Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for Andor Season 2 Episode 3.
WhatAndorhas done to set itself apart in theStar Warsuniverse is nothing short of exceptional, partly by focusing on complex characters that stand apart from the traditional good guys vs. bad guys dynamic seen in the past. Another aspect is the attention devoted to the consequences of the Empire’s oppression, from a complete restriction of freedom to brutal torture. However, one scene in the third episode of Season 2, “Harvest,” displaysthe darkest part of the Star Wars universe that we have ever seen, making the Empire more heinous than ever.
When the stormtroopers return to auditCassian’s (Diego Luna)friends,Bix (Adria Arjona) is almost raped by Lieutenant Krole (Alex Waldmann), who has already harassed her earlier in the episode. The choreography of the scene is stripped back to highlight the horror of the attack, which feels very unlike Star Wars yet displays one ofAndor’s narrative strengths. Not only is the action itself different from what the franchise has portrayed in the past, but the episode’s use of honest language underlines the seriousness of the situation, spotlighting those who are more vulnerable under the Empire’s fascist rule.
Bix’s Assault in ‘Andor’ Season 2 Is Frighteningly Realistic
Throughout the episode, tension rises surrounding Bix and her lingering trauma after her previous torture by the Empire in Season 1. From her seemingly recurring dream about Doctor Gorst (Joshua James) to Lieutenant Krole’s initial harassment that only ended becauseBrasso (Joplin Sibtain)returned just in time,Andorshows us the constant fear Bix is living with. Krole’s implied threat is bad enough, but when he visits her again and attempts to coerce her into sex due to her illegal residence on Mina-Rau, the tension explodes once Bix decides to fight back.
The animalistic fight that ensues is devoid of the stylized choreography one might expect from Star Wars. The scene is silent, with no score fromAndorcomposersBrandon RobertsorNicholas Britell, and Krole’s rageful screams expose just what kind of beast Bix is dealing with. When he chases her, and all we can hear is the thudding and movement of clothing,it creates a sensory experience that allows Bix’s fear to become almost palpable. When she finally does hit Krole with a hammer, it doesn’t feel victorious, but there’s still a sense of relief when the Imperial officer finally drops dead.
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It’s time we see this familiar face.
‘Andor’s Stark Language Is Another Gut Punch After Bix’s Assault
While it’s impossible to watch the scene itself and not view it as attempted rape,it’s still shocking to seeAndordefinitively use that word, as Bix does when she informs another Imperial officer about Krole’s actions. Over the course of the Star Wars franchise, many of the Empire’s dark actions have been implied or briefly shown before the scene cuts away. Han (Harrison Ford) is brutally tortured inThe Empire Strikes Back, while achild Anakin (Jake Lloyd)and his mother, Shmi (Pernilla August), are revealed to be slaves inThe Phantom Menace. Perhaps the most infamous example is when Leia (Carrie Fisher) briefly becomes one of Jabba the Hutt’s slaves inReturn of the Jedi, forced to wear an exposing bikini.
However, there is still a stark difference between these previous instances of darker storytelling and what plays out inAndor’s initial episodes. In this scene, Krole’s intentions are clear, and, rather than being left to wonder what might occur as the scene cuts away, we know exactly what will happen if Bix loses this fight. In doing so,Andorfurther becomes an honest portrayal of what fascism can breed, where the rule of law no longer applies to authorities pursuing those considered “illegal,” “undocumented,” or non-citizens. While the word use may be triggering to viewers, the very act of using it, as well as the discomfort it creates, is essential.
Some viewers may feel that this unprecedented event and its tone are too dark for Star Wars. However, this overlooks a fundamental aspect of Star Wars that makes it a place of unlimited potential. Rather than being tied to one genre or narrative style, the galaxy itself is a device through which any tale can be told. While it is portrayed in a far less harrowing way than Bix’s assault inAndor,A New Hopeincludes a planetary genocide in the first act of the film.Oppression, the dangers of it, and why everyone must fight for freedom and hope, are always going to be at the heart of Star Wars.
‘Andor’ Juxtaposes Bix’s Brutal Assault With a Glamorous Chandrila Wedding
While the choreography and focus of the scene between Bix and Krole make it an overwhelmingly emotional watch, it serves as a fascinating contrast when the episode cuts between its aftermath and the wedding on Chandrila, whereMon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly)dances at her daughter’s reception. The quick cuts highlight the different stakes people are facing in the fight against the Empire. While Bix and other vulnerable people like her are subject to all manner of brutality, Mon, as a political leader, is still somewhat removed from her harshest battles. As Luthen (Stellan Skarsgård) even points out, “how nice” it is that Mon rarely has to directly face the repercussions of the Empire and what people are going through to just survive peacefully.
That’s not to say that Mon won’t face increasing threats of her own. She risks being arrested, tortured, or executed if the Empire discovers the true purpose of the “foundation” she currently supports. However, while Mon chooses to respond to the stress of Tay Kolma’s (Ben Miles) blackmail, Luthen’s criticism, and her daughter’s anger, by heedlessly dancing, Bix is forced to fight for not just her life, but her right not to be violated in one of the most disgusting ways possible. Few scenes in Star Wars will ever be as uncomfortable as whatAndorSeason 2 Episode 3 depicts, but that only means the show is fulfilling its purpose of showing audiencesthe ground-level suffering of the people living in this galaxy far, far away.
Prequel series to Star Wars’ ‘Rogue One’. In an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue, Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a Rebel hero.
