This week’s Skeleton Crew Episode 4 brings directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert to the forefront as they add their unique storytelling flair to the series.
Searching for Home on At Achrann
Following their meeting with Jod’s former ally, Kh’ymm (Alia Shawkat), in Episode 3, the group sets out to locate At Attin. Instead, they land on a nearly identical planet called At Achrann. The planet’s eerie similarity to At Attin raises questions: Why are there so many planets that seem like replicas?
What was the Republic’s purpose in creating such worlds? As the crew shows At Achrann, these mysteries become central to the episode.
The episode opens on a lighthearted note, with Fern asserting her authority as captain by banning adults from the cockpit. SM-33 (Nick Frost), the group’s droid, enforces this rule enthusiastically, much to Jod’s dismay. After landing, Fern assigns SM-33 to babysit Jod, and the droid humorously announces he is activating his “babysitting sequence.”
While the children show the planet, Jod takes advantage of the situation by rummaging through their belongings. He discovers a stash of Republic credits in Wim’s bag but is caught by SM-33, who accuses him of theft.
Jod’s embarrassment is short-lived as the droid begins recounting his past experiences on At Achrann, calling it a “dangerous place.” SM-33’s memory of the planet seems fragmented, but his cryptic comment, “Can’t say I remember no At Attin,” sets the tone for the episode’s title and the events to come.
A Ruined World and New Friends
As the young crew ventures deeper into At Achrann, they notice unsettling similarities between this planet and At Attin. However, it is evident that At Achrann has suffered a great catastrophe. Buildings lie in ruins, schools are abandoned, and homes are overgrown with trees.
While examining a headless statue humorously nicknamed “King No Head” by Wim, they are ambushed by two children who have been following them since their arrival.
The older of the two children, Hayna (Hala Finley), demands to know what flag they fly. When the group fails to answer, Hayna becomes suspicious. Before she can press them further, Hattan warriors arrive, forcing everyone to hide in a derelict tram car.
Once the danger passes, Hayna leads the crew to her clan’s base in an abandoned school. There, they meet her father, General Strix (Mathieu Kassovitz), the leader of the Troik clan. Strix explains that on At Achrann, children are treated as adults, a principle that reflects the harsh realities of their world.
When the group asks General Strix about At Attin, he dismisses their questions and states that the Troik have no interest in off-world matters. Hayna, however, mentions ancient carvings in a location called the “Fallen Sanctum” that might provide answers.
Strix deems the Sanctum too dangerous to visit but offers the group a deal: if they train and prove their worth in the Troik’s ongoing fight against the Hattan, he will allow them access to the carvings. Though reluctant, the young crew agrees.
During their training, KB demonstrates exceptional sharpshooting skills, while Wim struggles as a marksman. Meanwhile, Neel bonds with Hayna, who introduces him to the Troik settlement and shares her perspective on the hardships of life on At Achrann.
Their growing friendship highlights the contrast between the relatively peaceful lives of the crew and the constant battles faced by the Troik.
Leadership Tested in the Face of Conflict
As the crew’s training concludes, General Strix declares that Captain Fern and her friends will lead the Troik into battle against the Hattan. Fern is hesitant, but Strix’s insistence leaves her with no choice.
The young crew marches with the Troik warriors through the smoky streets of At Achrann, feeling the weight of their new responsibility. Fern begins to question her role as a leader, especially when veiled threats from the Troik discourage any thoughts of desertion.
Fortunately, when they reach their destination, they do not find Hattan warriors waiting for them. Instead, they are greeted by Jod and SM-33, who have retrieved the Troik’s stolen eopies. Jod reveals that he used Wim’s credits to buy the eopies back from the Hattan, a risky but ultimately successful move.
His actions earn him the admiration of the Troik, and General Strix offers him rewards. However, Jod only asks for the safety of the children in return. This unexpected gesture surprises Fern, though it remains unclear whether Jod’s motivations are entirely selfless.
A View of Hope and the Fallen Sanctum
With the Troik’s trust secured, Hayna takes the crew to the Fallen Sanctum. The towering structure is ominous and decayed, much like the rest of At Achrann. Inside, the group discovers ancient intergalactic coordinates etched into the columns.
Still from Star Wars Skeleton Crew (Credit: Disney+)
These carvings point to various planets, including At Attin, but the coordinates for their home planet have been destroyed. SM-33 reveals that he was responsible for destroying the coordinates during his time on At Achrann with his former captain. However, his fragmented memory offers little clarity on why this was done.
This revelation overwhelms Fern, who runs off to process her emotions. She worries that she has failed as a captain and questions whether she was ever suited for the role. Wim finds her and tries to reassure her, emphasizing the courage and leadership she has shown so far.
Though Fern initially doubts herself, she regains her resolve and returns to confront SM-33. Using her authority as captain, she orders the droid to recall everything about At Attin.
SM-33 complies but reveals a chilling detail: his former captain ordered him to eliminate anyone who sought At Attin. This command causes SM-33 to malfunction and turn on the crew.
A Heroic Stand and a Bittersweet Goodbye
As SM-33 begins attacking, Neel steps forward to distract the droid, giving Jod enough time to deactivate it. Though Neel’s bravery saves the day, the ordeal leaves him exhausted.
The crew’s relief is short-lived as they realize they are no closer to finding their way back to At Attin. However, their journey has brought them new allies and strengthened their bond as a team.
Before departing, Neel tries to convince Hayna to join them in search of a better life. Hayna declines, explaining that her responsibilities to her people come first.
She expresses hope that one day, as the leader of the Troik, she can bring about change inspired by her time with Neel. Their farewell is marked by a tender moment as Hayna kisses Neel’s cheek, leaving him blushing and hinting at the beginning of a deeper connection.
The Road Ahead
The episode closes with the crew preparing to continue their journey. Though their path remains uncertain, their determination to find At Attin grows stronger.
The Daniels’ direction captures the youthful spirit and emotional depth that make Skeleton Crew stand out within the Star Wars universe. While the plot’s logic occasionally stretches thin, the episode’s humor, heart, and sense of adventure deliver an engaging experience for viewers.
With four episodes now available to stream on Disney+, Skeleton Crew has reached its halfway point. New episodes premiere every Tuesday at 9 PM ET, promising more challenges, discoveries, and moments of growth for Jod, Fern, and the crew as they search for a place to call home.
Set in the New Republic era, four kids from At Attin, Wim, Fern, KB, and Neel, find a hidden spaceship, get lost in the galaxy, and enlist the help of pirate Jod Na Nawood to get home. It’s Goonies-meets-Star Wars, full of mischief, mystery, and coming-of-age moments.
The final season of The Dragon Prince begins after the events of Season 6, and the stakes are higher than ever. Season 5 brought huge changes, and the characters are now dealing with the results.
Aaravos’s prison has been found, Viren is no longer using dark magic, the Sunfire Elves are close to going to war, and the dragon queen, Zubeia, is injured and missing. This leaves the story with a lot to cover, and as a result, Callum, Rayla, Ezran, and their friends find themselves in even more danger.
The Heroes Have New Quests in Season 6
Ezran, Callum, Rayla, and Soren return to Katolis after finding Aaravos’s prison. They need to figure out what to do with it. Callum is afraid of Aaravos’s power to control him, so he wants to destroy the prison. However, in Season 5, Callum learned that the only way to kill a Startouch Elf like Aaravos is with the Nova Blade.
The Nova Blade is located in a tower called the Star Scraper. Interestingly, the Quasar Diamonds that could free Rayla’s family are also found in the same tower. After talking with Ezran, Callum makes a fake prison that looks like the real one, leaving the illusion that the prison stays in Katolis. Callum and Rayla then set off on a quest to the Star Scraper, but Callum accidentally takes the wrong prison.
Meanwhile, Soren takes Zym, the dragon, to search for Zubeia. In Season 5, Zubeia was hurt by infected monsters in Lux Aurea but kept her injury a secret. Soren, Zym, and Corvus track Zubeia’s location to a clearing where they see her crash, but they lose her trail.
However, they find a path of mushrooms that leads them to the mushroom mage, who had healed Zubeia. Although Zubeia is not fully recovered, she shares a joyful reunion with Zym. Zubeia tells Zym to continue helping his friends while she recovers.
Season 6 Moves Rayla and Callum’s Relationship Forward
As Rayla and Callum travel to the frozen north, Callum admits he has used dark magic for a second time. Rayla makes him promise not to use it again, even if it means letting her die. Callum agrees but only under the condition that if Aaravos takes control of him again, Rayla will have to kill him. This agreement has been expected for a long time, but neither Rayla nor Callum are happy about it.
When they arrive at the Star Scraper, they meet the Celestial Elves, who wear blindfolds. They tell Rayla and Callum that the Nova Blade is no longer there. The blade can only kill Aaravos’s mortal form, and even if Aaravos dies, he could come back and ruin their plans.
However, the Celestial Elves believe Rayla and Callum are the “chosen two” who are destined to bring clear skies back by melting the heart of a monster. Even though Rayla is hesitant, Callum convinces her to go.
When they reach the monster, Rayla refuses to kill it. She realizes that the creature is a pet mourning its owner. She comforts the creature, figuratively melting its heart, while still helping the Celestial Elves.
In return for their bravery, Rayla and Callum are given the three Quasar Diamonds, which can save Rayla’s family. Before they leave, one Celestial Elf sees the darkness in Callum’s future and helps him fill the hole dark magic has left in him.
To do this, Callum must fly to the stars and discover his true purpose. He learns that Rayla is the light that can fill the darkness within him. This realization brings Callum and Rayla back together as a couple for the first time since the time jump in Season 4.
Returning to the Moon Nexus to Save Rayla’s Family
To save Rayla’s parents and Runaan, Callum and Rayla go to the Moon Nexus. Lujanne tells them that one of the Quasar Diamonds is a fake, so Rayla can only save two souls. They enter the moon portal, where Rayla is reunited with her parents.
Her parents decide to move on instead of returning to the world. Reuniting with Runaan, however, is more difficult. Runaan sees himself as a monster because of what happened, but Rayla reminds him of the good things he left behind. She reassures him of her love for him, and Runaan is revived.
The Sunfire Elves Go to War
In Season 6, the Sunfire Elves are at war. Prince Karim, who is rebelling against his sister, Janai, has gathered an army and obtained the Sunseed. He plans to use it to restore the sight of the dragon Sol Regem. However, Sol Regem asks for his wings to be healed instead.
Even with the war going on, Janai and Amaya continue with their wedding plans. Karim’s attack interrupts the ceremony, and Ezran leaves the wedding to negotiate. During his meeting with Karim, Ezran and Corvus discover that Karim has made an alliance with Sol Regem, which leads to them being taken prisoner.
Ezran manages to escape, but his warning comes too late. When Karim summons Sol Regem for help, the dragon refuses to answer. As a result, Janai’s superior army defeats Karim’s forces.
Viren’s Redemption Arc
In Season 6, Viren undergoes a significant change after he refuses Aaravos’s deal. He is shocked when Claudia uses magic to bring him back to life. Feeling guilty about his past actions, Viren returns to Katolis to face justice and set a better example for his family.
Still from The Dragon Pince (Credit: Netflix)
Claudia is uncertain about her future and wants to talk to her father. She and her boyfriend, Terry, follow Viren in hopes of understanding his choices. However, Soren’s relationship with Viren is more complicated. He refuses to speak to his father and stays away.
While Ezran is away, Sol Regem attacks Katolis. Instead of fighting the dragon, Soren orders an evacuation to protect the citizens. He asks Viren for help, hoping to use magic to protect the people from the fire. Viren refuses, explaining that the spell requires a human heart. Though Soren offers his life, Viren decides to sacrifice himself, finding redemption in the process.
Sadly, Viren is not the only casualty. Sol Regem is also injured. As the dragon dies, Aaravos appears and admits to manipulating Sol Regem throughout the entire situation.
A Terrifying Cliffhanger Sets Up Season 7
After the attack on Katolis, Claudia and Terry return to find Viren’s body. More importantly, they discover Aaravos’s abandoned prison. Aaravos uses Claudia’s grief to manipulate her into freeing him. He tells her his story, explaining how his daughter, Leola, was killed for breaking the cosmic order by giving humans magic.
Aaravos claims that everything he has done since then has been out of love, but Terry points out that it is actually revenge. Claudia, moved by his words, decides to free Aaravos.
This shocking cliffhanger sets up the main conflict for Season 7. With Aaravos free and no way to defeat him, the heroes face a huge challenge. The Dragon Prince is headed toward an epic and unexpected conclusion.
The Dragon Prince Season 7 streams on Netflix on December 19 in the U.S.
