Forget “**** The Empire”: Star Wars’ Best TV Show Just Doubled Down On A Massive Canon Change

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Andor season 2, episodes 7-9

Andor season 2 has doubled down on a Star Wars canon change in its most recent episodes. In the vast majority of Star Wars media, in-universe swear words are used rather than expletives used in the real world. However, Andor was the first project to do otherwise with one sward word in particular.

In the finale of Andor season 1, it was famously reported that Maarva Andor was originally going to close out her posthumous holo-message to the people of Ferrix by crying out, “F*** The Empire!” As amazing as the first Star Wars f-bomb would have been, the swear word was replaced with the word “fight” instead. That said, Andor season 1 still featured real-world swearing elsewhere, and Andor season 2 has now reinforced this notable canon change with a brand-new scene.

Andor Season 1 DID Introduce Earth Swear Words

Andor Season 1, Episode 3

While Maarva sadly didn’t get her moment as originally intended, Andor still featured real-life swearing elsewhere. Earlier in the series’ first season, Andor season 1, episode 3 saw Syril Karn leading a contingent of CorpSec security forces to bring Cassian Andor to justice. During the ensuing chaos on Ferrix as Cassian makes his escape with Luthen Rael, Syril’s second-in-command is on the radio, trying to figure out where their men are being attacked, prompting the use of the word “s***”.

At the time, this was a rather notable moment for the Star Wars continuity, as real-world swears are so rare. Prior to this moment, swear words had almost exclusively been original in-universe Star Wars curse words like “poodoo”, “dank ferrik”, “sleemo” “kriff” “karabast”. Occasionally, words like “hell’ or even “a**” have been sparingly used, though Andor season 1, episode 3 had the “honor” of featuring the first use of “s***” in the Star Wars canon.

Andor Season 2 Just Doubled Down On Earth Swear Words In A Stunning Scene

Just Before Mon Mothma’s Impressive Imperial Senate Speech

Interestingly enough, Andor season 2 double down on the change/addition to Star Wars canon by featuring “s***” once more. In Andor season 2 episode 9, Mon Mothma is preparing to give a final speech in the Imperial Senate before feeling Coruscant. In it, she directly calls out Emperor Palpatine as a monster who condones the various atrocities committed by the Empire, particularly the recent Ghorman Massacre.

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Having received support and encouragement from Senator Bail Organa (a fellow secret leader of the Rebellion), Bail tells Mon to “tear the s*** out of this place“ just before the session begins. It’s a powerful line and moment, one that acknowledges the bravery that comes with Mon choosing to give this speech. After all, Mothma was fully aware that giving such a damning speech would mark her for death in the eyes of every Imperial while giving it in the heart of the Galactic Empire itself.

Why Andor Has Continued To Use Real-World Swear Words

Maintaining The Show’s Grounded Realism

Traditionally, Star Wars almost always replaces real-word curse words with their own versions. However, that wouldn’t exactly fit Andor‘s overall tone and aesthetic. Most of the aforementioned substitutions are often played for humor. This in turn makes them stand out, thereby breaking the general sense of realism. While that’s not a problem for most Star Wars movies and shows, there’s a lot of intention when it comes Andor to make the entire Star Wars series feel grounded and real. As such, using real-world swear words, like “s***”, makes the show feel that much more grounded.

New episodes of Andor season 2 release weekly on Tuesdays at 9 PM EST/6 PM PST on Disney+.

Release Date
Episode Drop

April 22, 2025
Andor season 2, episodes 1-3

April 29, 2025
Andor season 2, episodes 4-6

May 6, 2025
Andor season 2, episodes 7-9

May 13, 2025
Andor season 2, episodes 10-12