When Does Skeleton Crew Take Place in the Star Wars Franchise Timeline?

As a seasoned Star Wars gamer with years of galactic travels under my belt, I must say that the latest addition to the saga, “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew,” has piqued my interest like a well-timed blaster bolt to the back. The question on every fan’s mind is always, “Where does it fit in the timeline?

The movie “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” transports viewers on an exciting journey with a new location being the primary question for fans, similar to every other Star Wars release. Since Disney acquired the franchise in 2012, the Star Wars timeline has experienced some shifts. The Sequel Trilogy occurs thirty years after the Original Trilogy, while Solo, Rogue One, and Andor precede it. Clone Wars and Bad Batch unfold during and shortly following the Prequel Trilogy, and The Mandalorian, Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka take place nine to eleven years after the Original Trilogy. The Acolyte is a century before the Prequels. Considering these timelines, where does Skeleton Crew fit in? It belongs within The Mandalorian’s timeframe but likely before its third season.

The Mandalorian” begins nine years after the Battle of Yavin, which is referred to as 9 ABY (After the Battle of Yavin). This means it’s nine years after “A New Hope” and six years after “Return of the Jedi.” On the other hand, the show “Skeleton Crew” happens after the fall of the Empire, a fact confirmed in its opening scenes. However, the events at the start of “Skeleton Crew’s” first episode seem to occur separately from those in “The Mandalorian,” as suggested by the state of the galaxy depicted in the opening scenes of “Skeleton Crew.

To kick off the storyline, a freighter is assaulted by pirates at the opening scene. During their encounter, the ship’s captain informs these marauders that there are no Republic currency (credits) aboard. This implies that, in the timeline, the Republic was sending out vessels loaded with money without much protection or security. Given the established Star Wars lore, this positions “Skeleton Crew” towards the end of the conflict against the Empire. In contrast, by the era of “The Mandalorian”, the Republic appears to have significantly improved its defense mechanisms for safeguarding member worlds and citizens. The presence of Captain Teva on patrol suggests that if the Republic was transporting vast amounts of credits, they would have implemented adequate protection measures.

The lack of Republic presence or control during the start of “Skeleton Crew” suggests an era preceding the Republic’s full dominion over the galaxy, when they couldn’t afford to dispatch vessels for freighter protection. Although “The Mandalorian” hints at piracy issues within the Republic, “Skeleton Crew” portrays a more severe problem. Both “The Mandalorian” and “Ahsoka” are set in 11ABY, making it plausible that “Skeleton Crew” is set before this timeframe, at least during the first year of “The Mandalorian”, but possibly a few years prior. This period in “Star Wars” history is intriguing, as it has primarily been depicted only in novels and comics so far. As the series progresses, we might uncover more specifics about where “Skeleton Crew” unfolds, shedding light on the early days of the New Republic.

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2024-12-03 18:09