Skeleton Crew Episode 2 Features Returning Character from The Mandalorian

Skeleton Crew Revives a Familiar Face from The Mandalorian

In a fresh twist for Star Wars enthusiasts, episode 2 of Skeleton Crew reintroduces a lesser-known villain from The Mandalorian. Spoilers follow for “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” season 1, episode 2.

While the premiere of Skeleton Crew kicked off with an unfortunate confrontation involving space pirates, it quickly transitioned into establishing the main group of young characters and the isolated world they inhabit. The episode culminated with the kids cruising into hyperspace. In stark contrast, episode 2 immerses both the main characters and viewers in a rich tapestry of cosmic wonders and dangers. We see Wim, Fern, KB, and Neel grappling with their new reality, encountering fresh characters, and venturing into uncharted territories.

As the young heroes navigate the enigmatic Onyx Cinder spaceship and contend with the grouchy droid SM-33, voiced by Nick Frost, they ultimately find themselves in a seedy space station. Interestingly, this locale serves up a surprise for diehard fans: one of the pirates menacing the group for Wim’s elusive credits is Vane, the spiky-faced Nikto who previously associated with Gorian Shard’s crew and attempted to shake down Greef Karga and Din Djarin back in The Mandalorian’s season 3.

Though Vane isn’t a pivotal figure in the saga, his appearance sparks curiosity. Will it be merely a brief cameo, or does it hint at a broader interconnected narrative akin to Paul Sun-Hyung Lee’s Carson Teva, who has appeared across various Disney+ series? Vane seems to embody the role of the underdog villain.

His antics in The Mandalorian have already painted him as less than formidable. During the season 3 opener, “Chapter 17: The Apostate,” his encounter with Greef Karga and Din Djarin doesn’t exactly showcase him as a threatening foe. Even his later appearance in “Chapter 21: The Pirate” continues this trend as he remains part of the inept pirate crew ultimately defeated by Bo-Katan Kryze and Din’s Mandalorian faction. Yet, somehow, Vane persists—abandoning a losing battle and going rogue.

In Skeleton Crew episode 2, Vane continues to embrace his identity as a somewhat hapless villain, trying his luck by attempting to scare the kids for their credits. However, he quickly meets his match when SM-33 intervenes to deliver a well-deserved thrashing. Now aligned with a pirate group led by Brutus, voiced by Fred Tatasciore, Vane may just serve as a crucial link to larger, unfolding plots in the Star Wars universe. His character fits seamlessly into Skeleton Crew’s narrative, which is tailored for younger audiences.

Like the comedic villains from The Goonies, Vane brings a mix of ineptitude and menace that can lighten the atmosphere while still serving as a credible threat to the protagonists. While the main characters of Skeleton Crew are mostly new, the show intriguingly revives elements from the franchise’s past, including the Teek alien race from the now non-canon film Ewoks: The Battle for Endor. As episode 2 unfolds, it remains to be seen if Vane will be the only returning character before the season wraps up.