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‘Andor’s Epic Episode Bridges Gap to ‘Star Wars: Rebels’, Delivers Powerful Political Message!

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In the third set of episodes for Andor, airing just two days following Star Wars Day, there seems to be a particularly strong connection to the broader universe. Not only does Episode 8 delve into the Ghorman massacre, an event deeply rooted in Star Wars history, but the ninth episode serves as both a powerful political statement on its own and a precursor to an episode from a widely recognized Star Wars animated series, Star Wars: Rebels.

Back in 2014, I found myself immersed in a captivating journey as I stepped into the galaxy far, far away with the premiere of “Star Wars: Rebels.” This series marked a significant milestone post-Disney’s acquisition of the Star Wars franchise in 2012. Spanning four thrilling seasons, it chronicled the adventures of a daring group of rebels known as the Phoenix Squadron, setting the stage for the early days of the Rebellion before the events unfolded in the original Star Wars saga.

Intriguingly, Genevieve O’Reilly reprised her role as Mon Mothma, a character we last saw during the prequel era. This time, she was on the run from the Empire, having spoken out against the Ghorman Massacre – an event that now forms a sequel to the current “Andor” storyline.

Connecting the dots within this expansive Star Wars universe, both “Andor” and “Rebels” share a compelling narrative thread. While “Andor” delves into prequel territory and revises past events, it promises to be one of the most enthralling hours of Star Wars storytelling yet.

Is There Any Overlap Between ‘Rebels’ and ‘Andor’ in the ‘Star Wars’ Timeline?

The series “Star Wars: Rebels” and “Andor” are set during a time period that is commonly referred to as the Era of Rebellion within Star Wars canon. Both shows delve into the formation stages of the Rebel Alliance during its early years, prior to Luke Skywalker’s involvement and the start of the Star Wars saga. In essence, “Andor” and “Rebels” can be considered parallel Star Wars narratives since they both feature episodes set within specific timeline years leading up to the Battle of Yavin and the destruction of the Death Star – a significant event used by Lucasfilm for tracking Star Wars events (even though this method isn’t employed in-universe).

Let’s take a look at where Seasons 1 and 2 of ‘Andor’ fall within the Star Wars timeline, as well as identify which seasons of ‘Rebels’ share the same time period.

In this manner, we can understand the chronological placement of these shows in the grand Star Wars saga.

5BBY – Andor Season 1 / Star Wars Rebels Season 1 Episodes 1 through 7

4BBY – Andor Season 2 Episodes 1 through 3/ Rebels Season 1, Episode 8 through Season 2, Episode 9

3BBY – Approximately three seasons and episodes 3 to 6 of the series “Andor”, followed by episodes 10 to the end of season 2 in the show “Rebels”

Or

3BBY – The third through sixth episodes of the third season, as well as episodes 10 to the last episode of season 2, for “Andor” and “Rebels”, respectively.

2BBY – Andor Season 3 Episodes 7 through 9/ Rebels Season 3

1BBY – Andor Season 3 Episodes 10 through 12/ Rebels Season 4

In simpler terms, the episode titled “Secret Cargo” from the Rebels series happens after the ninth episode in the second season of Andor. This implies that the first 17 episodes of Rebels precede “Secret Cargo,” and they occurred before the seventh episode of Andor begins. There’s no significant overlap between the episodes of both series. The episodes of Andor Season 2 span a few days, so they might run concurrently with or fill in gaps within the timeline of the animated Rebels series. However, it can be reasonably assumed that the entire first season of Andor takes place before the events depicted in the first season of Rebels.

In the world of Star Wars, the most significant character tie between Andor and Rebels is Saw Gerrera. He was first introduced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, later appearing in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, where Forest Whitaker portrayed him. Forest Whitaker continued to play the character in both Rebels and Andor. Additionally, a younger version of Saw Gerrera was featured in The Bad Batch.

In Star Wars, both “Andor” and “Rebels” depict the formation of the Rebellion from distinct perspectives. While “Andor” delves into the gritty, political struggle against the Empire, “Rebels” focuses on the daring exploits of this resistance group, including its diverse members. This contrast highlights the multifaceted nature of the conflict, with “Andor” reflecting a more politically charged narrative, similar to the prequels, and “Rebels” showcasing the action-packed adventures typical of the original trilogy. Notably, Mon Mothma’s appearances in both series create a harmonious blend, offering captivating complementary narratives that contribute significantly to the broader Star Wars story, revealing the intricate origins of the Rebel Alliance and the crucial roles played by its operatives.

‘Andor’ Leads Directly Into “Secret Cargo”

In the series ‘Andor’, Cassian Andor manages to extract Mon Mothma from Coruscant and takes her towards the Rebel Alliance, but not all the way to Yavin 4 as depicted in this tale. It is revealed that Gold Squadron (Y-Wing fighters) will escort and transport Mon Mothma to Yavin 4 once she delivers a new message, a rallying cry for rebels across the galaxy following her speech. In this story, Cassian parts ways with Mon Mothma at this point, but the events of their escort, and the transmission of her message are displayed in the ‘Rebels’ episode “Secret Cargo”, which premiered on Disney XD on March 4, 2017.

The episodes feature Phoenix Squadron’s crew: Captain Hera Syndulla, Lasat warrior Zeb, and Jedi trainee Ezra Bridger. They’re preparing to meet a Rebel vessel carrying clandestine freight, Mon Mothma, who has gone into hiding following her outspoken opposition to the Emperor in the Senate. Unfortunately, the Empire intercepts and cripples the initial transport ship, compelling Mothma to transfer onto Captain Syndulla’s ship, the Ghost, with Gold Squadron providing protection en route to Dantooine, a former Rebel stronghold. Leia Organa would later pass this location off as the Rebel base location in Star Wars, tricking Tarkin. Mothma delivers an inspiring address that’s broadcast across the galaxy, marking the beginning of the Rebel Alliance’s formation.

In a way that complements each other, “Andor’s” episode fits nicely as a precursor to “Star Wars: Rebels” storyline titled “Secret Cargo.” Although they have distinct styles and cater to different age groups, these episodes enrich the broader “Star Wars” narrative. A subtle remark in “Andor” about Gold Squadron escorting Mothma suggests that Cassian was part of a separate team transporting her while he went to Yavin 4 individually. This detail helps bridge any perceived inconsistencies between the series, making their stories flow smoothly. However, it’s important to note that “Andor” slightly revises some aspects of “Rebels,” but this revision ultimately enhances both series in the “Star Wars” universe.

‘Andor’ Makes a Major Change to Mothma’s Speech, But It Is Great

In the Disney+ series, the narrative continuity between Andor and Rebels is maintained, but the context of Mon Mothma’s speech is altered. The events leading to her speech remain the same as she finds inspiration after the Ghorman Massacre. In Rebels, her address takes on a more universal tone that echoes the Emperor’s critique in the original Star Wars trilogy, portraying the Empire as analogous to Nazi Germany. Additionally, it reflects the critical perspective of the prequels’ exploration of the Bush administration’s wartime powers after 9/11. Mothma’s speech in Rebels goes:

“The time to fight is now! The Empire has grown tyrannical and cruel, crushing all who stand against them. We must unite as one and rise up to reclaim our freedom. The Emperor’s iron grip tightens around the galaxy, but we will not be silenced any longer! We will stand together and show the Empire that they are not invincible!

I hold the Emperor accountable for the ruthless assaults on the people of Ghorman. Their once tranquil realm, one of many systems powerless against his oppressive reign, has become a battleground under his rule. This massacre serves as evidence that our self-proclaimed Emperor is essentially a deceptive murderer, masquerading security for tyranny. We must not let this wickedness persist.

In the series Andor, Mon Mothma’s speech offers a broader analysis and contemplation on the dissemination of false information. This theme resonates deeply with viewers of Andor in 2025, as it mirrors many contemporary issues, notably the actions of individuals who amplify misinformation for financial or personal advantage, drowning out truth in the process.

This morning, I find myself compelled to deliver a challenging statement. It seems we are facing a critical predicament. The gap between spoken words and actual truth has grown into a chasm. Among the many things at stake, perhaps the most perilous is the disappearance of an authentic reality. The demise of truth marks the triumph of evil in its entirety. When truth eludes us, when we allow it to fade, when it’s torn from our grasp, we expose ourselves to the ravenous hunger of whatever beast roars the loudest. Yesterday, on Ghorman Plaza, the chamber’s grip on the truth was irretrievably lost. What transpired there was an unprovoked act of genocide! Yes, genocide! The truth has been banished from this assembly! And the beast that roars the loudest? The beast we helped cultivate? The beast who will come for us all in due time…is Emperor Palpatine.

Mon Mothma’s speech resonates strongly today, mirroring the circumstances it was first presented, much like George Lucas’ Star Wars series did. Lucas drew parallels between the Rebel Alliance and the Viet Cong, and the Empire to the American military-industrial complex. The prequel trilogy, particularly its focus on trade tariffs, is now more relevant than ever, as it seems liberty can fade even with loud cheers. Now, Andor, a prequel to Rogue One, appears to be addressing contemporary issues, specifically post-Trump America. It’s important to recall that Rogue One was released just a month after Trump won the 2016 election.

In a striking twist of events, while Season 2 of ‘Andor’ was produced before the second term of the Trump administration, its messages have taken on an extraordinary relevance today. With allegations of the U.S. government deporting children with cancer, propagating misinformation about gang members having MS-13 tattoos, and stirring up a divisive discourse that casts media as liars and paints everyone except Trump as enemies – ‘Andor’s’ third installment of episodes, and Mon Mothma’s speech, now carry an even greater impact. This is further emphasized by the White House’s May the 4th post, which featured an AI-generated image of Trump brandishing a red lightsaber, a weapon usually associated with villains in ‘Star Wars’.

The initial speech, “Rebels,” has a distinctly different feel compared to the second one, “Andor.” Written first, “Rebels” was geared towards a younger audience and served as a critique of the Emperor’s unrestrained power in the galaxy, leading to a massacre. Unlike “Rebels,” “Andor” didn’t attempt to conform its narrative to fit the former; instead, it offered a fresh perspective by focusing on the growing fascism and fearmongering in our 21st century that resonates with viewers. The language may vary, but the core message of resistance against oppressive powers remains consistent.

In my humble opinion, the culmination of Mon Mothma’s eloquent address in Star Wars is undeniably some of the finest writing the series has ever seen. This masterpiece serves as a testament to Tony Gilroy’s exceptional creative prowess, solidifying his position as an invaluable addition to the Star Wars family. Furthermore, Genevieve O’Reilly’s portrayal of Mon Mothma stands tall among the pantheon of remarkable Star Wars characters. Don’t miss out on this captivating tale unfolding in Andor, now streaming exclusively on Disney+.

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2025-05-07 05:23

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