Andor Star Adria Arjona Perfectly Explains Bix’s “Really F****** Powerful” Scene In Season 2

Warning! This submit comprises SPOILERS for Andor season 2, episodes 1-3.The surprising, disturbing scene from Andor season 2, episode 3, during which Bix Caleen survives a rape try by an Imperial officer, has sparked a significant dialog amongst Star Wars audiences—however Bix star Adria Arjona’s voice is the one which captures this scene the perfect. Andor season 2’s place in the Star Wars timeline assured that it will be a darkish addition to Star Wars movies and TV shows. Set only a few years earlier than Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the primary three episodes of season 2 have already confirmed that.

In actual fact, Andor season 2 appears to be gearing up for Star Wars’ darkest occasion but: the Ghorman Massacre. Earlier than that, although, Star Wars confirmed the brutal realities of dwelling beneath oppression and fascism in a scene that has essentially modified Star Wars by depicting and naming a rape try—the primary use of the phrase “rape” on display within the franchise. Though this has sparked appreciable debate and predictable backlash, Adria Arjona’s commentary completely captures the true that means of this scene and the message it sends.

Adria Arjona Captures The Significance Of This Essential Andor Season 2 Scene

Arjona Understood The Bigger That means For All Girls

In an interview with Variety, Bix Caleen actress Adria Arjona spoke in regards to the problem of filming that scene but in addition the highly effective that means behind it. Arjona defined:

“I keep in mind studying that, and throughout the fact of that second of the abuse of energy, being actually scared to enter that scene…However there was additionally one thing — I’m going to curse — actually f****** highly effective about the truth that I get to showcase this in a galaxy far, distant. The truth that Tony gave it to Bix was an enormous honor — and it was proper. She’s in essentially the most weak state she will probably be in, and somebody tries to reap the benefits of her. We’ve heard that story many occasions.”

Arjona elaborated:

“There was one thing about backslapping anyone that’s precisely what I want my response could be if I had been ever in that second…It simply felt actually liberating to have the ability to do this. I had numerous ladies in my coronary heart at the moment. For any girl, for anybody, when you may have a stranger, a male stranger, in your individual area, all the pieces turns into survival.”

Each these statements from Arjona are extremely profound, and so they completely seize what this scene actually means for Star Wars, for viewers (particularly ladies viewers), and for the bigger narrative about oppression and fascism, even amid a lot different discourse in regards to the scene.

What actually strikes me about Arjona’s feedback are the methods during which they underscore—immediately and not directly—two core truths on the coronary heart of this scene: one, that rape has lengthy been a device weaponized in opposition to weak populations, significantly in occasions of battle or beneath oppressive regimes, and two, that that is one thing a devastating variety of ladies can relate to. Some view this as ‘ruining’ Star Wars, however for a lot of, it is evident that that is exactly the kind of violence Andor ought to depict as a present centered on the real-world ramifications of oppression and fascism.

That is significantly notable alongside gendered traces, simply as Arjona factors out. As uncomfortable as it might be to take a seat with, the reality is, rape has been a facet of real-life wars all through historical past, and it has regularly been ladies and kids who’ve suffered this cruelty. It could frankly be disingenuous and restricted for Andor season 2 to shrink back from this actuality, and, from the start, Andor has confirmed to be a present that embraces, not avoids, brutal truths.

This Scene Is Brutal, And That is The Level

Andor Is Doing What Star Wars Has Averted Doing For So Lengthy

The backlash to this Andor scene has had various levels of legitimacy. Arguments have ranged from claims that Palpatine and Darth Vader would condemn such conduct (a bewildering argument in mild of the cruelties each Sith are completely satisfied to topic folks to) to the necessity for the present to incorporate a set off warning. In the end, although, I consider Andor is receiving the backlash it’s as a result of this scene has damaged the practically 50-year-old mildew in Star Wars.

Particularly, sexual assault and rape have lengthy been subliminal in Star Wars motion pictures and exhibits—Andor is simply the primary to call and immediately depict it (or an try, a minimum of). Whereas Princess Leia’s slave costume might proceed to be a well-liked cosplay and outfit for toys of Leia Organa, the implication of that whole dynamic between Jabba and Leia, and all of Jabba’s dancers, for that matter, is not all that refined. Even the interrogation scene between Rey and Kylo Ren in Star Wars: The Power Awakens has undertones suggesting a risk of sexual violence.

In that sense, Andor is simply vocalizing what has been current however unstated in Star Wars for the reason that starting. This wasn’t carried out at random; Andor is the proper undertaking to depict this brutality, and Bix is the proper character to characterize it. All through this episode, there are feedback made about Bix not having a visa and being on the planet “illegally.” This, just like the rape try, has real-life connections that advantage dialogue. Because the boots-on-the-ground story of Star Wars, Andor was the proper supply of that dialogue.

Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy additionally spoke about this scene in a current interview, though I’ve to confess I used to be a bit disheartened by what he mentioned. Giving Gilroy, who introduced this story to life, the good thing about the doubt appears greater than honest, so my very own assumption is that his assertions do not precisely seize his intentions behind this story arc for Bix. Particularly, per The Hollywood Reporter, Gilory defined:

“It simply was natural and it felt proper, coming about as an influence journey for this man. I used to be actually attempting to make a path for Bix that will finally result in readability — however a tough path to get again to readability.”

Partially, I take subject with the concept this was a helpful occasion for Bix in any method, as that undercuts how vile, merciless, and traumatizing sexual assault and rape are.

I additionally strongly favor Arjona’s clarification, whereby this scene represents the real-life expertise of many ladies and captures how rape is usually an abuse of energy focused at somebody weak, to Gilroy’s, which (inadvertently or in any other case) positions this rape try as a plot machine. There’s a lengthy, unsettling historical past of rape getting used that method in tales. When first watching the episode, my interpretation was totally aligned with Arjona’s—I did not see this as a plot machine in any respect—so, once more, I hope this quote is deceptive.

Whether or not Gilroy’s feedback precisely mirror his stance on the scene or not, although, it is Arjona’s feedback which have actually resonated with me. In her statements are the precise truths that I used to be extremely grateful to see lastly explored immediately on the Star Wars display, particularly in a narrative that goals to authentically carry to life what a rise up akin to this one entails. After years of numerous lightsaber battles, blasters, and numerous different types of violence in Star Wars, it was validating to see this aspect of battle and oppression additionally depicted in Andor.

Supply: Variety

New episodes of Andor season 2 launch weekly on Tuesdays at 9 PM EST/6 PM PST on Disney+.

Andor

8/10

Launch Date

2022 – 2025-00-00

Community

Disney+

Showrunner

Tony Gilroy

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