In Review: Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (S1 – EP5) You Have a Lot to Learn About Pirates

Synopsis: In You Have a Lot to Learn About Pirates, A seemingly pleasant world will test our heroes like no other.

The Story

Having left At Achrann in last week’s installment, Jod Na Nawood and the kids set to work repairing a malfunctioning SM 33. Their goal: unlocking all his memories about At Attin. But they get more than they bargained for when SM 33 leads them to a planet once used by his old Captain as a secret treasure hoard. Among the treasures, they hope to find the coordinates to At Attin.

Upon arriving, however, they discover the planet has been transformed into a hedonistic adult holiday resort for the wealthy. This forces the group into a game of subterfuge—an art the kids are far from mastering. Their troubles escalate when a bounty hunter recognizes Jod Na Nawood and reports his location, putting a target squarely on their backs.

Acting

This episode truly belongs to Nick Frost, who fully embraces his pirate persona, adding depth to the show’s mythology. Meanwhile, Jude Law brings a new level of ruthlessness to Jod Na Nawood as he spirals into full-blown panic after being identified by the bounty hunter. In a shocking moment, he even holds a knife to Fern’s throat.

Overall

With only a few episodes left, it feels like the story arc is progressing slowly in terms of forward momentum. That said, we do get some excellent character moments from SM 33, who reveals more about his previous life working for his captain and even leads the group to his old captain’s secret stash.

We also learn a little more about Jod Na Nawood, though his true identity and the reason he’s being hunted remain a mystery. One standout moment in the episode is a conversation between Na Nawood and Wim, where Nawood urges Wim to let go of his attachments to his family to better focus on their mission. It’s a poignant scene, with Wim tearfully missing his father and starting to confront the less glamorous side of an adventurous life.

Overall, this wasn’t a bad episode, but it wasn’t a standout either. Hopefully, next week’s show offers more answers and forward movement.