This is the Way

20/01/2025

Jod was once 12 years old, just like the "core four" of Wim, Fern, Neel, and KB. They grew up sheltered and safe on At-Attin behind a barrier. Jod spent his childhood starving in a hole. I mean, sure, he had potential, but who doesn't at twelve?

Skeleton Crew's eighth episode of season one is called "The Real Good Guys" and we are treated to a lot of good TV. It's not perfect, but it does exactly what is asked and delivers entertainment for the younger Star Wars audience without traumatizing or preaching the Lucasfilm "northern California" agenda. I call that a win after the last show to air on Disney Plus decided to alienate at least half the fan base.

Family is front and center in the show and it's a shame it might not get a second season. Sure, Watts and Ford came out and said they planned for more, but if people don't get out the word that this show is good, it won't find the audience and the numbers it needs to get another adventure.

We discover a droid at the top of a tower, hear about the Crystal of the Founders, fight off a pirate invasion, hear Jod's backstory, see KB fly casual, and have a happy ending, complete with X-wings AND B-wings. The barrier is down, but now the people of At-Attin can finally see the stars. We don't get a "one year later" epilogue, but anyone who knows what's coming with The Force Awakens looming in the future has an idea of where those golden credits might end up.

This was it! Coverage of the Skeleton Crew is complete, but we'll surely still end up talking about it here and there on future podcasts, like the next scheduled episode, which should be one of our monthly Star Wars news updates. After that, there's Star Wars Podcast Day on February 7th, 2025 and we always take part in that celebration of talking about our favorite galaxy (well, with Ahsoka, galaxies?) far, far away. If you missed our review with our special guest co-host, that was our previous episode, number 178. This recap and discussion is This is the Way Podcast episode 179.

You can leave us a glowing review, as bright as the At-Attin barrier dissolve, if you don't mind. It's the best way to help our show. The best way to contact HQ with thoughts and comments on our work is through email and you can get that address by listening to the show. You can also interact on 'X', Instagram, Spotify, YouTube, or of course, here on Facebook in the comments! May the Force be with us!

Jod was once 12 years old, just like the "core four" of Wim, Fern, Neel, and KB. They grew up sheltered and safe on At-Attin behind a barrier. Jod spent his ...

16/01/2025

Skeleton Crew's finale delivered on most of the answers we wanted and needed to wrap up the season. There's more stories to tell for kids in the galaxy far, far away, but it might not make sense to go back to At-Attin.
Reviews from friends of the show have been mixed. Some say it's too much for kids and some say it's too "made for kids" for it to be entertaining for adults. Some have said it's confusing because there isn't enough ties to the original trilogy. Some have wondered what time periods are being referenced and others just don't care for the story. No one has hated it.
That goes for our guest reviewer, who takes the podcast mic over in this episode to give an honest review of "The Real Good Guys" without any questions or prompts. It might be time to build the padawan a lightsaber.
Skeleton Crew coverage may be coming to an end, but there's the monthly news updates, Andor in the spring, and Star Wars Podcast Day 2025 on February 7th. We hope you'll keep coming back for more Star Wars podcasting. This is the Way!
Email the show at the link revealed in the podcast or interact with us on 'X', Instagram, Spotify, YouTube, or here on Facebook. You can also leave us a glowing review on Apple podcasts to help us reach more listeners. May the Force be with us!

Skeleton Crew's finale delivered on most of the answers we wanted and needed to wrap up the season. There's more stories to tell for kids in the galaxy far, ...

12/01/2025

Sometimes you're so tired because of a cold, you schedule a podcast release for the wrong day.

Rather than wait for it, I pushed it now.

Skeleton Crew's seventh episode recap and discussion is This is the Way Podcast's 177th release. Enjoy!

The host has a cold and Jod get his gold. "We're Gonna Be in So Much Trouble" delivers a wonderful penultimate episode to Skeleton Crew's first (and only?) s...

08/01/2025

Skeleton Crew's seventh episode answered some big questions and left the "core four" in a precarious place to start the finale. Jod has probably run out of time to make his case for being a good guy at heart, but we're still hoping that's not totally his fault. The biggest theft of the show might be leaving fans without a glimpse of what made him the "mad" pirate he shows himself to be.
Not everyone loves the show and some have said that the show is TOO much for kids, but I don't see it. Sure, it has kid actors and that can turn off some people, but not many "kid shows" will have a main character shoot a defenseless alien at point blank range. We're still waiting for the thank you from Jod for that loading arm grab.
One episode remains and that's not leaving much time to wrap up every single story. It also doesn't leave that much time to theorize along with the show! This podcast episode is a brief review and not a full recap and discussion episode. If you want to make your voice heard, email the show at the link revealed in the podcast or interact with us on 'X', Instagram, Facebook, YouTube or on Spotify. You can also leave us a glowing review on Apple podcasts to help our show! May the Force be with us!

Skeleton Crew's seventh episode answered some big questions and left the "core four" in a precarious place to start the finale. Jod has probably run out of t...

04/01/2025

One of the most sure ways to have "Zero Friends Again" in the Star Wars community is to bring up Rian or Leslye. People are going to have opinions and things are going to get as heated as a scrapper's maw. If you just stopped and listened, you wouldn't have to hit the self-destruct button, although stopping might mean you end up food for Tet'niss.
Episode 6 of Skeleton Crew wasn't action packed, but it was packed with character moments for KB and Wim. Fern managed to learn a lesson without even trying and Neel kept it real by trying to keep the "core four" together even if he won't be manager material on his home planet. Speaking of At Attin, the coordinates are burned into KB's occipital link...or is that melted wires? Wim and KB shared a moment, didn't they? Too bad about the crabs. Neel is always worried about his bones, except when he's getting dragged up a cliff on a rope. Good thing Fern knows how to ride a speeder, because how else was she going to pilot a trash drone? Jod might want to take a deep breath next time he goes for a parlay with space pirates. After all, it might be the last air he gets if Brutus has his way. Oh, Lanupa! Two episodes at a spa and all we got was a lousy space shanty.
We hope you are enjoying 2025. If you'd like to listen to our post New Years midnight review of the episode, that's our 174th episode of This is the Way Podcast. This here is our recap and discussion, # 175.
There is still time to get your theories in and be part of the show! The best way is through email, with the address revealed in our show. You can also interact on 'X', Instagram, Spotify, YouTube, or of course, here on Facebook in the comments section! May the Force be with us!

One of the most sure ways to have "Zero Friends Again" in the Star Wars community is to bring up Rian or Leslye. People are going to have opinions and things...

01/01/2025

Skeleton Crew's sixth episode managed to show that differences between two groups of friends aren't always different from the differences between two groups of pirates. Sometimes the one in charge isn't a good listener. Jod avoided an airlock ex*****on and the kids managed to stay off a scrap heap and away from killer crabs. "Zero Friends Again" won't likely be called the favorite episode of the series, but it has plenty going for it. Just two episodes remain for the "core four" to get home and Jod to redeem himself. Will he?
It seems like we're leaving Lanupa behind. Is At Attin next? It probably is, if the pirates are en route, because that sets up a planetary defense to close out the show. Fern learned to listen more and Wim may be too trusting, but that's not always the worst thing. Neel is a good friend and KB may be the one that has all the answers, even if her augments sometimes make sharing those answers difficult for her. Jod? He's between At Attin and an airlock, so he had to do what he could to survive, but maybe that's what he's been doing his whole life.
We hope you enjoyed New Years Eve! This is the Way Podcast HQ celebrated by watching the episode with two new young fans of the show and fireworks were going off outside while recording. We wanted to get fresh thoughts recorded and start 2025 off with Star Wars!
Remember, this is a brief review podcast and not the full recap and discussion episode, so email the show at the link revealed in our show or interact on 'X', Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, or of course, here on YouTube in the comments section! May the Force be with us!

Skeleton Crew's sixth episode managed to show that differences between two groups of friends aren't too different from differences between two groups of pira...

31/12/2024

Another Skeleton Crew episode drops tonight on Disney+ but today's podcast episode is our monthly Star Wars news update variety.
Since it's the start of a new year with the coming dawn, Disney and Lucasfilm probably hope Star Wars content will increase in popularity in 2025 with successful streaming of Skeleton Crew, Andor, and more coming down the pipeline. December saw Skeleton Crew off to a strong start in households that hold family viewing valuable. Will more movies suffer the fate of those that have been announced in the past only to fade from the spotlight because Disney and/or Lucasfilm aren't enjoying the suspected visions of their handpicked creators? Ahsoka hasn't started filming a season two, but Andor releases next year in April. You can't sell games and collectibles well if you're not putting out new content. You can't make money off the content you do complete if you don't market it well. If you spend your marketing budget on a terrible product, don't expect a good return on that investment.
2024 comes to a close and there's not much news left in the year, but we're looking forward to February's return of the Star Wars Podcasting Day! This is the Way Podcast has taken part every year and will again.
Please check out our Linktree links (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/ThisistheWayPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) and the best way to get in touch is to email This is the Way Podcast HQ at the address we reveal at the end of each podcast.
We hope you had a Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah and have a Happy New Year, too! May the Force be with you!

It's the end of the year and Disney and Lucasfilm hope Star Wars content will increase in 2025 with successful streaming and more coming down the pipeline. D...

29/12/2024

The Skeleton Crew might refer to more than just Jod, SM-33, and the "core four" on the Onyx Cinder. Many of the crew, as it so happens, are now skeletons. Some people try losing weight at spas, but Lanupa is built on a pirate's lair, so you know, there are those who really are just bones...no skin...especially the ones dissolved in acid.
The magic of a youthful journey in space is starting to wear thin for Wim, who misses home. Fern's attitude has finally cost her captainship, though ironically it's not really her fault when it actually happens. K-B can spot stuff even when it's on darkened ceilings and Neel triggers traps that require people to, well, kneel.
"You Have A Lot To Learn About Pirates" is a wonderfully written episode from Myung Joh Wesner in the midst of a Star Wars show that returns some of the goodwill that Disney and Lucasfilm have lost over the past couple years. Lost because of openly stated social agendas and even if only to half the fandom, that's enough. This show is family friendly, but still fun and funny. If you're looking for adult themes, why are you watching Star Wars content in the first place?
Why did Rennod have a lightsaber, where did he get it, and who lost it so many years ago? What is the deal with Jod's past and is that really his name? SM-33 not only remembers At-Attin now, but also the way to Rennod's lair, but not the traps. Lanupa, planet of luxurious mud baths and Skull Ridge Mountain hosts Muun, Hutts, and Ithorians alike with humans as hotel executives and security staff. Cthallops isn't a destroyer of worlds, but a destroyer of hidden pirate barriers. Pokkit survived leeches, but can she survive acid? Oh, and poor Gunter! Captain Silvo is no Carl Winslow. Was Tak Rennod a Weequay?
Theorize along with This is the Way Podcast by sending in your thoughts to our email address, which you can discover through listening to the show. You can also participate through 'X' or Instagram or Spotify, YouTube, or Facebook! May the Force be with you and into the new year!

The Skeleton Crew might refer to more than just Jod, SM-33, and the "core four" on the Onyx Cinder. Many of the crew, as it so happens, are now skeletons. So...

29/12/2024

We have gladly posted episodes on the 7th of February each year and plan to do so again in 2025!

27/12/2024

Skeleton Crew's fourth episode brought us to the halfway point of the first season, but it didn't leave all young viewers with a feeling of anticipation and excitement. Episode five, "You Have A Lot To Learn About Pirates" starts off the downhill portion by solving riddles and puzzles and giving us what we didn't even know we wanted.
Other Star Wars shows have given us Muuns before, but Skeleton Crew makes it feel right. Tak Rennod is even better than Dash Rendar, in my opinion, but maybe Lucasfilm thought for a millisecond they'd use that character and then...played with the name? SM-33 follows order from a new cap'n now, but it makes sense, even if we don't like it. Fern stands tall even while yielding and works well with Wim, who can't work a lightsaber to save Fern's life. KB is going to have to access her visor for those coordinates, isn't she? Neel uses his keen sense of stomach to suss out a bit of barbecue that couldn't possibly be. Jod makes his heel turn and uses the Force. Cthollops had to get rich somehow, so why not imagine it's in destruc--I mean, construction?
We hope you enjoyed Christmas Eve and Christmas. This is the Way Podcast HQ had too much to do on the eve so we waited until the presents were all opened to sit down for episode five. It was a good time had by all, including our young guest co-host, which is the most important opinion for Disney and Lucasfilm. Completing the review in the week between Christmas and New Years feels like the right thing to do.
Remember, this is a brief review and not the full recap and discussion episode so send email to the address revealed in the show, interact with This is the Way Podcast via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠'X'⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Twitter) and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or the comment section on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or through Spotify! May the Force be with us!

Skeleton Crew's fourth episode brought us to the halfway point of the first season, but it didn't leave all young viewers with a feeling of anticipation and ...

21/12/2024

How many times have we heard "Can't Say I Remember No At Attin" through four episodes of the Skeleton Crew? It's almost like they wanted us to know there was something to it. While This is the Way Podcast made an educated guess to what would be the key to unlocking SM-33's memory, the planet name really was At Attin. The foreshadowing came from the "Jedi Mind Trick" or rather the "Fern Droid Memory Override" bit. Best to stand back when reprogramming murderous pirate sidekicks.
Episode 4 of Skeleton Crew is not without weak spots. The Troik and Hattan on At Achrann may have modeled their military on the peacekeepers of the Old Republic. You're telling me the people on these planets have NEVER had someone exhibit some strange behaviors like pulling things to them in mid air, choking someone with their mind, or fooling their teachers with a wave of their hand? Maybe that's by design.
The show is still enjoyable and there's still a chance the mystery is worth the speculating, but this was the first time the writing, pace, and story seemed off. It's not just original trilogy kids that feel that way, but our review podcast episode is the one you want to hear the opinions of a 2010s new Star Wars fan.
We're seeing less and less viewers/listeners than we've seen in a long time. I'm wondering if it's fair criticism of past works or those past works themselves that's to blame. It's a shame, too, since some of the younger viewers of Skeleton Crew seem to be enjoying Star Wars for the first time, at least at This is the Way Podcast HQ!

How many times have we heard "Can't Say I Remember No At Attin" through four episodes of the Skeleton Crew? It's almost like they wanted us to know there was...

19/12/2024

Tuesday night releases aren't great for parents who value school night rests for the kids that are supposed to be the target audience for Skeleton Crew. Oh, I know Rocky Mountain and Pacific "only" have a 7 pm or 6 pm stream release. Eastern is the one that should matter most because it's first and thus, the latest for 9-12 year olds. Disney Plus and Lucasfilm are really making it difficult to build the hype in the east and central time zones.
It was Wednesday night that This is the Way Podcast HQ had the debut for "Can't Say I Remember No At Attin" and once again, our special guest co-host was able to join us. Much of the internet chatter indicated this wasn't the favorite of the four episodes released so far, but Neel had some time to shine. He's blue and Hayna had what felt like a french accent, so...parents that watch Bluey might have had a thought about "Camping" and the bond that formed there? Will Neel someday steal a ship to come back to Hayna?
Once again, this is a brief review and not the full recap and discussion episode. Don't underestimate the opinions and thoughts of a person who could be part of that crew on the Onyx Cinder and who might be imagining that each time she (or he) watches! May the Force be with us!

Tuesday night releases aren't great for parents who value school night rests for the kids that are supposed to be the target audience for Skeleton Crew. Oh, ...

17/12/2024

Who made the mistake at Disney Plus and typed in "astrogRation" instead of "astrogation" and does it really matter? Is At-Attin the treasure planet from "Treasure Planet" or are the people of the last remaining "jewel of the Old Republic" just money changers? Is Jod a former Jedi? Is that even his real name? What was going on between Crimson Jack and Kh'ymm? Can we just call her an owlcat or is that too easy? Will Fern ever stop trying to be like her mom? Will Wim ever grow up? Will Nooma get Neel some nasal strips for that adorable snore? What's wrong with K-B, at least according to her parents, because she seems like the most balanced and best put together of the core four? Is the Supervisor someone or a species we already know or is it a droid with a personality? Are the rest of the hidden planets really destroyed or is that just more propaganda? What IS the Great Work?

Do I have answers for all these questions? Yes. Are they the correct ones? I don't know.

Episode 3 of Skeleton Crew brings more fun and more questions. I don't know how well the show is doing in the ratings, but I do want another season, even though I have no idea how that would go. My hope is the kids get home safe, but immediately want to go on a new adventure with Uncle Crimson Jack to find the other planets. After all, it turns out no one can find them to tell them its safe to come out of hiding. Wait, maybe we already know from the sequels it isn't safe...

Jude Law is very solid as the adult lead. The kids are more than alright. The writing has been very good and the action fun. The plot continues to unfold. Did we mention the aurabesh? There's so much aurabesh.

Hats off to David Lowery. Excellent back-to-back episodes leading into a hand off to "the Daniels" (Kwan and Scheinert).
If you'd like to theorize, send in your thoughts either through our email you can discover through listening to the show, 'X' or Instagram or here on Facebook. You could also drop a comment, like and subscribe on Spotify or YouTube!

Hard work, this podcastin' business! May the Force Be With You...Always!

Who made the mistake at Disney Plus and typed in "astrogRation" instead of "astrogation" and does it really matter? Is At-Attin the treasure planet from "Tre...

15/12/2024

This is the Way Podcast's special Skeleton Crew guest co-host once again gives her take on how the show looks and feels to a younger audience. We may not be able to call it "space navigation" anymore, after seeing and looking up the meaning of the title. It makes sense, except...should we be calling it navi-GRATION on the open seas of Earth?
Prepare to be amazed as we learn the new-old name (names plural?) of the pirate captain previously known as Captain Silvo, now known to us as Jod Na Nawood, but once upon a time or to some others he actually goes by Crimson Jack? There's an OWL-CAT species? Is Fern too focused on being right or is Wim being a little too hasty to follow a dangerous criminal? Who can we trust, really? I mean, Jod's no Jedi, right?
This is the review of season one, episode three, not the full recap and discussion episode, so there is still time to participate. Why ot use the comment section on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube and while you're at it, "hit that bell and subscribe" for us?⁠⁠⁠⁠! May the Force be with us!

This is the Way Podcast's special Skeleton Crew guest co-host once again gives her take on how the show looks and feels to a younger audience. We may not be ...

10/12/2024

This is the Way Podcast's 166th episode released this morning. It's the Skeleton Crew season one, episode two recap and discussion cast. "Way, Way Out Past The Barrier" gets the deep dive treatment and theories about what might be hidden on At-Attin start to take shape. Is it "Atlantis" or "El Dorado" or a cloning facility or zillo beast laboratory?
The second episode has an actual runtime 18 minutes shorter than the premiere, but it isn't burdened with introducing every character and gets right to piratey goodness. Our heroes are thrust into a floating hive of villainy called Port Borgo and we discover that their home might be a myth to the rest of the universe.
Jude Law appears on screen (again?). Jaleel White appears on screen (again). Nick Frost's voice is heard through SM-33. We will meet more stars the further we head into the season, but for now, the core four is performing well, which has got to be disappointing, I'm sure, to all those people who tried to preemptively defend them. Secretly, those kinds of people hoped critics would hate Skeleton Crew so it would validate their twisted views about half of the Star Wars fandom. Sorry! We like the show and the kids are alright!
The adventure grabbed the audience and now the mystery of At-Attin's mythic tales will keep us hooked at least a couple more episodes. Director David Lowery will get to continue his point of view in the next episode as well, so perhaps it will continue the story from Port Borgo to a new port of call where he'll hand off the crew to a couple of Daniels. Why don't you theorize alongside us by sending in your thoughts? May the Force be with us!

Skeleton Crew's second episode has an actual runtime 18 minutes shorter than the premiere, but "Way, Way Out Past the Barrier" doesn't have to introduce the ...

10/12/2024

Our special guest co-host returns for another look at Skeleton Crew, this time helping to review S1E2. The recap and discussion for "Way, Way Out Past the Barrier" releases Tuesday morning and contains the deep dive version where we look at cast and crew. The review episodes are more of a fresh, first impressions reaction to what we've just watched and gives an idea how young viewers might be feeling about the show. We recommend listening to both and adding us to your regular podcast rotation, either on YouTube or Spotify, Apple Podcasts...wherever you like to listen! Here's This is the Way Podcast Episode 165!

ARRRRRRRRRRRRE you STILL looking for a pirate adventure in a galaxy far, far away?This is the Way Podcast has now watched both available episodes of Skeleton...

07/12/2024

I think it's safe to say "no code has been cracked" for the percentage a piece of music must be altered either in speed or pitch in order to get past algorithms for copyright notes. I have a degree in Telecommunications News and I aced my media law class, but legal and "do you really want an expensive fight on your hands for something that's a hobby" are two different things.

Skeleton Crew's first episode did exactly what I hoped. It sparked interest in Star Wars for at least one of my children. Grogu is cute, they both agree, but it didn't get them to watch the show. Now, my oldest can't wait for episode two of Skeleton Crew and is even branching out to LEGO Star Wars on Disney Plus, which has been there this whole time. Suddenly, Star Wars isn't so bad. That's the power of producing family friendly content and avoiding overt political messaging.

The previous This is the Way Podcast episode released on our channel was a review. THIS is the recap and discussion episode where the host does a deep dive into the cast and crew, talks "actual" runtime and then scours each scene. It may end up being one of the longest ones, not just because we're introducing the entire cast and crew, but the episode was a long one, too.
Join us, will you? If you've already watched the second episode, we're about to do the same and get to work on the next review, but we're not rushing to be the first. We did that in the past and it doesn't matter for viewership at this stage. Just promise you'll add us to your podcast rotation, okay? May the Force be with you...always!

I'm not sure if Disney and Lucasfilm expected Skeleton Crew to be a hit or not. I don't really concern myself with numbers and percentages. I'm only concerne...