It may presumably be probably the most surprising Andor scene ever, made all of the extra surprising by the truth that it was occurring in a Star Wars present, of all locations.

Within the just-released episode 3 of Andor’s second season, Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona) was cornered by Imperial lieutenant Krole (Alex Waldmann), who was conducting an audit and informed her, “I do know you’re unlawful. We’ve been counting visas. It’s a troublesome spot for everybody.” He then primarily tried to blackmail Bix into intercourse, however she refused, saying, “Please don’t. Please, I’m begging you. I mentioned no!”

As an alternative of backing off or arresting her, the officer then tried to power himself on Bix. Dangerous thought. Throughout a brutally bodily brawl, Bix whacked the lieutenant a number of occasions within the head with a wrench — killing the rapist, after which his driver, too, for good measure.

It was a harrowing scene, and an outline of sexual assault by no means earlier than proven in a Star Wars title. So what made Andor creator Tony Gilroy need to embody it? It’s one more instance of the brutal realism of the collection. “I imply, it's an actual factor,” Gilroy tells Leisure Weekly. “It's been an actual factor all by historical past. ‘Do you will have your papers?’ And if you happen to don't have papers, I imply, God, man.”

Within the creator’s eyes, not telling this story can be ignoring the atrocities which have been perpetrated for generations. “The historical past of civilization is rape,” Gilroy says. “We're all of the merchandise of rape.”

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After doing his homework, Gilroy felt a private accountability to acknowledge these despicable actions utilized by males in energy all through historical past. “I've been provided the possibility to do a 1,500-page, giant scale canvas about revolution and other people trapped in it,” he says. “It's a one-time deal and I spent a lifetime studying about that stuff as an novice popcorn lounge historian, studying all this s— that I by no means thought I’d have a possibility to make use of in something. And now I’ve an opportunity to make use of it.”

And what if he didn’t? “Nobody's else goes to do it, proper?” he says. “I imply, I don't know if anybody's going to have an opportunity to do it, so I'm going to do it. I higher attempt to get all the pieces in that I can. And that's definitely the ache of being a refugee. Whether or not you're in Paris in 1939 and searching for papers, otherwise you're in Casablanca, otherwise you're in Shanghai — decide your house.”

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Gilroy continues: “It's an enormous ingredient of the historical past of displaced folks and ladies being compelled to do all types of issues. It’s just like the Sophia Lauren film, Two Girls. I imply, holy s–, what do ladies must undergo? So if I can get it in, it's one other notice I have to play to make the music full.”

It additionally was one other turning level for Bix — a lady who has already displayed immense fortitude contemplating the torture that was inflicted upon her in season 1. And now she has displayed a bodily energy as nicely in warding off an attacker with severely sick intent. “It really works for her as a personality,” Gilroy says. “I needed to see her bloodied. I needed to see her pull a set off and begin that involvement within the revolution. So it was undoubtedly on the menu.”

Definitely for the primary time in a property beneath the Star Wars banner.

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