October 30th, 2012, was a critical time for fans of the Star Wars franchise. Disney’s purchase of Lucasfilm promised years of new content. After several new Star Wars movies and television shows, fans are starting to feel franchise fatigue. With so much content, only certain titles are up to the quality fans expect. When the Disney+ series Andor was announced, audiences were puzzled that a prequel with the character Cassian Andor was happening. Following the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, there were serious doubts as to how this series could be successful.
The three-episode premiere shows why Andor is an already worthy addition to the Star Wars franchise. Fans finally have something new being offered to them, a grounded and entertaining war and espionage series. The series forgoes the inherent comedy of the sequel franchise but never loses the charm and wonder of what audiences love about Star Wars. Having such a strong response from fans and press, a season two renewal has already been confirmed. Showrunner Tony Gilroy already has ideas about where the second season could go. A season two renewal shows the Andor’s potential to further solidify itself as a worthy addition.
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Characters Are Not a Part of the Original Canon
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Star Wars has spent years with the same sets of characters in numerous films and television series. Source material for original characters has started to run its course with audiences. The series of intergalactic space adventures have filled viewers with a sense of wonder. That sensation carried viewers for years but has simultaneously made them tired of the Skywalker Saga. Rogue One released in 2016, hinting there was potential for a realistic war film rather than another story about legacy. Andor takes the war aesthetic further by making a story that is darker and grounded in reality.
Andor gives us new characters who do not have ties to those who came before. This includes ties to the very sandy and rather dull planet of Tatooine, the home of Skywalker. Breaking connections to the Skywalker family applies a level of realism to this universe. Cassian Andor and his cohorts (as of three episodes) have no direct links to anyone involved with what came before. Each character is their own person fighting this totalitarian regime that is on the rise. The problems faced in their battle carry the same weight emotionally as soldiers fighting in a real war.
That does not mean the show lacks any development for this rag-tag group of spies. All of these characters hold their own resentment against the Empire.
After three episodes, the show balances the emotions of those working with and against the Empire. Characters are given new emotional angles, unlike anything that has come before in the franchise. Each new character is teased to have layers that deal with the trauma of war and espionage.
Star Wars Deals With the Morality of War
Cassian Andor and Preox-Morlana Deputy Inspector Syril Karn showcase new elements explored. Instead of a classic case of “good vs. evil,” there is a newfound gray area. Both characters show the primal sensation that this war is a fight for survival on both sides. The Empire is in a position of being on the rise in its power and status in the galaxy. The group has taken over and established a sense of control over the common folk and rebels. Syril Karn shows the war is nothing more than a chance to impress his superiors for a promotion.
The galaxy is in a different position, with the Empire being the equivalent of a fascist regime. Like any fascist regime, there are soldiers like Karn who clamor for the status of the position. He is someone who believes his job is to help the Empire grow into what the organization eventually becomes. Karn believes Cassian is a menace to his future and his place in the eventual Dynasty. In contrast, Cassian views Karn as someone blinded by the fascist idealism of the Empire. The balancing act of ideals creates new and compelling for the Star Wars universe.
Andor is attempting to redefine the rules of who “heroes” and “villains” actually are. The show forces those on both sides to do whatever is necessary for success. An example of this new substance is Stellan Skarsgård as Resistance leader Luthen Rael. Not much is known about Rael’s role in the rebellion yet. In a brief appearance in episode two and most of episode three, his mystery is conveyed. What is made apparent is that Rael is someone willing to do whatever is necessary for the rebellion, no matter the cost. Skarsgård portrays him as a man with the mentality of a spy, not an optimistic Resistance leader. His initial interaction with Cassian is hostile, showing that enemies could lurk around every corner in this war.
A theme that is apparent in Andor is the duality warfare asked of soldiers on the battlefield. All the past television shows and films focused on those in positions of high power. Primarily involving Senators, Jedi, and Sith, the ground level of citizens and soldiers, has not been explored. Andor gives characters in ground-level warfare a chance in the spotlight. Such a different and surprising perspective helps the show maintain a sense of humanity. Dangers that each character faces feel real, without the force or a Jedi having a chance to save them. Exploring war’s moral implications makes Andor a very worthy addition to the Star Wars franchise.
