Andor is one of the best Star Wars shows ever, and it showcases how one big character is being wasted at Disney parks!
Star Wars fans are, to put it lightly, a divisive lot who can often be quite judgemental of the franchise. That’s only increased since Disney purchased it, with new fans coming on board, but as many older fans decry the state of the later movies and TV shows. That’s not counting the slams on Kathleen Kennedy’s leadership.
So it says a lot that almost all fans can agree Andor is the best thing Disney has done with Star Wars. The series begins five years before the events of Rogue One and focuses on how Andor (Diego Luna) rises up from outcast to Rebel spy.
The show is stunning in showcasing the beginnings of the Rebel Alliance which is an “alliance” in name only with scores of agendas abounding. The focus on the Empire is just as great, shown as a dark bureaucracy of agents fighting to get ahead, and it is a chilling look at how fascism can be accepted.
Season 2 has arrived with the unique structure of being released in three-episode blocks, each set a year after the other. This tracks more of the journeys of the characters and the final episodes leading right into Rogue One. They’re on a strong start showcasing the action, drama and politics that make this, as some put it, “the Star Wars show for people who don’t like Star Wars.”
However, the best part of these new episodes is focusing on one Star Wars character who more than deserves a spot in the parks and a good aide to them!
Why Mon Mothma rules Andor
She only appeared in one scene in Return of the Jedi but Mon Mothma was instantly captivating. The Rebel commander, played by Caroline Blakiston, told of the Rebel plans to attack the second Death Star and the famous line, “many Bothans died for this information.”
The various Legends books would expand on Mothma’s past as a top Imperial senator who eventually realized the Emperor was going to disband the Senate. She broke free to forge the Alliance. She was a hard woman, taking on so much responsibility, but she was a capable leader and the first Chancellor of the New Republic.
In Revenge of the Sith, a deleted scene has Padme working with Mon and other senators to oppose Palpatine’s control. Playing Mon was Genevieve O’Reilly, who bore a stunning resemblance to Blakiston.
While that cameo was left on the cutting room floor, Lucasfilm never forgot O’Reilly, so when Rogue One came along, she was once more cast as Mon Mothma. Andor, however, is giving her so much more to do.
Season 1 is dominated by Mothma slowly coming to the realization that Palpatine isn’t just a draconian leader but a full-fledged monster. While putting on a show of compliance, she secretly works to get funding to start the Rebellion.
Mothma’s journey is fascinating to watch. She’s cunning and wants to fight the Empire but is uncomfortable with the Rebellion doing what amounts to terrorist attacks. At the same time, she basically sells her teen daughter into an arranged marriage to gain needed funding.
O’Reilly’s performance makes it all work and culminates in a fantastic second-season episode where Mothma is overwhelmed by everything from an ally’s betrayal to her daughter enjoying the traditional Chandrila marriage Mothma hates. Mon engages in a drunken wedding celebration dance that burns off her fears (and instantly became the talk of the Internet).
That only increases in later episodes that include Mon facing off with Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn) and how the Empire rules through terror and tries to organize more resistance. That leads to another familiar face…sort of.
Why is there a new Bail Organa?
While Leia’s adoptive father had been mentioned a few times, he didn’t actually appear on camera until Attack of the Clones. Played by TV veteran Jimmy Smits, Bail was a stern but dedicated man who would aid the Jedi in Revenge of the Sith and thus be chosen to adopt Leia.
Smits reprised the role in Rogue One and Obi-Wan. Fans were thus surprised when the character appeared in Andor, only now played by Benjamin Bratt.
The recast is due to good old-fashioned scheduling conflicts. Producer Tony Gilroy explained that when Andor season 2 began production way back in 2022, Smits was committed to the CBS series East New York and thus couldn’t work in an appearance as Bail.
Bratt does as good a job in the role and the promise future episodes explore more of how Mon and Bail take up more of a leadership role in the Rebellion. It also means Disney should consider them for use in the parks.
Why Mon and Bail should be part of Galaxy’s Edge
Mothma has become a far more popular character since Andor debuted with her dance scene now a meme. That should make her a natural addition to Galaxy’s Edge.
The most obvious way would be a meet and greet with an actress as Mothma talking to guests. It’d be fun to have her coming out in different outfits, from Senate robes to more fancy regalia, and if they can work in a dance sequence by her, that’d be better.
Another obvious idea would be having Mothma show up on Star Tours. The joy of the ride is that it uses different Star Wars eras, with the halfway point of the ride showing a holographic message that can range from Yoda to Admiral Ackbar to any number of Jedi.
O’Reilly as Mothma makes sense, telling the guests they need to get to a certain world for a mission and how it’s vital to the Rebellion. It also works as it could take place in either the prequels, the original trilogy, or the post-ROTJ period when she’s Chancellor.
Bail can also be an interesting choice, either the Bratt or Smits versions dispatching guests on the mission. The character was always underrated yet in his appearances showed where Leia got her own strength and courage.
Galaxy’s Edge is meant to be a celebration of Star Wars, so integrating more of Andor is a good idea. With Mothma getting so much buzz, Disney is ignoring a chance for guests to meet her in some way and hopefully they realize how a Mothma and/or Bail addition can make Galaxy’s Edge even better.
Andor season 2 streaming on Disney+.