Skeleton Crew's ending seeing him watch his dreams burn.

Speaking exclusively to Screen Rant's Joseph Deckelmeier, Skeleton Crew's showrunners Jon Watts and Christopher Ford have explained the shocking decision not to give Jod a redemption arc. "It's so funny following along with people episode by episode as they were getting to know him and watching everyone be completely convinced that he was going to have a classic Star Wars redemption arc and knowing that [he wouldn't]," Watts observed. The comment led to an extended discussion on the character of Jod Na Nawood, in which they reflected how surprised viewers were that he didn't get redeemed.

Christopher Ford: We played it up because I think that he truly did come to like them, but then he pushes them away. And I think that you see that throughout the people he knows like Kh'ymm or Pokkit, these are people that he had a moment with too and then pushed them away and betrayed them somehow. It again speaks to his character. He has this problem; he can't get too close to people even if he actually likes them.

Jon Watts: It was great, though, because when we didn't do it - when we didn't have that redemption flip - it really seemed to surprise people and catch them off guard. Then they weren't sure what was going to happen next.

Christopher Ford: We were scared, but I think the virtue of Jude's performance is what made that work. It could have been like, "Oh, I hate him now," but he's still so charming.

Jon Watts: You feel like he doesn't want to have to be doing what he's doing, and he's so comfortable operating in that conflicted gray area that it makes for a very compelling performance to watch.

Christopher Ford: I read someone say he wasn't trying to be good, he was trying to be bad.

Star Wars Has Finally Learned That Not Every Villain Needs A Redemption Story

Some villains are just good at being bad

It really is rather amusing that Jod Na Nawood stands out precisely because he doesn't have a redemption arc. The theme of redemption was technically only added into Star Wars in Return of the Jedi, and yet it's became almost definitive for the franchise; viewers are almost pre-programmed to watch a villain's story with an eye for redemption. This is particularly true when villains are as dynamic and enjoyable as Jude Law's Jod Na Nawood.

The lack of a redemption story doesn't even mean Law's "Jedi" is written out. After all, he's left alive at the end, and the show's speedy conclusion left his fate unresolved. The pirates of Port Borgo are still out there, At Attin's location is public knowledge now, and it's easy to imagine Jod selling his old allies out.

Our Take On Jude Law's Jod Na Nawood

He's one of Star Wars' most compelling foes

Jod Na Nawood is a fascinating character, but the reason for his success is simple: Jude Law is a phenomenal actor. Law's performance gives the character a strange sense of ambiguity, leading viewers to wonder whether he is in fact redeemable. With hindsight, his real shift comes in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew episode 5, when he turns on the kids and challenges Fern to a duel to the death. It's true he doesn't seem eager to follow through on this threat, but he'd have undoubtedly killed her if she'd resisted. Jod really is bad to the bone.