Andoris deviating massively from what George Lucas envisioned forStar Warsin one key way, and that’s why the show is so brilliant.Andorseason 2is the next to be released ofStar Wars’upcoming TV shows, and, as the second and final installment of the show, it’s getting plenty of attention. Although audiences already know how Cassian’s story ends, it will nevertheless be affecting to see all that leads up to his fate inRogue One: A Star Wars Story. Based on recent comments from theAndorstar, it also may not be what viewers are expecting.
In a recent interview withVanity Fair,Cassian Andor actor Diego Luna described the characters ofAndorin a way that clearly sets this show apart fromStar Wars’other movies and TV shows. Luna explained:
“The characters inAndor,just like real human beings, often exist in gray areas…We portray real people, people without hope. They’re all downtrodden, but there’s still this sense that something has to happen. We know Cassian will become a hero, but we know there may be more than one path to that conclusion. This is something I’ve said many times before: When we talk about revolution, the message we’re sending out is that any revolution starts with yourself.”
The notion thatAndorrepresents"people without hope"is worlds apart from the original messaging in and themes ofStar Wars—but that is entirely the point, and it works so well.
The Absence Of Hope Is What Makes Andor Work So Well
Andor Is Set Before The New Hope In Star Wars
It’s true that the original message ofStar Warswas all about having hope even when facing seemingly impossible odds. However, it’s important to note thatAndortakes place before the new hope emerges. That is,Andoris set just beforeA New HopeintheStar Warstimeline, so it makes perfect sense that people would be without hope at that time. It is because of this absence of hope that Luke Skywalker ends up being so needed.
Andoris set just beforeA New Hopein theStar Warstimeline, so it makes perfect sense that people would be without hope at that time.
Yes, George Lucas always intended for the message ofStar Warsto be one of hope, but that hasn’t been undermined byAndor—instead, it’s been enhanced. Through the lack of hope inAndor, it only becomes so much clearer just how incredible the events not only inA New Hopebut also in the entire original trilogy are. In terms of the themes ofStar Wars, especially ofA New Hope,this arc inAndorthat reflects just how hopeless things had felt throughout the Dark Times is actually essential.
Andor Season 2’s Place In The Star Wars Timeline Explained
Now that Andor season 2 is set to premiere in April 2025, here’s where it fits into the Star Wars timeline and what that means for the story.
Andor Is Unlike Anything Else In Star Wars - & That’s The Point
Andor Is Meant To Show A Very Different Side Of The Star Wars Galaxy
While the overarching theme ofStar Warsmovies and TV showsmay be hope,having hope as a theme inAndorwould actually feel wrong. The ‘hope’ ofStar Wars, particularly the original trilogy, is explicitly in reference to Luke and Leia. It wouldn’t make sense for this show, which predates all that transpires in the original trilogy and is arguably one of the darkest points in the entire saga, to have the same message that the original trilogy movies do. This is also why Luthen’s speech inAndorseason 1 was so perfect.
The rebels shown inAndor, Cassian Andor among them, are the ones who are fighting in the darkness—not in the era of hope. However opposite it may be to the largerStar Warsstory, the decision forAndorto reflect the hopeless was entirely the right choice, and that’s what makes the show so excellent. I’m frankly glad to know thatAndoris in such good hands, as it makes me more than confident thisStar Warsshow will absolutely stick the landing.
