Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: Skeleton Crew episode 3.It’s long since been a running joke among those who know me that I’m constantly clowning for aDin Djarincameo in variousStar Warsshows, but I actually think thatStar Wars: Skeleton Crewcould be intentionally setting up the potential forThe Mandalorian’s titular hero to appear.Skeleton Crew’s timelineis rooted withinThe Mandalorianera, with the Nikto pirate Vane, first introduced inThe Mandalorianseason 3, even being a part ofSkeleton Crew’s cast. Though the TV show’s creators have said that the story doesn’t hinge on the timeline, this doesn’t mean things haven’t evolved.
As it stands, Vane wasn’t even written intoSkeleton Crew’s story, as the creators have said that they actually saved the pirate from dying inThe Mandalorianseason 3 to absorb him into their story. There have already been quite a few overlapping themes between the two shows because of Vane and the other pirates, making these stories feel uniquely tied to one another in a way that even other “Mandoverse” shows haven’t accomplished. Between this and other story elements inSkeleton Crewepisode 3, I’ve officially graduated from clowning to theorizing, and here’s why.
Is It Just A Coincidence Skeleton Crew Is Set In The Mandalorian Era?
These Stories Are Already Overlapping
As aforementioned,Skeleton Crewis set inThe Mandalorianera, specifically after the events of season 3. What the creators said about the story not hinging on the timeline is that it essentially wasn’t tied to a specific time period until, after the success ofThe Mandalorian, they decided to team up withThe Mandalorianproducers Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni to set their story within the same era.This, however, doesn’t mean that they intend to abandon any and all opportunities to connect the two; if anything, it means they certainly had the freedom to do so.
All Pirate Pop Culture References & Easter Eggs In Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (So Far)
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew features a lot of fun Easter eggs and meta-references, particularly when it comes to pirates in real-life pop culture.
What’s particularly significant to me is that the creators were so intent on bringing the pirate Vane intoSkeleton Crew. Vane has some personal beef with Din Djarin, once for shooting down his cohorts outside theNevarrocantina (and threatening to do the same to him) and again for helping Bo-Katan Kryze and the other Mandalorians to take down his captain,Gorian Shard’s, Corsair to end his tyrannical conquest of Nevarro’s main city. It’s reasonable to think thatnot only would Vane want some revenge, but also that Din would keep tabs on this runaway foe.
Skeleton Crew Is Suspiciously Close To The Hydian Way
Nevarro Is Located On This Hyperspace Lane
Speaking of Vane, the hyperspace lane that he and his fellow pirates were plundering when they targeted Nevarro is known as the Hydian Way, and that’s now very close to where the events ofSkeleton Creware taking place. So far, most ofSkeleton Crew’s story is centered aroundPort Borgo, a spaceport populated by pirates, smugglers, and the like.Port Borgo is located quite close to the Hydian Way, as if these pirates and smugglers wanted a quick spaceport stop before making their riches on this populated hyperspace lane.
Any threat along the Hydian Way is thus a threat to this duo, and given the fact that Din and other Mandalorians successfully outed a pirate occupation on Nevarro, that planet could be a target for pirates again.
This, of course, closely links Port Borgo and the other destinations of the TV show’s titular crew to other locations along the Hydian Way, including Nevarro. As ofThe Mandalorianseason 3’s ending, Nevarro has become essentially a home base for Din Djarin and Grogu, as the two have settled inside a cabin on that world where they can stay between adventures. Any threat along the Hydian Way is thus a threat to this duo, and given the fact that Din and other Mandalorians successfully outed a pirate occupation on Nevarro, that planet could be a target for pirates again.
Skeleton Crew Episode 3 Really Did Make Din Djarin A Logical Part Of This Story
This Sounds Like A Job For The Mandalorian…
The biggest reason why I’m going from clowning to full-on theorizing, though, has everything to do withSkeleton Crewepisode 3. This episode sees Jod Na Nawood (Jude Law) successfully getting himself and the four children - Wim, Neel, Fern, and KB - out of the Port Borgo brig and to his “friend”, Kh’ymm, who can potentially chart their path toAt Attin. What we learn during this episode, however, is that Jod really isn’t who he says he is. Kh’ymm calls himCrimson Jack, and theNew Republicis familiar with that identity - in a negative context.
Possible Din Djarin connections come into play in various places in this episode. First, all viewers were alerted to hear the pirate captain who replaces Jod in his crew, Captain Brutus, angrily demanding that they place a bounty on Jod’s head after the former pirate captain gets away from Port Borgo - destroying parts of it in the process.Though Din Djarin is no longer a member of theBounty Hunter’s Guild, he’s still heavily associated with bounty hunting in the modern era, especially in a story that’s woven into the TV show’s timeline.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Episode 3 Ending Explained
Screen Rant is trying to find out more about At Attin in Skeleton Crew episode 3 and what that ending actually means.
The next biggest connection has everything to do with the New Republic. Kh’ymm secretly calls two New Republic rangers and their X-wings when Jod, or Crimson Jack, brings the kids to meet with her and investigate where At Attin could be located.Most of the New Republic rangers we’ve seen on screen so far, although these two pilots are new to us, have all been stationed at the Adelphi Outpost, where Captain Carson Teva is based. This, of course, means that Din Djarin is based there, too, now that he’s agreed to work under-the-table for Teva and his rangers.
Din Djarin would certainly be the type of person who would stop at nothing to save children, as evidenced by his rescue of Grogu long ago.
The final layer that really has me wondering if I’m not just clowning this time is the fact that now, the New Republic knows thatCrimson Jack is not only on the run, but also that he’s got four children with him - and, to them, it looks like he abducted these children. Din Djarin would certainly be the type of person who would stop at nothing to save children, as evidenced by his rescue of Grogu long ago. It’s also a part of his Mandalorian culture and Creed; saving foundlings is their highest honor.
Now, I’m not sure ifStar Warsreally would put Din Djarin in this show, especially after what happened withThe Book of Boba Fett, but it seems as if they’re really putting some real potential here for an appearance by this Mandalorian. The stars seem to be aligning a little too well, though as someone who often clowns for Din to make his return to the galaxy, it could simply be me completing some extremely wishful thinking. I thinkSkeleton Crewwill still be a fantastic story without Din Djarin, but I certainly don’t think I’m just clowning anymore.
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.
