Andor Honors Those Who Tried

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Warning: Major plot points from the entirety of Andor, including its final episode “Jedha, Kyber, Erso,” and the movie Rogue One are revealed below. Proceed with caution if you wish to avoid spoilers.

In the movie “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” Luthen Rael, who played an instrumental role in setting the Rebellion in motion, orchestrating intricate plots, manipulating individuals, and ultimately sacrificing himself to protect his spy network from interrogation, is never explicitly named. Additionally, characters like Clem and Maarva Andor, who significantly influenced Cassian’s transformation into a revolutionary, as well as Brasso, whose actions led to the uprising on Ferrix, Salman Paak, whose death inspired his son Wilmon to join Luthen’s cause, and countless others are not mentioned. These include the Aldhani Indigenous lives lost for the Empire’s outpost, the prisoners electrocuted on Narkina 5, the Ghormans set up for slaughter, Cinta Kaz, Luthen’s loyal deputy who was accidentally killed during a mission with the Ghorman Front, ISB mole Lonni Jung, assassinated by Luthen after alerting his handler of their compromised status, and Karis Nemik, author of the “freedom is a pure idea” manifesto, whose identity remains unknown even in the series finale of “Andor.” The impact of these characters and their actions outlives them, as exemplified by Major Partagaz’s despairing question, “Who do you think it is?” before taking his own life, while Nemik’s words live on.

In the movie “Rogue One,” a character named Bix Caleen, who was Cassian’s lover and the mother of his unknown child, is not featured. Since Bix is an exclusive character from the series Andor, her fate seemed inevitable, leading to the surprise of seeing her alive and well in the wheat fields of Mina-Rau, alongside Cassian’s droid companion, B2EMO. The child in Bix’s arms isn’t a fairy tale ending or a setup for another adventure starring “Cass Jr.” Instead, this child’s lineage doesn’t make them extraordinary – no secret Skywalker, no Force powers, and no connection to a larger cosmic narrative. However, their presence plays a crucial role in Andor‘s thought-provoking themes about heroism. Although Bix may tell her child stories about their deceased loved ones, the poignant truth is that forging a better future often means future generations can choose to forget the sacrifices made by those who paved the way.

In summary, the series Andor portrays characters who took questionable actions in pursuit of a noble cause, reflecting the difficult decisions made during times of intense conflict. The actions of Saw Gerrera, Cinta, Luthen, Cassian, and others may not have been perfect, but they were significant, demonstrating the lengths some will go to bring about change and ultimately sacrificing themselves for a greater good. This final episode, “Jedha, Kyber, Erso,” underscores their heroism by emphasizing that their actions, whether violent or not, left an indelible impact on history.

In simpler terms, the term “Martyr” is often used to describe someone who sacrifices their life for their religious beliefs, particularly in Christianity or Islam. However, it’s now also used more broadly as a secular term. The fictional series, Andor, doesn’t have a guiding creed like religion, but instead the Rebellion takes on a similar role. For those fighting against the Empire, their cause becomes so important that it becomes like a religious belief, shaping what they say, whom they trust, and even their feelings of love. They expect to die for their actions, and many do. In this sense, they can be considered martyrs, as they are witnesses to the oppressive regime of the Empire and offer an alternative model of governance with each success. Each death serves as a testament to the harshness of what they’re fighting against and the righteousness of their cause.

1920 saw the emergence of the phrase “pessimism of the mind, optimism of the spirit,” coined by the Italian Marxist and anti-fascist philosopher Antonio Gramsci. This concept suggests that while a revolution’s success may seem uncertain, it is our duty to persist in the face of adversity. This theme resonates profoundly with Andor, underscoring the importance of unwavering commitment to the Rebellion, even when the outcome seems bleak. The diverse characters in Andor, though they may not have known each other personally, form a chain of hope, their shared disdain for the Empire and determination to act serving as a testament to their cause. Compassion permeates the series, with characters like Luthen acknowledging that “we fight to win. That means we lose. And lose and lose and lose, until we’re ready.” Bix’s decision to aid the Rebellion by sacrificing her own comfort for Cassian’s commitment underscores this theme, presenting an unexpected yet supportive narrative of fighting for a brighter future. In such a struggle, every action is justified, every choice defensible, and every life lost in defense of their shared convictions is heroic. Those who survive to carry on the ideals are equally valorous.

In other ‘Star Wars’ spin-offs, characters with Force abilities can be revived in a sense, as their physical bodies deteriorate, they continue to exist as part of this energy. However, in ‘Andor’, those who die in battle are largely forgotten by the broader galactic history, their identities known only to a few close ones. Unlike Dedra and Syril, whose story in ‘Andor’ mirrors Bix and Cassian in some ways but under Imperial rule, they don’t fight for personal gain or recognition. Instead, they are motivated by the hope of bettering lives and creating opportunities for those who will benefit from their actions – the countless individuals saved by the destruction of the Death Star depicted in ‘A New Hope’, and youngsters like Cassian and Bix, who will shape their own destinies under the New Republic.

The healer in The Force informed Bix that Cassian served as a “messenger.” As Cassian embarks on his mission in Rogue One to verify Luthen’s Death Star intelligence, we understand the purpose of his journey and where it ultimately takes him. Throughout Andor, death was a recurring theme, but in its closing scenes, the series finds a life-affirming poignancy. The ideals Cassian fights for because they are right for a warrior contrast with Bix’s efforts to protect a family because they are right for a survivor. It is tragic that Cassian will never meet his child, and we grieve for him, Bix, and the life they could not share. However, we also celebrate their selflessness, as they continually sacrifice for others, just as they always have.

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2025-05-14 19:40