Latest news with #Krole
Los Angeles Times
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
In the second season of ‘Andor,' undocumented agricultural workers are given visibility
We need to talk about that scene. But before we do, consider this your obligatory warning: This newsletter contains spoilers for 'Andor' Season 2 Episode 3. The article also discusses the portrayal of sexual assault on screen. At the end of the first season of 'Andor,' the titular Cassian Andor (played by Mexican actor Diego Luna) completes his transformation from a disaffected small-time criminal to a radicalized insurgent ready to topple the evil Galactic Empire. The second and final season of the 'Star Wars' spinoff series, which premiered on Disney+ on Tuesday with a three-episode drop, opens up a year later in the show's chronology. Cassian is now a secret spy for the budding Rebel Alliance. Meanwhile, his friends Bix (Adria Arjona), Brasso (Joplin Sibtain) and Wilmon (Muhannad Bhaier) are political refugees hiding out in Mina-Rau, an agricultural planet. They're lying low as undocumented workers helping out with the harvest until an Imperial ship shows up. It doesn't take long before we're introduced to Lieutenant Krole (Alex Waldmann), a menacing Imperial officer who begins to creep on Bix. By the latter half of the third episode, he reveals his intentions. 'I know you're illegal. We've been counting visas,' he tells her after cornering her in her own home. 'It's a tough spot for everyone. The Councils need the help or there is no harvest. The help is undocumented. The rules are clear but the situation requires nuance, and it all ends up on me.' Krole then attempts to rape Bix and a struggle ensues. She manages to fight him off and ends up killing him. The disturbing scene, played brilliantly by Arjona, spurred online discourse and has angered a subset of 'Star Wars' fans. Some believe that portrayals of sexual assault have no place in a fictional franchise that has depicted the murder of children, slavery and genocide (RIP to the Latino planet of Alderaan) in the past, albeit in a rather anodyne manner. Others have complained that making a character be a vulnerable undocumented agricultural worker was just woke posturing. Keep the politics out of this beloved I.P., they say. But as my colleague Tracy Brown argued in her November 2022 review of the show's first season, 'Star Wars' has always been political. That it has a message is arguably one of the reasons why 'Andor' is so beloved in the first place. Great television can entertain and serve as a critique of modern society. Some of the best shows in the medium's history have been both: 'Mash,' 'The Wire,' 'Watchmen,' and 'Black Mirror' all come to mind. 'Andor' certainly fits the bill. It's a compelling watch that also happens to unambiguously be a metaphor for this country's slide into authoritarianism. Sexual coercion by immigration officials doesn't just happen in a galaxy far, far away. It is also very much a reality in our world. Though difficult and uncomfortable to watch, the scene never feels gratuitous. Bix isn't a faceless invader. We know her backstory and why she and her friends fled their home planet. We are supposed to root and care for them. We hardly ever see a nuanced portrayal of individuals who lack documentation in high-profile prestige television. What a radical act to make someone from a marginalized community seem like real people in an era in which the powers that are intent of stripping them of their humanity. Pope Francis died Monday morning of a cerebral stroke that led to heart failure, according to the Vatican. He was 88. Born in Argentina, Francis became the first pontiff from Latin America. His 13-year papacy was characterized by his compassion and advocacy for marginalized groups, including immigrants and the poor. He was a believer in climate change and urged action, and made inroads with the LGBTQ+ community — with a few missteps. In his latest, De Los contributing columnist J.P. Brammer, a self-proclaimed 'gay, lapsed Catholic,' writes that while his feelings on Catholicism are complicated, his admiration for Pope Francis is not. Brammer's beautiful tribute is very much worthy of your time. I was particularly struck by this section: It increasingly seems like our world is dominated by two types of leaders: those guided by gleeful, vindictive spite, and those guided by wherever the wind happens to be blowing that day. It's a match made in hell, and hell is exactly what awaits us if we continue to permit abuses against people who we're told are acceptable targets. It's no surprise that those profiting off of such scaremongering have dismissed Francis as 'the woke pope.' There's a vested interest in euphemizing and dismissing kindness itself. What we need, I believe, are people willing to defend kindness without any caveats, people willing to stand up for the weak even if the weak can give nothing in return, because it's the right thing to do. In this way, I hope the life of Pope Francis serves as an inspiration. Related coverage from The Times If you live in Southern California and are looking for something to do this weekend, come join us at the L.A. Times Festival of Books at the USC campus. The festival, celebrating its 30th anniversary, is the largest literary event in the United States. More importantly, general admission is free! Swing through the De Los Stage in Association with L.A. Times en Español, which will feature panels that center on Latino stories and storytellers. Come meet the team at the De Los booth, where we'll be giving away free posters to those who are signed up to this newsletter. We've also made a batch of tote bags, which we'll be raffling off to L.A. Times subscribers. To learn more about our programming and the giveaway, click here. Artist Eddie Rodolfo Aparicio, affected by the Eaton fire, traces memories and time The Salvadoran American artist often engages with the concept of ever-shifting time and materiality as a tool for preserving and archiving realities. The torched properties in Altadena were a reminder of how the fire that devastated his community is connecting to his work. Josefina López brings Boyle Heights to Broadway in 'Real Women Have Curves: The Musical' Playwright Josefina López spoke to De Los about the musical's roots and why its debut this Sunday couldn't have come at a better time. 'This story is coming out exactly at this time when we need a story to change the narrative about immigrants being criminals,' said López. At Puppy Fades dog salon, the formerly incarcerated get a second chance The Pasadena pet grooming salon is the latest social enterprise of East L.A. organization Homeboy Industries. Mexico's president wants to ban U.S. ads warning against migration Mexico's president said her government asked TV stations to pull a Trump administration advertisement warning against undocumented migration to the U.S. 'It is time for you to leave': DHS mistakenly sends notices to U.S. citizens The Department of Homeland Security sent an email to Los Angeles immigration attorney Harriet Steele, who was born in the U.S., an email demanding that she leave the country. Steele is not the first U.S. citizen to receive that notice. The immigrant families jailed in Texas [New Yorker] My former colleague Jack Herrera reports that under the Trump administration, ICE is jailing families who have lived in the U.S. for years and is sending them to Texas. This story is behind a paywall. Her husband was mistakenly deported. Now she's caught in a political frenzy. [Washington Post] Jennifer Vasquez Sura, the wife of Kilmar Abrego García, revealed that she has been moved to a safe house after DHS publicized her family's home address in a post on X that included unredacted court documents. Abrego García was among the immigrants sent to a notorious prison in El Salvador by the Trump administration. Historic Chicano Mural Whitewashed in Culver City [Hyperallergic] 'Moonscapes III,' a public art work by collective East Los Streetcapers completed in 1979, used to adorn the exterior of the Culver City Department of Motor Vehicles. Earlier this year, the California DMV decided to paint over the mural, claiming that the wood it was painted on had deteriorated. The agency is now in talks with Paul Botello, one of the artists, to restore it.
Daily Record
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Star Wars fans 'disgusted' as Andor season 2 'doesn't hold back' on intense scene
Star Wars: Andor viewers were left reeling this week as the third episode of the second season took a horrifying turn for Bix Caleen Warning - this article contains details of sexual assault This week, Andor viewers were left in shock as episode three of the second season featured a traumatic scene involving Bix Caleen, portrayed by Adria Arjona. The renowned addition to the Star Wars saga saw Diego Luna reprising his role as the rebel leader Cassian Andor, first established in the 2016 prequel movie Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. While season one is set five years prior to the decimation of the original Death Star, the follow-up series will document the escalating four years leading to the forming of the Rebel Alliance. Season two, however, brings about a grim chapter for Bix, now an 'undocumented' mechanic in hiding on the pastoral world of Mina-Rau, reports the Mirror US. Audiences were taken aback when the Star Wars narrative ventured into unprecedented mature territory through the entrance of Imperial officer Lt. Krole (Alex Waldmann). Krole confronts Bix, aware of her status as an unauthorised immigrant, then tries to sexually assault her as she pleads for him to stop. What follows is a desperate struggle wherein Krole persists with his attack, climaxing in Bix taking his life with a forceful strike to the skull. To erase any doubt from the minds of fans, she then proclaims to another officer, "He tried to rape me!" Star Wars aficionados were left stunned not just by a particularly intense scene but also by the unexpected utterance of the word "rape" by a character, signalling a bold new turn for the traditionally family-oriented space saga. Social media users have been vocal about their reactions, with one astonished viewer posting on X (formerly Twitter): "Caught a part of andor season 2 out of context and I gotta say I never expected the word rape to be uttered in a star wars thing." Another fan expressed disbelief: "Wow, Tony Gilroy's not holding back with the writing. Viewers are going to feel some way about the rape attempt scene in episode 3, and that's by design. "The show is meant to shed light on the ugliness and horrors of WAR. I'm more surprised Disney okayed it." A third was equally taken aback, commenting: "Never did I ever think they would say rape in Star Wars.." The contentious scene led some followers to express strong disapproval, with one saying: "I don't mind having mature #StarWars but I'm not ok with it going so far as depicting an attempted rape. Or saying the word 'rape'. I'm actually quite disgusted with the #Andor series right now." Many echoed similar sentiments, some contemplating discontinuing watching the show, while others showed astonishment over the lack of a trigger warning prior to the episode. Conversely, there were those who commended the series for its candid portrayal of war's brutal realities. "Have to hand it to the writers of #Andor how they can handle such heavy real world topics with care... while also at the same time not mincing words," shared one telly enthusiast. "Call it what it is. Do not minimize it. "The words 'rape' and 'undocumented' were uttered in Star Wars, and their weight was felt." Tony Gilroy's Andor, often hailed by supporters as "Star Wars for adults," has sparked much talk, with speculation that the show's second season may delve deeper into mature themes in the weeks ahead.
Daily Mirror
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Andor fans fume 'disgusting' moment 'doesn't belong' in Star Wars after dark Bix scene
Star Wars fans were left reeling after the latest episode of the Disney+ series Andor, which saw one character attacked in a horrifying and graphic moment for the franchise Warning - this article contains details of sexual assault Fans of Andor were left heartbroken by the chilling events in the third episode of season two, which saw Bix Caleen (portrayed by Adria Arjona) face a harrowing ordeal. The hit Star Wars offshoot brought back Diego Luna as the revolutionist Cassian Andor from the 2016 prequel, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. With the first season set five years prior to the iconic demolition of the Death Star, its second set delves into the four years afterwards, charting the rise of the Rebel Alliance. Yet, Bix's journey took an unexpected and grim twist at the onset of season two. She is now depicted as an 'unregistered' engineer seeking refuge on Mina-Rau, a farming planet, reports the Mirror US. Audiences were shocked when the beloved space saga took a more mature turn with the introduction of Imperial officer Lt. Krole (Alex Waldmann). Krole, who is aware of Bix's immigrant status on the planet, menacingly attempts to assault her while she pleads for him to stop. Her struggle turns violent as Krole persists, resulting in Bix taking his life with a blunt strike to the head. To make the scenario crystal clear for viewers, she then exclaims to another character, "He tried to rape me!" Star Wars aficionados were left gobsmacked not just by the contentious scene, but also by the stark inclusion of the word "rape" in dialogue, a pioneering move for the traditionally family-oriented sci-fi saga. Social media has been abuzz with viewers expressing their astonishment, as one individual posted on X (formerly Twitter): "Caught a part of andor season 2 out of context and I gotta say I never expected the word rape to be uttered in a star wars thing." Another was equally taken aback: "Wow, Tony Gilroy's not holding back with the writing. Viewers are going to feel some way about the rape attempt scene in episode 3, and that's by design." A commenter pointed out the deliberate harsh realism depicted: "The show is meant to shed light on the ugliness and horrors of WAR. I'm more surprised Disney okayed it." One more fan expressed disbelief: "Never did I ever think they would say rape in Star Wars.." Some fans' reactions intensified, as one declared: "I don't mind having mature #StarWars but I'm not ok with it going so far as depicting an attempted rape. Or saying the word 'rape'. I'm actually quite disgusted with the #Andor series right now." This sentiment echoed across various comments, with a few threatening to abandon the series while others were taken aback by the absence of a trigger warning. In contrast, other viewers commended the series for its unflinching portrayal of the grim realities of warfare. One avid TV fan expressed admiration for the series, taking to social media to commend the handling of sensitive themes: "Have to hand it to the writers of #Andor how they can handle such heavy real world topics with care... while also at the same time not mincing words. "Call it what it is. Do not minimize it. "The words 'rape' and 'undocumented' were uttered in Star Wars, and their weight was felt." Branded by enthusiasts as "Star Wars for adults," Tony Gilroy's Andor has been setting the stage for an even grimmer second season, promising more intensity in the upcoming episodes.
