For me it was “The Most Controversial Children’s Book in History” by Solar Sands, in which he analyzes The Giving Tree. It led me to think about my relationship with my parents, and about what kind of relationship I might have with my kids if I ever become a parent.
This one actually just dropped today so obviously it’s on the forefront of my mind, The Thousand Faces of Cassian Andor by AtTorr. Goes in depth on how Tony Gilroy basically dared Disney to blink and they somehow didn’t. AtTorr goes through the entire first season linking our historical revolutions that inspired Gilroy to the shows fictional one.
Even if you aren’t a Star Wars fan and have no interest in watching the show, it is a powerful piece of media and this essay highlights exactly why it’s message is timeless. It does not however answer the question on everyone’s mind, “How did Disney allow this to get made?!”
Looking forward to watching that when I have time.
I think one of the more surprising things about Andor is that Disney somehow didn’t mess up the second season after the first went ‘under the radar’. And Gilroy closed it up so tight there’s no space for a 3rd.
I know people are probably tired of hearing it, but Andor is probably the best Star Wars “thing” that’s been produced. It does it without Jedi or The Force or awkward lingering shots on nostalgia bait. And it has the remove of fantasy/sci-fi so real world factors don’t drag it down into the weeds.
The original movies are classics, the prequels are fun, there’s lots of good books/shows/etc. Andor cuts to the heart of the difficulties of fighting back against fascism. The Empire breaks everyone on the show, on either side. Most of the people making meaningful action are forgotten. Some causes are necessary.