The Evolution Of Cassian Andor: From Reluctant Rebel To Hero
Image Source: CultureSlate
Cassian Andor has become a name that is synonymous with Star Wars thanks to Andor. Not only did the series introduce us to a darker and grittier version of the galaxy we all know and love, but it also showed us how the fall of the Republic and the rise of the Empire impacted other parts of the galaxy. Cassian’s evolution from the pilot episode of Andor to the end of Rogue One was one of the most honest evolutions of a character we have ever seen. He wasn’t someone who ever wanted to be involved in anything, and he certainly didn’t have any interest in dying for people he had never met and yet he is one of the most important and selfless members of the Rebellion. Let’s take a look at his evolution and why he was so influential to the success of the Rebellion.
WARNING!! Contains spoilers for Andor and Rogue One!
When Cassian’s journey starts in season one of Andor, he makes it clear that he has no interest in helping anyone other than his family. His main goal is to locate his sister that he was separated from as a child and to keep his mom and a few friends safe and fed. He routinely puts others at risk with no consideration of what the consequences for them may be, and that is why he finds himself in so much trouble at the beginning of the series. He comes off as cold and uncaring, but it is later revealed that the reason he is so cold is because he watched his father be murdered by the Empire for attempting to help others. Cassian refuses to end up like his father, and because of this he has no problem using others and then leaving town when things begin to go wrong.
RELATED:
Image Source: IMDb
If it weren’t for the two Corporate officials that Cassian is forced to kill, he never would have ended up with Luthen and the Rebellion. He did not turn to Luthen because he wanted to help, but instead because Luthen offered to get him out of Ferrix when the Empire arrives. He has no interest in joining the Rebellion and only helps long enough to make money and figure out what to do next. After the Heist on Aldhani, Cassian gets a glimpse of himself and how he uses people when one of the group asks him to abandon the rest of the group, including their injured friend. This is what first starts to truly chip away at the old Cassian. The final straw for Cassian is when he learns that everyone in the Narkina-5 Imperial Prison is being held indefinitely to be used as workers for the Empire. He helps stage a prison break and then learns that his mother has died. It was her dying wish to be a rebel, and Cassian steps up to fill in that role.
As Cassian works with the Rebellion on Yavin 4, it is his stubbornness that truly aids in the Rebellion's success. His willingness to kill whoever he needs to makes him the perfect person for any job with the potential for things to go wrong. His past actions have made him a strong fighter but also a fighter who refuses to follow orders simply because they are given. Not only does this lead to him rescuing both Mon Mothma and Kleya Marki, but if he had not been willing to go against the Council then the Rebellion never would have gotten the plans for the Death Star. Cassian’s unique outlook on the Rebellion helped them more than they ever realized, and it also helped him to bond with Jyn Erso on their mission to speak to Saw Gerrera and to steal the plans for the Death Star. While Cassian had a clear evolution throughout Andor and Rogue One, it was the old parts of himself that he kept that made him such an invaluable part of the Rebellion.
Andor and Rogue One are available to stream on Disney+.
READ NEXT:
Latest News
Featured
