Andor Unlocks a New Way to Watch Star Wars

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Ahead lie spoilers for the entire series of Andor, encompassing the final episode “Jedha, Kyber, Erso,” along with the film Rogue One.

Proceed with caution! Spoilers are coming for every episode in the series Andor, including the finale “Jedha, Kyber, Erso,” as well as the movie Rogue One.

Similar to many well-crafted prequels, the series Andor presents a standalone universe that paves the way for another. The climax of this series seamlessly connects with Cassian’s initial scene in Rogue One, a film serving as a prequel leading directly into A New Hope. As we witness Cassian embarking on his journey to the Ring of Kafrene, we are aware that we are, in fact, following him towards the beginning of his story’s conclusion. For those acquainted with Rogue One, this awareness has given a more profound significance to every moment experienced by Cassian within Andor. The series skillfully amplifies this sensation with its final shot of Bix, who was absent from the recent episodes, casually strolling through wheat fields while holding a baby whom Cassian will never know. This image serves as a poignant farewell, emphasizing several core principles of Andor: A rebellion transcends individual experiences, life continues beyond the screen, and every detail conceals an entire universe.

In 2015, Gareth Edwards, the director of “Rogue One”, explained an intriguing point about why his movie didn’t have an opening crawl. He claimed that Disney, the film’s higher-ups, felt that standalone Star Wars movies shouldn’t include this franchise signature. Initially hesitant to remove it, Edwards eventually agreed, reasoning, “The reason we exist is because of a previous crawl” – referring to the line in New Hope’s opening text about Rebel spies stealing Death Star plans. He saw it as an endless loop, but from another perspective, Tony Gilroy’s series redefines this as a rich source of possibilities. In a single sentence about unnamed “Rebel spies”, there are numerous other tales to be told, and “Andor” is a testament that this is truly a wonderful aspect.

The most enriching mythologies are those that encourage multiple interpretations, and adopting this perspective enhances fans’ enjoyment of timeless works like “Star Wars.” This approach enables us to appreciate its extensive narratives more deeply. For instance, the logical sequence of the Machete Order emerges when we rearrange the films into what is now known as the Skywalker Saga. This new arrangement enhances the emotional depth of the original trilogy.

Personally, I’ve discovered a fresh viewing experience that aligns with mainstream “Star Wars” encounters, connecting narratively consecutive works such as Andor, Rogue One, and A New Hope. I’d refer to it as the “Death Star Trilogy,” considering how they are predominantly structured around the exploration and destruction of the Empire’s ultimate weapon – the Death Star plotline. However, this name has been used by others to denote A New Hope, Rogue One, and Revenge of the Sith, which features a brief scene of Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader gazing at a Death Star under construction.

Let’s refer to the collection of movies including Andor, Rogue One, and A New Hope as something different: the “Rebel Spies Trilogy,” which may intersect with but is separate from the Skywalker Saga. When viewed collectively, these works convey a narrative of rebellion and revolution that mirrors real-life experiences: Defying a powerful system often involves many individuals passing the struggle from one to another. From this perspective, the varying tones and perspectives in each project become thematically relevant, resembling an illustration of how everyone can be a hero within their own journey, even when part of a larger story: A New Hope focuses on Luke’s tale, Rogue One centers around Jyn Erso, and Andor follows Cassian, although it’s only partially from his viewpoint. Interestingly, the second season of Andor depicts Cassian as just one piece in a larger puzzle; in an unusual manner, the story of Andor also delves into the journey of Syril Karn. This perspective offers a broad view of what the Star Wars universe may represent, which is to say it only loosely revolves around good-versus-evil space battles and the Skywalker family’s magical conflicts.

To seamlessly integrate the new trilogy’s interpretations, some adjustments are necessary when transitioning from one story to another. For instance, if you choose to watch Rogue One after completing Andor, you might find certain elements disjointed due to the chronological order and character development.

For example, Cassian’s backstory in Rogue One may feel inconsistent with his evolution as a character over 24 episodes of Andor. Details like Cassian mentioning he’s been fighting since he was six years old contradict his earlier recruitment into Luthen Rael’s spy ring, which is established in Andor. Or, there are moments where character dynamics seem off, such as Cassian stepping aside to let Jyn give the Big Pep Talk before their ship departs for the Battle of Scarif, even though it would make more sense for a seasoned soldier like him to address the troops instead.

Another example is the romantic tension between Cassian and Jyn in Rogue One. The relationship feels contrived, as if it exists purely for dramatic effect, given what we’ve seen of their interactions with other characters in Andor. This dynamic may appear awkward or forced now that more about Cassian’s relationships with other characters, like Bix, have been revealed. We’re meant to understand that he’s a flirt, but the romantic tension with Jyn now seems excessive.

In essence, creating a prequel or sequel often introduces natural hiccups into a tale woven from pieces of the past – there’s inevitably some discomfort associated with these additions to an established storyline. For example, remember when Luke kissed Leia in “A New Hope”? George Lucas hadn’t yet conceived the idea that Darth Vader was their father back then. It’s hard to imagine at the time that the Star Wars saga would evolve into an iconic series with sequels, prequels, spin-offs, and a vast, intricate universe, complete with a fanbase that treats its lore as sacred text. The fact that any film, let alone one in the Star Wars franchise, manages to be made at all, especially given the quality of the final product, is nothing short of remarkable.

In my view, the peculiarities in Cassian’s portrayal across ‘Andor’ and ‘Rogue One’ are less significant, and overlooking them is a testament to understanding that every piece of entertainment is shaped by its own creative environment. This perspective is one reason among many why I find the segment of ‘Star Wars’ fandom fixated on maintaining canon consistency rather uninteresting. It’s essential to allow talented teams like Tony Gilroy’s the freedom to innovate, and any inconsistencies that arise should be seen as an opportunity for viewers to engage in their own creative storytelling.

For instance, instead of questioning why Cassian claims to have been fighting since he was 6, you might consider, “Well, I suppose Kenari is included in what he’s fought for.” The scene where Cassian gives Jyn the floor for her pep talk could be seen as a reflection of ‘Rogue One’ being centered around Jyn’s story, but it can also be interpreted as an indication of Cassian opening up to include more individuals in the struggle.

Towards the end of ‘Rogue One’, when the Death Star beam destroys the Imperial facility on Scarif, you might imagine that Cassian is contemplating all that has transpired, and thinking about Bix. This way, we can appreciate the characters not just as they are presented to us, but as complex individuals with a rich history.

If you’re reading this, it seems likely that you’ve encountered the Rebel Spies Trilogy in its original release order, starting with “A New Hope”. However, if you choose to follow the story in chronological order, starting from “Andor”, something extraordinary unfolds. “A New Hope” takes on a deeper significance and is no longer just the beginning of one exceptional Skywalker’s journey but also the conclusion of the struggles faced by every character and planet oppressed by the Empire as depicted in “Andor”. This film, nearly five decades old, feels rejuvenated, and this transformation is due to someone paying attention to a small detail, like a sentence on an opening crawl, and pondering what hidden worlds it might reveal.

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2025-05-14 21:54