Not everyone is born to be the fastest, the bravest, and the most heroic. In Skeleton Crew, Neel doesn't have the traits of a typical hero, but that doesn't make him any less important than his brave young friends.
In Episode 4, "Can't Say I Remember No At Attin," Neel, Fern, KB, and Wim find themselves on a planet eerily similar to their home planet. At Achrann has the same buildings, structures, playgrounds, and school, but it's nothing like the kids' homeworld. Instead, it's ravaged by war, nearly burnt to the ground, and overrun by chaos.
Amidst all the ash, our young heroes find signs of life when they meet a teenage girl named Hayna. She's been raised to fight, which seems shocking even though it's the norm in Star Wars to meet young soldiers. Hayna is the opposite of all the kids, especially Neel. While our young protagonists, minus Neel, wanted action and adventure, they didn't sign up to get lost without a way back home. Still, most of them seem to have found a way to cope with their experiences, good or bad.
Neel is the only one who has seemed out of place from the start. He's the one who had a perfect family and just wanted to go home. While Neel tries his best to support Wim and be a good friend to everyone, he doesn't have the same zest for travel and adventure. He isn't a thrill seeker or a rebel like KB and Fern, and he isn't brave and heroic like Fern and Wim. Neel is Neel. He's sweet and kind and says what's on his mind. He's that nice guy who doesn't force his opinions on others. He stands near the back of the line, but he doesn't change for anyone.
For someone like Hayna, who's never been given the chance to be a regular kid and who needs to be strong and brave for her clan, Neel is a breath of fresh air. Hayna's future is already decided for her. She'll be the leader of her tribe when her father passes, and she'll have to continue to fight for their right to exist. It's exhausting, and there's little room for anything apart from war.
Neel questions her lifestyle and shows her the benefits of a peaceful life. Constant war leaves little room for kindness and understanding, but on At Attin, constant peace makes for kind people like Neel. Neel's effect on Hayna is immediate. Even though his beliefs are different than hers, she appreciates his refusal to train with others. He's not like them, and he doesn't pretend to be. Neel's simplicity is his best trait, and even though Hayna calls him weak, he doesn't hold it against her.
There's not much to analyze here. There's a stark contrast between Neel and Hayna's upbringing. I like that when Neel insists that Hayna comes with them to live a peaceful life, she doesn't completely reject the offer. Her expressions reveal a deep longing for the comforts of home, family, safety, peace, and kindness. Though she cannot abandon her people to join the kids, she accepts Neel's kindness would be a great addition to life on At Achrann.
Perhaps the people of At Achrann will be treated differently when Hayna becomes their ruler. She will treat others with the kindness and affection their people haven't experienced due to war. Maybe she'll even end the war, and the credit for the change from war to peace, and coldness to kindness, will belong to a Neel.
This episode shows us why Neel is more than another cute side character. He's not there to be the adorable alien creature. He may not be the most exciting character on the show, but he's the most important. He represents love and kindness. These are the ideas that keep the world going, otherwise, maybe every world would've ended up like At Achrann.
It's safe to say that Neel's kindness will have a more lasting effect on everyone he meets than his friends' bravery and intelligence. The world is drawn to what it lacks, and the galaxy lacks everything Neel stands for.
Skeleton Crew is streaming on Disney+.