Tony Gilroy’s Andor gets its most triggering scenes right

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Trigger warning: This article mentions sexual assault and alcohol abuse.

As a storyteller, I’ve found that the hardest scenes to experience – whether through reading, watching or listening – are often the ones worth focusing on the most. However, there’s usually one exception: excessive violence, and I can’t help but point this out in shows like Game of Thrones. If it serves a purpose in advancing the plot, I can accept it. But when it comes to gratuitous vulgarity intended to shock, it tends to put me off from an increasing number of media productions.

As a film enthusiast, I seldom come across television shows that manage to transform gruesome, violent sequences – like the scene where a powerful man menaces a solitary woman with malicious intentions – into profound, thought-provoking moments. Remarkably, Tony Gilroy’s Andor, yes, it belongs to the expansive Star Wars universe and unfolds in a distant, fictional galaxy, is one of the rare exceptions that not only accepts this challenge but excels at it masterfully.

In one of this week’s season premier episodes, a scene unfolds where the refugee from Ferrix and rising rebel, Bix, is compelled to defend herself against an imperial officer who attempts to attack her in a violent manner, with no attempt to hide his intentions. The incident doesn’t end there; when the remaining officers arrive at the scene, Bix openly describes what occurred. Unlike typical scenes in Star Wars, this one uses explicit language instead of the usual in-universe substitutes. It appears that Gilroy chose not to mince words in this instance.

In this and numerous other scenes, the show presents a stark, unnervingly loud invitation to viewers to draw genuine parallels between the Empire depicted in the series and the rise of actual fascism in our world. The inclusion of such intense scenes is not for sensationalistic impact, but rather because they painfully mirror reality. Bix, as a character, stands up for those who couldn’t before her, symbolizing real people facing similar struggles.

Gilroy seems to prioritize entertainment over depth by portraying scenes such as Senator Mon Mothma’s drunken escape or Bix’s suffering. These emotionally charged moments are the ones that powerfully convey truths that we often overlook. Bix endures hardship because many in her situation have, and will continue to, suffer. Mon loses touch with reality due to the harshness of her own reality, a reality as troubling as ours.

In another scenario, these disturbing scenes might not be necessary if they were just included for the sake of it. However, Gilroy, like no one else, doesn’t want such violence and melancholy in Star Wars. These scenes are integral to the story, not detracting from it. If removing them wouldn’t disrupt the narrative, then they would hold no significance. It is through portraying the most harrowing aspects of human experience that we create art, not to make viewers suffer, but to evoke emotions, stimulate thought, and potentially inspire action. This kind of on-screen violence may be as powerful as it has been in a very long time.

Should you or someone else require assistance regarding sexual abuse or harassment, RAINN is always ready to help, reachable 24/7 via phone at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or online at their website, RAINN.org.

If you’re dealing with sexual abuse or harassment and would like support, RAINN is here for you anytime, day or night. You can reach them by calling 800-656-HOPE (4673), or visiting their website at RAINN.org.

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2025-04-24 22:14