Star Wars: Andor Season 2’s Shocking Inglourious Basterds Parallel

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Attention: The following discussion contains spoilers from the initial three episodes of Star Wars: Andor Season 2! The latest offering from the Star Wars franchise, Andor Season 2, has taken a bold step forward on Tuesday. The third episode, titled “Harvest,” presents Rebels Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona), Brasso (Joplin Sibtain), and Wilmon (Muhannad Bhaier) dealing with an Imperial incursion at their makeshift home on Mina-Rau. The ruthless search even includes a chilling scene where Bix finds herself isolated with Imperial officer Krole (Alex Waldmann), who attempts to exert power and engage in inappropriate behavior. This is more than unsettling; it serves to draw parallels between the Empire of this galaxy and real-world fascist groups for viewers. In essence, the interaction between Bix and Krole appears to echo the World War II film Inglourious Basterds.

What makes Bix’s big scene in this episode so unsettling isn’t just the violence and corruption, but rather the confident demonstration of power that accompanies it. This mirrors the opening scene from Inglourious Basterds, where a Nazi officer named Hans Landa (played by Christoph Waltz) enters a civilian family’s home with his SS team to hunt for Jewish fugitives. Despite maintaining a courteous facade, he takes advantage of their hospitality and issues threats with a friendly smile. Even after the family follows his orders to the letter, he commands their execution.

What’s transpiring here isn’t too dissimilar: The Imperial authorities are tracking down individuals without legal documents who work on agricultural estates in Mina-Rau. Krole believes Bix is the person he’s seeking, yet surprisingly, he visits her home alone, displaying a relaxed and courteous demeanor. He casually hangs his hat and even admires himself in her mirror before addressing the matter at hand. In exchange for keeping Bix’s secret, he propositions her with sex, but when she declines, he forcefully tries to attack her instead.

Among the numerous on-screen adversaries who exude friendly demeanors and airs of confidence, the bond between Krole and Landa is the palpable force driving them. Both are highly respected officers in their respective ruling administrations, giving them enough assurance to manipulate their targets without fear of retribution. Armed with nearly limitless resources for their tasks, they nevertheless find time to savor their victories and personalize their encounters, hinting at a certain level of relish for the state-approved violence they perpetrate.

Inglourious Parallels

In both Andor and Inglorious Basterds, there are instances where characters exhibit an understated display of power, which is fitting given that both series portray struggles against oppressive fascist regimes. Notably, in Inglorious Basterds, a scene stands out where Allied spies disguise themselves as patrons in a bar within German-occupied France, aiming to extract information from the Nazis. Initially, the Nazi officers appear suspicious but continue drinking and engaging with the spies, only to eventually expose their deception in a manner that amuses the Nazis.

Towards the closing moments, it’s worth mentioning a pivotal scene involving the lone survivor from the start, Shoshanna (Mélanie Laurent), and Fredrick Zoller (Daniel Brühl), a charismatic Nazi war hero who had unsuccessfully courted her throughout the film. In a dimly lit room, there’s an undercurrent of potential sexual danger, although it might not be as explicit as in Andor. However, Zoller’s actions reveal that he was readying for violence, not merely a romantic encounter, as he ultimately shoots Shoshanna.

Why Depict This in Star Wars?

In a way that might surprise many Star Wars enthusiasts, the series Andor has ventured into portraying the grim realities of war and imperialism within a franchise usually known for its family-friendly nature. This is a choice made by showrunner Tony Gilroy and his team, and while it may stir controversy, it’s significant for heightening the drama on this show and the broader fight against galactic tyranny. At its core, it encourages viewers to relate their real-world concerns to this fantastical narrative, making the struggle more immediate and intense.

It appears that Gilroy intends for his story to spark genuine political contemplation and dialogue among its audience. In our contemporary society, the term “undocumented workers” carries distinct political implications, and depicting those pursuing them as Nazi-like Imperials sends a powerful message. While Star Wars has never been considered apolitical due to its exploration of an authoritarian regime’s rise and fall, it may not have reached such overt political commentary without creators like Gilroy and his team.

In the following three weeks every Tuesday, Andor’s Season 2 will continue streaming on Disney+. The season finale is scheduled for May 13th.

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2025-04-23 22:41