Way, Way Out Past the Barrier

A shorter second episode and it is now the Goonies meets the Pirates of the Caribbean.

The kids have gone to hyperspace, luckily there is a droid onboard. SM-33 mistakes Fern for the ship's new captain.

Only SM-33 cannot get them back to their home planet of At Attin. The droid has no knowledge of it.

At a spaceport, the kids attract the interest of the pirates with an attempt to pay with an Old Republic credit. Now regarded as rare, but it is not rare where Wim and his pals come from.

The real mystery is what exactly is At Attin. That is where the intrigue seems to be for me at the moment.

The adventure continues well during this shorter chapter and you can see the influence of The Goonies quite obviously in certain moments that involve the young characters in jeopardy, acting scared and coming face to face with skeletons. There is one moment where the camera focuses on one individual screaming and it is reminiscent of Chunk.

Generally, most of the lead and supporting characters are quite entertaining. I particularly enjoyed the scenes involving Nick Frost as the obligatory Star Wars droid. It all finishes on an intriguing note with the introduction of a new character and made me want to keep watching.

The visuals, effects and general art design is excellent.

My nine year old daughter very much enjoyed.

SM-33 yah ole DAWG, I luv yer gutz! What is it about droids always stealing my heart?! Really enjoyed getting to meet this new character and the mystery's he embodies. What's the story here? Where's the captain?

Also what's the deal with the kids homeworld, At Attin. Why is there a barrier prohibiting ships entry and exit? Who has created this isolated suburban utopia?

Then who is this man splashed on all the posters? Is he good or bad or both!?

Episode one built the world and then episode 2 plunged us into its heart. So many good mysteries are teed up in this episode. I'm hooked. Can't wait for more.

Now while I basically went over my general thoughts so far in my Episode 1 review, I'll go into more specifics here as we get to know more about the characters and the story in this episode. I think as of this writing, I am really going to enjoy the direction this show is heading. My friend and I have many theories on where this could go and it's all very exciting, and the best part is that it ended in a place where it left me wanting more. Now as I said in my first review, it's not perfect and characters like Wim and Fern are going to have to take a little warming up to, but it's characters like Neel, KB, and SM-33 along with the exploration of pirate life in Star Wars that makes it so fun to watch. I'm glad to say this is a Star Wars product I'm excited to invest time in, and I hope it won't let me down!

The adventure stories of the 1980s - films like "The Goonies" and "E. T." - captured the imaginations of young audiences with their mix of discovery, camaraderie, and the thrill of stepping into the unknown. These stories not only entertained but also inspired generations of filmmakers who grew up dreaming of creating their own magic onscreen. Just as "Star Wars" revolutionized science fiction, these classics created a timeless blueprint for tales of youthful adventure. In "Skeleton Crew"'s second episode, "Way, Way Out Past the Barrier," the show leans heavily into this heritage, delivering an episode that feels like a nostalgic treasure hunt while expanding the universe.

Directed by David Lowery, this chapter continues the series' blend of childlike wonder and galaxy-spanning stakes with flair. Lowery proves a versatile addition to the directorial roster, seamlessly adopting the show's adventurous tone while infusing the episode with his trademark ethereal visuals and moments of quiet introspection. The story kicks off with a surprising new location: the pirate-controlled spaceport Port Borgo. This new setting is a hive of scum and villainy, with enough peculiar characters and shadowy corners to intrigue fans of the galaxy far, far away. While some elements of its design feel a bit derivative - drawing comparisons to places like Maz Kanata's castle or Jabba's palace - the sheer energy of the location makes it a compelling backdrop for the crew's first stop on their journey. A standout element in this episode is the improved visual effects. Moving away from an over-reliance on the Volume technology that occasionally made earlier scenes feel constrained, "Way, Way Out Past the Barrier" opts for grandeur, more textured environments. Whether it's the bustling chaos of Port Borgo or the infinite horizon of deep space, the episode feels bigger, bolder, and more immersive. At its core, this installment retains the series' charm, balancing humor, suspense, and heart. The young cast continues to impress, their camaraderie growing more natural with every scene. The 25-minute runtime, however, is a double-edged sword. While the pace never falters, the brevity of the episode limits its depth, leaving some plot threads feeling rushed and keeping it from achieving the emotional resonance of "Star Wars"' finest chapters.

"Way, Way Out Past the Barrier" is a fun and engaging episode that delivers what fans of the series have come to expect: a charming spacefaring adventure with plenty of surprises. David Lowery's direction and the show's visual strides makes this a standout chapter, even if its short runtime keeps it from being truly essential.