Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Andor season 2!Star Wars movies and TV shows. In part, that is because Andor season 2 did not pull any of its punches in depicting the real ramifications of fascist oppression on everyday people.
It also did so without a focus on the galaxy's most well-known heroes, such as the Jedi and/or the Skywalker family. What makes this especially impressive is the fact that, even with its innovations, Andor season 2 still felt true to Star Wars. The Andor season 2 finale's Easter eggs alone prove how dedicated Andor remained to the larger franchise, one of which is a shocking return to one of the prequel trilogy's most important planets. That is, in Andor season 2, episode 10, Kleya and Luthen appear on Naboo, and the reason behind this choice is fascinating.
Why Luthen & Kleya's First Attack Was On Naboo
This Choice Was Very Specific
In Andor season 2, episode 10, Kleya experiences a series of flashbacks pertaining to her relationship with Luthen, going back to the first time they met. One of these flashbacks involves their first act of terrorism together, which happens to take place on Naboo. In the episode, Kleya and Luthen are seated at a table across from a bridge on Naboo that is crawling with Imperials. After a tense discussion in which Luthen tests Kleya's loyalty both to him and to the larger cause, Luthen hits the button, exploding the bridge and no doubt killing countless Imperials in the process.
Evidently, the choice for this scene to take place on Naboo was very intentional. Per Backstory Magazine, screenwriter Tom Bissell explained:
"We knew we were gonna show their first act of terrorism. Kleya and Luthen together. And I argued it should be on Naboo, because that's the Emperor's home planet, and if Luthen is gonna make his first public statement, I think he's gonna stick his thumb into the eye of the guy he hates more than anyone. So Tony heard my reasoning, he was like, 'I like that, let's do that.' ...So, it's on Naboo. It's their first act of terrorism, and it ends with Luthen blowing up this bridge and then walking away. Basically, the first thing he taught her - how to be an insurgent, right?"
At times, it feels easy to forget that Palpatine is from Naboo, given it's really The Phantom Menace alone that emphasizes this connection, but it's absolutely brilliant that Andor made this attack on Naboo a personal attack on Palpatine.
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Luthen Has Always Seemed To Have Ties To The Naboo
His Shop Is Full Of Artifacts From Naboo
Although this return to Naboo was delightfully unexpected, it was clear that Luthen had some ties to Naboo already. At multiple points in Andor seasons 1 and 2, Luthen's shop, which is full of various relics and artifacts, contained many items that seemed to be from Naboo. In fact, in season 1, it seemed as though some items in the collection may have once been owned by Pé herself, but the Andor season 2 premiere Easter eggs confirmed that at least two of Pé's headdresses were indeed in Luthen's shop.
It's unclear how extensive this connection was, although presumably Luthen had been to Naboo on multiple occasions, given the extent of his collection and even his awareness that Palpatine was from Naboo. This is the perfect example of how well Andor balanced connections to other Star Wars projects without needing cameos or overt relationships between characters. It's unknown whether Luthen knew about Pé or knew her personally, but that's not the point. This subtle connection, and this brilliant return to Naboo, is enough.
This Was Our First Real Glimpse Of Naboo Under The Empire
It Was A Bit Devastating To See Naboo Like This, Compared To What It Once Was
This inclusion of Naboo in Andor season 2 is also the first real look we've gotten at Naboo under the Empire, at least on the Star Wars screen, and it was frankly devastating. Even with Palpatine coming from Naboo, throughout the prequel trilogy, the planet was depicted as one of peace and beauty, and the scenes on Naboo, especially in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, confirmed that. To see it overrun with Imperials was expected but still so heartbreaking.
Even with how painful this depiction was, I can hardly fault Luthen for this choice. The rationale that this attack would be a dig at Palpatine is a solid one (although, sadly, Palpatine was likely apathetic about Naboo being the target; it's unlikely he really cared all that much about the planet). No matter the reason, it was absolutely thrilling to see Naboo back on the Star Wars screen in Andor season 2, 26 years after Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.
Source: Backstory Magazine
All episodes of Andor season 2 are now streaming on Disney+.
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