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Andor Makes This Star Wars Line Even More Terrifying (And Most Fans Missed It)

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After two successful seasons on Disney+, the Tony Gilroy-created “Star Wars” series featuring Diego Luna’s character Cassian Andor has concluded. In this show, we follow the transformation of a directionless mercenary into one of the Rebel Alliance’s top agents. As the Empire expands its grip across the galaxy, Cassian takes the lead in a mission to dismantle their latest formidable weapon – the Death Star.

In the second season of “Andor”, we find Cassian Andor during the years preceding the events depicted in the original “Star Wars” movie, serving as a direct precursor to those stories. Unlike other prequel series that mainly concentrate on positioning characters for their film roles, “Andor” also subtly establishes several intricate plotlines from the Original Trilogy – including a chilling conversation that unveils the true essence of Emperor Palpatine’s rule.

Andor Features the Final Days of the Imperial Senate

Mon Mothma’s Speech Against Palpatine Set Up the Senate’s Demise

In the unawareness of the characters, the second season of ‘Andor’ reveals the final days of the Imperial Senate. Set in the years preceding both ‘Rogue One’ and ‘A New Hope’, this series provides a glimpse into the Senate, significantly altered since its days under the Republic. However, in ‘Andor’, the Senate is on its dying breath, with many Senators acting as puppets for the Emperor or facing reprisals for resisting tyranny. By the events of this show, the Senate has become a mere symbol of what the Republic once stood for: freedom and democracy. This is lamented by Senator Mon Mothma from Chandrilla, who mourns the loss of liberty and justice across the galaxy. Tragically, her concerns would prove to be valid, although the Senate would learn this only too late. Just a few years after these events, during ‘A New Hope’, Emperor Palpatine would dismantle the Imperial Senate altogether, effectively ending its existence and seizing its power for himself.

In the original Star Wars movie, although it’s not directly depicted onscreen, a pivotal moment occurs during an executive meeting aboard the Death Star. Grand Moff Tarkin informs his fellow Imperial officers that they no longer need to worry about the Senate, as influential Senators like Mon Mothma and Bail Organa have gained support for the Rebel Alliance among certain politicians. In response, Emperor Palpatine eliminates the Senate entirely, as Tarkin announces, “The Imperial Senate will now concern us no more. I’ve just learned that the Emperor has disbanded the council permanently. The final vestiges of the Old Republic have been erased.” With the backdrop of Andor in mind, this scene carries a chilling impact for viewers. Mon Mothma, Bail Organa, and their allies had placed great hope in the Senate as a means to find support. However, Palpatine ensures that this platform for free speech and debate is permanently shut down, leaving him as the undisputed ruler of the galaxy.

How Emperor Palpatine Justified the Dissolution of the Senate

Palpatine Changes Up the Empire’s Structure in the Original Trilogy

Although this seemingly innocuous line didn’t carry the same weight of history as it does now, the additional context provided by series like “Star Wars: Rebels” and “Andor” illuminates that significant events were unfolding off-screen prior to the Emperor’s decision. Mon Mothma’s heartfelt speech against the Emperor likely swayed a handful of politicians to her side, even though they were scarce in number. During the conference on the Death Star depicted in “A New Hope”, General Cassio Tagge hinted that the Senate was starting to empathize with the Rebellion, indicating that Imperial propaganda had lost its influence over them. With this shift becoming evident, it was only a matter of time before Palpatine dismantled the Senate altogether.

the Emperor was actually using this as an opportunity to dismantle the Senate. Had the Senate still existed, they would have strongly opposed the Death Star’s destructive capabilities. The destruction of Alderaan could have been prevented if the Senate had remained intact. Instead, the Emperor dissolves the Senate on the verge of deploying his new battle station, effectively removing any obstacles that might hinder him and his allies from using the Death Star at will, annihilating anyone who opposes them.

A New Hope Makes Emperor Palpatine Even More Terrifying

Democracy Finally Dies for Real in A New Hope

In “A New Hope”, it is shown that following the disbandment of the Senate, Emperor Palpatine amasses an alarming amount of power in what was once a democratic government. At a notorious meeting on the Death Star, Grand Moff Tarkin informs that regional governors now hold direct control over each system within the Empire due to the sudden demise of the Senate. Tarkin then states, “Fear will ensure the loyalty of the local systems,” signifying the Empire’s transition into an absolute dictatorship, almost two decades after the Republic’s downfall, is now complete.

The emergence of the Rebellion coincides perfectly, as war sweeps through the galaxy concurrently with Emperor Palpatine seizing total power over the Empire. During the period spanning Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, Palpatine gradually undermines the Republic’s foundations, eliminating any obstacles in his path to supreme authority. Had it not been for the Rebellion simmering at the same time, Palpatine likely would have executed his scheme unchallenged. Fortunately, figures such as Luke Skywalker, Cassian Andor, and Mon Mothma rise up to thwart the Emperor, ultimately leading to a new democratic system that aims to rectify the Empire’s numerous injustices.

Andor forms just a single piece in the bigger picture that reveals Emperor Palpatine’s chilling ascent to authority. During the time leading up to A New Hope, known as the Prequel Era, Palpatine subtly removed layers of bureaucracy while accumulating power for himself. Without the valiant actions of certain heroes, the galaxy would have certainly fallen into an era of darkness.

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2025-05-24 19:06

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