Warning! SPOILERS for Andor episodes 1-3.
Cassian Andor's (Diego Luna) story in the new Star Wars show Andor is making Rogue One: A Star Wars Story even better by providing more context for both his character and the Rebellion at large. Premiering with its first three episodes, Andor explores Cassian's life as a young boy as well as his exploits before officially joining the Rebellion. As a result, the audience gains an understanding of how Cassian came to be the dedicated Rebel operative in Rogue One, enriching the meaning behind his ultimate sacrifice as well as the narrative themes of Star Wars' first anthology movie.
In Andor, Cassian (born Kassa) is revealed to be an adopted refugee from the planet Kenari. Now, situated on the planet Ferrix, Cassian has been looking for his long-lost sister, which turns into a deadly encounter with two corrupt officers which forces Cassian to go on the run. This encounter culminates in Cassian being formally recruited to join the Rebellion by Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård). Andor's first three episodes prove the tragedy of Cassian's life, making his determination and loyalty to the Rebellion all the more poignant. Cassian has never truly belonged, has always had to look over his shoulder, a skill which is put to use in the Rebellion, one which would ultimately lead to a decisive victory over the Empire as portrayed in Rogue One and subsequently A New Hope.
It could be argued that the characters in Rogue One were merely used as plot devices - how can an audience be expected to care about characters they hardly know anything about, who died 2 hours later? That is the strength of Andor as a show. It not only provides the audience with a deeper understanding of Cassian Andor's character, giving them more reason to sympathize with his cause and understand his motives, but it will also prove how hard-fought the conflict in Rogue One truly was. Before Rogue One was released, no one knew how much had to happen for the Rebellion to get their hands on the plans for the Death Star. Gaining an understanding of the underlying politics involved in forming the Rebellion, the countless sacrifices, and the morally gray choices that needed to be made, all ultimately make Rogue One an even better Star Wars movie. Andor has accomplished this in just three episodes, and will undoubtedly continue to expand on these themes as it continues.
Andor Will Make Rogue One Into An Even Bigger (& Better) Star Wars Story
Though a movie about the retrieval of the Death Star's plans might not have been strictly necessary, it does provide context for one of Star Wars' most seminal moments. Not only that, but it managed to make a Star Wars movie without relying on the central conflict of Jedi vs Sith, opening up a well of possibilities for future Star Wars stories. Solo: A Star Wars Story later followed in its footsteps, and the numerous Disney+ Star Wars shows since have too, focusing on characters that don't necessarily have a connection to the Force but who expand the understanding of Star Wars' galaxy all the same.
While Andor presents itself as a prequel to Rogue One, it's all part of the same larger Star Wars story. Rogue One famously leads directly into A New Hope, and as a result, Andor's narrative will have straight ties to the original Star Wars trilogy's overarching story. The founding of the Rebellion is the foundation on which Star Wars' original three movies are built. Since Andor's timeline plan is to lead directly into Rogue One (season 1 will take place over 1 year, 5BBY, and season 2 will take place over the next four years), there's no separating it, or Rogue One, from the Star Wars stories that came before.
Andor is a prequel with an undeniably important function. Not only does it provide more context for Rogue One itself, but it also provides more context for Star Wars' first original stories, the movies that spawned an entire franchise. Audiences may not need to see Andor to understand Star Wars as a whole, but it will prove undoubtedly valuable in the future, telling a story about the grit and determination of the Rebellion that managed to beat the Empire.
New episodes of Andor release on Wednesdays on Disney+.
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