Andor: Messenger

“She’s a monster. We won’t have a better chance.”

This was such a quiet episode, focusing on relationships and doing a lot of heavy set up for the next couple of episodes. It also introduces the Force in a small but powerful way.

We don’t always see it on a personal level, but society moves and changes constantly, sometimes even over the course of a few months. Giant sweeping changes are often remembered by historians in detail, but to the public they are distant memories, half remembered and easily forgotten. The republic that lasted for thousands of years has been gone for less than two decades, but the general population only sees the Empire and struggles to live in such a society day to day.

It leaves something as grand and important as the fall of the Jedi, who stood as guardians of peace and justice for over a thousand years, as nothing more than a passing memory. They are never spoken of and many consider them to be zealots or liars, if they existed at all. So when Cassian encounters a Force healer he is openly upset by the idea, tainted by an experience Maarva had with one. He basically calls her a scam artist, because how could a defunct and treasonous religious order be anything but a scam?

It puts Han Solo’s comments in A New Hope into a new light, because the public has clearly forgotten about the Jedi in less than twenty years. Or perhaps they cannot risk letting themselves remember a better time, because it is so far gone. Of course the Empire says they were not real, or their exploits were all lies and their magical abilities were nothing more than tricks and practical illusions. Who can say that’s not true?

Luke doesn’t come into the picture for another two years. He’s currently goofing off at Tashi station or shooting womp rats. Which makes any conversation about the Force seem somewhat incomplete, or maybe just an example of foreshadowing. But the Force Healer, which is literally how she is credited in the episode, interacts with Cassian in a strange and mysterious way. She approaches him at random, heals his festering blaster wound, and gives Bix a cryptic message about his future.

In the moment her words can be taken in a dozen different ways. But she might’ve caught on to the fact his actions are instrumental in changing the course of the war. More than Luke in a way, because without Cassian and his role in the events in Rogue One the Rebellion would’ve been destroyed. The slightly more controversial part of this is the idea that both Cassian and Bix are Force sensitive, which might piss off some of the fans calling out that Disney cannot resist bringing in the Jedi.

I’m of the opinion that none of that matters, and not addressing the Force at all would be disingenuous to the franchise. Despite this being a gritty story about fascism, war and murky moral choices, it still exists in a world with goofy aliens and mystical mumbo jumbo about an all-powerful Force. I bring this up because narratively speaking it was a strange scene, but felt important. What was it signaling to the viewer? Could Cassian be important beyond the events of Rogue One? I’m not sure and I don’t know if the writers are expecting us to delve that deeply into the scene, but it got me curious.

It was neat to see the Yavin rebel base, and I’m curious how much it will play into the rest of the season. The actual action of the episode was very light, focusing on Wilmon showing up after an unspecified amount of time off world. You get the impression his time with Saw changed him, and maybe not in a good way. He’s still following Luthen’s orders, unlike Cassian, Bix and Vel who have joined the proper rebellion and are doing more honest work. It also seems as though Bix has finally kicked her addiction and gotten over most of her trauma. She seems calmer and stronger than in the last couple of arcs.

Yet Cassian still gives in and goes on this mission to Ghorman, this time to actually take out Dedra. It is about time their two worlds crossed completely. I don’t know how this is going to play out, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Dedra’s clock is running out. What is clear is that Syril isn’t happy with his situation, and possibly his relationship with Dedra. We had that weird kiss, and Dedra ordered him around like a housewife who couldn’t possibly understand the higher level situation she was dealing with. Plus there was that weird scene with Enza, and from that slap I got the impression they had an affair.

Or is Dedra finally having second thoughts? It is one thing to orchestrate a misinformation campaign to gain a strategic advantage. It is another thing to plan the destruction of an entire world. I don’t know if Syril would follow her if he knew the truth, and I’m not even that sure she is one-hundred percent on board with the gouge mining operation. Either way this feels ominous, and I honestly don’t know if either of them will make it out of this arc alive.

Meanwhile, Mon Mothma is working on the Ghorman issue from the viewpoint of a politician dealing with increasing propaganda and apparent terrorist activity. Her job seems to be championing bills that have no real teeth and trying to keep the Emperor from growing his absolute control over the galaxy. Yet it is very clear she is fighting a losing battle, and the Ghorman issue feels like it is going to be a breaking point. Will the Empire succeed in this horrific mission to destroy a beautiful world? I keep feeling like that is exactly what is going to happen.

Bits:

The opening music is pretty, orchestral, string heavy.

Starting arc three, the action begins "One Year Later" in BBY2.

I absolutely loved Cassian freaking Wilmon out with his flying.

While Luthen is mentioned numerous times, he doesn’t appear in the episode.

Partagaz is going to issue a Declaration of Martial Domain for Ghorman and even Ghorman Senator Dasi Oran knows it is too late for Ghorman.

Alistair Petrie guest stars as General Draven, who has a small part in Rogue One. Ian McElhinney’s General Dodonna was also mentioned by Vel but did not appear.

Tazi the bellhop is back, and now working the front desk by day and a member of the Ghorman Front by night. He was the one that Cassian spoke with about the Tarkin massacre in episode five, and after two years recognizes Cassian.

There were audio newscasts throughout the episode, and they felt real and scary and also politically slanted, making the rebels sound like terrorists.

Quotes:

Mon Mothma: “I’m requesting a new driver.”
Erskin: “Don’t. They might send someone smart.”

Vel: “We’re not Luthen’s puppets anymore.”

Lezine: “Look at us. Look what they've done to us. Poisoned us... as if they're here laughing at us. I don’t care if you fight or lay rose petals in the street, or hide in the basement. I don’t care for any of it. We are the Ghor. We are the Ghor. If they take that from us, then what’s worth saving?”

Bix: “You scared him.”
Force Healer: “I'm sorry.”
Bix: “It's not easy to do.”

Force Healer: “Who is he?”
Bix: “A pilot. A soldier... Tell me what you saw.”
Force Healer: “I sense the weight of things, things I can't see. Pain, fear... need. Most beings carry the things that shaped them. They carry the past. But some... very few... your pilot... They're gathering as they go. There's a purpose to it. He's a messenger. There's some place he needs to be. Have you known him long?”
Bix: “I don't remember not knowing him.”
Force Healer: “Maybe you're the place he needs to be.”

Wilmon: “Ferrix.”
Cassian: “Stone and sky.”

General Draven: “Those who enjoy the security of Yavin must proclaim their loyalties.”
Cassian: “Don't push too hard. You know where I stand. The day I need permission to come and go, I'm gone.”
General Draven: “That day is near.”

While this was a good episode, it felt a bit slow. Except over the course of this series, the slow episodes always lead into the greatest story arcs.

3.5 out of 4 Declarations of Martial Domain

Samantha M. Quinn spends most of her time in front of a computer typing away at one thing or another; when she has free time, she enjoys pretty much anything science fiction or fantasy-related.

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