Andor Just Added Another Controversial Adult Spin to Star Wars Canon
The newest Star Wars creation, Andor has been showing a more adult-oriented take on the Star Wars franchise, and Episode 5 released last week has taken it another step.
The series has shown a different side of Star Wars, showing mature decisions made by the Rebellion. It reveals the different sacrifices that must be made to win the war against the evil Empire. It has a significantly more mature approach than past Star Wars properties – partly due to the subject matter and partly to its characterization.
Fascism, slavery, and death are all adult themes in the fairly innocent franchise, and a few other mature elements have always been sprinkled in. Obi-Wan deals with a "death sticks" dealer in Attack of the Clones; we've heard many galactic curse words (though few in English).
Andor has seemingly tried to tell a more realistic tale, one that's more relatable to viewers. It uses real, English curse words and shows daily habits of its characters, making the story feel more grounded in reality and upping the stakes or urgency.
In Episode 5, "The Axe Forgets," viewers are shown the Aldhani Imperial base, where Cassian and his Rebel associates are preparing to rob payroll credits. Introduced in this scene is Imperial Corporal Kimzi. As he stares across the incredible Aldhani landscape, he takes a quick smoke break – something yet unseen in Star Wars.
Many feel that a character – however bad and however short the scene – being shown smoking is inappropriate in a franchise like Star Wars. Historically, movies and shows have been geared toward a young audience.
This isn't the first time more adult themes have popped up in "Andor." It used real-life curse words (albeit tame ones) as opposed to swears unique to Star Wars, including "kriffing," "karabast," "dank farrik," etc.
Both of these elements have caused some backlash, but many feel these additions are good for the show and the franchise.
Star Wars has always been more about personal stories rather than the grandness of its fantasy. It's more important that we see Luke grow into a hero than see him wield a lightsaber; we're more enthralled with Anakin's fear of loss than his growth as a warrior. The characters are what made the franchise and we see them as they are: flawed but hopeful.
Andor allows viewers to see the characters as those they can recognize. There are people who smoke, swear, and drink. They made the right decisions, they made bad decisions. Andor is leaning into these character choices in a way Star Wars so far has not.
New episodes are released on Disney+ every Wednesday.