So, just sharing some similarities with other media that have struck me.
First, a small craft capable of traveling through all environments (seemingly over a water planet in this image) and tears holes through space-time.
The new commander of the vessel has a hard time deciphering its alien controls and so recruits the assistance of a small creature perched on his shoulder:
I'm not holding my breath for a character like Max from the film. I think Sark has enough on his plate guiding the crew as DM without RPing as an obnoxious NPC on the skiff.
Also just got to say, love the podcast.