With Skeleton Crew airing, pirates in Star Wars have never had more love. While Skeleton Crew puts them more in the spotlight than ever before, it's far from the first time pirates have been featured in the galaxy far, far away- so there's no better time to look back at a few of Star Wars' most notable pirates! I especially want to look at the ones with (often hidden) golden hearts that might give us some insight into Jod Na Nawood.
Spoilers ahead for Skeleton Crew episodes 1-3!
Taborr Val Dorn
The High Republic, though it doesn't seem like it on the surface, is a big time for pirates. The Nihil reign terror across the galaxy, though I have one particular pirate for our purposes here- Taborr Val Dorn from Young Jedi Adventures.
Taborr has ambitions of being the greatest pirate in the galaxy, but finds himself thwarted by every turn by the titular young Jedi. But as the series progresses, we do see hints of kindness from Taborr. While he's a troublemaker and can often be selfish, he has a conscience and a sense of justice. He never really wants to hurt anybody, and oftentimes can be convinced to do the right thing, much to his own chagrin.
Hondo Ohnaka
Arguably THE Star Wars pirate, Hondo has appearances across The Clone Wars, Rebels, books, comics, Disneyland, and he's soon coming to Star Wars Outlaws. Hondo is well-known for the humor he provides everywhere he goes, but what is often over-looked is the heart he has.
One of my favorite episodes of The Clone Wars is "A Necessary Bond," where a group of Jedi younglings have to team up with Hondo to defeat a greater threat. While still certainly being himself, the warmth that Hondo shows the kids, particularly Katooni, is always very cute to me, and a great reminder that not everybody is as they seem on a first impression.
Enfys Nest
People don't tend to think of Enfys Nest and the Cloudriders among Star Wars' pirates, but I feel like the raids they carry out certainly fit the bill. Enfys Nest and the Cloudriders are certainly the clearest example of pirates for a good cause that Star Wars has to offer. Their piraxy serves rebel interests in the fight against the Empire.
But one of the things I find most notable about Enfys in particular is her ability to give people a chance. When she tracks down the Falcon and the coaxium, instead of shooting and taking it, Enfys not only lets Han explain himself- but also goes along with the crazy plan that he has. It's a big chance to make- one that obviously pays off, and something that I think tells us a lot about her character.
Synara San
Synara is certainly my favorite Star Wars pirates. Synara begins as a spy for the pirate Kragan, but she makes strong bonds with the people on the Colossus, and decides to betray Kragan for her new friends who treat her much better.
This doesn't mean Synara has left behind all of her past life, though. Later in the series, Kragan and his pirate gang will become valuable allies to the Colossus in their fight against the First Order, and that is thanks to Synara and her bonds with them being what convinces them to do the right thing.
Jod Na Nawood
And that brings us to Jod (IF that is his real name). We learned this week that he has a past as part of the dangerous pirate gang now led by Brutus, is known as Crimson Jack, and is trying to use the kids to find the mysterious treasure planet of At-Attin. But is that all there is to him?
We technically still don't know if he was a Jedi before he was a pirate, though he is Force-sensitive. Jedi or not, though, could the Skeleton Crew kids find a golden heart underneath the hard exterior? Only time will tell...
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