Star Wars: Skeleton Crewdelivered on the promise of a"whole new kind of Jedi"inStar Wars, but it wasn’t at all who (or what) I was expecting.Skeleton Crewjust released its final episode, bringing this brilliant new addition toStar Warsmovies and TV showsto a close. WithSkeleton Crew’scast of characters, the show’s innovative storylines, and the many Easter eggs and references to all that has come before inStar Wars, I truly believeSkeleton Crewis the best show we’ve had sinceAndor.
It also wasn’t clear whether this was a story ‘about’ the Jedi. In recent years,Star WarsTV shows—and the movies, to some extent—have shifted away from the Jedi versus the Sith story and have begun focusing on other characters and storylines. In fact, some ofStar Wars’best TV showshave focused on non-Force users, such as Din Djarin inThe Mandalorianand Cassian Andor inAndor. Yet,Skeleton Crewco-creators teased a"whole new kind of Jedi,“one surprising character proved they were telling the truth.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Was Set To Introduce A “Whole New Kind Of Jedi”
Jod Na Nawood Was Force Sensitive—But Not A Jedi
From the beginning, it seemed Jod Na Nawood was going to beSkeleton Crew’s"whole new kind of Jedi.“There was plenty of speculation surrounding this possibility, too, due to Jude Law’s cryptic responses and some other factors, such as the Jod action figure not coming with a lightsaber (although one also doesn’t need a lightsaber to be a Jedi). When the trailer showed Wim referring to Jod as a Jedi, though, it felt more or less confirmed.
From the beginning, it seemed Jod Na Nawood was going to beSkeleton Crew’s"whole new kind of Jedi.”
This was called into question very quickly inSkeleton Crewin light of Jod’s selfish and even ruthless behaviors as a pirate and the fact that his use of the Force seemed shaky at best. Many even believed he may have been using some other trick, such as magnets, like Fern herself suggested, because for some time, he had only been shown moving metal. Ultimately, he proved to be actually Force sensitive, butJod’s backstorywas much more complicated than just him being a Jedi.
IntheSkeleton Crewending, it was confirmed that Jod had been briefly trained by a Jedi who had found him, but that he ultimately watched her be cut down in front of him. This explained his minimal experience with the Force and why he seemed to only partially know the teachings of the Jedi. While Jod isn’tStar Wars’new Jedi, though,Skeleton Crewdid introduce one new Jedi who feels entirely new in the franchise.
Star Wars Gives Qui-Gon Jinn The Most Surprising Legacy
One line from Star Wars: Skeleton Crew episode 5 was a perfect callback to Qui-Gon Jinn in The Phantom Menace, cementing his legacy in Star Wars.
Wim Is Skeleton Crew’s “Jedi” Figure
KB Even Confirmed This By Calling Him A Jedi
From the very beginning ofSkeleton Crew, Wim was shown to be obsessed with the Jedi, pretending to have a lightsaber duel with Neel, hoping he had found a Jedi Temple on At Attin, and constantly referencing the Jedi and the Force. Yet, it was clear that WIm was not Force-sensitive, especially given his mishap with the lightsaber he found on Lanupa.Despite not being Force sensitive, Wim was the"whole new kind of Jedi"inSkeleton Crewall along.
This was confirmed first inSkeleton Crewepisode 6, when Wim helped KB when she needed maintenance for her medical condition.After Wim saved her, KB called Wim a Jedi, which was not only a touching moment between the newfound friends but was also proof of how perceptive KB is. KB was entirely right about Wim being a Jedi, even without the Force, because being a Jedi is really about compassion, selflessness, and a desire to help others. Wim then confirmed his Jedi ways in the finale, when he risked everything to save Fern.
Being a Jedi is really about compassion, selflessness, and a desire to help others.
You Don’t Need The Force To Be A Jedi
This Was Established In Star Wars Long Before Wim
Wim is far from the first example ofStar Warsconfirming that the Force isn’t what makes a Jedi. In fact, evenMaster Yoda knew one didn’t need the Force to be a Jedi. In theStar Warsshort story “What A Jedi Makes,“Yoda reveals that it was a non-Force-sensitive boy who wrote one of the sacred Jedi texts, confirming that one need not be Force-sensitive to be worthy of the title of Jedi. In that same story, Yoda allowed a non-Force-sensitive boy to train at the Temple, telling him this story to validate his place within the Order.
While Wim may not be like other Jedi inStar Wars, that was entirely the point. This is yet another example ofSkeleton Crewbeing innovative while still upholding the messages and themes ofStar Wars.Star Wars: Skeleton Crewabsolutely delivered on the"whole new kind of Jedi,“and it was a wonderful confirmation of the true meaning of a Jedi inStar Wars.
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.
