Andorjust proved thatStar Warshas remembered George Lucas’ original vision for a galaxy far, far away - and it had nothing to do with the Jedi. Created as a prequel toRogue One: A Star Wars Story, Tony Gilroy’sAndorshows the origin story of Rebel leaderCassian Andor. The show’s two seasons take place over the course of five years and lead directly into the events ofRogue One.
While Cassian Andor was the main character,Andoralso followed otherRebel Allianceleaders likeMon Mothma, Saw Gerrera, and Luthen Rael. The show really highlighted how rebellions were built and how rebels are made of people from every background, not just those disenfranchised by an authoritative government.Andorpurposefully avoided showing Jedi or Sith, with only sparing mention of the Force in the show’s second season. It was a true boots-on-the-ground show and really highlighted George Lucas’ original message.
Star Wars Was Always A Metaphor For The Vietnam War
But We Kind Of Forgot That
It’s easy to forget whatStar Warsas a franchise was actually about, since it’s grown into this massive franchise. Most people, when thinking ofStar Wars, will remember the fantastical nature of the Force, the Jedi, and the Sith. After all, while growing up, we all wanted to be a Jedi. However,the Jedi were a storytelling deviceused not only to show audiences who to root for, but alsoas an example of someone they could strive to be.
Star Warswas always a metaphor for the Vietnam War, which had concluded two years beforeA New Hopepremiered.George Lucas has cited the war as an inspiration many times, with the United States and other world powers standing in the place of the Empire, while the scrappy Rebel Alliance stood in for the Vietcong. George Lucas hoped for audiences to learn the lesson that standing against tyranny is never the wrong move.
Star Wars Has Grown And Has Largely Focused On Jedi And The Force
Especially In Recent Years
Star Warshas exploded in recent years with the development of multiple shows, shorts, and movies. SinceDisney purchased Lucasfilm in 2012, audiences have gotten more and more stories. While some of these stories have focused on the “little guy,” likeAndorand evenRogue One,nearly every title in the franchise has someone using a lightsaber.
They are constantly present, meaning Jedi, Sith, or their legacies are omnipresent. While shows that focus on Jedi and the Force, likeAhsokaorObi-Wan Kenobi,are good in their own right, it’s clear that facing tyranny head-on isn’t their focus.
Andorwas the first and onlyStar Warsmovie or television show to not feature a lightsaber.
There are so many interestingStar Warsstories out there, and many of them focus on themes other than politics. Whether it be found family, identity, facing your past, or something else,there are no bounds for what kind of story can be told withinStar Wars. Because of this, it’s so easy to forget where we started, and why George Lucas dreamt upStar Warsin the first place.
Andor Brought Audiences' Attention Back To Politics
And Back To George Lucas’ Original Point
WhileAndorfocuses on other themes, specifically family and sacrifice, the show really brought the attention back to politics. Audiences get to seewhy the Empire is bad and why it’s necessary for individuals like Cassian Andor to rally and fight them.We see, though, that individuals within these tyrannical systems, like Dedra Meero and Major Partagaz, are victims of the same system they’ve spent their lives feeding. We see that one system - the Rebellion - favors the individual and aims to lift them up, whereas the Empire will trample anything it can, even its own.
By removing the Force and Jedi from the equation in Andor, we get a character-focused series that forces audiences to confront the political aspects of the galaxy, and therefore our place in our own world.
By removing the Force and Jedi from the equation inAndor, we get a character-focused series that forces audiences to confront the political aspects of the galaxy, and therefore our place in our own world. Tony Gilroy honored George Lucas’ original point about war and tyranny by showing both sides. So, while we all love Jedi, having a show likeAndorwithout them allows audiences to be faced with arguably George Lucas’ most important goal.
