# ‘Andor’ Star Says Israel is ‘Gaslighting’ Us

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-gdodXHv4U
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/V-gdodXHv4U
Generated: 2025-10-07T20:04:51.454+00:00

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## Quick Overview

The guest, Denise Goff, discusses her deep immersion in the world of Star Wars fandom, particularly her reaction to the political commentary and nuanced storytelling in the Disney+ series *Andor*, which she found compelling because it mirrored real-world issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, leading her to realize that even those she perceived as villains (like Dedra Meero) possessed a clear, albeit dark, motivation.

**Key Points:**
- Denise Goff, an Irish actress living in London, was deeply affected by the political commentary in *Andor*, specifically drawing parallels between the show's narrative and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- Goff notes that *Andor* depicts the rise of fascism not as an overnight event, but gradually, through the normalization of oppressive measures like curfews and checkpoints.
- She mentions a specific scene in *Andor* (Season 1) where the character Dedra Meero is shown to be a 'wonderful fascist' who is deeply committed to her cause, which she found compelling.
- Goff revealed that her own family history, rooted in the Irish struggle against occupation, made the themes of resistance and oppression in *Andor* particularly resonant.
- She expressed admiration for the character Cassian Andor's moral journey, noting that while he was initially detached, his experiences—like witnessing the aftermath of the Gorrman Massacre—ignited his sense of justice.
- Goff stated that the writing in *Andor* is so strong that it resonates across time, unlike some mainstream media that avoids complex or controversial topics.
- The discussion concluded with Mehdi Hassan inviting listeners to subscribe to Zeteo for exclusive content and supporting independent journalism.

![Screenshot at 00:14: The host points emphatically while stating, "This is how fascism happens," directly linking the fictional narrative to real-world political progression.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/V-gdodXHv4U/00-00-14.png)

**Context:** This video is an interview segment from the podcast "We're Not Kidding with Mehdi & Friends," featuring host Mehdi Hassan and guest Denise Goff, an actress. The conversation centers on Goff's professional background, her personal connection to themes of occupation and resistance, and her appreciation for the nuanced political storytelling in the *Star Wars* series *Andor*, particularly its depiction of fascism and moral complexity.

## Detailed Analysis

The interview opens with Mehdi Hassan and Denise Goff discussing Goff's background, establishing that she is an Irish actress living in London. Goff reveals her family's history in the West of Ireland, which was under British occupation, giving her a deep, personal lens through which to view the themes in *Andor*. She praises *Andor* for its unflinching portrayal of political commentary, contrasting it with mainstream media that avoids difficult topics. Goff highlights the character Dedra Meero, describing her as a 'brilliant actress' playing a 'wonderful fascist,' noting that Meero's clear motivation made her compelling. She also points out the show's accurate depiction of how authoritarianism creeps in gradually, citing the Gorrman Massacre episode where colonists are seen living under strict control with curfews and checkpoints, forcing them to seek permission for basic movements. Goff contrasts this with the simplistic 'good guys versus bad guys' narrative often seen in other *Star Wars* content, emphasizing that *Andor* explores the moral ambiguity and the 'cognitive dissonance' people feel when facing injustice, which she found deeply moving. She mentions that the show's strong writing resonates across time because it deals with timeless themes of oppression and resistance.

### Discussion of Andor

- Goff praises the show's political commentary
- Dedra Meero is described as a 'wonderful fascist'
- The show accurately depicts the incremental nature of fascism

### Goff's Personal Background

- Irish roots connect her to themes of occupation
- She was deeply affected by the portrayal of the Gorrman Massacre
- Her experience helps her understand the struggle for freedom

### Media Consumption & Morality

- Goff critiques mainstream media for avoiding controversy
- She notes the importance of nuanced writing that explores moral ambiguity
- She admits to having a personal bias towards anti-fascist narratives

### Podcast Promotion

- Mehdi Hassan concludes by inviting viewers to subscribe to Zeteo for exclusive content and to support independent journalism.

![Screenshot at 00:00: The two hosts, Mehdi Hassan \(left\) and Denise Goff \(right\), begin the podcast discussion in a studio setting.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/V-gdodXHv4U/00-00-00.png)
![Screenshot at 00:14: The host emphatically states, "This is how fascism happens," referencing the show's narrative structure.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/V-gdodXHv4U/00-00-14.png)
![Screenshot at 00:27: Denise Goff discusses the normalization of oppression, questioning if people would accept power cuts or restrictions on movement.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/V-gdodXHv4U/00-00-27.png)
![Screenshot at 00:50: Goff gestures broadly while explaining how communities are fractured and controlled in the occupied territory depicted in \*Andor\*.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/V-gdodXHv4U/00-00-50.png)
![Screenshot at 02:24: The host points directly at the camera while questioning the role of characters like Dedra Meero in the narrative.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/V-gdodXHv4U/00-02-24.png)
![Screenshot at 05:09: A clip from \*Andor\* showing a character giving a rousing, yet manipulative, speech to a crowd.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/V-gdodXHv4U/00-05-09.png)
![Screenshot at 05:23: A clip from \*Andor\* showing a character \(Senator Mon Mothma\) speaking in a formal, imposing setting.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/V-gdodXHv4U/00-05-23.png)
![Screenshot at 07:41: The host transitions to a call-to-action for viewers to like, share, and subscribe to the Zeteo channel.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/V-gdodXHv4U/00-07-41.png)