Warning: this post contains SPOILERS for Andor episode 8
While Andor features an appearance from Star Wars extremist Saw Gerrera, he's not the only returning Rogue One character. Having been arrested by the Empire during his episode 7 vacation, Cassian Andor (or, indeed, Keef Girgo) finds himself incarcerated on Nakima 5 in Andor episode 8. Fortunately, this is where Cassian meets a new ally who will follow him all the way to Rogue One's Battle of Scarif.
In Andor episode 8, Cassian is forced to join a prison labor crew constructing new devices for the Empire's machine of oppression. It's here that he first encounters none other than Ruescott Melshi - a fellow prisoner who also made his Star Wars debut in 2016's Rogue One. Played by Duncan Pow, Melshi served as one of the few Rebel volunteers who helped Cassian, Jyn Erso, and the rest of their doomed crew steal the Empire's Death Star plans, sacrificing their lives to ensure the Rebellion had a fighting chance against the moon-esque super-weapon. Although Melshi and Cassian's history has only ever been teased by existing Star Wars canon, Andor is finally revealing their shared past, making Rogue One and its deadly final mission even more meaningful.
How Andor Is Setting Up Cassian's Rogue One Story
In Andor episode 8, Melshi is one of the few prisoners to offer Cassian any degree of kindness or encouragement. As such, it stands to reason that Melshi will play an important role in any potential escape attempt Cassian may make in the episodes to come. After all, Melshi's liberation is already confirmed by his presence in Rogue One, at which point he's both a friend of Andor's, and a sergeant in the Rebel Alliance's Special Forces tracking unit (more commonly known as the Pathfinders).
Given their shared future together, Melshi's journey will remain likely tied to Cassian's own arc moving forward in Andor season 1. Whether the duo somehow breaks out of Nakima 5's high-security prison or he simply tags along in the event of a rescue mission meant for Cassian, viewers should expect to see more of Ruescott Melshi as Andor draws ever closer to a fully-formed Rebellion ahead of the landmark events seen in Rogue One.
Andor Is Making Rogue One Even Better
Established Star Wars canon teased that Cassian knew and trusted Melshi a great deal prior to Rogue One's Battle of Scarif. Andor episode 8 is now revealing exactly how and when that bond began - years beforehand during their time together in the Imperial prison on Nakima 5. Introducing Melshi and fleshing out his backstory is one of the many dynamic ways Andor makes Rogue One even more significant to Star Wars mythology than it already was. By adding more characterization to minor figures such as Ruescott Melshi, Andor renders the many sacrifices made during Rogue One's Battle of Scarif infinitely more meaningful.
New episodes of Andor release on Wednesdays on Disney+.
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