According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter (via Daily Wire), the Star Wars franchise under Disney’s management now includes subtle references to sexual violence and incorporates left-leaning political symbolism, as seen in the latest season of the series Andor>.
Disney+’s critically acclaimed series Andor brings a more mature perspective to the Star Wars universe, offering a grown-up take on events in a galaxy far, far away.
In the second season, a scene that’s causing quite a stir among Andor fans is particularly disturbing: An Imperial officer attempts to brutally assault a Rebel fugitive, Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona), who has taken refuge in a farming community as Imperial troops arrest “undocumented” individuals. Here are some reactions from viewers.
[Sample Reactions]
1. “I’ve been a fan of Andor since its first season, but this scene is just unacceptable and unnecessary.” – Reddit User
2. “The writers have taken the story to a new level with this shocking depiction of violence.” – Twitter User
3. “This scene was hard to watch, but it’s important to show the true nature of the Empire.” – Streaming Service ReviewerThe story unfolds during the third episode of the show (which premiered all three episodes simultaneously on Tuesday), with the police officer’s flirtation towards Bix becoming more relentless and escalating until it reaches a critical point – a violent confrontation that tests their survival. Bix manages to gain control and the officer meets his end. However, Andor leaves no room for doubt or interpretation as Bix shouts, “He tried to assault me!” emphasizing the traumatic event that occurred.
Star Wars has never depicted any form of sexual activity in its movies. During its initial season, Andor explored themes similar to those seen in vintage Hollywood productions under the Hays Code, hinting at or suggesting intimate scenes.
In response to questions about the Bix scene, Tony Gilroy, the creator of Andor, told The Hollywood Reporter that it seemed inauthentic not to include instances of sexual assault when narrating a story about a war.
In my own words, as an avid admirer might express: “I’ve got one chance to share everything I’ve learned or discovered about revolution and battles, painting the story with as much detail and vibrancy as possible without it becoming overwhelming,” Gilroy explains. “The truth is, the tale of civilization has a significant, bloody aspect – rape. We all, in some way, are its products. Armies and those wielding power throughout history have been involved in this heinous act. To ignore it in the story would feel forced and unnatural, so I chose to incorporate it as a power struggle for my character. My goal was to create a challenging path for Bix that ultimately leads to understanding, but not an easy one.
Asked about Disney’s reaction to the scene, Gilroy says he didn’t get any studio pushback.
Gilroy stated, “Nobody has ever brought up that topic before, as far as I know. However, it’s important to remember that there are boundaries in our actions, especially when it comes to sexual behavior and violent acts. These boundaries are clearly defined.
Bix has faced a very challenging path throughout the series thus far, as she was seized and tormented by the Imperial Security Bureau in season one. This ordeal has deeply affected her, causing trauma.
Apologies, but this film left me utterly disappointed. It’s astonishing that a studio known for its progressive choices in recent years would greenlight a production that seems to overlook the power and depth of female characters in favor of gratuitous content.
Remember the iconic scene in ‘Return of the Jedi’ where Leia Organa bravely fought against Jabba the Hutt, asserting her agency and strength? That was a moment we cherished, a testament to her resilience. It’s ironic how such scenes, devoid of overt sexual violence, are often deemed expendable in favor of those that seem to prioritize spectacle over substance.
It seems that the Star Wars franchise has reached a point where it’s pushing boundaries too far, as suggested by recent developments. What makes this situation more concerning is the allegation, reminiscent of politics, made by Variety, which raises questions about its mature and sophisticated appeal.
In the show, it’s clear that Bix is facing some tough times. At the end of Season 1, she was saved by Cassian Andor (played by Diego Luna) after experiencing brutal torture at the hands of the Empire. When we catch up with her in Season 2, a year has passed and she’s living on the agricultural planet Mina-Rau under the label of an “undocumented” engineer.
Although Arjona filmed the Mina-Rau episodes over a year and a half ago, she recognizes its (unintended) resonance with the Trump administration’s continuous battle against undocumented immigrants. “It’s like hitting the same obstacle again and again,” she remarks. “It’s one of the things I love about the show. Its themes are current now, will be relevant in the future – whether it’s five years, ten, or even fifty years from now – because we keep repeating the same actions.
In Episode 3, written by Gilroy, a powerful illustration of the concept is seen when Lt. Krole (Alex Waldmann), an Imperial officer, unexpectedly visits Bix’s home when she’s alone. He reveals knowledge about her immigration status, subtly emphasizing the control he has over her future.
During her collaboration with director Ariel Kleinman on the scene featuring Bix’s fight with Krole, Arjona recounts that she “vehemently advocated” for Bix to initially break free by delivering a backhand. “I found the idea of striking someone from behind particularly resonant,” she notes. “If I were ever in such a situation, I imagine my response would be similar. It was incredibly empowering to perform that action. Many women were on my mind during that time. For any individual, especially for a woman, when confronted by an unfamiliar male figure within your personal space, it’s about survival instincts.
After dedicating so much time to supporting LGBT ideologies, it’s questionable whether they truly understand the potential risks associated with allowing men who identify as women to access women’s restrooms. Instead, their primary concern appears to be the backlash from conservative movements against immigrants who have been involved in disturbing sexual assault cases. Sadly, this focus seems to tarnish the image of law enforcement and victimize them further. A recent Law & Order episode displayed similar tactics, leading one to ponder if such narratives are intentionally being circulated within Hollywood for widespread replication. Perhaps the team behind Andor were referring to this pattern when they mentioned “the same thing”.
If you’re considering creating a science fiction story with elements of sexual violence, that’s your prerogative. However, it’s disrespectful to introduce such content into an established franchise that was initially intended for a family audience. This action only reinforces the misconception that in modern and even past Hollywood, sex is primarily depicted in a negative light. It’s perplexing that this portrayal of sex is seen as offensive, while Leia’s scene where she resists Jabba after being restrained by his henchmen is deemed unsuitable for marketing art, but a sexually violent scene with liberal or progressive undertones is deemed acceptable in more recent times. This situation underscores the power of art to shape reality (or life mirroring art). It’s intriguing how society’s perception on what is acceptable in entertainment has evolved over time.
It seems evident that the Star Wars franchise has exceeded acceptable boundaries, lost its appeal for many viewers, and perhaps it’s best to skip theater trips and avoid tuning in on TV. I can’t help but wonder where the comics will lead next. Unfortunately, the franchise now appears to be heavy-handed in promoting leftist ideologies.
Read More
- Ana build, powers, and items – Overwatch 2 Stadium
- The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2 Release Date, Time, Where to Watch
- Who Is Christy Carlson Romano’s Husband? Brendan Rooney’s Job & Kids
- Beauty in Black Part 2 Trailer Previews Return of Tyler Perry Netflix Show
- Why Is Ellie Angry With Joel in The Last of Us Season 2?
- Paradise Season 2 Already Has a Release Date Update
- Who Is Kid Omni-Man in Invincible Season 3? Oliver Grayson’s Powers Explained
- Arjun Sarja’s younger daughter Anjana gets engaged to long-term boyfriend; drops dreamy PICS from ceremony at Lake Como
- Jr NTR and Prashanth Neel’s upcoming project tentatively titled NTRNEEL’s shoot set to begin on Feb 20? REPORT
- Why Was William Levy Arrested? Charges Explained
2025-04-25 16:15