Spoilers for Andor season 1, episode 11, "Daughter of Ferrix," below!
A heartbreaking Rogue One: A Star Wars Story parallel in Andor season 1, episode 11, has Star Wars fans sad all over again. The latest entry in the long-running science-fiction fantasy franchise stars Diego Luna as Cassian Andor, a lone thief turned battle-hardened Rebel soldier who led the team to steal the Death Star plans from the tyrannical Galactic Empire in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Partnered with Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), Cassian and his rag-tag team proved successful, transmitting the plans of the tropical planet Scarif to Princess Leia waiting in her spaceship above. Unfortunately, the Empire proved too formidable a foe, resulting in Cassian and Jyn dying on a beach as a wave of fire consumed them.
Andor season 1, episode 11 finds Cassian and Ruescott Melshi (Duncan Pow) successfully fleeing Narkina 5 after escaping prison. Cassian returns to the beach resort on Niamos to retrieve his stash of credits and call his mother, Maarva Andor (Fiona Shaw). However, he learns that Maarva had just passed away the day prior. At this moment, eagle-eyed fans spotted a heartbreaking Rogue One: A Star Wars Story parallel that had fans sad all over again. After receiving the tragic news of his mother, Cassian meets Melshi on the beach, and the two embrace with the sun rising behind them. This mirrors Cassian and Jyn's embrace on the Scarif beach as the Death Star blast wave approaches. See how Andor fans reacted below:
How Maarva's Death Affects Cassian's Future?
The Niamos scene mirrors Rogue One: A Star Wars Story more than just visually. While reveling in his freedom, Melshi wonders how many inmates had escaped the Narkina 5 prison. Cassian responds, "Not enough," indicating a significant change in his character. Cassian is no longer focused on his self-interests but concerned with the well-being of others. Melshi decides that the two should split up as he is compelled to inform the galaxy of the Empire's atrocities, a notion Cassian does not protest and likely agrees with.
Although Rogue One: A Star Wars Story ended Cassian's journey as a Rebel, leading the Alliance to its first major victory, the Andor scene marks the opposite, as the sunrises at the beginning of that very commitment to the Rebellion. However, following Melshi's departure, Cassian stands on the beach, likely thinking of his mother, his last connection to his old life. Although Cassian clearly understands the danger waiting for him on Ferrix, if he attends his mother's funeral, he will probably return home to pay tribute to Maarva, the woman who pulled him from a hard life foraging in the woods and raised him into the future Rebellion leader.
Maarva's death may mark the end of the season, but it appears to be the catalyst that leads to Cassian's decision to join the insurgency against the Empire. Her death has grabbed the attention of various parties searching for Cassian too, including Imperial Security Bureau supervisor Dedra Meero (Denise Gough), former Deputy Inspector for Preox-Morlana, Syril Karn (Kyle Soller), and Rebel fighter Vel Sartha (Faye Marsay), who has orders to kill Cassian. With multiple opposing parties heading for Ferrix, Andor season 1's finale will find Cassian facing a decision that will affect the galaxy's future.
Source: Various (see above)