Conspirituality Podcast Episode Summary: "Watching Andor with the Kids (Pt 1)"
Release Date: June 7, 2025
Hosts: Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, Julian Walker
Title: Conspirituality
Episode: "Watching Andor with the Kids (Pt 1)"
Duration: Approximately 36 minutes
Introduction
In the premiere episode titled "Watching Andor with the Kids (Pt 1)," the Conspirituality team—comprising journalist Derek Beres, cult researcher Matthew Remski, and philosophical skeptic Julian Walker—dives deep into the cultural and political underpinnings of the Star Wars universe, particularly focusing on the recently released series Andor. This episode is the first part of a seven-chapter exploration aiming to dissect the intersections of conspiracy theories, spiritual influences, and anti-fascist narratives within popular media.
Chapter 1: Space Wizards or Anti-Fascism
[01:02] Matthew Remski introduces the episode by outlining his long-standing connection with Star Wars, reflecting on his childhood experiences and the series' profound impact on his worldview. He posits that the cultural moment surrounding Andor represents "a moment of rebellions within rebellions," where anti-fascist themes are intricately woven into the fabric of a beloved sci-fi franchise.
Matthew delves into George Lucas's spiritual influences, citing biographer Brian J. Jones, who notes Lucas's early mystical experiences centered around questions of God and reality. This spiritual quest is mirrored in Star Wars through the Jungian journey of the Jedi, balancing light and dark sides of the Force.
Notable Quote:
[05:57] George Lucas (via Matthew): "I put the Force into the movies in order to try to awaken a certain kind of spirituality in young people. More a belief in God than a belief in any particular, you know, religious system."
Matthew critiques the Jedi Order, suggesting it embodies a "toxic masculine wizard cult," juxtaposing Lucas's intended spiritual narrative with the darker aspects of the Jedi's legacy, including intergenerational trauma and moral ambiguity.
Chapter 2: Star Wars Culture Wars
Transitioning to the modern era, [07:20] Matthew discusses the sale of Lucasfilm to Disney in 2012 for $4 billion and the ensuing cultural shifts under Disney's stewardship. Executive producer Kathleen Kennedy spearheaded an expansion of diversity and inclusion, which Matthew argues led to significant backlash from certain fan sectors.
He explores how Disney's efforts to diversify Star Wars—introducing strong female protagonists like Rey, Ahsoka Tano, and Jyn Erso—triggered conservative criticisms. These characters were often derided in right-wing circles as "Mary Sue" stereotypes, while actors like Amandla Stenberg faced attacks for their roles in The Acolyte series, which featured same-sex couples and queer-coded characters.
Notable Quote:
[21:43] Ben Shapiro: "She decided that the Force was created by lesbian space witches... how hard you have to work to destroy the Star Wars IP."
Matthew counters Ben Shapiro's criticisms by highlighting the financial success of Disney's inclusive strategies, noting that the overall Star Wars franchise value soared to over $6 billion under Disney. He emphasizes that character development, such as Luke Skywalker's complex emotional journey, counters simplistic critiques by providing depth and relatability.
Additionally, Matthew underscores the neurodiversity within Star Wars, citing characters like C-3PO and the Clone Troopers of The Bad Batch as representations of autism traits and social challenges, fostering an inclusive fandom that celebrates diversity in its many forms.
Chapter 3: A Post Fragmentary Left
[15:53] George Lucas: "And."
[15:54] Matthew: Continues the discussion on how Star Wars has evolved to reflect a more inclusive and intersectional approach, aligning with progressive values. He contrasts this with critiques from conservative quarters, who perceive these changes as "woke propaganda."
Matthew introduces the concept of a "post fragmentary left," a theoretical framework where progressive movements have moved beyond fragmented identity politics to form unified, inclusive coalitions. He references Kimberle Crenshaw's intersectionality theory, explaining how it aimed to unify diverse identities within social movements to address overlapping systems of oppression.
Notable Quote:
[26:10] Kristen: "Everything is changing and you don't even care."
[26:14] Ben Shapiro: "I am not sure how I should care about change. It is a fundamental part of life."
The hosts discuss how Andor exemplifies this post-fragmented left by portraying a rebellion led by women, people of color, and first nations individuals, supported by diverse allies within the Imperial Core. This portrayal stands in stark contrast to traditional narratives, emphasizing solidarity and collective struggle over individual identity.
Tony Gilroy's Insights:
Tony Gilroy, the showrunner of Andor, shares his fascination with historical revolutions and their representation in the series. He articulates how Andor mirrors real-world struggles against oppressive regimes, emphasizing the necessity of courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to justice without reliance on fantastical elements like the Force.
Notable Quote from Tony Gilroy:
[35:17] Tony Gilroy: "If you go on Wikipedia, they have a list of every revolution and rebellion there's ever been. And it's one of the most endless Wikipedia entries I've ever seen."
Matthew connects these themes to contemporary political climates, arguing that Andor offers a blueprint for unity and effective resistance against fascism, highlighting the importance of moving beyond internal divisions to confront external threats cohesively.
Fandom Dynamics and Cultural Impact
The episode also touches upon the evolving dynamics within the Star Wars fandom. Matthew observes that progressive and neuroqueer fans have leveraged Star Wars narratives as litmus tests for personal values and relationships. This shift has created a more inclusive and resilient fan community, which stands in opposition to reactionary backlash.
Notable Quote:
[21:35] Matthew: "This fandom is saying that if you have reactionary or shitty takes on Star Wars, you're not worth being a friend and you're not going to get laid at Comic Con."
The hosts discuss various online reactions, including threads that humorously outline "red flags" for Star Wars fans, reinforcing the community's commitment to progressive values and inclusivity.
Conclusion and Tease for Part 2
As the episode concludes, Matthew previews the forthcoming chapters, promising a deeper exploration of themes such as "Hope and Love," "Gilroy's Anti-Fascist Field Manual," "The Used Future," and "Attachment." He emphasizes the importance of Andor as a cultural artifact that encapsulates the lessons of inclusion, solidarity, and the relentless fight against oppressive systems.
[35:03] Matthew: "This is a cultural package that has basically grown up and become more realistic, even as so much of the world has gotten stupider."
He underscores the relevance of Andor in today's sociopolitical landscape, suggesting that its narrative offers valuable insights into family dynamics, parenting, and resistance in an age rife with fascist tendencies.
Key Takeaways
- Star Wars, under George Lucas and later Disney, has evolved to incorporate deep spiritual and anti-fascist themes.
- The Andor series serves as a modern reflection of these themes, emphasizing unity and resistance against authoritarianism.
- Disney's inclusive strategies in Star Wars have faced backlash from conservative factions, yet have proven financially successful and fostered a diverse and resilient fandom.
- Andor exemplifies a "post fragmentary left," advocating for solidarity beyond identity politics to confront overarching threats like fascism.
- The series offers a blueprint for real-world resistance, highlighting the importance of courage, sacrifice, and collective action without reliance on fantastical elements.
Looking Ahead
In "Watching Andor with the Kids (Pt 2)," the Conspirituality team will continue their analysis, delving into chapters four through seven. Listeners can anticipate further discussions on the themes of hope, love, strategic resistance, and the intricate balance between personal and collective struggles within the broader fight against fascism.
Notable Quotes Timestamped:
- [05:57] George Lucas: "I put the Force into the movies in order to try to awaken a certain kind of spirituality in young people."
- [21:43] Ben Shapiro: "She decided that the Force was created by lesbian space witches... how hard you have to work to destroy the Star Wars IP."
- [26:10] Kristen: "Everything is changing and you don't even care."
- [26:14] Ben Shapiro: "I am not sure how I should care about change. It is a fundamental part of life."
- [35:03] Matthew: "This is a cultural package that has basically grown up and become more realistic, even as so much of the world has gotten stupider."
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented in the first part of the Conspirituality podcast episode, providing a thorough overview for those who haven't listened while preserving the depth and nuance of the original conversation.