Andor
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After watching Andor season 2 I did a rewatch of Rogue One and A New Hope, and I have some (lengthy) thoughts on both
Introduction
I won’t go into too much review or detail about the show. It’s been covered a bajillion times across the internet, I would know, I’ve read basically every article Google Chrome pushes on me related to the topic. Suffice to say, I thought the show was brilliant. Unfortunately season 1 was so long ago, I wish I had rewatched it prior to season 2, but regardless it was a great time. We threw a finale watch party of Andor, followed by Rogue One. The next day I watched A New Hope. This is the core Star Wars trilogy in my opinion. And the following day I watched Family Guy’s Blue Harvest and Spaceballs for good measure. But, I digress. I recommend Andor to anyone. It’s not a Star Wars show, you don’t need to know about the Force, Jedi, and Sith. It was written by Tony Gilroy, of Michael Clayton fame, and he’s pretty proud of its accessibility.
I’m going to focus on the main purpose of this post; an anthology prequel pitch to the prequel series (Andor) to the prequel film (Rogue One). And I’ll also leave some comments as to how I enjoyed the rewatches and what I noticed. I haven’t seen either Rogue One or A New Hope in multiple years, so it was a good time to do a rewatch. And honestly, it all held up.
Enjoy these top tracks from Brandon Roberts (Brasso is the Mon Mothma dance number, I suggest Past/Present/Future and Bix’s Message for reading).
Lots of spoilers below, so don’t read if you haven’t watched.
Star Wars: Foundation
Here’s my current working title. Looking for something like Origins / Beginnings, this synonym showed up and as a fan of the Asimov book / series, I’m just gonna roll with it.
I’ll pitch 9 episodes, with each focusing on a single character from Andor. Giving us more backstory and gravitas to each, while connecting them to the central story still. It would act as both a prequel and a companion piece. Though multiple characters we know will show up in each, there is always a featured character who will get more screentime and more development. I wanted to get to 12, but I think this structure works well at 9, plus I got very tired and exhausted writing these and at some point, it doesn’t really matter. I have two competing concepts for episode order:
Design
I originally planned on organizing it with alternating pairs of Rebels and Imperials, escalating over time / connecting to the main story, then resetting with two grayer characters, and ending on the ultimate mole / undercover agent Lonni Jung.
Time
After sketching them out, I realized it would probably just save everyone the headache if I went in chronological order. So I’ve reorganized it to be that way. Except, this would replace the Lonni Jung finale with a Davits Draven infill episode, which would be less dramatic, but aligns the ending to go right into Rogue One…
It’s a bit male heavy, but ‘tis life. Also, most episodes will support Tony Gilroy’s intent on expanding the non-Jedi/Sith part of the universe, and some will directly be within his Andor / Rogue One realm. The main focus is that I want it to still follow that key thread of the Death Star. So this series will trace the development of the project to Orson Krennic (the full origin precedes this, but it gets into the whole Sith / prequel trilogy stuff, and it didn’t feel worth going that far back), then follow it through Dedra, then through Lonni.
I omitted Kleya Marki (Elizabeth Dulau), she already sort of got her origin story prequel (s2e10) (though as one of the only survivors of the Andor series, a follow up series with her as an intelligence officer for the Rebellion would be cool). And Syril Karn (Kyle Soller), who basically had most of his life told as well (s1). Bail Organa (Benjamin Bratt / Jimmy Smits) would have been interesting, but I cut him for balancing, plus he’s got presence in other series. And Kino Loy (Andy Serkis) was obviously too perfect already to mess with. I cut two episodes after including them originally. Heert (Jacob James Beswick) and Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly). While it would have been fun, it just didn’t align with the core goal of the series. However, they and other characters that have appeared in Andor and Rogue One like Vel Sartha (Faye Marsay), Cinta Kaz (Varada Sethu), Eedy Karn (Kathryn Hunter), Tivik (Daniel Mays), Wilmon Paak (Muhannad Ben Amor), Bodhi Rook (Riz Ahmed), Galen Erso (Mads Mikkelson), Tay Kolma (Ben Miles) as well as less known characters like Lagret (Michael Jenn), Jan Dodonna (Ian McElhinney), and Wuulf Yularen (Malcolm Sinclair) will appear throughout the series.
Okay, so each episode pitch will have a title (I’ve attempted to pull a quote from Andor/Rogue One related to the character or situation), the year it is set, a main plot, a main location, an opener (typically a defining origin event or connection to the canon), pivotal scene(s), connection to the Death Star, an elaboration, easter eggs, and additional appearances. I think with all of this, you will understand my vision, without me actually having to write a screenplay! Skip ahead to the recap here.
And since I did the research for this anyway, here’s a timeline of the Death Star Plans, Andor, Rogue One, and A New Hope, as well as the 9 episodes I have proposed, and where they slot in. BBY stands for Before the Battle of Yavin, which is apparently some way time is measured in the Star Wars universe.
Orson Krennic - Carry On Without You
Year: 21 BBY
Main Plot: The start of Orson Krennic’s involvement in the Death Star project and an insight into his cutthroat personality
I want to name this one “Amidst My Achievement”, but that quote isn’t from Andor, but Rogue One, and I wanted to stick to Andor.
Andor and Rogue One are both great, but they are elevated by Ben Mendelsohn’s epic portrayal of Orson Krennic. He is just everything you need from an Imperial commander. When he speaks, there’s just contempt, hatred, and anger laced in his words. It’s incredible. You can almost physically feel the poison in his dialogue. While there may not be too much more to add with him, it feels like he’s too big of a part of this story to ignore. This episode would be mostly flashback / origin story. Particularly with him and Galen Erso discussing / debating the concepts of control, power, and the role of the Empire. These youthful debates would plant the desire for recognition and control.
I would then follow up with him as a member of the Republic’s Strategic Advisory Cell around Order 66. Where he can’t quite be as “Krennic” as he’d like to be, but he can sense the direction the Republic is going, and he starts situating himself opportunistically to take advantage of the “coup” and climbs the chaos ladder well. Him taking the position of Director of Advanced Weapons Research and through that the Death Star. It might be a bit heavy handed, but him hearing the development issues with the Death Star, and realizing he has the perfect friend / colleague from the old days to take it to the new level, would be a cool moment to precede Rogue One.
Krennic turns on people once they’ve inconvenienced him and are no longer allies. Galen and Dedra are the obvious examples, but showing another character in his early years, being given the scorched earth treatment he gave them would be really inline with his character. It would be even better if it was for something small and petty. Can’t be Lio, but we can create an additional character to suffer unreasonably for simply not agreeing to go along with Krennic on something minor.
Main Location(s): Coruscant
Opener: Krennic and Erso, young (teenagers) at the Republic Futures Program on Brentaal IV, discussing crystals, the future, and highlighting their different philosophies. These youthful debates would demonstrate Krennic’s deep desire for recognition and control. It’s key though, that he truly cares for Galen and they become close friends. I imagine a more extroverted and charismatic Krennic helping an introverted Galen hang out with people and meet girls. Maybe even help him meet Lyra somehow. It would make his spiral into evil commander much more impactful.
Pivotal Scene(s): The key scene is that he connects the Death Star’s stalled development with Galen Erso. It turns out that Krennic is the perfect leader of this project, but at the same time inadvertently perfectly dooms it with Galen’s recruitment.
New Connection to the Death Star: He is the one that connects that the stalled ambitious weapons project could be resolved by Galen Erso. And he advocates for his old friend to be put on the project, as well as himself.
Easter Egg: an appearance by someone at a meeting of the Republic’s Strategic Advisory Cell, which Krennic is a part of, could feature some senators / leaders / jedi that we recognize from Episode 2: The Clone Wars or Episode 3: The Revenge of the Sith. It would also be cool for him to stop by Correllia exploring places to develop, finally introducing this influential planet, with its pilots (Han Solo and Wedge Antilles) and shipyards (TIE fighters and Star Destroyers).
Additional Appearances by: Galen Erso, Lio Partagaz, Grand Moff Tarkin, and perhaps other Republic senators / leaders
Lio Partagaz
Year: 11-10 BBY
Main Plot: The recruitment and mentorship of Lonni Jung in the ISB by Lio Partagaz
I love the idea of Lio and Luthen having dueling episodes revolving around Lonni Jung. Supervisor Lonni Jung is so pivotal to breaking the news of the Death Star, having three episodes roughly featuring him would be only fair. The tone of this one should be incredibly mundane as almost a dull office sitcom. The banal approach to their day to day work, with the audience knowing full well what their actions are in support of, would be powerful. I would also like to feature a scenario where the ISB actually does good. In quelling a threat, they save innocent civilian lives.
Another key component this episode would need to address is Lio’s demise. Committing suicide before being disciplined by the Imperial order for Dedra, Lonni, Luthen, and Kleya situation. However, the internet has debated, considering he was listening to Nemik’s manifesto, that he wasn’t just trying to avoid the overly harsh punishment he knew would he would be sentenced to, but perhaps he had an epiphany, realizing just how far he had gone in pursuit of something he may no longer agree with. He always seemed aware of what he was doing, but in his final hour he may have truly reflected if those sacrifices were worth it.
I appreciate gray characters, rather than just outright evil. I don’t want to humanize him too much, he was organizing and committing some awful war crimes. But adding a layer of understanding, to demonstrate how small seemingly innocuous actions in the pursuit of understandable goals of safety and security, can, over time, get distorted. Including only ISB decisions that are rather fair, would be a nice inclusion.
He could, in Lonni’s wavering loyalty in a crisis, elaborate on his own motivation of joining. Bringing up a crisis and how he joined security and intelligence to prevent a future crisis that would save countless lives. The ISB approvals could be all very minor and reasonable. I’m thinking surveillance orders on known criminals, rewriting a report to protect a subordinate (maybe Lonni) from penalty, a blind eye to a colleague’s misconduct because of a (lucky) good result, a soft and persuasive interrogation, or believing supporting certain laws or actions are only for temporary inconveniences for the short term and will be revised in the long term.
Family should be a big component of this. Safety and security of the health and future of your family. At this time Lonni will only be dating someone, but he has intentions of creating a family, and he hears about how Lio is motivated by the safety of his family, community, and civilization. Perhaps family is too on the nose, because Lonni reveals in Andor, that he didn’t recognize how much risk he would be putting his family in for being a spy.
Main Location(s): Coruscant
Opener: An opener with Lio and Orson Krennic would be very interesting. I’m not sure exactly where, maybe an interesting moment would be at a Mandatory Black Budget Meeting. Providing some insight into the upper echelons of Imperial bureaucracy.
Pivotal Scene(s): Lio was generally quite parental about his supervisors. Mentoring them at the ISB Academy in the Verity District. Classic management speech about hard work and proactive engagement. Critical thinking, and how they’re vital to the safety and stability of the Empire. It would be great to have him support and nurture Lonni, a newly promoted supervisor, at a dark time, helping him succeed and improve. At the time, he isn’t a rebel spy. But some seeds of doubt could be sewn based on something he sees happen or helps cover up.
New Connection to the Death Star: Who doesn’t love a discussion about funds and fighting for your budget with superiors. Talk about ROI and deliverables.
Easter Egg: It would be cool if we saw other long shot projects or experimental projects in the lore get cut for Krennic’s pitch for the Death Star.
Additional Appearances by: Lonni, Heert, Dedra, Wuulf, and Krennic
Luthen Rael
Year: ~8-7 BBY
Main Plot: Lonni is manipulated by Luthen in a false-flag related test, to see if he is a good potential ISB asset for the future.
We need to get to Lonni’s motivation to join Luthen Rael and risk his life and his family’s (who are almost certainly end up in a work prison). We know he and his future family are doomed. We know that Luthen is the one that will pull the trigger, so ending this episode on him being tagged as useful by Luthen, it becomes the start of his slow-burn heroic tragedy.
His motivation is key. I did research on spies during the Cold War. Generally there were three motivations, money, disillusionment, or ideology. Lonni feels like he would best fit in with disillusionment, but we could add some money or lifestyle progress due to via successful intels and subsequent promotions. Lonni’s story begins not with rebellion, but with quiet disillusionment, a reflection of Oleg Gordievsky’s path from loyal KGB officer to double agent. Gordievsky’s story felt the strongest to use as the basis for Lonni.
Following the Lio Partagaz episode, which showed why / how he is recruited and why he is loyal to the Empire, Lonni begins this episode eager to continue to prove his worth and climb the ranks. He is assigned to oversee a population transfer on a planet with a history of dissent, expecting an orderly exercise in Imperial control. Instead, he witnesses the chaos and cruelty of stormtroopers shoving families into transports, children separated from parents, the elderly left behind. He files a sanitized report, erasing the brutality to maintain appearances. In doing so, he spares himself blame but cannot shake the image of what he saw, his first hairline fracture in loyalty. Like Gordievsky, he doesn’t defect outright, but we can see this seed of doubt planted.
Another year or so later, it would be followed by a false-flag operation orchestrated by Luthen. This would double down on Lonni’s tragic ending, that he was being used for years by Luthen, and even his initiation and entry into the Rebel cause was manufactured and manipulative. Luthen always scouting for new assets, engineers chatter of an imminent rebel bombing somewhere on Coruscant. Lonni intercepts the intel (despite it being targeted towards him) and, believing it to be real, warns local authorities without informing his superiors, reasoning that he is simply avoiding unnecessary bloodshed and it doesn’t need to go through the ISB bureaucracy (perhaps he can even attempt to report it, but finds out that authorities want it to happen in order to try and capture some Rebel saboteurs). The attack never comes, but the decision marks his first break with pure Imperial discipline. He has chosen people over protocol, conscience over duty and he doesn’t know that this was exactly the test Luthen designed.
The episode closes not with Lonni’s full recruitment, but with his first interaction with Luthen. The antiquities dealer approaches obliquely, perhaps posing as a grateful bystander potentially spared by Lonni’s intervention. He does not press, does not recruit, only mentions a passing thought: “Not everyone in the Empire would have done what you did. That makes you a good man.” Lonni walks away unsettled, not knowing he has been marked as an asset.
Main Location(s): Coruscant
Opener: The first event that shows the doubt in the Empire should be the long opener.
Pivotal Scene(s): The final scene where Luthen finally speaks directly to Lonni, with him not understanding or knowing what is about to happen.
New Connection to the Death Star: Maybe a reference in the open on the planet that somehow is related to the history and development of the Death Star could be included.
Additional Appearances by: Lonni, Heert, Dedra, Lio, Vel, Kleya, and Cinta (maybe even a side crew member of the Aldhani mission)
Ruescott Melshi - Spies, Saboteurs, and Assassins
Year: 4 BBY
Main Plot: Melshi earns the respect of the Rebellion during a joint operation with Saw Gerrera’s Partisans that sees them begin to unofficially break with the Rebellion.
In Rogue One, Mon Mothma looks at Davits Draven during the introduction of Jyn to the Rebel Alliance. “Yes, but Saw Gerrara is an extremist. He’s been fighting on his own since he broke with the Rebellion. His militancy has caused the Alliance a great many problems.” This episode will explore one of those problems, whilst simultaneously proving Ruescott Melshi’s alignment with the Alliance’s values. We can assume Saw breaks with the Alliance for a few key reasons; rejecting strategy and compromise, using torture and interrogation, false flag operations, paranoia and internal purges, and not prioritizing the safety of citizens / over willing to allow civilian collateral damage (similar to Luthen).
The title comes from a line from Rogue One, when Cassian references the crew behind him as Spies, Saboteurs, and Assassins. This conflict will be on a random planet and Melshi and his crew shall be a spy, saboteur, and assassin throughout. This allows us to build a relatively standalone action mission based episode. Let’s start with Davits and Jan Dodonna setting up an operation in coordination with Saw Gerrera. Things are already on the rocks with the Partisans, so they decide to send their own team to help defend their interests. It includes Ruescott and other background characters. One potential could be to attack the Terrabe Sector Service Academy to limit the number of pilots being trained and disrupt the trade and supply routes of the Empire.
At a moment though, when the Partisans look to inflict the maximum damage, at risk of citizens, Melshi shall take the route of integrity and save lives (both succeeding in the objective and rallying “some” locals to the anti-Empire cause), but create a bigger rift with the Partisans. But it should be clear that neither the Rebellion, nor the Partisans are correct in their method, but some blend that both are required to help get to the correct outcome. The result should be that Ruescott saves the lives of some of the Imperial cadets (maybe a future Rebellion pilot is in there, a digitally recreated X-Wing pilot from A New Hope?), and Saw gets some intel that Jedha mining is important to the Empire.
I debated doing this version, or to set it in 2 BBY and include Mon, Vel, and Wilmon more. It would allow a cool Wilmon feature, since he has an “in” with Saw, and he will be the most empathetic to their perspective. And even at the end of the episode while he agrees with Saw that they are doomed, he decides to take a route of living and enjoying the days that he has left fully, not as pessimistic and dark as Saw lives.
Main Location(s): Yavin and Terrabe (?)
Opener: Saw, Davits, and Jan coordinating an operation on Terrabe (?)
Pivotal Scene(s): In a moment when Saw is going to kill a bunch of people, Ruescott intervenes, saving most of them. The key debate in this episode is which strategy of rebellion is the right one?
New Connection to the Death Star: It would be setting up some of the motivation of Bodhi Rook’s defection.
Easter Egg: Eadu should be mentioned as one of the locations that is on the manifests of the supply routes.
Additional Appearances by: Draven, Jan Donna, Wilmon, Saw Gerrera, Benthic, and Bail Organa
Davo Sculdun - The Price of Doing Business
Year: 3 BBY
Main Plot: In the aftermath of the disappearance of Tay Kolma, Davo Sculdun climbs the ladder and becomes a larger part of the Rebellion, by expanding the Rebel supply lines via smuggling routes used for refugees.
There was a dropped / unfilmed scene about how Davo Sculdun owned a media broadcast company and that he helped broadcast Mon Mothma’s speech, despite the Imperial censors / ISB trying to stop it. I understand why it was cut; it would have felt too jarring and an unnecessary subplot. But I think a focused episode on him could provide a lot of this context. I originally imagined a Game of Thrones / Littlefinger style character; embodying the “Chaos is a Ladder” energy that he is this self-made non-traditional Chandrilan, but it would be interesting to add more gray to it, and blend it with an Oskar Schindler vibe. Someone who is clearly motivated by personal profits, but also does good when he can and is a net positive. Some insight to his moral compass that he does have would help justify his eventual loyalty to Mon Mothma’s speech and keeping the broadcast going longer than it should have been.
So after Tay Kolma’s potential betrayal / threat, and subsequent removal by Cinta Kaz, there is a vacuum in Mon Mothma’s orbit, as well as the family drama occurring around her daughter going “trad-wife”. Davo Sculdun reasserts his reliability and makes himself increasingly important to Mon Mothma’s rebellion efforts.
The catalyst would be that news arrives to Mon Mothma that some populations are being specifically targeted for incarceration. I think Niamos (the beach planet where Cassian is arrested), Mina-Rau (the farming planet from the beginning of season 2) and maybe another one that hasn’t explicitly been mentioned before, could be the options. Focus on regular low income labor and “undesirable” migrant workers would have obvious parallels to our current real life situations. With these populations being incarcerated at record high numbers to fuel the imperial labor camp systems, Mon Mothma reaches out to Davo to discuss what they could do to help. Davo offers to smuggle some away on freighters that would stop via planets and ports that Mon would secure the rights to with her political connections. However, it would be revealed that Davo is using the refugees for his own labor needs and making deals with other business contacts. It’s certainly a preferable situation for the refugees compared to the imperial camps elsewhere, but it would add a layer of darkness to the assistance (a la Schindler).
However, when Mon Mothma finds out and is appalled at Davo, Luthen could interject and bring up how they smuggling routes could be used for Rebel supply lines as well. And this increased exposure is a useful risk for increasing the funds for the Rebellion and getting more materials and supplies to the growing rebel bases. Eventually Mon would make peace with the net positive of Davo, and maybe through some private direct conversations recognize that he is a good man, and that she can trust him. Getting over her prejudice of his reputation and history. Maybe connecting to him in a way she hasn’t with her husband in years.
This could lead to sewing the seeds of how Runai Sculdun (Davo’s wife) ends up with Perrin Fertha (Mon Mothma’s husband) (shown in the Andor finale). Both are much shallower and have much less morality. They are willing to submit to the Empire in exchange for their upper class livelihoods. They find comfort with each other and don’t understand their partner’s actions.
Main Location(s): Coruscant and Chandrila
Opener: Large incarcerations of innocent migrant workers on Niamos who plead to the media for help.
Pivotal Scene(s): A private discussion at a family event where Davo and Mon connect and find common ground despite their prejudices and backgrounds. She realizes he is a good man with a different methodology, but similar perspective.
New Connection to the Death Star:
Explains how Mon Mothma’s speech is defended and broadcasted by Davo. And how labor is continually recruited and forced into the military industrial.
Easter Egg:
Additional Appearances by: Mon Mothma, Runai Sculdun, Perrin Fertha, Luthen Rael, Cinta Kaz, Kleya Marki, and Vel Sartha
Dedra Meero - Fall Alone
Year: 2 BBY
Main Plot: Dedra returns to Coruscant after the Ghorman Massacre and expands her unsanctioned search for Axis
After Syril’s death and the events on Ghorman, Dedra visits Eedy Karn. Dedra intends to deliver the Empire’s version of “condolences,” cold and efficient, “Syril was useful, he served honorably.” But Eedy presses Dedra saying things like, “I told him, ‘Be careful with people like you.’ He didn’t listen. He never listened to me.” and asking her “Did he matter to you? Do you even care, or is this just another name on a report for you?” Dedra is silent and leaves shaken, disturbed not only by Syril’s death but by the realization she cannot process personal connection outside of bureaucratic terms.
From here it’s just a slow lonely descent into her hunt for Axis. She’s more closed off than ever at work, and becomes less rule abiding, more obsessed. It would be interesting to reinclude Kyle Soller as Syril, Dedra would hallucinate him, and her obsession of Axis and guilt over Syril will have the images and voices blend together and haunt her. Guiding her into recklessness, but also pointing out clues like the Aldhani heist, the Star Path unit, the ship that avoided the Imperial Star Destroyers. This ghost could help guide and unlock the identity of Luthen for her. This may be a mistake because Syril’s existing tragic ending is so good, so maybe it could be replaced with just deep investigative work. Let’s red yarn Axis.
Main Location(s): Coruscant
Opener: Meeting with Eedy Karn (Syril’s mother) after Ghorman. Kathryn Hunter was a fan favorite, and the meet the mother scene in episode 3 was incredibly well done. To revisit this with Syril gone and both women devastated would be a fascinating interaction. Tying this together with a great fear of loneliness, and admitting some vulnerability of how much she truly loved Syril would make her ending that we all know already, even more brutal. It would be a low action, high drama and dialogue, civil Coruscant episode.
Pivotal Scene(s): Several intel bundles are forwarded to her office, and she collects them, and continues to add confidential files to her personal database. Orbital Progress Assessments, Eadu Research Journals, and 2 Years of Jedha Working Group printouts should all be included. Her hunger as a “scavenger” still obsessed for Axis should be clear.
New Connection to the Death Star: Dedra should be relatively uninterested in it, focusing on her main task of trying to identify Axis. She may acknowledge and understand what Krennic is building, but simply just not care.
Easter Egg: an interaction with Lagret’s brother on Scarif, or she could review some plans of the Death Star with features from the movies. Leia’s future cell 2187 on sub-level five of detention area AA-23, or Garbage Compactor 3263827, where our heroes get trapped in A New Hope, or the tractor beam designs.
Additional Appearances by: Eedy, Heert, and Lio
Saw Gerrera - Unloved, Hunted, Cannon Fodder
Year: 1 BBY
Main Plot: The Defection of Bodhi Rook and the beginning of the end of Jedha
This character seems to have some appearances in other Star Wars canon. So I don’t know if this is sacrilegious, but I don’t watch those, and I’m just going to focus on his role with Tivik, Jedha, and the kyber. We know based on General Draven’s intel, that he’s been on Jedha for the better part of a year, which makes sense, he’s got a whole base there in Rogue One. This episode would be entirely based on his capture of the Imperial cargo pilot defector, Bodhi Rook (Riz Ahmed). This key character’s testimony and hologram message delivery are key to both Cassian and Jyn convincing the rest of the Rebel Alliance to join the fray and gives them hope they have a chance. We could elaborate on Saw’s competence, maybe Wilmon could show up in this one too. And maybe even a little cameo of Galen Erso (Mads Mikkelson) would be really cool. They were friends, as established in Rogue One. If Bodhi shows the hologram Saw it could buy him some (not a lot clearly) goodwill.
Before defecting, Bodhi is a loyal Imperial cargo pilot. But frequent assignments to occupied territories expose him to the desperation of civilians under occupation: displaced families, poverty, refugees, increased chaos, and a rising rebellion. Slowly, his sense of “just doing my job” corrodes. Erso and him connect over time, and Erso told Rook that the Empire preferred good citizens who did their duty without asking questions. He told the pilot there was still time to make things right and that he could only move forward with what he had learned.
I would like to add a plotline that demonstrates Saw’s competency again. He is generally depicted as unhinged and chaotic. It would be great to highlight his brutality and effectiveness. Maybe a mission of Saw’s against occupational forces in Jedha is the opening that Bodhi opportunistically gets to try and escape and defect.
Davits, Ruescott, Wilmon, and Vel should be remotely involved in some capacity to connect them too.
Main Location(s): Jedha and Kafrene
Opener: Saw and Davits discussing strategy, with Saw lying about his whereabouts and Davits lying about the Rebellion.
Pivotal Scene(s): I’d like Saw to be highly competent. His depictions generally seem more chaotic, and I’d like there to be some more confirmation that he isn’t just a wildcard.
New Connection to the Death Star: How much kyber has been taken off the planet to fuel the death star?
Easter Egg: Chirrut Imwe and Baze Malbus showing up at some point would be fun.
Additional Appearances by: Tivik, Davits, Bodhi, Ruescott, Chirrut, Wilmon, and Baze.
Lonni Jung - Busybody
Year: 1 BBY
Main Plot: Finding the Death Star Plans
The most important part would be that this episode, as the finale, has an event that triggers him to go for the end game, and risk it all to steal Dedra Meero’s credentials, and montages him learning about the weapon, kyber, Jedha, and Galen Erso, with all the relevant confidential information like Orbital Progress Assessments, Eadu Research Journals, and Jedha Working Group printouts flashing on screen. It would end with him “ringing a big bell” to Kleya, needing to meet with Luthen. He would be nervous, rushed, walking out into episode 10 of Andor. It would be devastating to include a phone call to his family to say his final words too. They, being the “innocent” collateral damage of the sacrifice he made for the Rebellion.
I’m not sure what the triggering incident could be. It would be nice if it was not Ghorman related, and instead, we build a three episode arc throughout the Lio-Luthen-Lonni episodes, there should be a friend / coworker, probably a new character given the complexity. This character would have been recruited alongside Lonni, but not go through the visible wavering in loyalty that we get from the Luthen episode. However, in this episode, it would make sense that the house of cards are starting to collapse and Dedra nearly snags Lonni as an Axis mole and instead gets this other side character. The character will be tortured / blamed / eliminated by Dedra’s unwavering efforts and disregard for collateral damage to try and find Axis. Connecting her growing disregard for the rules and desperation, post returning from Ghorman / losing Syril / speaking to Syril’s mother would be clutch. All of these events cause Lonni to realize that he is in great risk and his double agent efforts are harming those around him. He sees that Dedra is too close, and he goes for the end game to get the maximum amount of intel to provide Luthen to trade to get him and his family to safety.
Main Location(s): Coruscant
Opener: Lonnie becoming a father. This is mentioned as a point of contention in season 1. Lonni wavers, is worried about the safety of his family. Luthen convinces him to keep going. A scene just of him transitioning from his earlier episodes with Lio and Luthen to becoming more the Lonni we know would be a cool development.
Pivotal Scene(s): He needs to walk out of this episode and directly into episode 10 of Andor.
New Connection to the Death Star: The discovery of the Death Star plans being unintentional would be a relevant development. That it was so lucky, that would be more powerful.
Easter Egg: Same as Dedras’, some plans of the Death Star with features from the movies. Leia’s future cell 2187 on sub-level five of detention area AA-23, or Garbage Compactor 3263827, where our heroes get trapped in A New Hope, or the tractor beam designs.
Additional Appearances by: Heert, Dedra, Mon, Lio, Orson, Kleya, and Luthen
Davits Draven - Get Us in Motion
Year: 1 BBY
Main Plot: How Davits connects the intelligence, helps convince Bail and Mon, and finds Jyn Erso
Originally contemplated as to how he was recruited to lead the Rebellion’s military. After watching Rogue One, it may be more concise to fill in specific plot gaps with him. Particularly three moments featured at the end of Andor and the beginning of Rogue One: a tenuous working relationship with Saw Gerrera, Tivik reaching out from Kafrene, and his efforts to identify and locate Jyn Erso so quickly. The latter is the most interesting one to expand on. In Rogue One, after hearing Galen Erso in one scene, they find Jyn on the Wobani Labor Camp incredibly fast. And upon arriving at Yavin, Davits explains her whole back story.
I choose to think that Draven was pivotal in this. Not only with his own personal connection that is valuable, but also with an early headstart with Bail Organa’s private approval after Cassian’s original testimony.
Main Location(s): Yavin
Opener: His promotion to one of the lead generals of Yavin and the Rebellion and his relationship with Saw Gerrera, or at least someone in his crew.
Pivotal Scene(s): After Cassian mentions Galen Erso, the camera pivots to Bail Organa and there’s a slight reaction. Then after walking away together Davits and Cassian discuss Tivik, Kafrene, Jedha, and Saw. I’d expand on this and make Davits more suspicious and recognize that something is definitely escalating. He approaches Bail afterwards, and they talk. Bail mentions he knows of a Galen Erso, scientist, but that it isn’t enough proof of anything, and certainly not anything actionable. He doesn’t know much of his work or background other than a deceased wife, Lyra, and daughter, Jyn. Even that seems like a stretch. Need to find a better solution. But the name Jyn and the timeline could spark something that Davits can connect the daughter to the same girl in Saw’s crew back in the day (she went by Jyn Gerrera then). And that he’ll reach out to his network of informants to see if anyone knows anything. After this scene, he could announce that he needs Cassian to go get intel from Tivik and see if this is all related, and Bail could suggest that he go and deliver the message to demonstrate his support.
It could be funny that upon announcing some type of crime in a certain system that Liana Hallik (Jyn’s alias) was recorded of recently, then K2SO pops up and says that means she would be at the Wobani Labor Camp and maybe looking at a picture he even has a prisoner ID for her. That would be fortuitous and save us some lengthy detective work, as well as amusing, you can hear Alan Tudyk popping up and nailing that delivery with a nice quip.
New Connection to the Death Star: Helps justify the speed to Jyn Erso’s prison break and recruitment.
Easter Egg: references to all of Jyn’s aliases (like Liana Hallik) would be cool, and to show some more of the Rebellion spy network and research capabilities would be cool. An appearance by General Jan Dodonna (Ian McElhinney) of the Rebellion would be cool too.
Additional Appearances by: Bail, Mon, Cassian, Saw, Ruescott, K2SO, Vel, Tivik, Wilmon, and Kleya.
Star Wars: Foundation Recap
These 9 episodes expand on the Death Star development and the leak of the plans. They focus on how those plans got in the hands of the rebellion as well as how Rogue One commences. They give each character extra backstory and weight. It further expands how much effort (and luck) it took to destroy the Death Star. How acting upon this key information a few days before it was too late.
Here are the 9 episodes:
The start of Orson Krennic’s involvement in the Death Star project and an insight into his cutthroat personality.
The recruitment and mentorship of Lonni Jung in the ISB by Lio Partagaz.
The manipulation of Lonni Jung to become a turncoat by Luthen Rael.
Spies, Saboteurs, and Assassins
The dissolution of the partnership between the Rebellion and the Partisans, featuring Ruescott Melshi.
The expansion of Davo Sculdun as a complicated fair-weather ally for Mon Mothma.
The isolation and descent of Dedra Meero after the events on Ghorman, the compilation of Death Star plans, and the investigation of Axis
Unloved, Hunted, Cannon Fodder
The defection and capture of Bodhi Rook by Saw Gerrera and the Partisans.
The beginning of the endgame and how Lonni Jung decides to go for broke.
The set up for Rogue One and how Davits Draven is integral to their success.
Rogue One Rewatch Thoughts
Immediately, it’s apparent how fast this movie flies. After the 8 hour and 22 minute second season, a 2 hour and 13 minute movie feels like lightning speed. The plot is just at full throttle.
Most remarkably, rewatching it, you’re somehow watching an entire film with a different protagonist now. Previously it was Jyn Erso’s film, now it’s Cassian Andor’s. Amazing how the same film is now viewable from a different character’s perspective. This (and Better Call Saul) is a testament to how to write a great prequel that elevates the original.
There are three (/four) particular parts that I want to elaborate on and react to:
Andor into Rogue One
Like any unplanned prequel there are going to be components that don’t mesh together perfectly, but I’m okay with that given they couldn’t truly predict the success to guarantee these expansions to the world. There is no mention of Ghor, or other characters featured heavily in Andor and are still alive. But, the two films were connected so darn well, it really makes me appreciate how well written Andor was. It’s amazing the world of difference it makes when screenwriters understand the source material, the canon, the world, and make an existing story even better. Here’s the end of Andor and the start of Rogue One:
This is Cassian Andor’s speech in episode 12 to the Rebel Alliance counsel, he is interrupted and questioned here and there by some of the members throughout.
CASSIAN ANDOR - Luthen Rael had source in the ISB. A supervisor. He was hidden there for years. Yesterday, on Coruscant, Luthen was called to an emergency meeting. The source told him he’d just learned that the Emperor’s secret energy project was the cover story for the manufacture of a weapon.
[What kind of a weapon are we talking about?]
I don’t know about the weapon.
Luthen was told that there’s a connection between the Ghorman destruction, the kyber mining on Jedha, and an Imperial engineer named Galen Erso.
[All of this conveniently wrapped in a big “energy program” basket?]
I’m just reporting what he was told.
This is the culmination of 2 seasons of Andor. Years of subterfuge and planning, to have enough connections to get this information. Years of funding, planning, and development to have a competent enough group of rebels to afford to compete with the Empire somewhat head on. But it’s not enough to act on yet. The Rebellion is more diligent and wary, especially post Ghorman. And they refuse to immediately act on the information.
But after Cassian’s failure to convince them, General Draven let’s him know that his informant Tivik, with Saw Gerrera’s faction has sent three urgent messages from Kafrene in the past ten hours. And more importantly that Saw is on Jedha and this little link sparks a possibility of truth. A few scenes later, Cassian is free to continue with his work. That’s where we’re introduced to Cassian Andor in Rogue one, following up with his informant, trying to gain more information to give to the Rebel Alliance to mobilize for war. Here’s his interaction with Tivik on Kafrene:
TIVIK: An Imperial pilot, one of the cargo drivers. He defected yesterday. He’s telling people they’re making a weapon. The kyber crystals, that’s what they’re for.
CASSIAN ANDOR: What kind of weapon?
TIVIK: Look, I have to go.
CASSIAN ANDOR: What kind of weapon?
TIVIK: A planet killer. That’s what he called it.
CASSIAN ANDOR: A planet killer?
TIVIK: Someone named Erso sent him. Some old friend of Saw’s.
CASSIAN ANDOR: Galen Erso? Was it?
TIVIK: I don’t know! They were looking for Saw when we left.
They nailed it. Cassian doesn’t know what kind of weapon in the television show, so he asks Tivik twice to clarify. A planet killer, is not something mentioned in Andor, this is news to him. And he is genuinely flummoxed, trying to understand what exactly a planet killer might mean, and how he can use this information to convince the counsel. But he’s brought back into the conversation when the name Erso is mentioned. Rewatch this scene and look at Andor’s face. It was beautifully written. They did a great job of using this scene not as the catalyst for Rogue One, but the thoughtful second confirmation of the news that allows Cassian a stronger chance of rallying the Rebellion into action. Applaud and salute the screenwriters.
Double Confirmation
The rules to double confirmation are that they should be two independent and credible sources. Typically with evidence or direct knowledge. After two seasons, the final episode (and key information) is called Jedha, Kyber, & Erso. This is the information that has Lonni, Luthen, Kleya, Cassian, Mon, and others all scrambling to try to fully mobilize the Rebellion. That now is the time to step out of the shadows. But despite this plea, it isn’t enough. The Rebellion is young and hasn’t been tested, and it simply is too risky to announce themselves yet. A mysterious “weapon” could force their hand, but there simply isn’t enough proof to convince the counsel to gamble on it. So our dedicated journalist spy is off to find a second source.
The Rebel Alliance’s Counsel tracks with good journalism though. Cassian’s information is not direct, nor is there any documentation. There are equally plausible theories that this is an Imperial trap or that Luthen was simply overly paranoid and was about to be burned. It’s General Draven that gets that key fact connected. Jedha has come up as important twice now from two sources in the last 10 hours. He is a good editor general and looks for stronger confirmation.
So by the time Cassian is interrogating Tivik. He already has Jedha. He immediately gets the kyber crystals confirmed, but given that is the most interesting thing about Jedha, it isn’t necessarily confirmation. Weapon is again double confirmed, but there are lots of weapons. It’s circumstantial, could be a different weapon. It’s the mentioning of Erso. That’s it. Erso must be important.
Cassian can take this confirmation of Erso to General Draven and Mon Mothma, and together they can start mobilizing. They need to know more, but at least they can try and figure out who Galen Erso is. Voila, Rogue One. It makes justifies how they decide to go all out and find Jyn Erso. Though the disappointment of her not knowing much about her father is somewhat disguised (or it just didn’t align perfectly, this film was released 6 years before season 1 and 9 years before season 2, so I can understand that it isn’t perfect) as they “pivot” to use her as an introduction to Saw Gerrera.
Still, what a wonderful way to expand on Rogue One, by making that first opener a direct second confirmation of the prequel’s finale. More snaps, kowtows, and cheers for the screenwriters.
“Rebellions are built on hope” and The Death Star Plan’s Chain of Custody
This is just beautiful and key. This YouTube video sums it up nicely, and also used the Chain of Custody phrase, which I swear, I independently thought of before watching this. But after watching it, I now realize I can combine these last two categories into one. This YouTuber talks more about the line, “Rebellions are built on hope” which was actually added in by Tony Gilroy to appease his son.
We can work backwards though of the chain of custody of the Death Star plan that led to its destruction, though I suppose there are two subsections of these plans. Part B being the Death Star Plans (and the planned weakness at the thermal exhaust port and its chain reaction) and Part A being knowledge of the Death Star itself. And nearly everyone on this list dies for it (italicized).
Part B (The Death Star Plans)
Luke Skywalker destroys the Death Star by hitting the perfect shot using (the Force) his knowledge of the Death Star plan; what an iconic scene and moment in cinema history.
General Jan Dodonna presents the attack plan and analysis of the Death Star plans to the Rebellion pilots before the Battle of Yavin (Dodonna is in Rogue One and is mentioned twice in Andor).
R2-D2 delivers the Death Star Plans to the Rebellion on Yavin. Princess Leia calls it “our only hope”.
The Death Star Plans briefly are on board the Death Star itself! Imagine what Galen Erso would have thought about that.
Han Solo and Chewbacca attempt to deliver the plans to Alderaan, narrowly escaping two imperial star destroyers, but to no avail as the planet has been vaporized.
Obi-Wan Kenobi makes a plan to get the Death Star plans from Tatooine to Alderaan, specifically Senator Bail Organa, via Mos Eisley. (dead)
R2-D2 goes rogue after his restraining bolt is removed and goes off into the desert to try and find Obi-Wan Kenobi and is nearly captured by Tusken Raiders.
Owen Lars (and Beru Whitesun) inadvertently buy the Death Star plans via R2D2 as they look for droids to help with their moisture farm. (both dead)
Jawas capture R2-D2 and the Death Star Plans and look to fence him for money. (all dead)
R2-D2 and C-3PO escape from the Tantive IV and head to Tatooine.
Princess Leia records a message and inserts the plans into R2-D2 after her ship is disabled.
Alderaanian consular security forces get it to Princess Leia. (likely dead)
Rebel Troopers hand it over through the door, in one of the most epic scenes ever. (all dead)
Admiral Raddus and the Profundity (MC75 Star Cruiser) receive the transmitted plans (all dead)
Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor sacrifice their lives to transmit the plans the Rebel Fleet. (all dead)
Rogue One’s Crew go to Scarif do a bunch of tasks to find and transmit the plans, which requires the planetary shield to be disabled, which in itself, needs to be communicated to the Rebel fleet. (all dead)
K2 identifies and locates the plans in the vault and sacrifices their life to buy the team time to get there. (dead)
Bodhi Rook and his squad get a message to the rebel fleet to deactivate the planetary shield to be able to transmit the plans. (all dead)
Chirrut Îmwe, Baze Malbus, Ruescott Melshi, and their team activate the switch to allow communication with the rebel fleet. (all dead)
General Antoc Merrick and Blue Squadron enter and support Rogue One’s objectives. (all dead)
Part A (Finding Out About the Death Star and its Plans):
16. The Rebel Alliance Counsel receive the full briefing of the Death Star and Galen’s plans via Jyn Erso and decides to not engage.
17. Jyn Erso hears the message from her father with the reveal that he planned a weakness in the reactor module and has to orally recap it to Cassian Andor since she no longer has a hard copy.
18. Saw Gerrera receives the message from Galen Erso. (dead)
19. Bodhi Rook turns himself in to the Partisans to try and find Saw Gerrera and deliver the message. (all dead)
20. Galen Erso gives the message to Bodhi Rook to notify Saw Gerrera, and he names the structural and engineering plans Project Stardust in the Scarif vaults. (dead)
21. Cassian Andor searches for the daughter of Galen Erso to try and get more information and find Galen.
22. Tivik provides second confirmation to Cassian that Lonni’s report (via Luthen, via Kleya, and via Cassian) is true. This gives the Rebel Alliance enough of a lead to go find the Ersos. (dead)
23. Kleya tells the key information to Cassian Andor.
24. Luthen Rael tells the key information to Kleya, and is captured by the Imperials and killed by Kleya to eliminate the risk of him leaking information when he is inevitably tortured. (dead)
25. Lonni Jung, the undercover ISB agent mole, eventually takes his shot, and takes Dedra’s credentials, and reads enough of the collected confidential files over a 3 hour period. He then connects the dots and the “end game” commences. He tells the key information to Luthen Rael, and he is eliminated to buy Luthen time. (dead)
26. Dedra Meero in the interrogation by Krennic reveals that in her blind desire to identify and capture Axis (Luthen Rael), she had to scavenge and hoard confidential information. While it was useful in her eventual success of capturing Luthen, she inadvertently had collected confidential information like Orbital Progress Assessments, Eadu Research Journals, and Jedha Working Group printouts. Which was too much information in one place and would allow someone unauthorized to figure out what the Empire was up to. Prior to this only a handful of selected Imperial commanders knew the real goal, everyone else only had isolated components of the plan. Without her and her desire to be correct and gain more power and control, there is no Rebellion victory at Yavin and the Death Star would have solidified a period of authoritarianism over the galaxy. (imprisoned with a fate likely worse than death)
Syril Karn helps validate and fuel Dedra’s drive for Axis and gives her a confidant and
Cassian Andor’s murder of two Preox-Morlana security officers, while searching for his missing sister Kerri, starts a chain reaction that would lead him to Luthen, Syril to Dedra and through that the Death Star plans to the Rebellion.
There are 26 steps across three properties. ~20 named characters perish in the process. Many more die as well. Groups like the Jawas, the Partisans, Blue Squadron, Rogue One, and the Alderaanian Consular Security Forces are wiped out. Interestingly, only a handful of people survive. From Andor, literally the only two main characters who survive are Dedra and Kleya, and the former is locked in an Imperial prison… Maybe a bonus Kleya / Dedra episode reconciling years later would be a interesting watch. That might be too fan fiction-y. But I wouldn’t mind a concept show of what Kleya (as I say her name more, I realize it’s just Leia with a K… and now it sounds very dumb haha) is up to during episodes 5 and 6. Could be an interesting concept to see her running an active Rebel intelligence network during wartime. Imagine her in a white fur outfit on Hoth organizing evacuation strategy or coordinating the Bothan spies who access the second Death Star plans (though the latter could devalue the Andor/Rogue One/New Hope story).
A New Hope Rewatch Thoughts
It’s very cool that the opening scroll intro text is nearly the full inspiration and subsequent recap of Rogue One.
Princess Leia and the droids are very lucky that they just so happened to be captured next to Tatooine. This must have been her destination when she realized she couldn’t go to Alderaan or Yavin? Regardless, they got lucky that they even made it there with that Star Destroyer hunting her.
It’s a tossaway line, but Grand Moff Tarkin brings up the closure of the Imperial Senate. After so much great senate content in Andor, it would be fascinating to depict that day on Coruscant. Maybe in Star Wars: Foundation, we can add a Bail Organa episode, or some other Rebellion Senator (plus a pro Imperial senator episode) experiencing the dissolution of the Senate. That would be truly impactful to watch these days…
Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru have two of the most brutal deaths in Star Wars. I mean they were torched alive to the bone?
All of this, particularly the scenes where there are restraining bolts on R2D2 and C3PO, reminds me of an excellent video from Pop culture Detective. Enjoy it below:
Meeting his buddy Biggs Darklighter was very random. Another character deserving a spinoff? I wouldn’t be opposed. The longer alternative journey to the rebellion? Defecting from the Imperial Academy? Could even include some of the other Andor characters recruiting him.
Imperial stormtroopers are so precise (at shooting)…
So Obi-Wan bumps into his buddy Chewbacca? Or is he drawn to him because he knows the Wookies are sympathetic to the cause?
The just one step ahead of the empire is apparent here too. Just like the last portion of Andor and Rogue One. It’s just a constant whirlwind week for the galaxy.
The empire scenes are all so much better with the Andor context.
Grand Moff Tarkin is crazy evil.
Oh, a great scene of the planets and senate in particular reacting to the Alderaan news…
Who’s more foolish? The fool or the fool who follows him? Damn good line.
Han Solo saying, “better her than me,” about his future wife is a great line.
Obi-Wan being on the ship makes Vader distracted from the plans. His old vengeance allows the others to escape, but it makes way more sense to me now that they just let them get away in order to track them to the Rebel base. And similarly, that they’re in such a rush, that they go directly to Yavin. In my head I thought these were both just silly, for convenience plot holes, and they’re actually pretty logical now as an adult.
If money is all you’re after money is what you’ll get (that’s due to all of Mon Mothma’s money laundering!).
Wait… why wouldn’t the Death Star just use its tractor beams to mess with all the small one-manned fighters? Or did IT support and maintenance not identify and solve the fix… actually it wasn’t much time, so this tracks. I can see the email correspondence now!