Andor Season 2’s Brutal Scene Unveils Star Wars Fandom’s Dark Secret

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Warning: This discussion includes spoilers for episodes 1-3 of Andor season 2, and addresses the sensitive topic of sexual assault. I was fortunate enough to view Andor season 2 ahead of its release, and I was immediately captivated by Tony Gilroy’s depiction of the Empire’s corruption. In previous Star Wars content, we’ve become accustomed to witnessing the Empire’s tyranny on a grand scale, with planets being destroyed and genocide frequently mentioned (though rarely shown). However, Andor season 2 provides a much more personal perspective of life under fascist rule; it delves deeply into how this regime affects women.

I found the conclusion of episode 3 of “Andor” profoundly unsettling. The script masterfully contrasts two scenes – a child bride’s wedding and an attempted sexual assault. I believe that this sequence was deliberately placed by Gilroy to underscore the suffering of women under oppressive regimes, hinting at the harsh reality faced by females under the fascist rule (the Imperial ideology was prevalent on insular human-inhabited planets of the “Star Wars” galaxy, like Chandrila; observe how few non-humans attend Leida’s wedding).

It wasn’t surprising for me to foresee that the portrayal of the sexual assault scene would spark controversy. In fact, I had a conversation with my team about it, requesting Liz Declan to pen our initial response due to the potential for female perspectives being overshadowed by predominantly male YouTubers (not to mention, Liz is one of my top writers and she had a lot of insightful thoughts on this matter). However, I didn’t anticipate the exact trajectory that the conversation would follow – it’s this particular direction that I want to focus on.

This Is (Technically) Star Wars’ First Rape Scene

In simpler terms, the galaxy depicted in Star Wars can be harsh, and there have been subtle suggestions of sexual misconduct throughout. The Slave Leia costume was meant to evoke images from Conan the Barbarian, but its implications, along with Jabba’s disturbing tongue-lick, are unmistakable. As Liz points out, the Bix scene seems to echo a scenario often found in Star Wars comics published under the Expanded Universe (with similar character names that might suggest this isn’t a coincidence). However, what sets this apart is that we haven’t witnessed an on-screen sexual assault before, and some viewers are understandably upset by it.

It wasn’t my expectation, however, that a well-known YouTube personality (without naming anyone specifically) would advance this particular point of view:

In the Southwestern setting, the depiction of the Authority as repugnant seems excessive. There are alternative methods to convey power struggles and instill disdain towards the Empire, avoiding such an unsavory portrayal.

Vader wouldn’t tolerate that s*** nor does the Empire condone it.

It has no place in Star Wars. Period. Unnecessary.”

In my view, it was expected that discussions about sexual assault in the Star Wars universe would be unwelcome, given that George Lucas designed this franchise primarily for children. However, I’d still take issue with that stance, as it’s clear that the series Andor is geared towards mature audiences. It should be noted that while I believe Disney may have considered adding a sensitivity warning on Disney+, it’s not something I can confirm for certain.

I hadn’t expected someone to essentially argue that the Empire is better than this.

No, The Empire Is Not Better Than This

Initially, let me address your statement directly: The Empire is not superior to this; on the contrary, it’s a fascist regime with dark origins. This regime was established by an individual who craved unlimited power and wasn’t hesitant about ordering acts of violence against innocent children. It’s undeniable that throughout history, fascist regimes have been characterized by men amassing excessive power, which they often misuse, particularly in regards to women. To put it simply, the rise of misogyny we see today in certain U.S. circles could be a sign that we are revisiting similar times.

In a different perspective, some viewers have justified the sexual assault scene in season 2 of Andor by stating it portrays the harshness of war, with rape serving as a tool for asserting dominance. However, I fear the situation is more distressing than that; the Imperial agent in this scene mistakenly assumes he’s exerting his power over an appealing woman who lacks documentation and presumably cannot defend herself, rather than realizing she’s a rebel. Creator Tony Gilroy aims to depict the true nature of life under a fascist rule, where women are at the mercy of powerful men’s desires, which is indeed appalling.

As a devoted cinephile, I’d like to share my thoughts on George Lucas’s groundbreaking masterpiece, “Star Wars.” While it’s undeniable that the Vietnam War served as a catalyst for his creation, it’s crucial to understand that the Empire isn’t an exact replica of any historical fascist regime. Instead, it’s a chilling amalgamation, a haunting reflection of the darkest aspects of real-world oppressive regimes throughout history.

One scene that truly encapsulates this essence is the Bix scene. Women have been systematically suppressed under every single fascist regime, making it unquestionably accurate within the context of “Star Wars.” However, let me make it clear: The Empire, in no way, shape, or form, should be considered superior to this. This is a stark reminder of the brutal reality that power without compassion and empathy can lead to oppression and suffering.

Why Are We Defending The Empire?

The underlying question that needs attention is this: What could possibly make someone believe the Empire is preferable over this? I want to clarify that I haven’t cited a specific tweet; instead, I chose not to because it symbolizes a broader issue within the Star Wars community. Some segments of this fanbase seem drawn to the Imperial ideology and characters, which leads them to downplay or justify the Empire’s wickedness.

To clarify, it’s understandable that nobody wants their beloved characters to be purely evil. Even in official Star Wars publications, there’s a hint of this ambiguity, as demonstrated by Timothy Zahn’s affection for Grand Admiral Thrawn. In his works, Thrawn is depicted as an Imperial who values security and peace, yet he isn’t corrupt. However, what Zahn didn’t delve into was the fact that these “sympathetic Imperials” often support the corrupt ones, giving them power. Consequently, they can’t be considered completely innocent.

In Star Wars, we’ve witnessed or primarily heard about numerous instances of genocide. The first season of Andor showcases death camps and torture scenes. However, this portrayal of sexual assault serves to make the atrocities of the Empire feel extremely real and personal, giving a human face to the agony of women under oppressive regimes. This might explain why some Star Wars fans are recoiling from it – it’s too raw, too unsettling, stripping away any lingering notions of the compassionate Imperial and forcing viewers to confront the harsh truth of life under a fascist regime.

Andor Season 2 Offers Hope

However, it’s worth noting a recurring theme in season 2 of Andor; the women are self-reliant and don’t depend on men for salvation. Bix doesn’t require any man to free her from the Imperial, she does it herself. While Luthen Rael is a skilled spy, Mon Mothma is the one who will guide the Rebel Alliance towards victory. This theme echoes throughout the entire Star Wars series, dating back to 1977 when George Lucas introduced a princess who orchestrated her own rescue.

In essence, the series Andor conveys this idea: Even under oppressive fascist regimes that mistreat women, women possess the strength to resist. Contrary to what many science-fiction and fantasy shows might depict, especially when the character Bix is Cassian’s lover, the creator Tony Gilroy opted for a unique approach. He underscores that even under fascism, individuals retain power – a message that resonates deeply with me.

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2025-04-23 17:28