Star Wars’ critically acclaimed showAndoris returning for its second and final season on April 22. The series became a surprise hit because it expanded on the effects of the Empire’s rule on real people, leaving lightsabers, prophecies, and the Force aside. Acting as a prequel toRogue One: A Star Wars Story, the show focuses onDiego Luna’s Cassian Andor way before his final fight on Scarif. Chronicling his reluctant recruitment,Andortells the story of Cassian, his family, and other important puzzle pieces essential to the formation of the incipient Rebellion. Here’s what you need to remember from the 12-episode first season to be ready for Season 2.
Cassian Andor’s Personal Journey Leads Him into a Galaxy-Wide Rebellion
Cassian’s journey starts with the search for his sister. After asking about her at a bar in Morlana One, Cassian ends up killing two imperial officers, kicking off a galaxy-wide search for him. When the Empire finds him, he’s forced to flee his home planet, Ferrix, along with Rebel leader Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård). Luthen had already thoroughly researched Cassian’s background, and sees a spark in him after he chronicles how the Empire’s excessive self-confidence allowed him to steal from them. Finding use for his abilities, Luthen has Cassian joina heist team on Aldhaniwith the mission to steal imperial credits.
The heist succeeds, but not without its casualties – the most notable being Arvel Skeen (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), who increased Cassian’s body count, and Karis Nemik (Alex Lawther), who leaves Cassian his inspiring anti-Empire manifesto. Taking his cut from the heist,Cassian tries to retire but ends up being unjustly arrested and sent to a forced-labor prisonon Narkina 5. Learning how the Empire plans to keep them working forever, he teams up with his manager Kino Loy (Andy Serkis) to lead their own prison rebellion and escape. While Kino doesn’t make it out alive (or does he?), Cassian is able to leave and return to Ferrix, just in time for the funeral of Maarva (Fiona Shaw), his adoptive mother.
Maarva took Cassian in during his childhood, when he was a lost kid in the wreck of a starship in Kenari, thus being the reason Cassian survived, but also the reason behind his separation from his sister. The death of Maarva not only rattles Cassian, but all of Ferrix. She never accepted Cassian’s offer to leave the planet, for she was a Rebel leader of her own through the Daughters of Ferrix. Having her droid, B2EMO (Dave Chapman), project a posthumous holographic message,Maarva’s final act is a motivator for Cassian and Ferrix totake a stand against the oppression of the Empire.
‘Andor’ Spotlights Rebel Leaders Luthen Rael and Mon Mothma
After Luthen leaves Cassian in Aldhani,his double lifeas a Rebel leader and Coruscant antique dealer is explored, with him always aiming toward moving pieces into place to make sure the Rebellion can take off. There is a multi-layered complexity to Luthen, for he knows he won’t see a post-Empire galaxy, but is satisfied knowing he’s working towards a better future for the galaxy. On the other hand, his commitment to the cause brings out his ruthlessness, having no regard for the consequences or casualties it may bring. A meeting with Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker) also exposes how Luthen chose to act from a comfortable position, while Saw is a full-fledged runaway Rebel, highlighting the different trenches from which each Rebel decided to act.
One of Luthen’s contacts letsAndorexplore the story ofaStar Warslegacy character– Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly). Acting as a senator for Chandrila, she’s secretly trying to move resources to fund the Rebellion. While she has the same goal as Luthen, her approach is more humane and careful, given that she also has a family to look out for.Her position of power allows her to be in the loop of the Empire’s machinationswhile secretly trying to make it crumble from within. Her schemes lead her to make an uneasy alliance with shady businessman Davo Sculdun (Richard Dillane) as they arrange for her daughter and his son to meet, with Davo expecting some sort of arranged relationship to come from it.
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‘Andor’s Epic Scope Covers a Wider Set of Tales in a Galaxy Far, Far Away
By exploring the ripples of Cassian’s story,Andoris able to highlight the horrors of the Empire’s rule. Two imperial officers make it their mission to bring Cassian to justice – the failed Syril Karn (Kyle Soller) and the influential Dedra Meero (Denise Gough). Their power struggle has them constantly at odds, even when they’re working towards the same goal. Their heinous actions can be seen in their pursual of Cassian’s friend, Bix (Adria Arjona). Dedra puts Bix through hell, ruthlessly torturing her for information on Cassian, leaving herscarred and traumatized for life.
The final moments ofAndorset the game for Season 2.Syril and Dedra form a dangerous allianceafter he saves her from the enraged mob during the Ferrix rebellion. Cassian sends Bix with his other Ferrix friends to escape the planet. Luthen was also present in the Ferrix rebellion, but with a very different objective – trying to kill Cassian to cut loose ends in his operation. In the end,Cassian faces Luthen and asks for him to kill him or let him join the fight. A post-credits scene shows robots assembling the machines that Cassian and the other prisoners were building at Narkina 5, being just tiny parts of the pieces ofthe colossal laser dish from the Death Star.
Throughout its first season,Andorweaves a complex set of tales that rival the epic scope of shows likeGame of ThronesorThe Expanse.Tony Gilroy’s creation isfull of political subtext and perspectives that exaltthe complexities of the Rebellion,with great visuals to pair with! It’s not just “they were the good ones,” but “they were the least harmful lot with the fairest political ideals” instead. Season 2 ofAndoris bound to close these character arcs masterfully, so here’s to more qualityStar Warscontent to come.
Season 2 ofAndorpremieres on Disney+ on April 22 with new episodes airing every Tuesday.
