How 'Skeleton Crew' Taught An Important Lesson About Invisible Disabilities And Ableism

WARNING: SPOILERS for Skeleton Crew 1x06, 'Zero Friends Again'.

After Jod's shocking betrayal of the group at the end of episode five, the Skeleton Crew kids start off on the back foot in 1x06, 'Zero Friends Again'. A disagreement between usual best friends Fern and KB on their next move sees the Skeleton Crew split down the middle, with Fern and Neel embarking on a long, tough climb up a tower back to the Onyx Cinder, while Wim and KB take what they hope is a safer route, following some trash-collecting crab creatures Wim believes want to lead them towards help.

The adventure that follows results in an important lesson for all the kids, and perhaps the show's viewers as well.

KB's Health Issues

KB's visor has been a visible and notable part of her character since episode one, but the fact she could lift it, and that tech and cybernetics are a common part of the Star Wars universe, meant it wasn't immediately obvious as something that viewers needed to be concerned about. Prior to the most recent episode, KB's potential medical issues were only subtly touched upon, first by her concerned parents in the opening of episode three, and then in episode five, when she and Fern briefly express concern over the effect the steam in Lanupa's caverns could have on her cybernetic implants.

As the show did not make it immediately obvious that KB is medically fragile, nor is it obvious to the other characters that she is, fans, and those in the Disabled community, are describing KB as having what is called a hidden or invisible disability. This means that, at first glance, it is not immediately clear that she is disabled or ill, and in KB's case, she may even be healthy most of the time.. until she's not, as comes up in 'Zero Friends Again'.

KB learns it's okay to admit when she is unwell

As feared in episode five, KB discovers that exposure to steam has corroded her cybernetic implants, installed following an unspecified accident before the start of the series. The implants seem to have some affect on KB's brain/neurological function, because when they are damaged, she is unable to move. This leads to a rather tense scene in which a struggling KB talks Wim through making a new fuse to repair her implants.

Afterwards, KB admits to Wim that the real reason she didn't follow Fern was that she feared freezing up and being unable to make the climb, but was equally afraid of admitting to Fern when there is something she can't do, worried her friend may abandon her. However, with comfort and encourangement from Wim, she realises that it won't do her or the group any good to hide her struggle. There is no shame in admitting, as some in the Disability community would say, when she is out of spoons.

Fern learns to be more mindful of her friends' differing capabilities

Fern is not entirely ignorant of KB's medical issues. As mentioned earlier, it is Fern who first raises concern about the potential corrosion of KB's implants, and when KB's body first freezes up at the beginning of episode six, Fern knows how to fix the issue, at least temporarily, by rebooting the implant. However, despite her rebellious nature, the higher status of Fern's Mother, Fara, in At Attin's social structure means she has lived a more privileged, and potentially even more sheltered life than her friends.

Before 'Zero Friends Again', KB's illness was probably a more abstract, distant idea for Fern. She knew it existed, and even what to do in the event of a minor medical episode, but she experienced it in the context of living in a world where KB had easy access to regular treatment and maintenance, therefore her physical limitations were greatly reduced and not something to worry about. She didn't consider her friend not being able to do everything the same as she could, because usually, it wasn't a problem.

Through her climb with Neel, Fern is forced to confront the fact that not everyone has the same physical capabilities as she does when the shorter limbs of Neel's species make the climb much more difficult for him. This also helps her realise the mistake she had made with KB. To Fern's credit, she also proves KB's fears of abandonment by her were unfounded, as she immediately shifts her climbing strategy to ensure Neel is not left behind.

Then, in a heartwarming moment when all four kids reunite, Fern offers KB a genuine, heartfelt apology, which KB easily accepts.

Aside from reminding viewers to be mindful and respectful of others differing capabilities, it also gives the lesson of embracing one's strengths. Despite her physical limitations, KB has shown her cleverness and ingenuity on more than one occasion. After leaving Lanupa, she reveals that she has memorised the coordinates to At Attin, which may allow the group to finally get home.

Skeleton Crew's portrayal of KB as medically fragile but still capable of great things makes her a wonderful role model for differently-abled children everywhere, who may now be able to see themselves in a Star Wars adventure. We can't wait to see what the final two episodes have in store.