Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.
With only the first two episodes,Star Wars: Skeleton Crewhas already established itself as another refreshing outing for the Star Wars franchise – that fortunately steers away from the Skywalker Saga drama (at least for now). It gives another glimpse of the galaxy far, far away while still honoring its source material. And to do that, theJon WattsandChristopher Ford-created series seemingly scraped the bottom of the reference barrel. Episode 1, “This Could Be a Real Adventure,”features a nod to the most infamous release the franchise has seen– theStar Wars Holiday Special. And while this still doesn’t make the cursed special canon, it is a welcome gesture that somehow acknowledges its existence.
‘Skeleton Crew’ Makes a Playful Reference to the ‘Star Wars Holiday Special’
From the start,Star Wars: Skeleton Crewdistances itself from regular Star Wars lore. Featuring At Attin, a planet that seemingly shares more in common with cities from our own earth – with suburbs and all – the show offers a vastly different tone. ThisGoonies-reminiscing adventure focuses onRavi Cabot-Conyers’ Wim, a human kid who aches for adventure outside the boring jobs that the incipient New Republic has to offer. This leads him to push hishighly-lovable alien friend Neel(Robert Timothy Smith) into uncovering what he thinks is a Jedi temple.
But, before things go awry, and while Wim seeks Neel out, a brief sequence references theStar Wars Holiday Special. Before climbing up to the roof of Neel’s house, Wim is able to glimpse Neel’s younger siblings watching a holographic projection of circus-like performers dancing. While this might go unnoticed, the dancers are the exact same as those thatappeared in the 1978 special. The dance is part ofa whole sequence in which Lumpy – Chewbacca’s son – watches this hauntingly psychedelic performance. Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) having a family might be news, but it was a real thing way back then. In fact, the story of the special revolves around them waiting for his return to celebrate the Wookie equivalent of Christmas – Life Day.
When Does ‘Skeleton Crew’ Take Place in the Star Wars Timeline?
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away… but how long, specifically?
Wait, But Why Is There a Dance Performance in the ‘Star Wars Holiday Special’?
TheStar Wars Holiday Specialis perhaps the most bonkers production out of the wide array of Star Wars media. It is a campy, low-budget feature that was released through CBS – riding the wave of success afterStar Wars: A New Hope– and was never seen again.The circus troupe danceis just the beginning of the weirdness. This, among other segments, is used as a way to distract either Lumpy from waiting for his father, or lurking Imperial agents. Other trippy sequences include a cooking tutorial by comedianHarvey Kormanin alien drag, a kaleidoscopicDiahann Carrollperformance, a galactic music video byJefferson Starship, andBea Arthuras a Tatooine cantina bartender – who also sings!
It all ends in a ceremony around the Tree of Life in whichCarrie Fisheras Princess Leia – wait for it – puts lyrics into the Star Wars main theme to close the adventure. While theStar Wars Holiday Specialwas almost-instantly ignored in canon,it still lives on as a highlight of the saga– mostly because of how ludicrous and awkward it is. But not all things that came from it were disposable. From an animated segment called “The Faithful Wookiee” camethe character of Boba Fett. Becoming an instant fan-favorite, the bounty hunter was rescued and aptly used inStar Wars:The Empire Strikes Back.
While no one was craving to revive the trippy circus troupe dance sequence – or any of theStar Wars Holiday Specialfor that matter –whatStar Wars: Skeleton Crewdid is still a way to honor what the franchise has built. Thus, this is not the first time the special has been referenced. Some years ago,The Lego Star Wars Holiday Specialwas released, honoring the bold experiment that the original was. Pairing this with the recently-announced DisneylandWookiee Life Day popcorn bucketthat also pays homage to the special, perhaps the franchise is ready to acknowledge it as part of its history. This would be a great way to build upon what has come before – regardless of how absurd it may have been – instead of wanting to bury it in oblivion.
New episodes ofStar Wars: Skeleton Crewdrop at 9 PM ET every Tuesday.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew
Four kids make a mysterious discovery on their home planet that leads them to get lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy.
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