At first, I had no interest in watching this show. Aside from Ahsoka and the first season of The Mandalorian, most Star Wars projects under Disney’s leadership have been disappointing. The sequel trilogy was underwhelming, and I wasn’t particularly excited about the prospect of yet another Star Wars story. However, for the sake of my inner critic, I decided to give this show a chance.
I was fully prepared to hate it. The first episode didn’t help—rebellious kids disobeying their parents felt like the setup for another uninspired children’s show. But as I kept watching, something unexpected happened: I started to enjoy it.
The premise is simple: four kids discover a ship, accidentally launch it, and embark on an adventure across the galaxy in an effort to find their way home. Disney’s track record with Star Wars spin-offs has been inconsistent, but surprisingly, this one succeeds. It tells a fresh, self-contained story within the Star Wars universe without leaning on legacy characters or nostalgia. While there are references to the Jedi and the Old Republic, they’re subtle and never overpower the main narrative. The result is an excellent standalone series that left me genuinely excited for season two.
What makes this show work is its characters. Over the course of its eight episodes, each one is well-developed and surprisingly likable—even the kids, whom I initially found annoying. Jude Law delivers a strong performance, and his backstory’s connection to Order 66 adds depth to his character. Another welcome surprise was Jaleel White as Gunter. Seeing him step away from his iconic 90s-era Urkel persona and take on a completely different role was a refreshing change.
This show isn’t just for kids—it’s a hidden gem for Star Wars fans who might not have realized they needed a break from the usual franchise formula. It proves that a Star Wars story doesn’t have to rely on familiar characters or overused tropes to be engaging. I hope to see these characters again, both in the next season and, perhaps, in future stories where they’ve grown and can be integrated into the larger Star Wars timeline.
