The notion that revenge isn’t the Jedi way is aStar Warsstaple, but one incredibly satisfyingAndorseason 2 scene proved that it can be the way for others—and I don’t mean villains.Andoris a true standout amongStar Warsmovies and TV shows, and season 2 in particular solidified that it is one ofStar Wars’best TV shows. This is true for numerous reasons, from the inclusion of key events likethe Ghorman Massacreto the ability to tell a complete and satisfying story arc in just two seasons.
One of the most notable aspects ofAndoris also the absence ofthe Skywalker familyand very little focus on the Jedi or the Force. While both will always be key inStar Wars, it was exciting to see just how brilliantStar Warscan be even without the Jedi or the Force being involved. This separation also gaveAndorthe opportunity to prove one thing:revenge isn’t the way of the Jedi, but it was thankfully the way of oneAndorseason 2 hero, who had one of the most satisfying scenes of the season.
“Revenge Is Not The Jedi Way” Is A Refrain In Star Wars
This Is Particularly Well-Known From A Key Anakin And Ahsoka Scene
AlthoughReturn of the Jediwas fascinatingly originally titledRevenge of the Jedi,Star Warshas been very clear over the years that revenge is antithetical to the Jedi way. It made much more sense forStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sithto contain ‘revenge’ in the title, as the very idea of revenge is tied to anger and hatred. These emotions are key for the Sith, who must use them to tap into the dark side, but they are opposite to how a Jedi should respond to even the most horrible experiences.
This is why Anakin’s slaughter of the Tusken Raiders was so wrong (in addition to the obvious moral abhorrence of mass killing).Star Warshas reinforced this message directly, including with Ahsoka Tano and Darth Vader’s confrontation on Malachor, during which Vader told Ahsoka,“Revenge is not the Jedi way,“repeating what he’d said to her when he was her Jedi master. It’s true, asAnakin Skywalker’sStar Warstimelinemakes clear, that the Jedi should avoid the need for revenge, but oneAndorseason 2 scene proves how satisfying revenge can be for non-Jedi characters.
OneAndorseason 2 scene proves how satisfying revenge can be for non-Jedi characters.
Bix Caleen’s Revenge In Andor Season 2 Was So Satisfying
Bix Caleen’s story is one of the saddest inAndor, and although new scenes like the rape attempt by the Imperial officer inAndorseason 2 shed even more light upon that, this began inAndorseason 1. Specifically,Bix faced horrible torture at the hands of the Empire inAndorseason 1, and that trauma stayed with her. InAndorseason 2, in fact, Bix was seemingly exhibiting signs of PTSD, having vivid nightmares and still suffering from intense fear.
Andorseason 2 gave Bix the perfect revenge for the trauma she suffered, though, whenshe was able to subject the Imperial interrogator who had tortured her, Dr. Gorst, to the exact same torture he had inflicted upon her. In fact, Bix first strapped Dr. Gorst into the exact same device he’d used on her years before, and then she and Cassian Andor blew up the building, no doubt killing Dr. Gorst in the process. Perhaps the single best aspect of this arc was that it wasn’t treated as morally wrong.
Andorseason 2 gave Bix the perfect revenge for the trauma she suffered.
Not Every Character Is Held To The Same Morals, And That’s For The Better
Image via Disney+
It would have been very disappointing hadAndorseason 2 presented Bix’s revenge as something morally wrong that she shouldn’t have done. Instead,this revenge inAndorseason 2 was seen as a victory for Bix, and it was one she absolutely deserved. At that point, the Empire had stripped Bix of her sense of safety and even her sanity for a time, and while torture and murder are ‘wrong,’ the situation was much more complicated than that, in truth.
Revenge is something the Jedi should steer entirely clear of because it’s all too easy to fall to the dark side when one gives in to revenge, but otherStar Warscharacters don’t have to be held to the same standards. In Bix’s case, getting this revenge on Dr. Gorst was exactly what she needed to get closure for what had been done to her, and it was admittedly satisfying to bear witness to. Thankfully,Andorseason 2 recognized the complexity of revenge inStar Warsand solidified that it isn’t always entirely wrong, especially for non-Jedi characters.
