I'm not a Star Wars fan (I only saw the first 3) but decided to watch Andor because my grown son loved it so much. It began slow, and was violent, which I usually don't like. But then I became addicted to it and watched one after another of the two seasons. I found myself caring deeply about the characters. And I was gobsmacked by the parallels to our horrible situation here in the U.S. Actually, this was filmed during the pandemic while we were still enduring Trump 1, the first regime attempting to accomplish what's being done now in Trump 2. For instance, one character comments about the Empire's deliberate use of so many evil actions, until people feel overwhelmed and paralyzed. Your article also notes Mon's recognition that truth has been subverted, which undermines those who care about facts and history. Step by step here in the U.S., though, just like in Andor, our grassroots are rebelling, millions holding rallies, demanding that our leaders step up----which many of them are now doing. Andor, through its great writing and wonderful actors, shows growing resistance from so many different angles----the Empire can't find one leader to target, just as our rallies are not due to one person-- and how even apathetic people gradually become the Rebellion, infighting and all. I highly urge everyone to watch this superbly complex and engrossing series on Disney+!
Great series - each of us sees shows like this through our own prism.
That said, many see a more contemporary comparison (as opposed to 20th century Nazis) in the end of truth, pitiless oppression, and penultimate greed exemplified by sociopathic power mongers.
We have been commenting on exactly this as we watch the show. It's a gently slide into oblivion that is easy to ignore until too late. Here's to those that are part of the resistance!
"Yet Andor, the second season of which was in the can before Trump’s return to power, “is not written from the headlines,” series creator Tony Gilroy said in a conversation with Stephen Colbert and series star Diego Luna on Tuesday at the Paley Center for Media in Manhattan."
So...if true, why would I give a damn?
Our country is being sold in the Middle East to immoral sexist/racists who have been undermining our economy via OPEC since Nixon. Now Saudis own our largest refineries, control major US companies like Exxon. This used to be a bipatisan issue. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Oil_Producing_and_Exporting_Cartels_Act
Qatar sponors terrorism. That "gift" is a bribe.
The presidency is a full time job. Every dime that Trump/Musk and insiders personally make should be the property of the US Treasury.
I waited for all of this seasons episodes to drop and now I'm watching them. It's easier for me to remember who's who, and the various plot lines. I've been a Star Wars fan since the first film launched and I'm enjoying this storyline.
"the victims are on all sides of this"? I strongly disagree. The willing participants and props of the authoritarian regime are not victims, they are just surprised that backing the bad guy didn't work out for them. A victim is someone who did nothing wrong but its harmed, persecuted, imprisoned, or murdered. The person who willingly made that harm possible but then has it turned around on them is not a victim. This is the one failing of this show - not that it presents the bad guys as human beings with personal motivations, but that we are supposed to feel empathy for them when their decision to support the authoritarian regime backfires on them.
Love Star Wars, but still have to watch Andor season 2. I'm a bit hesitant about the stark message with accompanying visuals (I personally think Star Wars Disney content is quite good), but it will be an interesting study on what we currently see around us. I did watch the movie about the Wannsee Conference. It's scary how people can be so detached from other people's suffering. I pray we won't become desensitized ourselves.
I agree. We finished the second season recently but will rewatch Rogue One first. It is one of the best Star Wars movies and Andor provides a lot of background.
The boiling frog metaphor 🐸 has been much-used in discussing Trump’s authoritarian era.
— His MAGAs are his first willing & gullible victims, who refuse to see /feel the water dangerously warming, the rest of the world becoming less willing victims.
A ‘Post-truth’ era goes hand-in-glove with Trump’s rise to power also, and I am reminded of the scriptures ‘the truth will set you free’ and ‘When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44
Google search “… Lying is Satan’s 🪱 primary weapon against us all. He uses this tactic to *confuse us, leave us *hopeless, and twist God’s Word …” (Christianity.com)
— the scriptures later record Pilate cynically asking “What IS truth?” - as if it is impossible to assess. Trump & acolytes need us to feel disempowered in our pursuit of truth /Justice also.
We cannot give up on seeking & demanding truth in every aspect of our lives — political, scientific, legal, social (& religious for those of that inclination).
— this is where the admonition of * “Don’t let the bastards wear you down!” applies.
Shocked to find out that one of the main contributors to this Substack has been a Likud supporter, pretty fresh of y’all to be posting anti-fascism content, really regret subscribing 😕
I'm not a Star Wars fan (I only saw the first 3) but decided to watch Andor because my grown son loved it so much. It began slow, and was violent, which I usually don't like. But then I became addicted to it and watched one after another of the two seasons. I found myself caring deeply about the characters. And I was gobsmacked by the parallels to our horrible situation here in the U.S. Actually, this was filmed during the pandemic while we were still enduring Trump 1, the first regime attempting to accomplish what's being done now in Trump 2. For instance, one character comments about the Empire's deliberate use of so many evil actions, until people feel overwhelmed and paralyzed. Your article also notes Mon's recognition that truth has been subverted, which undermines those who care about facts and history. Step by step here in the U.S., though, just like in Andor, our grassroots are rebelling, millions holding rallies, demanding that our leaders step up----which many of them are now doing. Andor, through its great writing and wonderful actors, shows growing resistance from so many different angles----the Empire can't find one leader to target, just as our rallies are not due to one person-- and how even apathetic people gradually become the Rebellion, infighting and all. I highly urge everyone to watch this superbly complex and engrossing series on Disney+!
Great series - each of us sees shows like this through our own prism.
That said, many see a more contemporary comparison (as opposed to 20th century Nazis) in the end of truth, pitiless oppression, and penultimate greed exemplified by sociopathic power mongers.
Welcome to The Rebellion.
We have been commenting on exactly this as we watch the show. It's a gently slide into oblivion that is easy to ignore until too late. Here's to those that are part of the resistance!
"Yet Andor, the second season of which was in the can before Trump’s return to power, “is not written from the headlines,” series creator Tony Gilroy said in a conversation with Stephen Colbert and series star Diego Luna on Tuesday at the Paley Center for Media in Manhattan."
So...if true, why would I give a damn?
Our country is being sold in the Middle East to immoral sexist/racists who have been undermining our economy via OPEC since Nixon. Now Saudis own our largest refineries, control major US companies like Exxon. This used to be a bipatisan issue. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Oil_Producing_and_Exporting_Cartels_Act
Qatar sponors terrorism. That "gift" is a bribe.
The presidency is a full time job. Every dime that Trump/Musk and insiders personally make should be the property of the US Treasury.
Incredible series. So timely, so accurate. Good for Gilroy for not making it easy to watch or dumbing anything down.
I waited for all of this seasons episodes to drop and now I'm watching them. It's easier for me to remember who's who, and the various plot lines. I've been a Star Wars fan since the first film launched and I'm enjoying this storyline.
"the victims are on all sides of this"? I strongly disagree. The willing participants and props of the authoritarian regime are not victims, they are just surprised that backing the bad guy didn't work out for them. A victim is someone who did nothing wrong but its harmed, persecuted, imprisoned, or murdered. The person who willingly made that harm possible but then has it turned around on them is not a victim. This is the one failing of this show - not that it presents the bad guys as human beings with personal motivations, but that we are supposed to feel empathy for them when their decision to support the authoritarian regime backfires on them.
Love Star Wars, but still have to watch Andor season 2. I'm a bit hesitant about the stark message with accompanying visuals (I personally think Star Wars Disney content is quite good), but it will be an interesting study on what we currently see around us. I did watch the movie about the Wannsee Conference. It's scary how people can be so detached from other people's suffering. I pray we won't become desensitized ourselves.
Makes me want to watch the series and do my part to save democracy
I finished it last night and I think I could rewatch it all over again.
I agree. We finished the second season recently but will rewatch Rogue One first. It is one of the best Star Wars movies and Andor provides a lot of background.
The boiling frog metaphor 🐸 has been much-used in discussing Trump’s authoritarian era.
— His MAGAs are his first willing & gullible victims, who refuse to see /feel the water dangerously warming, the rest of the world becoming less willing victims.
A ‘Post-truth’ era goes hand-in-glove with Trump’s rise to power also, and I am reminded of the scriptures ‘the truth will set you free’ and ‘When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44
Google search “… Lying is Satan’s 🪱 primary weapon against us all. He uses this tactic to *confuse us, leave us *hopeless, and twist God’s Word …” (Christianity.com)
— the scriptures later record Pilate cynically asking “What IS truth?” - as if it is impossible to assess. Trump & acolytes need us to feel disempowered in our pursuit of truth /Justice also.
We cannot give up on seeking & demanding truth in every aspect of our lives — political, scientific, legal, social (& religious for those of that inclination).
— this is where the admonition of * “Don’t let the bastards wear you down!” applies.
what is disney supposed to be for ?
Good question. Walt & his shape-shifter animators has been many things over the decades including a dream maker 🎶makes no difference who you are🎶.
Shocked to find out that one of the main contributors to this Substack has been a Likud supporter, pretty fresh of y’all to be posting anti-fascism content, really regret subscribing 😕