Why Mon Mothma’s ‘Star Wars Rebels’ Episode is a Must-See Before the ‘Andor’ Finale!

by

In the ninth episode of Season 2, we find Mon Mothma (played by Genevieve O’Reilly) taking a decisive stand against the Empire. She left the Imperial Senate and joined the Rebellion after a powerful speech that denounced Emperor Palpatine for orchestrating a brutal, unwarranted genocide on Ghorman. This impassioned speech drew accusations of treason from her fellow senators and marked her as a target for the ISB. Bail Organa had arranged for rebels to rescue Mon, but Luthen Rael doubted the reliability of Bail’s team, which had been infiltrated by the ISB. As a result, Luthen dispatched Cassian Andor instead to carry out the extraction mission.

Prepares for the concluding three-episode sequence of Andor, in its second season. Every three episodes throughout the season have been set a year nearer to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The upcoming and final three will seamlessly transition into that film, where Mon Mothma is already a recognized leader of the Rebel Alliance on Yavin IV. The Mon who was with Cassian Andor at the end of “Welcome to the Rebellion” appears somewhat different from the confident leader portrayed in Rogue One and Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi. However, Mon’s joining the Rebellion, her progress into leadership, and the establishment of the Rebel Alliance were all depicted in Season 3 of Star Wars Rebels.

How Andor’s Story Continues in Star Wars Rebels

Mon Mothma Played a Central Role on Star Wars Rebels Episode, “Secret Cargo”

In the third season episode titled “Secret Cargo” of Star Wars Rebels, we witnessed Mon Mothma’s journey to Yavin IV and the beginnings of the Rebel Alliance. Andor filled in the gaps of Mon’s story, leading us right up to where Rebels finds her, creating a smooth transition between the two Star Wars series. The essence of Mon’s Senate speech remained consistent in Andor’s “Welcome to the Rebellion,” even though the exact words may have differed. Cassian Andor managed to bring Mon Mothma to the same safe house on Coruscant he had previously occupied, and it was Gold Squadron who took over her transportation to Yavin IV from thereon.

In the course of events depicted in the Star Wars timeline, rebels took up Mon’s quest when Gold Squadron linked with them for refueling. As the Empire zeroed in on this alliance, Gold Squadron and the Spectres synchronized their efforts. Mon’s entrance into the Rebellion was marked by turmoil; her journey to Yavin was disrupted by an assault from TIE fighters and two Star Destroyers. Notably, the intense space battle portrayed in Rebels transpired shortly after ISB agents pursued and attacked Mon within the Senate building on Andor. Both series illustrate Mon’s struggle to acclimate to the harsh realities of war, as she is forcibly removed from her political life.

In “Secret Cargo”, Mon Mothma’s transformation became evident, particularly for fans of Andor who are looking forward to tracking her journey from “Welcome to the Rebellion” and beyond. It was hinted in “Welcome to the Rebellion” that Mon was unprepared for the harsh realities of the Rebellion, as she expressed doubt to Cassian when he rescued her from ISB agents, questioning if she had what it took. Throughout “Secret Cargo”, we witness Mon grappling with this significant shift in her life. She confided in Hera Syndulla that her new life on the run, filled with perilous situations, was unfamiliar to her. Hera encouraged her, emphasizing that the Rebellion was fortunate to have a leader like Mon Mothma. The episode underscores how Mon adjusted to her new circumstances to assume the role of leadership.

“Secret Cargo” Marks the Beginning of the Rebel Alliance

The Galaxy’s Rebel Cells First Come Together on Star Wars Rebels

In the series Andor, we see various rebel groups scattered across the galaxy, each fighting against the Empire independently. These include the Maya Pei Brigade, the Ghorman Front, and Yavin IV’s Massassi Group. The unification of these disparate cells into a single rebellion is hinted at in Andor, with Mon Mothma’s speech being particularly significant. This union was formally announced by Mon Mothma in her Declaration of the Rebel Alliance, an event that eventually led to the united front we see in the original Star Wars trilogy. A glimpse of this declaration was given on Andor, and it was also depicted in Star Wars Rebels. The episode “Secret Cargo” shows Mon Mothma broadcasting a call for unity against the Empire, which eventually brought these separate rebel cells together.

In the upcoming episodes of Andor, the events following the Declaration of the Rebel Alliance will be unfolding. This pivotal moment transformed Yavin IV into a central hub for the entire Rebel Alliance, rather than just a single cell. Cassian, who was previously operating covertly, will find himself working as a spy in support of this full-blown rebellion. The changes set off by this declaration might relegate his role to the shadows, making it less relevant in the new status quo of the Rebellion. This significant shift is hinted at in the episode “Secret Cargo” from Star Wars: Rebels.

Andor concludes on Tuesday, May 13 on Disney+.

Read More

2025-05-15 06:55