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Heads up, spoilers are ahead for “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” episode 7, aptly named “We’re Gonna Be In So Much Trouble.”
In the second to last episode of the inaugural season of “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew”, all story arcs and characters come together on the enigmatic world of At Attin in “We’re Gonna Be In So Much Trouble.” The narrative unfolds with the parents of the endangered children, Wim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers), Fern (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), Neel (Robert Timothy Smith), and KB (Kyriana Kritter), devising a plan to send them a crucial message to help them navigate past the deadly barrier blocking their way home. Concurrently, a battle over the children and their ship, the Onyx Cinder, ensues among Captain Brutus (Fred Tatasciore), Jod Na Nawood (Jude Law), and their pirate crew, due to the realization that the ship could be their ticket through the barrier.
Ultimately, Jod emerges victorious, forcing the children into captivity with brutal threats, and abandoning his pirate comrades. Upon reaching the surface, he discovers the legendary treasure of At Attin, leading to a reunion of the kids with their parents. However, the episode concludes just as the ultimate showdown is about to commence.
Throughout the episode, “We’re Gonna Be In So Much Trouble” draws inspiration from various sources, ranging from “Andor” to “Treasure Island”, with one of its standout scenes drawing directly from a Steven Spielberg masterpiece.
Skeleton Crew episode 7 channels E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
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The creators of “Skeleton Crew”, Robert Watts and Christopher Ford, have openly acknowledged their admiration and inspiration from Steven Spielberg’s works, particularly his 1980s productions. Frequent references to “The Goonies” are made, which is understandable as it laid the foundation for the “Kids on Bikes” genre, resonating deeply with the 80’s generation. However, the genre’s inception can be traced back to another Spielberg classic, the 1982 blockbuster “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial.”
The opening scene of “Skeleton Crew’s” seventh episode is reminiscent of “E.T.” With little faith in At Attin’s droids and superiors to help locate their children, the parents construct their own communication device from spare parts to transmit a message beyond the planet’s barrier. They convene in the forest to send out their message, but their plans are thwarted by At Attin’s security droids who, armed with bright flashlights, chase them in an attempt to stop the message from transmitting.
This sequence seems to pay homage to two iconic moments from “E.T.” The first being the foot chase scene in which the titular alien is pursued by government agents in a flashlight-lit forest, a scene already referenced in earlier episodes. The second is when E.T. assembles his own communication device to contact his kin and arrange for his pickup, famously uttering the line “E.T. phone home.”
While episode 7 of “Skeleton Crew” mirrors the aesthetic and mood of Spielberg’s classic through its nocturnal forest scene, it humorously flips the script by having the adults evade authorities. Despite the comedic twist, the parents’ primary concern is to ensure their children’s safe return, leading us to speculate if this is a glimpse into what the other extra-terrestrials attempting to contact E.T. in Spielberg’s film might have experienced.
Will Skeleton Crew end with a Spielberg-esque rousing climax?
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One common thread in Spielberg’s “Kids on Bikes” movies of the 1980s is their exciting climax featuring plenty of action and, as the genre suggests, kids on bikes. Given that this episode of “Skeleton Crew” concludes on a cliffhanger after the young protagonists are brought back to At Attin, it’s plausible that we’ll see them riding their hoverbikes in a bid to thwart Jod Na Nawood’s treacherous plans in the season finale.
Can we expect to see them soaring into the sky and silhouetted against the moon? That might be stretching it a bit, but it’s fair to assume that the hoverbikes will play a significant role. It’s also likely that Wim will get his hands on the lightsaber that Jod stole. It would be fitting for him to realize his dream of becoming a Jedi, as hinted since the first episode. We also hope to see the return of the children’s droid friend SM-33, which would align perfectly with Spielberg’s storytelling style.
The finale of “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” season 1 premieres on January 14, 2025, at 6pm PST, exclusively on Disney+.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
