Even a few weeks after theAndorseason 2 ending, one fascinatingAndorstory arc still isn’t getting enough attention.Andorseason 2 was among the most highly anticipated ofStar Wars’upcoming TV showsfor quite some time, and now that it’s come to an end, it’s safe to sayAndoris largely seen as one ofStar Wars’best TV shows. This is particularly impressive given the backlash and criticism manyStar Warsprojects have endured in recent years and the fact that the show’s focus wasn’t the Jedi, the Sith, or the Force.
There are also plenty of characters, scenes, and plot twists inAndorseason 2 that have gotten significant attention since the show ended. Among them is the first look atthe Ghorman Massacreon theStar Warsscreen, which was a defining moment in the largerStar Warstimeline, as well as shocking reveals likeBix Caleen and Cassian Andor’s baby. However,one plot point fromAndorseason 2 in particular has a massive real-world connection, and it just isn’t getting enough attention.
Andor Season 2 Referenced Visas And Bix Being “Illegal”
That Was An Element Of Bix’s Most Brutal Season 2 Scene
In the first three episodes ofAndorseason 2, Bix had a major storyline that sadly culminated in a rape attempt by an Imperial officer. This actually marked the very first use of the word ‘rape’ on screen inStar Wars, which had significance in and of itself and becameone ofStar Wars’darkest scenes. Prior to that assault, though,the same Imperial officer made numerous comments about Bix not having her visa, missing documentation, and being on the planet ‘illegally.’
Notably,this was among the ways the officer tried to force Bix into a sexual encounter. It was clear just by the officer telling Bix he knew she didn’t have documentation that there was an unspoken threat being made that he would reveal this fact to the Empire. His subsequent attack confirmed that he’d been weaponizing Bix’s status to coerce her. This is upsetting enough within the context of the show, but this plotline with Bix not having documentation also has an important real-life connection.
This plotline with Bix not having documentation also has an important real-life connection.
This Was A Direct Commentary On Real-World Immigration Policies
The language within this scene and the dynamic between Bix and the Imperial officer directly replicate real-life immigration policies. In fact, it was frankly jarring to hear this blatant discussion of visas, documentation, and ‘illegal’ status inStar Wars, as it felt so directly linked to issues and conversations that are happening in real life, in the present day. Particularly in countries like the United States, this has become a major focus in the political landscape (it long has been, but the emphasis on immigration policy has recently intensified once again).
It therefore deserves considerably more attention thatAndorseason 2 addressed immigration so blatantly and specifically called attention to scenarios like the one Bix experienced, in which her status on the planet was weaponized to put her in a truly scary situation. This is also yet another example of what madeAndorstand out so much among otherStar Warsmovies and TV shows. Throughout the show, but especially season 2,Andorincorporated so many real-life connections, which makes sense given its intention was to highlight the impacts of the Empire’s fascist regime on everyday people.
Star Wars Has Approached This Topic Before, But Never So Directly
This Repeated But Heightened Prior Star Wars Conversations
It’s worth mentioning, these scenes with Bix inAndorseason 2 are not the first example ofStar Warsreferencing documentation.Star Wars: The Bad Batchhad an arc in which the members of the Bad Batch team were missing documentation as well, which is something the Empire had begun cracking down on at the time. Even so, that plot feels quite different from the one inAndor, in part because of the implications.
WhereasThe Bad Batchshowed the need for documentation as proof of the Empire’s ever-growing need for control, inAndor, this felt much more obviously like a commentary on real-life current events and issues. Particularly given this situation was used to take advantage of Bix (or at least to try to), these references inAndorhit much closer to home. While there’s undoubtedly plenty to unpack inAndorseason 2 and the show as a whole, I do hope to see more coverage of this conversation in particular.
