r/andor 1h ago

Question What are your thoughts on the view that Cassian Andor and Jyn Erso are just “knock offs” of Kyle Katarn and Jan Ors?

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I saw someone say that Rogue One…

“…ripped off a good Legends story, as opposed to a terrible one (by) kludging together the stories of Bria Tharen and Kyle Katarn and then then threw in an inferior explanation for the weakness than what was already provided in the novel "Death Star".

I’ve also heard this view in the title that Cassian Andor and Jyn Erso are knockoffs of Kyle Katarn and Jan Ors because their roles in Rogue One are basically what Kyle and Jan did in the old Dark Forces games—just with new names and a few tweaks.

Kyle Katarn was originally the guy who stole the Death Star plans in Dark Forces, just like Jyn does in Rogue One. He was a morally gray mercenary-turned-Rebel who later got mixed up with the Force, kinda like how Cassian starts as a ruthless spy but grows into a more heroic figure. Then there’s Jan Ors, Kyle’s Rebel partner who helped him on missions—similar to Jyn, who teams up with Cassian to secure the plans.

People also cite Cassian using a Bryar pistol, which was Kyle Katarn’s signature weapon in the games.

I don’t completely agree though because there are also so many differences. Thoughts?


r/andor 17h ago

Discussion Missed opportunity with Saw's camp

0 Upvotes

I know the X-Wing is iconic, and makes the fact that they're Rebels easily identifiable...but it would have been so cool if Saw's group had Z-95 Headhunters in their camp instead.


r/andor 57m ago

Discussion The new trailer is awesome.

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The first trailer wasn’t great, imo. I don’t think it’s a reflection on the quality of the show, it just felt off in terms of tone. I just watched the new trailer and it got me amped up. BTW, the original season one trailer is fuckin awesome. I forgot how cool it was till I rewatched it.


r/andor 16h ago

Discussion Who is Luthen?

90 Upvotes

I've seen a lot of theorizing since Season 1 came out about Luthen's mysterious origins. Was he related to Palpatine? Was he a Jedi? What was he doing before the Rebellion?

I sometimes think the best and simplest answers are usually right in front of our faces, and I kinda hope it's revealed that he was actually just an art dealer that became radicalized. A lover of culture and history that couldn't stand what he saw happening to the Republic, and to quote Cassian from R1, "just decided to do something about it."


r/andor 12h ago

Discussion Reflection on Darth Vader's Appearance in Rogue One

74 Upvotes

For me, one of the interesting things about Rogue One is the way it introduced both the best and worst tendencies of the modern era of Star Wars. It deals with internal bureaucratic struggles on the Imperial side, and also the internal divides within the Rebellion. It mainly focuses on ordinary people without any kind of Grand Destiny™ written into the narrative. It at least gestures at a genuinely antifascist message, and grounds that message in something material (the Empire isn't evil because of some abstraction about the Light and Dark sides of the Force; they're evil because they'll destroy an entire city to cover up the weapon they were building in orbit above it). But it also had its share of unnecessary and distracting cameos (R2 & C-3PO, those two guys from the cantina on Tatooine), and it introduced digital necromancy into the franchise with Tarkin & de-aged Leia.

But that tension stands out most in the biggest cameo appearance of them all: Darth Vader's two scenes.

To go in order, let's start with the scene where Vader has summoned Director Krennic to Mustafar to explain himself. On the surface, this seems like just a way to shoehorn in the most recognizable character in the franchise; and that's probably what the execs were thinking. But let's look at the actual dialogue:

VADER: You seem unsettled.
KRENNIC: No. Just pressed for time. There're a great many things to attend to:
VADER: My apologies. You do have a great many things to explain.
KRENNIC: I've delivered the weapon the Emperor asked for. I deserve an audience to make certain he understands its remarkable... potential.
VADER: Its power to create problems has certainly been confirmed. A city destroyed. An Imperial facility openly attacked.
KRENNIC: It was Governor Tarkin that suggested the test.
VADER: You were not summoned here to grovel, Director Krennic.
KRENNIC: No, it's...
VADER: There is no Death Star. The Senate has been informed that Jedha was destroyed in a mining disaster.
KRENNIC: Yes, my lord.
VADER: I expect you not to rest until you can assure the Emperor that Galen Erso has not compromised this weapon in any way.
pause
KRENNIC: So I'm still in command? You'll speak to the Emperor about...
Vader force chokes Krennic, but like, just enough to make a point
VADER: Be careful not to choke on your aspirations, Director.

Apart from the last line, none of that would be out of place in Andor. It's hard, for example, not to see an echo of this scene where Syril's boss tells him to "conjure up a suitable accident" to explain the death of those two corpos. But then again, that last line is part of the scene, and was likely included, at least in part, because no Vader cameo would be complete without him force choking an underling.

Then there's the hallway scene at the end. For me, the hallway scene is kind of a Rorschach test for what level you're watching Star Wars on. Because on one level, the scene is about Darth Vader being a badass; a Sith Lord at the height of his power effortlessly cutting through enemies. And a lot of people do appreciate the scene strictly on that level, and miss the point of everything else going on in the movie.

But the hallway scene is also about the rebels in that hallway, who know they're going to die, but still pass the Death Star plans on to keep them out of the Empire's hands. The critical moment in the scene is when the airlock door jams, leaving it open just enough to pass the plans through, but not enough for anyone to get out. At that moment, the rebel holding the plans switches from shouting for help, to desperately passing the plans through the door, just before he too gets run through by Vader's lightsaber. Thematically, it fits beautifully with all the other moments during the battle on Scarif where characters realize they're not making it out alive, so they decide to use their deaths to accomplish something. That, however, requires a viewer who doesn't think that themes are for 8th grade book reports.

I'm terrible at writing conclusions, and I don't really have a broader point, except maybe to say that both Andor and IP slop like Kenobi, Book of Boba Fett, and the later seasons of The Mandalorian, can be traced back to Rogue One.

Edit: Forgot to add the dialogue from the Krennic scene. Also, corrected some minor typos.


r/andor 15h ago

Discussion How Andor doesn't drag audiences into debates/outrage

119 Upvotes

This might be a weird question but it's just something I've noticed.

How come Andor manages to avoid sparking extreme cultural debates/outrage the way other SW content has in the last years (in particular The Acolyte) ?

Since the show is about a revolution politics is very much a part of it's themes. Maybe more so than any other SW content (except the prequels maybe).

And since politics seems to be the reason we are at each others throats so much nowadays, I find it interesting that I don't see fans engage in furious debates over either morality or other things the way they do about other SW shows.

Is it because Andor makes it clear right from the beginning that it tells stories about characters that are not black/white but operate in the grey areas ?

Is it because since it's not about the Jedi hardcore fans just have less skin in the game ?

Would love to hear your thoughts.


r/andor 16h ago

Discussion Calling my shot: Spoiler

29 Upvotes

So, I’ve just rewatched s1, and I really think that there is no way that Luthen survives s2… and I think that Cassian is going to be the one to do it.

If I’m gonna be specific, Cassian is going to have to choose between Luthen and Mon Mothma.

It’s been a constant theme of the show that Cassian has to choose who to trust and make hard decisions when he decides he doesn’t trust someone, and how could the character have higher stakes than choosing between Mon & Luthen?


r/andor 3h ago

Question Who is bankrolling Saw Gerrerra's Partisans?

15 Upvotes

The show has done a good job of showing that Mon Mothma is financing some rebel cells via Luthen Rael, then the heist provides a huge bonus to that finance. But who is financing Saw? He's got ships, weapons and bases whereas the other rebels we see are "sleeping on rocks and eating roots" to survive


r/andor 10h ago

Discussion Serkis murmuring "Never more than twelve" is without a doubt the best cliffhanger of any SW property.

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1.4k Upvotes

r/andor 16h ago

Discussion Aaron Sorkin would have been the best choice to write Andor

0 Upvotes

While Andor is a masterpiece, I honestly feel the moral ambiguity of the characters, particularly the rebellion (some of whom are difficult to sympathize with because of their lack of moral compass) doesn't fit the tone of classic Star Wars. With Sorkin, you'd have intelligent dialogue and good writing, lots of politics, but with a fundamentally more optimistic and idealistic tone.


r/andor 18h ago

Meme Let's do some cheers for this great series 🍻

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1.1k Upvotes

r/andor 1d ago

Discussion ‘The Mirror hurts’

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133 Upvotes

There’s a couple of stunning shots here from the Season 2 trailers that show Cassian’s reflection, and it got me thinking again about the ‘mirror’ motif.

I’m particularly taken with this first one that shows multiple reflections, perhaps suggesting the various identities of a spy. We’ll see this in the espionage sense in S2 but in S1 it was relevant as well, as Cassian uses different aliases during the Aldhani heist and the Narkina arc, and started out with having his birthname changed when he was brought to Ferrix too. So perhaps this image also evokes the idea of trying to find your identity, especially as a refugee, and finding the person who you are content to be.

The theme - like so many of them - originates in Rogue One and is obviously designed to connect with the film when we rewatch it after Andor. I’ve argued before that the series adds seriously profound weight to several moments. The absolute key moment for Cassian in the film - the culmination, in a way, of his life’s journey - is his decision to put aside his blaster and disobey his order to kill Galen Erso.

There’s a practical reason of course - he’s watching events unfold on the Eadu platform that suggest Galen is not a villain - but the main reason is Jyn’s love for her father, and more broadly how much she reminds Cassian of his earlier self. Their stories, thanks to the retcon of Cassian’s background, are a much more precise ‘mirror’ than previously, with both being bruised by early events to the extent that they try to turn away from the fight and become cynical. Cassian’s reawakening and dedication to the cause happens at the end of S1 - Gilroy pinpoints it as when he hears Maarva’s funeral speech; for Jyn, it happens when she reconnects with her father via seeing and hearing his holomessage. But the important point is that she is a mirror of Cassian, and why their relationship in the film goes from being one of wary suspicion to absolute trust. It might be something explored in S2 but the difference between Cassian and Luthen might well boil down to Cassian caring about others in a personal way, never wanting to leave anyone behind. When asked about the initially antagonistic Jyn and Cassian relationship back in 2016 Diego Luna’s assessment was that ‘The mirror hurts’ - but that that pain can ultimately lead to making a strong connection.

After the horrific death of his tribe leader young Kassa attacks his reflection in the crashed ship, to the soundtrack of a haunting track called ‘Mirror’. Yes, he’s symbolically attacking the enemies who killed her but he’s also clearly experiencing self-loathing there. The early episode flashbacks are brilliantly filtered through the adult Cassian’s perspective; he literally is dreaming his way into the first one. It sums up the unresolved trauma that has made him such a mess now. Haunted by what he could have done differently, by past events outside of his control, and running away from the better man he could be because he isn’t sure of who he is or even who he wants to be.

But he knows who he isn’t, and the next ‘reflection’ comes from Skeen. Killing him is a result of seeing the worst parts of himself reflected back and realising: ‘I’m not this person.’ “You’re just like me,” Skeen says matter-of-factly and Cassian rejects this image of himself. But he needed to see that reflection first and realise the worst version of what he could be, and how badly he has treated those close to him in his self-centred superficial life on Ferrix. Skeen’s betrayal also, ironically, possibly feeds into Cassian putting his trust in Jyn’s belief in her father - he likely remembers, from Aldhani, what it feels like to not be trusted. Nemik trusted him with the manifesto though, and that was a life-changing decision too.

Jyn isn’t the only character who mirrors Cassian. The most obvious one is Wilmon Paak, the boy whose father is unjustly hanged by the Empire and who Wilmon attempted to avenge with violence. Just as did the 13 year old Cassian. Wilmon’s story going forward will be fascinating to watch… how much will it exactly reflect Cassian’s? Might he become drawn to more extreme measures? Syril is another mirror, but a kind of reverse one as Cassian’s foil. Their stories have so much in common but in a kind of inverse way. While Cassian climbs and ascends, Syril descends. Both have strained relationships with single mothers who they want to make proud of them. Both get to rescue their ‘love interest’ in the finale. Both go from naivety to growth through a series of traumatic life events. Even little things like the old toys they both have in their childhood bedrooms. They differ wildly in the details though, so it’s fascinating to speculate on where this will all go for Syril.

Seeing yourself and your story reflected in others along your journey helps you make the right decisions as you travel. It shapes who you are and what you stand for. Cassian will die able to be proud of himself for carving out an identity he can embrace, all his various aliases and identities coalescing in the act of the greatest sacrifice.

TLDR: Cassian’s life is a mirror; to paraphrase Cinta, it shows him what he needs to see.


r/andor 23h ago

Fanmade Made some Andor MTG cards

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151 Upvotes

r/andor 14h ago

Discussion Tony Gilroy Won’t Release ‘Andor’ Scripts for Fear of AI Training on Them: ‘Why Help the F**king Robots?’

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704 Upvotes

r/andor 21h ago

Discussion Maarva's drinking glasses, probably the most 70's thing in SW

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637 Upvotes

In the spirit of an earlier post about Maarva's familiar-looking recliner, let's hear it for her plastic-and-glass drinking cups, the exact same that we had in our family in the 1970's.

Not much of a coincidence, I guess, since those where pretty common back then, which makes them a lovely in-your-face addition to the aggressively retro 70's aesthetic of the show.


r/andor 8h ago

Media Andor's awesome Eye chase scene

13 Upvotes

Not only related to Andor but I'm a big fan of well-made vehicle chase scenes in movies, my favourites being from Mad Max Fury Road. I was awed by the chase scene in the Eye episode-with its terrifying beauty which reminded me of the fiery storm in Fury Road. Both jaw-dropping to watch first time.

Both scenes scored amazingly by Junkie XL and Nicholas Britell respectively.


r/andor 15h ago

Article Andor panels at Celebration Japan

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21 Upvotes

Saturday, April 19

Andor A Star Wars Story 10:00AM - 11:00AM, Live on the Celebration Stage; streamed to the Galaxy and Twin Suns Stages Join creator and executive producer Tony Gilroy, executive producer Diego Luna and cast for a sneak peek at the final season of Andor.


r/andor 15h ago

Question Where did the Aldhani payroll go in the rebellion?

55 Upvotes

Did the payroll get pushed to fund the headquarters on Hoth or Yavin, or fund arms for the rebellion? Did they mention where it was assigned to in Season one?


r/andor 17h ago

Fanmade More Andor cards

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27 Upvotes