Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Andor season 2, episodes 1-3
AfterStar Wars’newest television series,Ahsokaseason 2 faces a pretty big challenge I hope it’s ready to meet. Currently,Andorseason 2 is releasing new episodes, revealing the Rebellion’s earliest days ahead ofRogue OneandA New Hope. WhileAndorandAhsokaare two very differentStar Warsshows set in different eras of the timeline, they do have one thing in common thatAhsokaseason 2 should take more advantage of.
At the end ofAhsoka’sfirst season, Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren find themselves stranded on the extragalactic world of Peridea along with the fallen Jedi Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati. Likewise, Jedi Ezra Bridger and Grand Admiral Thrawn have returned to the mainStar Warsgalaxy following almost a decade in exile, and it’s been confirmed thatAhsokaseason 2 will simultaneously be telling stories in both galaxies.With that in mind, I’d really likeAhsokaseason 2 to take a page fromAndorseason 2’s book regarding the politics of the mainStar Warsgalaxy during the New Republic Era.
Andor Season 2 Just Showed How Powerful Star Wars Politics Can Be
Showing What It Truly Takes To Resist An Oppressive Fascist Regime
InAndor’sfirst season and especially asAndorseason 2 continues to release new episodes, the series has shown just how powerful the political themes ofStar Warscan be. While it’s always been an oppressive fascist regime that deserves to be rebelled against,Andorhas been depicting the Empire in groundbreaking new wayson a level that is extremely grounded and poignant. The Empire’s brutality and abuses of power are on full display, andneedto be defied…and for many characters that means by any means necessary.
At the same time,Andorhas shown just how much was required by those who chose to resist, the personal and heavy tolls, both on an individual level and on the growing force of various rebel cells that eventually unify to make the Rebel Alliance seen in the original trilogy.The politics at play on both sides have been fascinating to watch unfold with every new episode ofAndorseason 2.
Ahsoka Season 1’s Political Scenes Were The Show’s Weak Link
Not Nearly As Interesting As The Events of Peridea (But They Could Have Been)
Unfortunately, the politics at play inAhsokaseason 1 are not nearly as engaging in comparison.Once the action inAhsokaseason 1 makes its way to a brand-new galaxy, the political scenes back in the main galaxy aren’t nearly as entertaining (though one could argue they could have been). InAhsokaseason 1, General Hera Syndulla does her best to get New Republic leaders, including Chancellor Mon Mothma, to takethe threat of Grand Admiral Thrawn’s potential return seriously, and is eventually aided by an off-screen Senator Leia Organa (via C-3PO).
The Mandalorianseason 3 established that the New Republic has been overwhelmed trying to maintain order, while also working to reintegrate former Imperials into a galaxy they’ve been struggling to keep peaceful. WhileAndorhas been showing the brutal fight against a fascist regime,Star Wars' various New Republic shows have the opportunity to show that it can be even harder to restore and maintain democracy.This is somethingAhsokaseason 1 didn’t quite succeed in, at least not in a very entertaining way. Across the board, the first season’s New Republic political scenes were its weakest link.
Dave Filoni Needs To Better Showcase The New Republic In Ahsoka Season 2
(& Genevieve O’Reilly’s Mon Mothma)
Hopefully, there will be more dynamic and engaging stakes for the politics of the mainStar Warsgalaxy inAhsokaseason 2. That shouldn’t be too hard considering Thrawn’s return, who will undoubtedly be presented as a priority threat to the New Republic and their primary goal of maintaining the hard-won galactic peace. However, I’d love to see the flaws of the New Republic further explored as well, and forGenevieve O’Reilly’s Chancellor Mon Mothma to have more of a role, especially given how great her character has been in bothAndor’sfirst season and the ongoingAndorseason 2.
Andorseason 2 drops three new episodes every Tuesday at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT on Disney+.Ahsokaseason 2 is set to release in 2026.
Andorseason 2, episodes 1-3
Andorseason 2, episodes 4-6
Andorseason 2, episodes 7-9
Andorseason 2, episodes 10-12
Ahsoka
Cast
Ahsoka follows the journey of former Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy. Released in 2023, this series takes place within the Star Wars universe and features Ahsoka navigating through a complex political and cosmic landscape.
Andor
Andor is a Star Wars prequel series set before the events of Rogue One, following Cassian Andor as he navigates a world of danger and deception. The series delves into his transformation into a pivotal figure in the struggle against the Galactic Empire.
