Andorhas not been your conventionalStar Warsproject. Defying the odds of making a story that relies on a human story without many of the flashy bells and whistles that the franchise usually brings with it, the series has been breaking new ground in several ways, and does not shy away from controversial moments. In Season 2, Episode 6, that was made apparent as the show killed off a major character, but not before delivering the first on-screen lesbian kiss between two main characters.
There has always been a reluctance to include any kind of same-sex relationships in some of Disney’s biggest IPs. However, forAndorcreator Tony Gilroy, the inclusion of the moment between Vel Sartha and Cinta Kaz was something that does not need a massive fanfare and is just a “regular thing.” He toldTVLine:
“I think it’s a mistake to try to underline everything and put a halo on things….I don’t think about it, it really doesn’t come up. We treat it like a regular thing.”
‘Andor’ Creator Reveals Why This Iconic ‘Star Wars’ Actor Was Replaced After More Than 20 Years in His Role
“It’s really hard to bring legacy characters back for a whole variety of reasons.”
However, that moment became quickly forgotten when, soon after, Cinta Kaz was killed off in the most terrible way for fans to take. However, for Gilroy, the controversial choice of killing off characters in many different circumstances is just something that comes with the territory. He added:
“Look, this [season] is taking place over four years during a war. If people don’t go down in a variety of ways, it would really be disingenuous. I don’t think it would feel right to people. It’s a tough decision to make, tough phone calls to make to the actors….s*** happens.”
‘Andor’ Has Not Shied Away From Controversy
InAndor, Tony Gilroy has found the freedom to do something that many creators within theStar Warsuniverse have not: deliver some harsh real-world commentaries in a fantasy sci-fi setting. One such shocking moment came in the opening drop of three episodes that launched Season 2, and included an attempted rape scene.
Speaking withEntertainment Weeklyfollowing the three-episode premiere, Gilroy addressed why there was a necessity to include such a scene in a series that is part of a franchise once thought to be nothing but a “kids’ film.” In the scene, an Imperial Officer (Alex Waldmann) attempts to force himself on Bix (Adria Arjona) after she fails to produce her visa, which ends with her bludgeoning him to death with a wrench. Gilroy said:
“It’s been a real thing all through history. ‘Do you have your papers?’ And if you don’t have papers, I mean, God, man […] The history of civilization is rape. We’re all the products of rape.”
It is fair to say that there are many moments inAndorthat prove how mature a series it is. Just like R-rated comic book movies, it proves that every franchise can connect to audiences on many levels with the right vision, and a willingness to see it through. In Gilroy’s hands,Andoris such a series, and is all the better for it.
Source:TVLine/EW
Andor is a Star Wars prequel series set before the events of Rogue One, following Cassian Andor as he navigates a world of danger and deception. The series delves into his transformation into a pivotal figure in the struggle against the Galactic Empire.
