Warning! Spoilers ahead for Star Wars: Andor season 1, episode 12. One Andor post-credits scene has provided a truly epic conclusion to the season 1 finale, perfectly setting up the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and the original trilogy of Star Wars films. Following the funeral-turned-revolt on Ferrix, Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) managed to get those he cared about to safety before finally reuniting with Luthen Rael, the man who recruited him for the Aldhani robbery after he became a major Imperial fugitive and eventual prisoner on Narkina 5.
Following his arrest under a false name, Andor was shipped to a prison labor facility, where inmates worked to build devices with an unknown purpose. Eventually, Cassian and his floor manager Kino Loy (played by Andy Serkis) were able to stage a facility-wide prison break, though viewers were still given no clue as to what the inmates were actually building. Now, the Andor season 1 post-credits scene for episode 12 reveals that the devices were components for none other than the Death Star and its superlaser, still under construction five years before the events of the original trilogy.
Andor's Post-Credits Scene Reveals What They Were Building In The Prison
Prior to the finale, viewers quickly began forming their theories about what the inmates were building for the Empire. One of the most popular ideas was that the prison was building parts for the Death Star in Andor. Not only does the new Andor season 1 post-credits scene prove those theories correct, it also supports the dark truth that the Empire couldn't have built their super weapon without the forced labor of those they were oppressing. Likewise, solving this key mystery is a satisfying way to close the season while building excitement for the series' future at the same time.
Prior Star Wars canon (now known as Legends) saw the entire Wookiee planet of Kashyyyk enslaved to build the Death Star. Now, the current official canon has diversified and expanded upon that idea by having Imperial prisoners from all over the galaxy working to make the space station a reality, not to mention the whole of Geonosis where the Death Star was primarily built before being moved to Scarif in 9BBY. Once that happened, the entire Geonosian species was wiped out to maintain the secrecy of the station's existence. Andor's prisoners being used as labor is another variation of that same oppression which built the Empire's greatest weapon.
How The Death Star In Andor's Post-Credits Scene Sets Up Season 2
It's already been confirmed that Andor season 2 will directly set up the events of Rogue One, such as the stealing of the Death Star plans for the Alliance that's still yet to form. Likewise, the Empire will likely become more confident and a much bigger threat as the Death Star grows closer to being completed. On the other hand, that same confidence will prove to be a key advantage for the Rebels as Andor continues. The Empire will keep slipping, making more mistakes as the Alliance comes together in the Star Wars galaxy.
Andor's Post-Credits Scene Death Star Reveal Makes Cassian's Story Better
The Andor season 1 post-credits scene has certainly created a dark poetic justice for Cassian. In the show, he participated in the Death Star's creation, even if he didn't have the full picture and was working against his will. That being said, he was keenly aware that the Empire truly needed whatever it was he and his fellow inmates were building, relying on them to keep production consistent. As was confirmed in earlier episodes, human labor is far cheaper than droids, and even more cost-effective when it comes from prisoners who have no other choice (and don't receive pay).
This is directly contrasted with Cassian's future in Rogue One. Joining Jyn Erso and a collection of dedicated Rebels, Andor was instrumental in securing the Death Star plans on Scarif. Having played a major role in ensuring the battle station's destruction, it's darkly fitting that this new post-credits scene confirms he had a hand in building it five years prior. It definitely makes Cassian Andor's story much more dynamic in the long run for the overall Star Wars timeline.
How Andor's Post-Credits Scene Sets Up & Changes Star Wars' Original Trilogy
Andor season 1 and its new post-credits scene effectively fleshes out perceptions of the Death Star as it relates to the original trilogy of Star Wars films. The further confirmation that the Empire used prisoners as well as slaves to build the Death Star definitely makes its construction far more tragic. Likewise, the battle station became the ultimate tool of fear and oppression during Rogue One and A New Hope, forged using the very same methods.
All in all, this new reframing of the Death Star's construction does make its subsequent destruction in the original Star Wars trilogy all the more satisfying. Whether it's the first battle station in A New Hope or the second in Return of the Jedi, the Rebel Alliance blowing up either Death Star served to be a massive signal of hope to the rest of the galaxy. Built on the backs of those who suffered the most, destroying the stations confirmed that the Empire wasn't invincible, inspiring more and more to join the cause and fight for a free galaxy.
While the Death Star won't be finished until the events of Rogue One, it wouldn't be surprising if high-ranking members of the Imperial hierarchy in Andor season 2 start talking about the battle station behind closed doors. At any rate, seeing the Death Star in orbit over Scarif and the reveal that Cassian helped build it is the perfect post-credits scene for this new Star Wars series. Hopefully, the next season of Andor will be just as good as the first.
New episodes of Andor release on Wednesdays on Disney+.
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