A new Star Wars book has revealed that the Disney+ series Andor quietly made franchise history by introducing the first functional toilet seen in a galaxy far, far away. While toilets have been referenced in Star Wars novels and dialogue, and depicted in forms like vac-tubes in The Mandalorian and Star Wars: Outlaws, Andor is credited with showing a recognizable, everyday toilet.
This unexpected first occurred in the eighth episode of Andor's first season, titled "Narkina-5." The episode featured Cassian Andor on the beach planet Niamos, where he was shown in a hotel bathroom. The scene included a long shot of Cassian, followed by a wider view revealing a steel-like sink, shower, and toilet combination. Set decorator Rebecca Alleway explained in the companion book, The Art of Andor, that the production team prioritized crafting practical props by hand over relying on visual effects, even for mundane items like food packaging.
Alleway further elaborated on the design of the toilet, describing it as part of a shower bathroom. She noted that she designed the toilet to be discreet, suggesting that its presence might not have been immediately obvious to viewers. This meticulous attention to detail in world-building, even for the most ordinary elements, was a core tenet of Andor's production.
While not as flashy as introducing a new alien species or a unique lightsaber, Andor's inclusion of a working toilet is highlighted as a quirky piece of trivia for dedicated Star Wars fans. It underscores the series' commitment to grounding its narrative in a lived-in reality, a characteristic that set it apart within the expansive Star Wars universe.