Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Andor season 2!Andorseason 2 just brought Padmé Amidala’s home planet of Naboo back to theStar Warsscreen 26 years afterStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, and it was done for the perfect reason.Andorseason 2 has solidifiedAndor’sspot as one ofStar Wars’best TV shows, and, in just 12 episodes, it has arguably provided a path forward forStar Warsmovies and TV shows. In part, that is becauseAndorseason 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,Andorseason 2 still felt true toStar Wars. TheAndorseason 2 finale’s Easter eggsalone prove how dedicatedAndorremained to the larger franchise, one of which is a shocking return to one of the prequel trilogy’s most important planets. That is,inAndorseason 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
InAndorseason 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. PerBackstory 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 reallyThe Phantom Menacealone that emphasizes this connection, butit’s absolutely brilliant thatAndormade this attack on Naboo a personal attack on Palpatine.
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 inAndorseasons 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 Padmé herself, but theAndorseason 2 premiere Easter eggsconfirmed that at least two of Padmé’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 wellAndorbalanced connections to otherStar Warsprojects without needing cameos or overt relationships between characters. It’s unknown whether Luthen knew about Padmé 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 inAndorseason 2 is also the first real look we’ve gotten at Naboo under the Empire, at least on theStar Warsscreen, 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 inStar 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 theStar Warsscreen inAndorseason 2, 26 years afterStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.
