary pirate Tak Rennod? How will At Attin cope now that the barrier is gone? There’s so much left forSkeleton Crewto explore, and aside from making sure theNew Republic timelinemakes sense, it’s only obligated to continue its own narrative. Now thatStar Warsis more interconnected than ever before,Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’s individual strength is a beautiful thing to behold.
All episodes ofStar Wars: Skeleton Creware now available to stream exclusively on Disney+.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew
Cast
Skeleton Crew follows four ordinary children who become lost in the expansive Star Wars galaxy. As they navigate unfamiliar worlds and the challenges they present, the group endeavors to find their way back to their home planet, undertaking a journey across the iconic Star Wars universe.
The Mandalorian
Released on July 04, 2025 The Mandalorian follows a lone gunfighter navigating the galaxy’s outer reaches after the Galactic Empire’s fall. As a skilled bounty hunter, he operates in a lawless universe, undertaking various missions on the fringes of the New Republic’s territories.
