Star Wars' New TV Show Just Broke A Five-Year Trend For My Favorite Director

Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: Skeleton Crew episode 6.It's been 5 years since Bryce Dallas Howard's Star Wars directorial debut in The Mandalorian, and with her episode in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, she's broken a surprisingly long-running trend amongst her episodes in the galaxy far, far away. Howard's Star Wars episodes have always been met with an immense amount of praise, particularly her work on The Book of Boba Fett episode 5 "Chapter 5: Return of the Mandalorian", which famously brought Din Djarin back to the small screen. In Skeleton Crew, she adds on to this praise.

Her work on Skeleton Crew episode 6 "Zero Friends Again" is revered not only for the quality of each and every shot, but also for the way her directing highlights the important emotional developments and undertones of the episode. Skeleton Crew's young cast deliver an incredible performance that's only enhanced by Howard's direction in a way that's reminiscent of her directorial debut episode, The Mandalorian season 1, episode 4 "Chapter 4: Sanctuary", which was arguably the first to explore Din Djarin beneath surface level. Her Skeleton Crew episode, however, contains one notable difference from all her others.

Skeleton Crew Is Bryce Dallas Howard's First Episode Without Din Djarin

It Remains Focused On Its Own Cast

Close

With Howard working exclusively on The Mandalorian and its spin-off The Book of Boba Fett up until now, her Skeleton Crew episode is the first of her directorial work in Star Wars to not focus on Din Djarin. With Skeleton Crew happening at the same time as The Mandalorian, specifically after season 3, many hoped that the Mandalorian would perhaps make a brief appearance to continue this trend, but this was not the case. Regardless, Howard's direction still shines even without Din Djarin at the heart of the story, even if he's fondly missed.

Could Din Djarin Turn Up In Skeleton Crew?

He Makes Sense At This Point In The Story

Of course, it's still not impossible for Din Djarin to turn up in this series. With two episodes left, there's plenty of time for the Mandalorian to make a brief return prior to his big-screen debut in 2026's The Mandalorian & Grogu movie. The story of Skeleton Crew has made this storytelling avenue quite possible, albeit unlikely due to just how powerful appearances by Din Djarin can be - as evidenced by Howard's The Book of Boba Fett episode.

Related Am I Just Clowning, Or Has Star Wars Just Set Up A Surprise Mandalorian Cameo? I've been known to clown for cameos from The Mandalorian before, but it seems like Skeleton Crew really wants us to think this one will happen.

The New Republic is aware of Jod Na Nawood's, known to them as Crimson Jack, whereabouts, and the fact that he's taken children with him, who they did not find with him in Skeleton Crew episode 6. Given that Din Djarin is a new "recruit" of the New Republic rangers as an independent contractor who also happens to be very protective of children in need, it seems reasonable that he could appear to check in on the kids and make sure they're okay. Whatever the case, Skeleton Crew still shines without Din Djarin, even if his return is highly anticipated.

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew releases new episodes Tuesdays on Disney+.