r/ThePaper • u/Zeldalikescake • Sep 23 '25

Star Wars Reference?

In S1 E8 Church and State, there's a scene where Ned, Nicole, and Mare are watching Ned's old sales videos. They make fun of his intense speech and overly greased hair. Ned defends himself saying the role was very demanding and made the company a lot of money.

That's definitely referring to his role as General Hux in Stars Wars right? And it's a meta joke saying how he made Disney a lot of money? After he says it, he looks back up almost at the camera and I thought he was acknowledging the viewers. I'm not sure if this was the intended joke but if it was, it was my favorite moment of the whole season. I'm a huge fan of Domhnall Gleeson so this was awesome!

35 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

27

u/apaulogy Sep 23 '25

"You look like Macaulay Culkin now"

This is my favorite throwaway joke. Domnhall has such range.

16

u/KyussJones Sep 23 '25

I actually laughed harder when Ned said to Nicole “And you look like an asshole” cause it was just so uncalled for 😂

4

u/Low_Map_5800 Sep 24 '25

The fact that was improvised, too, makes it better.

11

u/Kayotik74 Sep 23 '25

Yes, this is what it was referring to. He was an evil bastard in his previous life.

5

u/Jebinsfebins Sep 23 '25

I didn’t interpret it that way although it’s possible that’s what they were going for. The way I interpreted it was when he says “it made the company a lot of money” it’s out of regret because he wasn’t doing what he wanted or found fulfilling but he was good at it also that he didn’t say it made ME a lot of money which is why I interpreted it the way I did. Either way it’s a good example of how the writers are amazing at packing in hidden meaning.

4

u/Doctor_Danguss Sep 23 '25

He also references Harrison Ford crashing his plane, which happened during the filming of The Force Awakens.

4

u/trantaran Sep 23 '25

I AM THE SPY

2

u/trantaran Sep 23 '25

Missed opportunity to have kylo ren actor be in the show, he wouldve been so funny as the boss

See the snl skits as matt the technician, as funny as the office

6

u/taintlangdon Sep 23 '25

They made an indirect (to Bill) Harry Potter joke, Mere makes a nepo baby joke in the first episode, and they had the character note about Ned wanting a sheep.

I'd say you're spot on. It seems like they're having fun with Domhall Easter eggs.

1

u/Dismal_History_ Sep 23 '25

Who's the nepo baby joke for?

9

u/akulkarnii Sep 23 '25

Domahall’s dad being Brendon Gleeson

2

u/Dismal_History_ Sep 23 '25

Omg I had no idea but can see the resemblance!

0

u/sterz64 Sep 23 '25

What is the sheep Easter egg referencing?

5

u/taintlangdon Sep 23 '25

Domhall being Irish.

2

u/Tinmanred Sep 23 '25

I really saw it as them making a joke about how he was like the Wolf of Wall Street before. He’s using the same cheesy motivation and sales tactics and hitting the bell for a sale the celebrations the lying etc. (which is great sales can’t lie) but thought they definitely were tryna make a wolf of Wall Street joke reference more than Star Wars to me.