'Skeleton Crew': Is Jod Truly Irredeemable?

WARNING! SPOILERS for Skeleton Crew season one.

After betraying the kids by challenging Fern's Captaincy of the Onyx Cinder in episode 5, and now taking them hostage and threatening them with a lightsaber in episode 7, many fans believe Jod Na Nawood has stepped over the moral event horizon, losing any chance of redemption. However, others believe that there is still some hope for the treasure seeking pirate.

It all comes down to the classic story that inspired Skeleton Crew.

'Star Wars: Skeleton Crew' is loosely based on 'Treasure Island'

Treasure Island is a classic children's novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. Adapted to film multiple times already, including once by the Muppets, the book tells the story of a boy, Jim Hawkins, who, after coming into possession of a map to the Island where infamous pirate Captain Flint hid his treasure horde, joins a voyage to said island as a Cabin Boy. Despite being warned of treachery from a one-legged pirate early in the story, Jim bonds with the ship's peg-legged cook, Long John Silver. Unfortunately, Silver and most of the ship's crew are undercover pirates, who lead a mutiny against the rightful Captain, Smollet, on the approach to the island.

While not a 1 to 1 'Treasure Island in Space!' adaptation (that honor would belong to Disney's animated cult classic, Treasure Planet) Skeleton Crew was described in early reviews as a cross between classic Star Wars, Treasure Island, and The Goonies.

Where 'Skeleton Crew' links to 'Treasure Island'

Upon closer examination, it is clear to see where Skeleton Crew may have loosely adapted or borrowed character and plot elements from Treasure Island. The long lost pirate captain Tak Rennod is a take on Captain Flint, while the children's hidden home planet, At-Attin, with it's Old Republic Mint, represents Treasure Island. SM-33 represents Ben Gunn, a loyal crewmate of Flint's left marooned with the treasure, the Onyx Cinder is Smollet's ship the Hispaniola, and the pirates stand in for the mutinous pirate crew of the original novel.

Wim, Neel, KB, and Fern jointly represent Treasure Island's main character, the adventure seeking Jim Hawkins. Jod Na Nawood, aka Captain Silvo (and other aliases), is, of course, a loose adaptation of Long John Silver.

Why this could mean hope for Jod

As mentioned in the earlier Treasure Island summary, Long John Silver forms a bond with Jim Hawkins. Even after the mutiny, and Jim's repeated efforts to keep Silver and his crew from the treasure, Silver cannot bring himself to harm the boy. This is despite having multiple chances to do so, and against the urging of his fellow pirates. In Treasure Planet, Silver goes so far as to sacrifice a large portion of the treasure in favour of saving Jim.

In most endings of the story, Jim allows Silver to escape with a boatful of gold.

So, what does this mean for Jod? Well, up until his episode five betrayal when he discovers the Mint on At-Attin, Jod seemed to be genuinely connecting with the kids, particularly Wim. And, despite behaving cruelly towards the children, he has stopped short of actually harming any of them, notably allowing Fern to yield the Onyx Cinder to him rather than simply killing her.

While Jod seems to hold all the cards going into Skeleton Crew's finale, At- Attin's mysterious supervisor could turn the matter on it's head. Things could get complicated for Jod very quickly. It's even possible that Jod will have to throw himself on the mercy of the children. As Jim did with Silver in Treasure Island, they may allow Jod to escape with a small amount of treasure/credits (perhaps the agreed reward for helping them home) on the condition that they do not see him on At-Attin again. Alternatively, Jod could find himself defending the children if they face unfair consequences from their unintentional trip beyond the barrier.

Perhaps more will become clear when the finale airs.