Andor reinvented the Star Wars tractor beam scene in the coolest feasible way

As Andor’s exceptional first year nears its finale just after the remarkable prison trilogy of episodes, there is even now a lot for the demonstrate to deal with. The scenario on Ferrix carries on to escalate. Cassian and Melshi are hoping to come across their way to some semblance of protection. And as the Rebel Alliance inches closer to development, the Empire tightens its grip on the galaxy and the folks who are living in it.

But in episode 11, “Daughter of Ferrix,” one particular matter in distinct stood out: a new twist on a typical Star Wars move.

[Ed. note: Spoilers follow for Andor episode 11.]

Let’s cut to the chase: Luthen’s ship fucking wrecked an Imperial Cruiser!!!

To set the scene: On his way back from a mystery assembly with fellow Rebel chief Observed Gerrera, Luthen is pulled over by house freeway patrol — a Cantwell-course Arrestor Cruiser. (Fun actuality: this ship structure was originally pitched for A New Hope but was to start with seen in Solo.) The Imperial ship difficulties Luthen on his identification and why he’s out right here, warning him that there has been “partisan activity” in this sector.

Just after Luthen’s rapidly thrown with each other Alderaanian ID is approved (in a pretty minimal little bit of on-the-fly Star Wars dilemma solving, as he regularly stalls although fiddling with elements of his ship), he is however requested to accept their boarding. And that is when points seriously pop off.

Imperial officers and Stormtroopers stand on a Cantwell-class Arrestor Cruiser while looking out the front window in Andor.

In Star Wars and other sci-fi media, you have viewed a great deal of spaceships trapped in tractor beams right before — possibly you’ve seen some warp their way out. But I bet you have not observed a small Fondor Haulcraft just unload a bunch of projectiles that glimpse like house needles at it, destroying the tractor beam entirely and jetting absent. The scene reminded us of the notorious Itano Circus from Macross Furthermore. Each time we’re reminded of that, it can only be a great issue.

It was an brilliant second for a exhibit that has uncovered most of its thrills in the extra grounded moments, providing us a temporary taste of the house battles the franchise is recognized for. And it’s made all the far better by the shocked expressions on the faces of the Imperial officers and troopers on the Arrestor Cruiser, as this small ship bested their a lot greater a single.

An imperial tractor beam disintegrates as it is being destroyed in Andor.

An Imperial officer in uniform looks shocked and disgusted in Andor.

It is a tense scene, and just one of the initial instances Luthen has been in any danger on Andor. It is also consultant of what will make Skarsgard’s portrayal of the character so compelling — how he can flip the change from charmer to threat in an instantaneous. He commences by trying to convince them he’s a trader from Alderaan, all the when preparing for an escape if he demands it. Even nevertheless he efficiently convinces them, he nonetheless requires the escape route, and catches the Arrestor Cruiser totally by shock in a instant of pure sci-fi genius. “Small ship caught by a bigger ship” is a perfectly-worn problem in the genre (and in Star Wars), but Andor nevertheless managed to surprise us in any case by pulling out a novel and enjoyable alternative for the underdog. And it seemed amazing as hell although executing it — after he destroys the tractor beam, Luthen shoots down a handful of TIE fighters and then destroys a few extra with pink lasers that shoot out of the facet of his condition (a great deal like if Darth Maul’s light saber was a haulcraft).

Luthen’s haulcraft has red lasers coming out of the side in Andor.

Luthen’s part in Andor as a resistance determine has largely been as a delegator and manipulator. In this scene, his shrewdness is used specifically at the Empire itself, supplying us a full new dimension to his character and how he obtained to wherever he is, equally as a determine in the Rebel and on Coruscant. It is normal to what’s created Andor so distinctive: significant character beats that work correctly to develop the mythos of the Star Wars universe and the development of the Rise up while also just staying a blast to look at.