Fathers on Elevators
In Return of the Jedi, Darth Vader uses an elevator to ascend to the top of Emperor Palpatine’s tower on the Second Death Star. He rides the elevator to meet with his dark-robed master to tell him something he already knows (“A small rebel force … has landed on Endor”), and something he doesn’t: “My son is with them.” Palpatine is perturbed by this revelation and suspects that Vader’s awareness of Luke Skywalker’s presence means his loyalty is wavering. He tells him, “I wonder if your feelings on this matter are clear.” Palpatine’s implication is that Vader’s attachment to his son is a liability. When Vader descends with the elevator, it will be to carry out Palpatine’s order to bring Luke to him, no matter his feelings for his child.
In “One Way Out” (Andor 1.10), this scene from Return of the Jedi is inverted both literally and thematically. Lonni Jung, a mole inside the Imperial Security Bureau, uses an elevator to descend into the depths of another planet-sized city, Coruscant. He rides the elevator to meet with the dark-robed spymaster Luthen Rael, purportedly to tell him something he should know: a small rebel force led by Anto Kreegyr is about to be ambushed on Spellhaus. Luthen is unperturbed by this revelation, however – he says Kreegyr’s men must be sacrificed to protect Lonni’s cover – and instead wants to know why Lonni’s loyalty is clearly wavering. “I can’t do this anymore,” Lonni answers. “I’m a father now. I had no idea how it would feel.” Unlike Palpatine, Luthen affirms his servant’s desire to protect his child. He tells Lonni, “You love your daughter. Kreegyr’s men will be dying to make sure she has a father.” Luthen’s implication is that Lonni’s attachment to his daughter is an asset, a reason to persevere. When Lonni ascends with the elevator, it will be to continue following Luthen’s orders, because his feelings for his child matter.
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Characters: Darth Vader / Lonni Jung / Luthen Rael / Palpatine
Shows: Andor
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Concepts: ascent and descent / attachment / children / fathers / feelings / orders / spies
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