Television: Skeleton Crew

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Credit: Disney+

On December 2, Disney+ will premiere Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, its latest television series trying to cash in on its Star Wars investment.

This is Disney’s quick summary of the story:

“Skeleton Crew” follows the journey of four kids who make a mysterious discovery on their seemingly safe home planet, then get lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy, crossing paths with the likes of Jod Na Nawood, the mysterious character played by Law. Finding their way home—and meeting unlikely allies and enemies—will be a greater adventure than they ever imagined.

Clearly, this series is targeted at children, though given how bad some of the series for adults have been, maybe this one will be better. Jude Law has signed on for this adventure, which is a positive sign.

Maybe this is Disney’s plan – rebuild the brand from the ground up for a new generation of kids. Given the earlier series that litter the landscape, that might be the best bet for this franchise.

I would have put my money into Andor, but Disney seems to have abandoned the adults in the room.

Stay tuned.

Update: I enjoyed the first season and hope to see more. It is better made and not as stuck to the Star Wars orthodoxy as the other television series, making it a fresh take on a well-worn galaxy. It may be Goonies with light sabers, but that’s okay. Plus, when you throw Jude Law into the mix, you get an edge that keeps in all the more interesting. A number of critics appear to agree, and Rotten Tomatoes gives the series a 91%.

  • Zaki Hasan, San Francisco Chronicle: “Fresh score. For anyone who says the House That Lucas Built is out of ideas and has been picked clean, “Skeleton Crew” proves there’s still meat left on those bones.”
  • Jack Seale, Guardian: “You’re best advised to pretend Skeleton Crew isn’t there until the holidays begin, and then enjoy it non-judgmentally, sprawled en famille eating chocolates from a round tin. This less-serious Star Wars is an escape to a happy place.”
  • John Nugent, Empire Magazine: “This is a perfectly fun entry in the ever-expanding Star Wars canon: light and frothy by design, driven by a genuinely sweet cast of younglings at the fore.”

Time to Think About Christmas Shopping

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Image (Credit): NASA astronaut water blaster. (NASA Gear)

With Thanksgiving behind us and Black Friday here, it is time to start thinking about that star-gazing person in your life. Fortunately, The Planetary Society is already sharing some gift ideas, including the Astronaut Space Pack Water Blaster (shown above) for the smaller Earth-bound people in your life. Or maybe the Constellations Rocks Glass (shown below) is a better option for the person on your gift list.

I will share some other ideas as Christmas approaches, but I wanted to get the process started.

Only 26 shopping days left!

Image (Credit): Constellations rocks glass (Interstellar Seller)

Pic of the Week: Thanksgiving on the ISS

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Image (Credit): Expedition 72 astronauts on the ISS celebrating Thanksgiving. (NASA)

This week’s image shows the four US astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) showing their Thanksgiving meal to all of us (contained in the white plastic bags). The astronauts pictured (clockwise from bottom left) are Nick Hague, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, and Don Pettit. You also watch a video where they share their holiday messages.

Podcast: Neil deGrasse Tyson in the Hot Seat

Posted on by onespaceman2000

Last week’s Real Time with Bill Maher included an interview with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, which did not go very well given the line of questioning. Mr. Maher was trying to entrap Dr. Tyson into some anti-woke politics, but he did not play along.

With all the topics Dr. Tyson could address on the show, it was a waste of time for viewers to witness this ambush. Mr. Maher continues to forget that he is a comedian and his guests come onto the show to have some fun. You can listen to the mess here.

Fortunately, the Overtime show after the main show, which focuses on questions from the audience, finally addressed some space-related questions, including one about Mr. Musk’s plans to go to Mars. Dr. Tyson said the costs, risks, and return on investment do not currently justify such a mission. However, he pointed out that once it becomes a space race with China then it may be something worth pursuing.

It was an interesting answer, and yet it seemed to ignore that we already have decided as a nation to go to Mars under the Artemis program even with the cost, risks, and lack of return on investment. It has a different time-table than Mr. Musk’s vision, but it is a plan that seems to be in place at the moment.

Maybe Dr. Tyson believes that too will be a space race similar to what it going on now with China regarding a Moon landing. It seems more likely than not at the moment.

Anyway, ignore the main show and tap into the Overtime show for some fun space-related discussions.

Space Quote: A Rolls Royce on the Moon?

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Image (Credit): Artist’s rendering of a lunar base. (NASA)

“We believe once governments and the Artemis missions have re-established human presence on the moon, commercial services will follow that…every operation on the moon will require power”.

-Statement by Jake Thompson, director of novel nuclear and special projects at Rolls-Royce, in a Financial Times article. Rolls Royce is working on a micro nuclear reactor for use on space missions.