Today in a theory so obvious I feel silly that I didn't pick it up sooner, I want to discuss one possible storyline for Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, which revolves around Jude Law's character, Jod Na Nawood.
It was a regular Monday, so I pulled up one of my favorite Star Wars podcasts, Gold Squadron Gays. They were taking a break from their excellent coverage of The Acolyte to do their episode 0 on Skeleton Crew to put out their theories and opinions before the show aired. One of the hosts, Bradley, then brought up a point I had not considered:
Is Star Wars: Skeleton Crew's Jod Na Nawood actually a villain?
There is some strong language in the above video. Listener discretion is advised.
Bradley opens the theory about how he doesn't think that Jod is a Jedi before declaring, "I low-key think that Jude Law is actually going to end up being the villain." Now, the word "villain" is used in a soft way, as Bradley and his co-host, Charles, discuss the Long John Silver archetype in Treasure Island and other adaptations like Disney's Treasure Planet.
"I think Jude Law is going to play a character very similar to the [Long] John Silver character," Bradley explains. "Which the arc for that character for anyone who doesn't know... he's nice to the main character [who is a kid or a teenager, depending on the adaptation]. They kind of become buddy-buddy, almost like a father figure. I feel like a similar situation is going to be happening here. Jude Law's character is going to be this fun, adventurous father figure these kids."
"However," Bradley continues, "we come to find out that he's actually self-serving and is only into helping himself for treasure or for whatever the thing is that they're all trying to get." Bradley finishes his theory by saying, "And then he's going to have to—spoiler alert for the end of Treasure Island—give up the treasure for the kids to save their lives."
This is such a sound theory, especially for the character of Wim. Wim is very much the Jim Hawkins character of Skeleton Crew. While he does have a father, Wendle, his dad is overworked and not there for him. Episode 1, "This Could Be A Real Adventure," sets up Wim's longing for family as he watches Neel and his completed family of two parents and siblings. The series opener also quickly established Wim's love of stories, particularly Jedi stories. He wants to be a great adventurer and save lives like the Jedi Knights of his book.
Enter Jod at the end of episode 2, "Way, Way Out Past The Barrier." He sits in the back of his jail cell, listening to the kids describe the pirates believing their planet of At Attin is the legendary lost planet of treasure. It's only then he reveals his Force powers and agrees to help the kids.
Jod, being the Long John Silver archetype, is also a very Star Wars story. We don't know if he's an ex-Jedi, a child of the Hidden Path, or just a random Force user who was never trained. Regardless, it would be fitting for him to learn how to use his powers for good verses for himself. Bradley absolutely nailed this theory.
We will have to wait and see if this comes to pass. Until then, check out Gold Squadron Gays (their current coverage of The Acolyte really is incredible) and other great Star Wars shows until the next episode of Skeleton Crew airs on Disney+.