Let’s Get Back Onboard With Andor

For over three years now, “Andor” has demonstrated that Disney can indeed create an excellent Star Wars series. The key was stepping back and allowing showrunner Tony Gilroy (renowned for “Michael Clayton”) to take charge. As a prequel to a prequel, the series occupies an intriguing position within the saga’s timeline, bridging the gap between Gareth Edwards’s 2016 spinoff prequel, “Rogue One,” and George Lucas’s original from 1977. Fortunately, you don’t need to be well-versed in those films to enjoy “Andor”, as it focuses less on rearranging the pieces of the Skywalker saga and more on exploring the workings of fascism from a ground-level perspective. The first season begins in Star Wars year BBY 5, or five years Before the Battle of Yavin, which is equivalent to “A New Hope”.

In the absence of Jedi and lightsabers, the series Andor is brimming with espionage and political maneuvering. It focuses on characters who are either entrenched within the Empire or the budding Rebellion, or are considering joining one side over the other. While the events of the original Star Wars, known as A New Hope, are familiar – Rebels! Death Star! Explosion! – understanding the significance and impact of all that grand space-opera drama is a significant reason why Andor resonates so strongly. As we prepare for its second season, which premieres on Disney+ in three-episode installments starting April 22 (each three-part “chapter” occurs a year after the last), it’s beneficial to refresh ourselves with the backstories of our protagonists, antagonists, and everyone in between, so we can appreciate where they stood before the show moves forward in time, drawing nearer to events we recognize.

The Rebellion

Cassian Andor

At the conclusion of its first season, the title character Cassian (played by Diego Luna) ultimately chooses to align himself with the Rebellion, following a challenging and eventful path. Originally an orphan from Kenari, he was saved and brought up by scavengers named Clem and Maarva Andor (portrayed by Gary Beadle and Fiona Shaw). They reared him on the Imperial mining planet Ferrix, where he found himself in financial trouble due to gambling and legal difficulties – typical of a Star Wars rogue’s life.

Following the murder of a private security officer, Cassian disposes of stolen Imperial tech to fund his departure, only to find that the purchaser, the influential Rebel leader Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård), has ulterior motives. Recognizing Cassian’s abilities, Luthen enlists him for a heist on Aldhani aimed at the Imperial payroll. However, instead of embracing the cause, Cassian completes his task and escapes to Niamos, a tropical paradise. Yet, even this idyllic location is not exempt from Imperial control. For an apparently minor infraction like loitering, our reluctant protagonist is sentenced to five years in the penal labor colony of Narkina 5, an experience that ultimately radicalizes him. Upon his release and return to Ferrix for Maarva’s funeral, the Empire catches up with him once again. But this time, Luthen’s team also reappears, intending to eliminate him and wrap up loose ends. However, having realized that fascism will pursue him no matter what, Cassian’s encounter with Luthen takes a different turn as he proposes an alliance, choosing to join the resistance movement for real.

Luthen Rael and Kleya Marki

Working undercover as antique dealers in Coruscant, the heart of the Empire, Luthen Rael and his dedicated aide Kleya Marki (Elizabeth Dulau) covertly orchestrate multiple Rebel missions while constantly dodging the risk of exposure. Their tasks range from recruiting spies and staff to meeting with sympathetic officials and Imperial contacts, all while maintaining secret communication with Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona), a mechanic on Ferrix, for updates on Cassian. In this way, they lay the groundwork for the Rebel Alliance in the shadows. Their ruthless methods cast a troubling light on the sacrifices needed to combat totalitarianism, as Luthen describes his mind as “a place without sun.” However, the tension between Luthen and Kleya might lead one to wonder about the true dynamics of their relationship and how it began.

Vel Sartha and Cinta Kaz

A pair of mercenaries hired by Luthen join forces with Vel, the leader of a heist crew, and her second-in-command Cinta, on Aldhani. However, things become more complex as they also share a romantic relationship. Balancing between what she’s instructed by Luthen and her obligations to her team members, Vel is a shrewd, assertive communicator, while Cinta carries out tasks with focused intensity without uttering a word. Although they might seem like typical characters in genre tales, these traits make them integral to the larger narrative. Born into a wealthy Chandrilan family, Vel frequently grapples with her desire to fight evil and maintain a peaceful life. In contrast, Cinta prioritizes the Rebellion above all else, even at the expense of her happiness and relationship, as demonstrated when they cross paths with Cassian on Ferrix before he eventually joins their team by the end of the season.

Saw Gerrera

Initially introduced in the animated show “The Clone Wars”, the character Saw Gerrera subsequently appeared in live-action form in “Rogue One”, portrayed by Forest Whitaker. Frequently labeled an extremist by his fellow Rebels, this renegade militant resides secluded with his group, called the Partisans, on the planet Segra Milo.

In the heat of the uprising, I stand ever-prepared, fully armed and on high alert, ready to dive into the fray at a moment’s notice. Yet, my unwavering resolve is no match for Luthen’s ruthless guile. In the series Andor, I hesitate before accepting Luthen’s invitation to participate in an Imperial raid led by Rebel leader Anto Kreegyr, primarily due to our ideological disparities. However, when Luthen uncovers that the Kreegyr raid is a trap, he warns me to keep my distance, so he can sacrifice Kreegyr to preserve his Imperial contact. This readiness to sacrifice anyone for the cause leaves me feeling uneasy, but I ultimately decide to safeguard Luthen’s secrets and maintain him as an ally, if only to ensure the survival of the Rebellion.

The Chandrilans: Tay Kolma, Mon Mothma, and Davo Sculdun

The elite citizens of Chandrila wield significant influence in both politics and commerce, often stirring political drama on Coruscant. Mon Mothma, a former Rebel leader (initially depicted by Caroline Blakiston in “Return of the Jedi”), made a brief cameo in “Rogue One”, with Genevieve O’Reilly portraying her (who also took on this role in a cut scene from “Revenge of the Sith”). In this depiction, Mothma must tread carefully as a public figure, covertly funding Rebel operations through Luthen, her antique dealer.

In the Chandrilan tradition of child betrothal, Mothma resides with her unknowing husband, Perrin (Alastair Mackenzie). Secretly, she’s been enlisting aid from a childhood friend, Tay Kolma (Ben Miles), who supports Rebel causes. This assistance enables her to navigate the Empire’s oppressive financial restrictions and access her family assets. However, Kolma proposes an awkward solution to Mothma’s financial woes: a loan from infamous Chandrilan businessman and criminal, Davo Sculdun (Richard Dillane). This simple transaction quickly escalates into a precarious predicament when Sculdun requires a marriage between his teenage son and Mothma’s daughter as a condition for doing business. This tradition conflicts with the views of her clandestine Rebel benefactor. As the first season concludes, the dilemma of how far she’ll bend her morals for a greater cause looms heavily, like a foreboding shadow.

The Ferrix Gang: Wilmon Paak, B2EMO, Bix Caleen, and Brasso

Characters near Cassian tend to suffer emotional harm the most, particularly his closest associates. For instance, Bix Caleen, who was once romantically involved with him, has secretly been facilitating communication between the Rebellion and supplying spare parts to Luthen for his Alliance. Her boyfriend, Timm Karlo (played by James McArdle), becomes resentful of her friendship with Cassian and informs on him to the authorities, causing him to flee. However, this act leads to the brutal shooting of Timm and many other citizens by Stormtroopers on Ferrix. This leaves Bix exposed and isolated, eventually leading to her capture and brutal interrogation by Imperial officers, hoping she’ll disclose Cassian’s whereabouts.

Additionally, the Empire subjects Salman Paak (Abhin Galeya) to torture during his imprisonment, resulting in his death. However, he leaves behind a son named Wilmon (Muhannad Bhaier), who possesses advanced tech skills and maintains contact with Cassian from afar. Not only is Wilmon helpful, but also Brasso (Joplin Sibtain), Cassian’s fellow worker and friend, stands ready to assist Cassian and his family in times of need. The two of them launch the initial attack against Imperial troops disrupting Maarva’s funeral, leading to turmoil when Cassian intervenes to save them. As the season concludes, Bix, Brasso, Wilmon, Cassian’s loyal droid companion B2EMO, and Cassian himself escape the planet together.

Formerly of Narkina 5: Kino Loy and Ruescott Melshi

In the penal colony of Narkina 5, some of the toughest moral dilemmas featured in the series unfold. The character Kino Loy (played by Andy Serkis), who is both a prisoner and a floor manager, has only a few months left on his sentence. To maintain order among the other inmates, even if it means sacrificing his own humanity, seems a fair exchange to him. However, as the prison deteriorates further, with workers being forced to work on top-secret Death Star components without any hope of release, Kino is increasingly tempted by Cassian’s growing rebellion among the prisoners. As he demonstrates strong leadership qualities, he assists his fellow inmates in escaping, only to find that their escape route leads straight into the ocean. It turns out that Kino cannot swim.

In contrast to many characters within this series, Kino’s return seems unlikely due to the frequent, abrupt, and unsentimental deaths that occur in Andor. However, there’s still a glimmer of hope since, as Andy Serkis himself hinted, we never witness his demise directly. Nevertheless, one character from Narkina 5 is confirmed to eventually join the rebellion: Ruescott Melshi (Duncan Pow). We see him in Rogue One serving alongside Cassian and managing to escape with him from prison. Their future encounters are inevitable – it’s just a question of when and how they will meet again.

The Empire

Dedra Meero

In the Imperial Security Bureau (ISB), Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) emerges as a determined and driven figure. Throughout the first season of the series, she persistently follows a mysterious individual known only as “Axis”, due to her lack of knowledge about his identity or background, which reveals he is a crucial hub for stolen technology and information. Despite some skepticism from her superiors about his existence, Meero becomes relentless in her pursuit to uncover him.

Despite encountering workplace sexism and competition from other men, Dedra unwaveringly pursues her goal of dismantling the Empire. By season’s end, she journeys to Ferrix in search of Cassian, believing that capturing him could reveal secrets about the Axis plot. However, when the people of Ferrix rise up in rebellion, Dedra finds herself in danger, almost becoming a casualty — until Syril Karn (Kyle Soller), a former ally she had dismissed as unimportant, saves her.

Syril Karn

In simpler terms, the lowly worm Syril Karn, known as the galaxy’s most pitiful, is a private security officer who travels to Ferrix to probe into the murder of two guards. Coincidentally, this deed was carried out by Cassian. Ambitious and overbearing, Syril strives for success in peculiar ways, such as modifying his imperial uniform to elevate the collar. When his efforts to arrest Cassian fail, he is let go from duty. However, his powerful mother, Eedy (played by Kathryn Hunter), leverages her family ties to secure him a job at the Bureau of Standards.

This is where Syril initially encounters Dedra, although she’s investigating him at the time. Syril is passionate about upholding order and yearns to regain the favor of the Empire. He also becomes infatuated with Dedra, primarily because she symbolizes the firm grip he advocates for so strongly. Upon learning that Cassian could be present at his mother’s funeral, Syril travels to Ferrix to address unresolved matters. When events take an unexpected turn, he saves Dedra from a hostile crowd, creating a surprising romantic moment between two loyal servants of the Empire as the season comes to a close.

Other Imperial Thugs: Dr. Gorst, Lio Partagaz, Heert, and Lonni Jung

Additional characters from the Imperial side are expected to reappear, such as Major Lio Partagaz (Anton Lesser), who is Dedra’s superior at the ISB and has control over the situation. He is well-versed in bureaucracy, internal politics, and individual egos that come with managing such operations. While he can be stern with Dedra, he also expresses approval and motivates her to gather solid evidence on “Axis” before taking action. His assistant, Heert (Jacob James Beswick), is equally supportive, but seems to share the same level of ambition as his superior.

In the series Andor, another character following Dedra’s orders is the manipulative Dr. Gorst, played by Joshua James, who can be compared to Josef Mengele due to his tendency to psychologically torment suspects like Bix. The show has no shortage of Imperial bullies, but Lonni Jung (Robert Emms), another ISB officer, presents a morally ambiguous figure. He attends private meetings with Dedra and participates in her briefings, yet he secretly shares the Empire’s plans with the Rebellion leader, Luthen. Lonni is torn because his actions put his family at risk, but Luthen encourages him to continue spying for the Rebellion, implying that failure to cooperate could endanger not only him but also his loved ones.

Orson Krennic

In the first season of “Andor,” Director Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn) isn’t directly featured, but since his significant role in “Rogue One” sets the stage for building the Death Star, and considering Mendelsohn will reprise his character in the second season of “Andor,” it’s intriguing to speculate that the Imperial superweapon could play a part. The audience was captivated by Mendelsohn’s performance as Krennic in “Rogue One” – a character who is both slippery and charismatic, with an air of pompousness that complements his grandiose cape. It will be a pleasure to see him bring this complex character back to life once more in “Andor.

2025-04-21 23:55