WARNING: SPOILERS for Andor season 1, episode 12.

The Andor season 1 finale sees Luthen having to make a critical decision regarding Cassian, and previous episodes can help understand why the rebel leader made that decision. After joining a rebel cell as nothing but a hired gun who did not believe that there could be a cause, Cassian Andor went through a complex character arc motivated by people like Karis, Vel, and most importantly, Maarva. Cassian is now closer to being the hero of the rebellion who sacrifices himself to give the galaxy a chance to beat the Empire in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, but Andor reveals that this almost did not happen thanks to Luthen.

After spending most of the season separated, Cassian and Luthen had an intense, high-stakes meeting in Andor’s season 1 finale – to the point Luthen was ready to kill Cassian. Initially hired as a disposable asset for the Aldhani mission, Andor became a dangerous loose end as soon as he escaped the planet and separated himself from the surviving members of the group. Cassian knew exactly who Luthen was and where he could be found, which is why Luthen saw Cassian as a liability that had to be taken care of. Unlike Vel or Mon Mothma, Cassian wasn’t really part of the rebellion, and thus could not be fully trusted.

Related: Andor Episode 12 Star Wars Easter Eggs Explained

Why Cassian Was Ready To Let Luthen Kill Him

Cassian Andor in the Andor finale

Understanding what Karis’ manifest against the Empire really meant is what led Cassian to go from someone fighting for himself to someone who could see what was behind this soon-to-be Rebel Alliance. The death of Maarva, who believed in the rebellion and was not afraid of remaining on Ferrix despite the danger, also changed Cassian a great deal. The man who only took Luthen’s job in Andor episode 3 because of the payment no longer existed by the time Andor season 1 ended, which is why Cassian was ready to let Luthen kill him. Cassian recognized how much of a liability he was to Luthen’s rebel cell, and thus was willing to die.

Why Luthen Doesn't Kill Cassian (& What's Next In Andor?)

Luthen aboard his ship in Andor Episode 12.

While Luthen realized that Cassian initially only joined the operation for the money, the mysterious rebel leader had high hopes for him at the beginning of the season. Luthen believed Cassian could be valuable for the rebellion given his track of small feats against Star Wars' Empire, yet Cassian never made it seem like Luthen could really trust him. It was no secret that either Luthen or Cassian could have easily betrayed the other throughout Andor season 1, and it would have been no surprise if Luthen had decided to kill Cassian. However, Luthen’s original opinion of Cassian prevailed, which is why Luthen recruited Andor instead of killing him.

Cassian may know too much about the rebellion, but he is currently one of the best assets Luthen can count on. Andor season 2 will pick up the story a year after the events of the first season, and whereas Andor season 1 took place in a short period of time, season 2 will cover the final four years of Andor’s life before his death in Rogue One. Although Cassian now believes in the cause, he still has to go through a journey that contextualizes his actions in Rogue One – both the heroic and cold-hearted ones. Luthen, who puts the cause above everything, will likely be Cassian’s mentor figure.

New episodes of Andor release on Wednesdays on Disney+.

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