You Won’t Believe the Chilling WWII Event that Inspired Andor’s Darkest Scene Yet

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In Episode 1 of Andor Season 2, a particularly unsettling moment echoes the notorious meeting between key Nazi figures during World War II.

It’s well-known that certain aspects of Star Wars draw inspiration from World War II. This influence is apparent not only in its imagery and vocabulary but also in its core narrative, which revolves around rebels fighting against a powerful empire.

The Disney+ show Andor explores the cost of revolution, featuring characters from different perspectives within the conflict, leading up to the events portrayed in Rogue One.

In the opening episode of Season 2, a haunting sequence connects to a crucial gathering the Nazis convened during World War II, which tragically impacted Jewish communities across Europe.

Andor scene recalls the Nazi ‘Wannsee Conference’

In the far-off setting of ‘The Maltheen Divide,’ the events transpire. At one end of an expansive table, Director Krennic addresses the high-ranking officers gathered, declaring his sentiments.

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A distant location named ‘The Maltheen Divide’ is where we find ourselves as the events play out. At one end of a large desk, Director Krennic converses with senior officials, expressing his thoughts.

As a gamer, I’d put it like this: “No one outside this room knows about our secret project. We don’t jot down notes or mark it on our calendars. Once we wrap up here, all the bots will be wiped clean of data. If your fellow team members or superiors aren’t in this very room, they’re not privy to what we’re working on right now. In this moment, this tightly-knit circle is our sanctum.

Later on, he explains their purpose – handling the Ghorman issue. Krennic mentions that the planet they’re referring to is significantly important to the Empire because it harbors a unique mineral. This mineral, known as “Deep substrate foliated Kalkite,” can coat reactor lenses, which will aid in achieving the Emperor’s vision of perpetual, unlimited power.

The issue at hand is that excavating Ghorman’s rock could strain its core, leading to a catastrophic collapse that would claim 800,000 lives. Since relocation isn’t feasible, Krennic must find alternate solutions, as the inhabitants of Ghorman will fiercely resist. Thus, there is a pressing need for a solution to this predicament.

As a history enthusiast, I can’t help but reflect on an event that echoes chilling similarities with our current times – the Wannsee Conference, a gathering that took place in Berlin, January 1942. This meeting brought together influential figures like Reinhard Heydrich and Adolf Eichmann, who were tasked with discussing a strategy to rid Germany and its occupied territories of Jewish presence.

The matter of the Jewish community, over time, evolved into a plan they referred to as “The Final Solution,” during which the attendees brainstormed methods to eliminate the Jewish population. Ultimately, they decided on using gas chambers for murder and crematoriums to dispose of the deceased bodies.

The similarities are evident and profound, as Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy explained to Polygon: “The meeting Krennic holds, where he initially discusses the topic of Ghorman, is deliberately patterned after the Wannsee Conference that the Nazis held. In this gathering, they essentially planned a strategic lunch presentation to decide upon the ‘Final Solution’.

The episode illustrates how propaganda was employed during World War II, with the Nazis attempting to link Jews to rats in order to turn global sentiment against them, similarly, the Empire’s ‘Ministry of Enlightenment’ aims to establish a relationship between Ghorman’s population and the spiders on their planet. As one minister explains, “The proper ideas, presented at the right time and place, can transform opinions into weapons.

HBO movie Conspiracy tells the original story

At the Andor summit, keeping things secret and free from accountability was crucial, much like at the Wannsee Conference. While some records were kept at the latter, they were meticulously altered to erase any explicit details.

The minutes from the meeting were distributed to participants afterwards, who later discarded them at the war’s conclusion to preserve the secrecy of their strategic plans. However, a copy belonging to Undersecretary Martin Luther was discovered by American Prosecutors prior to the Nuremberg Trials in 1947.

The document came to be referred to as ‘The Wannsee Protocols,’ serving as the foundation for the screenplay of the 2002 film titled “Conspiracy.” This movie was jointly produced by HBO and BBC.

The movie, authored by Loring Mandel and helmed by Frank Pierson, primarily centered around the conversation between its characters, portrayed by Kenneth Branagh as Heydrich and Stanley Tucci as Eichmann. It delved into their encounter and the dialogue that transpired.

The direct method employed when handling the startling subject matter drew praise from both critics and scholars, and the movie eventually earned a BAFTA award, a Golden Globe, and two Emmys.

If you’re interested in comparing Conspiracy with Andor, you can stream the movie right now on Max. Alternatively, you can rent or purchase it from Amazon, Apple, or Fandango Now.

As a die-hard Star Wars fan, I’m thrilled to share that starting from April 29, 2025, episodes 4-6 of the current season will drop! For even more Star Wars action, don’t forget to check out our detailed release schedule for Andor Season 2. Discover where it fits in the Star Wars timeline and get a clear understanding of what happened in episode 3 with our explainer. And if you’re curious about the latest on The Mandalorian, Grogu, Starfighter, and every other upcoming Star Wars project, we’ve got you covered!

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2025-04-23 13:50