Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Skeleton Crew episode 7.
As devastating as it is,Star Wars’newestDarth Vaderreplacement inStar Wars: Skeleton Crewisn’t getting a redemption arc, although it initially seemed he would.Skeleton Crewis the newest addition toStar Warsmovies and TV shows, and with just one episode left, it has proven itself as one ofStar Wars’best shows. Thecharacters inSkeleton Crewhave been among the strongest aspects of the show, and that includes not only Jude Law’s character Jod Na Nawood (among other names) but also the show’s four kid main characters: Fern, Wim, KB, and Neel.
Early inSkeleton Crew, it was clear thatJod Na Nawood is a Darth Vader replacement. This was established in the first scene of the show, wherein Jod repeats Vader’s speech pattern in the opening scene ofA New Hope. Beyond that, Jod was introduced as a nuanced villain and a Force-user, all in keeping with Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader. Whereas Vader was famously redeemed at the end ofReturn of the Jedi, though,there’s little hope a redemption arc is coming for Jod, and, arguably, it’s for the best at this point that one doesn’t.
Star Wars Has Set Jod Na Nawood Up As A New Darth Vader Figure
So Much About Jod Has Been Reminiscent Of Darth Vader
As mentioned,Jod was immediately established as a Darth Vader replacement. In the first scene ofSkeleton Crew, Jod (at that point referred to as Captain Silvo) attacked a New Republic freighter, mirroring Darth Vader boarding Leia’s ship, the Tantive IV, at the beginning ofA New Hope. Jod’s line"If this is a bulk freighter, why is your vault magnetically sealed?“during that scene is also structurally similar to Vader’sA New Hopeline,“If this is a consular ship, where is the ambassador?“There’s little doubt this was intentional.
The connections between Jod and Vader didn’t end there, although they did become more grim with time. InSkeleton Crewepisode 5, Jod turned on the kids for the first time, going so far as to hold a knife to Fern’s throat to get her to yield and relinquish the title and role of captain to him. This was a shocking shift for Jod, who had clearly been a selfish pirate but had seemed to also have a soft spot for the kids, even comforting Wim when he was crying.
At first, as disturbing as this scene was,Skeleton Crewstill suggestedJod wasn’t as bad as Darth Vader. Whereas Vader had never hesitated to harm others, essentially from the moment he was christened Lord Vader, Jod seemed genuinely hesitant and perhaps even unwilling to actually hurt Fern. He seemed to primarily be relying on the fact that, as a child, she would yield when threatened. Sadly,Skeleton Crewepisode 7 confirmed that Jod is closer to Vader than anyone thought.
Skeleton Crew Episode 7 Mirrored Anakin Skywalker’s Most Horrific Acts
Jod Na Nawood’s Last Scene Was An Order 66 “Rhyme”
AlthoughSkeleton Crewepisode 5 suggested Jod wasn’t nearly as evil as Darth Vader,Skeleton Crewepisode 7 drew a direct parallel between Darth Vader and Jod Na Nawood in connection with Anakin/Vader’s worst act. At the very end of episode 7, Jod pulled out the blue lightsaber, igniting it in front of the children and their parents, silently threatening them. The episode cut off as Jod was menacingly stepping toward them. This also came on the heels of Jod telling the kids that he would"carve up"their parents if they didn’t do as he said.
Yet again too direct to be coincidental, the image of Jod standing before the children and their parents inSkeleton Crewisnearly identical to Anakin/Vader standing with his lightsaber ignited in front of the younglings inStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. InSkeleton Crew, it isn’t yet clear what happens next. Presumably, the finale will confirm what exactly Jod did after igniting the weapon and stepping towards the children and their parents. While it seems unlikely Jod will kill them all, this connection is a concerning one.
While it seems unlikely Jod will kill them all, this connection is a concerning one.
InRevenge of the Sith, Anakin’s slaughter of the younglings (thankfully) isn’t shown on screen, but the moment in which he ignites his lightsaber in front of them clearly directly precedes that. Whether Jod attacks the children or not, this final act in episode 7 solidifies his Darth Vader connection. Unlike Vader at the end ofReturn of the Jedi, though,there’s very likely no redemption coming for Jod Na Nawood.
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This Time, There Can Be No Redemption
There’s Neither The Time Nor The Need For Jod To Be Redeemed
InReturn of the Jedi, Vader’s redemption had incredible significance. For one, Anakin/Vader was Luke and Leia’s father, and Luke’s desperation to save his father was part of what made the original trilogy arc so beautiful. Vader was also the titular Jedi who returned, as he became Anakin Skywalker once again before his death, which was confirmed by the appearance of his Force ghost at the end ofReturn of the Jedi.
Luke’s desperation to save his father was part of what made the original trilogy arc so beautiful.
The same cannot be said of Jod.There’s simply no narrative reason for Jod to be redeemed. It was heartbreaking to see him turn on the kids, first in episode 5 and then in episode 7, but with Jod now doubling down on his betrayal of and lack of regard for the children, it wouldn’t make much narrative sense for him to suddenly reveal himself to be ‘good’ after all. In fact, after seven brilliant episodes, this would be a disappointing turn. It was crushing to realize Jod actually didn’t care about the children, but what’s done is done.
With just one episode left, there also isn’t enough time to redeem Jod in a compelling or believable way. Seeing Jod interact with the children for the first several episodes ofSkeleton Crewwas delightful, and he appeared to genuinely be developing an affection for them. Unfortunately, it seems clear at this point that Jod Na Nawood really is a selfish, violent pirate, andStar Wars: Skeleton Crewmost likely won’t be redeeming this latest Darth Vader replacement.
The first seven episodes ofStar Wars: Skeleton Creware now streaming on Disney+.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew
Cast
Skeleton Crew follows four ordinary children who become lost in the expansive Star Wars galaxy. As they navigate unfamiliar worlds and the challenges they present, the group endeavors to find their way back to their home planet, undertaking a journey across the iconic Star Wars universe.
