The Galaxy’s Edge reference you missed in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Episode 6

This article contains Spoilers For Episode 6 of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, “Zero Friends Again”.

“Skeleton Crew” is every bit as intriguing as the “Star Wars” show. Unlike “Andor” and arguably “The Acolyte” (but for entirely different reasons since it’s set so far away from other entries in the franchise’s timeline), this has proven to be the “Star Wars” show with the least amount of references and cameos. At least, the cameos and references aren’t as overt as those in “The Mandalorian.” Think about how Jude Law’s pirate character shares a name with a rogue from the “Star Wars” expanded universe (also known as Star Wars Legends).. It’s not something that’s going to turn heads, yet it’s still important enough for hardcore fans to pick it up. Likewise, there are smaller, less well-known characters like Ubbla Mollbro, the Canto Bight opera singer from The Last Jedi. Again, it’s more mysterious than the two men showing up at the Mos Eisley cantina in “Rogue One.”

Most importantly, the thing that makes the references in “Skeleton Crew” work is that they are mostly descriptive references that don’t break the immersion, but instead serve as clever nods to the works that inspired the show, such as SM-33 being named after them. Named from “Peter Pan” or The show’s Captain Flint act is named after “The Goonies” director Richard Donner. Of course, “Skeleton Crew” is a Disney property, so there are plenty of Disney Easter eggs as well. And not just those involving other Star Wars movies as well, but even theme park attractions, like the short scene in Episode 3 that recalls when the imprisoned pirates try to convince a dog to give them the key to the cell in the Pirates of the Caribbean theme park ride.

In its latest episode, “Zero Friends Again,” the series’ young heroes are forced to figure out how to get back to their ship and return home on their own after being abandoned by their adult companion, God Na Nawood (Law). This leads to them learning to become a proper crewman and pilot a starship, which they do in a sequence straight out of Smuggler’s Run at Galaxy’s Edge.

The latest episode of “Skeleton Crew” revolves around the kids growing closer as friends and becoming a proper team while Jude is busy. Doing the “Star Wars” equivalent of negotiating. They separate, learn to listen to each other, and when they finally reach their ship, they must work together to free it from the clutches of a giant garbage machine. To do this, they divide up the work involved in piloting the coaster in the same way that roles are divided between park guests at Galaxy’s Edge when riding Smuggler’s Run ( A ride through the theme park lets you experience the Millennium Falcon). As a result, Verne (Ryan Keira Armstrong) and Neil (Robert Timothy Smith) split driving duties between them, with one handling the throttle and the other handling the steering. Elsewhere, Wim (Ravi Cabot Conyers) runs the tower and attempts to bring down the garbage machine, all while KP (Kerianna Krater) takes care of the engine.

It’s a small reference, and one that could easily come to viewers’ minds, but it works for two reasons: 1) it’s a very specific reference and 2) it allows “Skeleton Crew” to effectively showcase the different strengths of its young heroes. Fern is always the one pushing the group forward, so she leads the direction. Neil is the one who makes sure the kids slow down when they have to, and takes their feelings into account, so he keeps the throttle going. Wim always fires his shot, even when he misses, so he directs the turret. Finally, KB is clearly the brains of the operation, so it’s perfect for controlling the engine.

There are two episodes left in the first season of “Skeleton Crew,” so it’s still entirely possible that we could get a CGI Luke Skywalker cameo or a Grogu appearance to help set up the next chapter in the MandoVerse (as we’ll describe it now). But until that happens, “Skeleton Crew” has proven to be one of the most memorable “Star Wars” titles of the Disney era.

New episodes of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew will be released every Tuesday at 6pm PT on Disney+.