Star Wars: Skeleton Crew – Way, Way Out Past The Barrier review S1 E2

Way, Way Out Past the Barrier proved Skeleton Crew’s fun was only just beginning after an encouraging season premiere.

Wim, Fern, KB and Neel realize they have no idea what they’re doing with this starship heading further and further away from their planet, At Attin. While they could probably do something responsible like radioing their parents, the more kid-authentic thing to do is start exploring the ship.

Naturally, Wim is first to start exploring. He’s not bothered by any consequences back home. This is the first time in his life he’s gotten a chance to have a legit adventure and he’s not ready for the fun to stop anytime soon.

Eventually, they discover a robot — SM33 (Nick Frost) — who wants to know what happened to the captain. As usual, Fern is all bluster in this kind of situation and tells the robot she killed the captain so now she’s the new captain. Naturally, SM33 agrees with that logic proving droids don’t have that much loyalty.

SM33 has a fun design complete with a peg leg and a missing eye socket to simulate an eye patch. And for some reason he has some rat-like creature that keeps emerging from the eye hole.

While Wim wants to go exploring, Fern has seen enough and orders SM33 to take them back home. Only trouble is SM33 has no idea where At Attin is located. If it even exists. Fern remains the only frustrating character in Way, Way Out Past the Barrier. She’s too dismissive of Wim, who is the driving force and natural spark for the group’s misadventures. If anything, she’s more of the Lucy to Wim’s Charlie Brown. Does that make Neel Linus?

The group makes their way to a pirate port in a quest for some leads on how to get home. Wim is happy to go searching around on his RPG side quest. There’s probably a little cynicism in the thought that the pirate port looks suspiciously like an easy set up for a conversion into a ride/attraction at Disney World. Come explore Way, Way Out Past the Barrier! The estimated wait time from this point is two hours. At least it looks like a fun ride with a bunch of colorful characters running around.

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It doesn’t take long for Fern — the captain — to lose command of her crew — immediately after they dock at the port. One of the dancing entertainment girls warns KB and Fern that it’s not safe. They need to get home right away. It’s nice to see that even way, way out past the barrier there’s some exotic dancers with a heart of gold.

Wim might be an adventurer at heart, but he’s still far too naive. And poor Neel is far too forthcoming with any information specifically at the bar when announcing they’re from At Attin. Clearly there is some big deal with At Attin and the kids’ loose lips are exactly why their parents never wanted them to go way out past the barrier. This draws more attention from some of the bar patrons who try to hold Wim and Neel up for more money and intel, but the boys create a diversion and run away.

Director David Lowery does a nice job infusing fun into this chase sequence. Skeleton Crew might feature kids and seem to be setting its target audience at younger viewers, but nothing has been so goofy or slapstick that adults can’t enjoy it even without any children in the room. Fern manages to hold the pirates at bay with her blaster, but it takes SM33’s arrival to do some actual damage and take out that group of pirates.

Shame then that one of Brutus’ crew spots them running around. Brutus zaps SM33 and Fern’s mouthing off gets them sent in the brig. But they aren’t alone as a hooded, cloaked figure walks over stating he will help them. If he can leave with them.

Fern is naturally leery of this offer, but Wim is ecstatic when the stranger pulls the keys from the wall outside their cell with nothing more than a slight flick of his finger. This is Wim’s dream come true. Actually encountering a Jedi. The stranger asks can they keep a secret before the end credits roll leaving way out past the barrier on a tremendous cliffhanger.

Way, Way Out Past the Barrier puts the full measure of Skeleton Crew’s creativity and playful nature at the forefront. This is a series that isn’t mired in some dark, bleak time under the Empire’s thumb or showing the failings of the New Republic. It’s just a really fun trek along the galaxy.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Photo Credit: Disney

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