Even a few weeks after the Star Wars' best TV shows. This is particularly impressive given the backlash and criticism many Star Wars projects have endured in recent years and the fact that the show's focus wasn't the Jedi, the Sith, or the Force.

There are also plenty of characters, scenes, and plot twists in Andor season 2 that have gotten significant attention since the show ended. Among them is the first look at Bix Caleen and Cassian Andor's baby. However, one plot point from Andor season 2 in particular has a massive real-world connection, and it just isn't getting enough attention.

Andor Season 2 Referenced Visas And Bix Being "Illegal"

That Was An Element Of Bix's Most Brutal Season 2 Scene

In the first three episodes of Andor season 2, Bix had a major storyline that sadly culminated in a rape attempt by an Imperial officer. This actually marked the very first use of the word 'rape' on screen in Star Wars, which had significance in and of itself and became one of Star Wars' darkest scenes. Prior to that assault, though, the same Imperial officer made numerous comments about Bix not having her visa, missing documentation, and being on the planet 'illegally.'

Notably, this was among the ways the officer tried to force Bix into a sexual encounter. It was clear just by the officer telling Bix he knew she didn't have documentation that there was an unspoken threat being made that he would reveal this fact to the Empire. His subsequent attack confirmed that he'd been weaponizing Bix's status to coerce her. This is upsetting enough within the context of the show, but this plotline with Bix not having documentation also has an important real-life connection.

This plotline with Bix not having documentation also has an important real-life connection.

This Was A Direct Commentary On Real-World Immigration Policies

Andor Had Many Commentaries On Real Life

The language within this scene and the dynamic between Bix and the Imperial officer directly replicate real-life immigration policies. In fact, it was frankly jarring to hear this blatant discussion of visas, documentation, and 'illegal' status in Star Wars, as it felt so directly linked to issues and conversations that are happening in real life, in the present day. Particularly in countries like the United States, this has become a major focus in the political landscape (it long has been, but the emphasis on immigration policy has recently intensified once again).

It therefore deserves considerably more attention that Andor season 2 addressed immigration so blatantly and specifically called attention to scenarios like the one Bix experienced, in which her status on the planet was weaponized to put her in a truly scary situation. This is also yet another example of what made Andor stand out so much among other Star Wars movies and TV shows. Throughout the show, but especially season 2, Andor incorporated so many real-life connections, which makes sense given its intention was to highlight the impacts of the Empire's fascist regime on everyday people.

Star Wars Has Approached This Topic Before, But Never So Directly

This Repeated But Heightened Prior Star Wars Conversations

It's worth mentioning, these scenes with Bix in Andor season 2 are not the first example of Star Wars referencing documentation. Star Wars: The Bad Batch had an arc in which the of the Bad Batch team were missing documentation as well, which is something the Empire had begun cracking down on at the time. Even so, that plot feels quite different from the one in Andor, in part because of the implications.

Whereas The Bad Batch showed the need for documentation as proof of the Empire's ever-growing need for control, in Andor, this felt much more obviously like a commentary on real-life current events and issues. Particularly given this situation was used to take advantage of Bix (or at least to try to), these references in Andor hit much closer to home. While there's undoubtedly plenty to unpack in Andor season 2 and the show as a whole, I do hope to see more coverage of this conversation in particular.