LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 15: Diego Luna attends Disney+ hosts special launch of new series "Andor" on September 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images)
Movies - TV
Andor Is Treating A Classic Star Wars Villain Like A Regular Dude, And It's Hilarious
By  RAFAEL MOTAMAYOR
Rather than a grand quest with a chosen one and magical powers, “Andor” on Disney+ is a grounded show with actual stakes and a focus on an ensemble fighting for a common cause. Even a classic villain of the franchise is not treated with the same reverence as in other “Star Wars” films — the characters talk about him as if he’s a regular dude.
A name viewers haven't heard in a while, Emperor Sheev Palpatine, is mentioned several times during Episode 7, entitled “Announcement.” However, even though the Emperor's presence is felt, "Andor" reminds the audience that behind that gruesome visage is just a frail old man, and he is referred to as such in the episode.
By calling him "Emperor Palpatine," the show makes sure viewers associate the Emperor with something closer to a president or prime minister. This is reminiscent of George Lucas' earliest ideas for the Emperor: a weak bureaucrat who is nothing more than a puppet for the Imperial bureaucracy with no agency.