Star Wars’ New TV Series Challenges Franchise Norms & That’s What Makes It Exceptional

This article includes minor spoilers for Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. This latest installment in the Star Wars franchise is embracing a bold new direction, making it a standout among its predecessors. Combining the magic of the Star Wars universe with a unique coming-of-age narrative, the show revolves around a group of children from a familiar, Earth-like planet who unexpectedly find themselves lost in the vast Star Wars galaxy.

The ensemble cast of Skeleton Crew is another key highlight, contributing to its impressive 95% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, while the audience score currently sits at a commendable 80%. Initially, the show’s trailers sparked controversy, particularly surrounding the design of At Attin, the home planet of the Skeleton Crew, which some viewers felt resembled a typical suburban landscape. However, the show has since leaned into this design choice, which has proven to be a significant factor in its widespread appeal and success.

Skeleton Crew Breaks Boundaries in Storytelling

Jewels of the Old Republic Planets in Skeleton Crew Episode 3

Traditionally, Lucasfilm has meticulously crafted the Star Wars galaxy to maintain a distinct separation from Earthly aesthetics. In an interview with Le Monde, Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy highlighted these creative constraints:

“I remember we were shooting a scene and someone was cleaning a knife.
You can’t have a knife; there are no knives in
Star Wars, no wheels, no paper. They were a lot more conservative. I like to think of
Star Wars as the Vatican, and in San Francisco there’s the Curia, they literally have a court. There’s a guy, Pablo Hidalgo, who says what’s allowable. He has a very difficult job because he has to remember everything (that ever happened in the universe).”

Viewers who pay close attention can quickly recognize that Skeleton Crew boldly challenges these longstanding conventions. For instance, the presence of knives—particularly on the Onyx Cinder—and what appear to be paper scrolls in episode three have raised eyebrows. This shift indicates a refreshing change in the series’ approach.

The Success of Skeleton Crew’s Rule-Breaking

The Star Wars fanbase is notorious for being split on various narrative choices, yet Skeleton Crew’s deviations from the norm have largely been well-received. The rationale behind these design elements is both calculated and thematic—integral to the show’s allure. The inclusion of knives aligns perfectly with the series’ pirate theme, and Kh’ymm’s scroll serves as a metaphorical treasure map, deepening the narrative.

So, what allows Star Wars: Skeleton Crew to sidestep the traditional restrictions? A significant factor is its overall quality—viewers are willing to overlook minor inconsistencies when the story is engaging. Additionally, the presence of these atypical items—knives and scrolls—hints at the rich history of At Attin and the Onyx Cinder, weaving them into the broader mystery in a cleverly nuanced way.

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