[This article contains spoilers for Andor’s Season 1 finale]In the 12-episode first season Tony GilroyX Andorspectators were treated to front row seats as they watched the sparks of rebellion finally light the flames in Cassian Andor (Diego Luna). In the final, after the conclusion at Narkina 5, his mother (Fiona Shaw) death and seeing the aftermath of torture for Bix (Adria Archona) Cassian is finally ready to commit his life to rebellion or die trying to join. In the last minutes of the episode, he makes his way to Luten Rael (Stellan Skarsgard) haulcraft and asked the man to either kill him or let him join the rebellion, and of course with Rogue One on the horizon, fans know how this conversation will go.
On the eve of the final, own Collider Steve Weintraub had the opportunity to talk to Gilroy and Luna about the series and he brought up the subject of Cassian’s final scene with both of them. When asked about how early he realized this was the exact moment he wanted to end the season, Gilroy explained:
“Early, early. Probably when I was still in the drawing phase. I was trying to put the whole puzzle together. What do you do in the puzzle first? I’m not a puzzle expert, but I think you usually start from the edges, right? edge, get framed.. so probably along the way while i’m sketching all the different stuff, and here’s a scene for who knows where it goes, and here’s another scene for another episode and iconic scenes all over and different things.but at a certain point i’m looking for it, and at a certain point I lose time if I don’t know what it is. I have to know where I’m going. Otherwise you’re wasting time.”
From a script perspective, it makes sense that Gilroy had it all mapped out from the start, because everything falls neatly into place as the last moments of the first season draw to a close. Every aspect of Cassian’s story up until this particular point has led to his decision to join the rebellion, and Luna has shed a little more light on what Cassian thinks when he makes that choice. The moon said, “I think if you could read his mind, at the end he said, ‘This is not life. Take this thing away from me, because it means nothing if you don’t let me fight for freedom.” He says: “There is no point in living like this.” Finally he understood.” He went on to elaborate on why this is such a turning point for the character:
We have a lot to learn to find the Cassian we see in Rogue One, and the commitment, the clarity, the faith that he has. But here he’s saying something like, “Yeah, take that away from me, because it doesn’t mean anything if I’m not part of what you guys are fighting for.” And I think it’s true, it’s very deep, and this is the moment when he realizes that it can be different. [from] what one sees in him and what he sees and what he thought he was. That there is a chance to transform, develop and become part of the solution.
Cassian Andor has been a compelling character ever since he was first introduced in Rogue Oneand he killed a man within the first few minutes on screen. Andor does wonders by exploring what makes him an imperfect yet captivating character, and Luna seems to think that’s what makes him so interesting. As he put it:
“I think that’s what makes Cassian a great character because he’s not perfect. But there is one thing about him that I think sets him apart. He is ready to forgive himself, so give yourself another chance. And he can screw up a lot and get confused, but he gives himself another chance. It’s in the same place it was the first time Luten found it, and it’s there saying, “Sorry, now I get it. I get it. Now that I get it, either you get rid of me or you make me participate.” in battle.” I think it’s a very strong ending, man. And one that you need to get another season going. You need it.”
While there is no shortage of inspiring characters in star Wars universe, Cassian stands apart because he wasn’t born a hero and raised in the midst of a rebellion like characters like Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) we. Cassian was an ordinary person who saw firsthand what the Empire was doing, tried to ignore it, and then saw the consequences of complacency. The way the finale pulls together all the ideas set out in the twelve episodes and uses them to push Cassian into his face of events Rogue One storytelling workshop for all participants.
The entire first season of the series Andor currently streaming on Disney+. Check out our interview with Diego Luna before the series premiere below and look for more exclusive Andor content soon.
Source: Collider
