This article contains spoilers for Andor episode 6.Andor is refreshingly light on Easter eggs. There have been a sprinkling of important nods to the wider lore - most notably in Luthen's gallery, which is by now becoming a familiar location to viewers - but most of the action features new characters and locations.
Andor episode 6 is no exception. It centers on the much-anticipated heist, which actually goes off surprisingly well given C-3PO would surely have been claiming the odds of survival were horrifically slim. Over half the Rebel cell fail to make it out alive, with one particularly tragic death due to an accident during the escape. Cassian Andor may not know it, but he's about to become Public Enemy Number One, because his face is now associated with the Rebellion after the heist on the planet Aldhani. That will undoubtedly draw the narrative threads closer together as Andor season 1 continues, and many of the Rebel Alliance Easter eggs and references will surely become a lot more important. Here are all the nods to wider Star Wars lore in Andor episode 6.
Andor Introduces Another Former Stormtrooper
Cassian Andor learns Taramyn Barcona, a key player in the Aldhani cell, is revealed to be a former Imperial Stormtrooper. This is actually a major moment in Star Wars history, the first time canonically a Stormtrooper has abandoned the Empire and ed the Rebellion. It certainly explains Taramyn's disciplined manner and his understanding of Imperial protocol. Taramyn is best seen as a trailblazer, ahead of the sequel trilogy's Finn, Jannah, and other First Order Stormtrooper rebels. The First Order used a different approach to indoctrination, so it's possible Imperial propaganda was simply more effective.
The Echo Call sign Is A Favorite Of The Rebellion
Andor episode 6 features the familiar Echo call sign, one that will be used throughout the Galactic Civil War. In fact, the Rebel base on Hoth - seen in The Empire Strikes Back - was actually known as "Echo Base." It's fascinating to see just how long this call sign was used by the Rebel Alliance.
Rebels Swim To Infiltrate The Imperial Base
Andor episode 6 sees the Rebels use what is by now becoming a tried-and-tested method of breaking into an Imperial facility; they go underwater. This was the strategy used by Cal Kestis to break into the Inquisitors' base on the water moon of Nur in the Mustafar system, and Obi-Wan repeated it when he broke into the same base during his eponymous series. It's amusing to see the Empire leaving bases with the same weaknesses all these years later.
The Four-Armed Alien Is New, With Familiar Technology
The heist goes as well as could be expected, with most of the Rebel team paying the price for their heroism. They're forced to stop off at a doctor's in a doomed attempt to save Nemik's life. The alien who conducts the operation bears some visual similarities to Maz Kanata and Bobu Frik, but he's different enough to clearly be part of a whole new race. That's quite a striking decision as it would have been so easy for Andor to slip in a familiar species here as an Easter egg; instead, the Disney+ TV show chooses to do something new. The doctor does, however, have familiar cybernetic implants; they're reminiscent of those used by Lando's friend Lobot, highlighting a connection between the two.
Cassian Shot First (Unlike Han)
Rebel hero Cassian Andor feels very much as though he's being positioned as a darker version of Han Solo. There are striking parallels between Cassian's story and Han's; both served on Mimban for a time (Cassian apparently as a chef), and both initially got involved with the Rebel Alliance because they were short on credits and in something of a jam. Most striking of all, Andor episode 6 riffs on the infamous "Han shot first" scene in the first Star Wars movie. Skeen plans to betray the Rebels, and Cassian shoots him dead without a second thought.
George Lucas was famously unhappy with the idea Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, where he gunned down an informant who was about to be captured.
Star Wars Return To The Senate, But The Pods Are New
Star Wars returns to one of the major locations from the prequel trilogy, the Senate building. The pods are new, of course, replacing those destroyed during Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. Unfortunately, although Mon Mothma is speaking on an issue dear to her heart, it's clear this particular session isn't well-attended - suggesting few other senators care enough to turn up to the debate. Those who do are swiftly distracted when news breaks of the Aldhani heist.
Andor Episode 6 Features Another Nod To The Ghorman Massacre
This particular session of the Senate is focused on events on the planet Ghorman. First mentioned in Andor has already set up Tarkin's return, so it's entirely possible that Andor season 2 will show what happened on Ghorman.
Do The Empire Control The HoloNews?
News of the Aldhani heist hits the HoloNet, and spreads like wildfire. This is actually quite surprising, because it either means the Empire doesn't yet have tight control over the HoloNews - or, alternatively, that the Empire doesn't mind it being reported on. Star Wars comics have suggested the Emperor didn't fear the Rebellion, because he believed rebels would be forced to commit actions that were of the dark side, actually strengthening the Sith's grip on the galaxy. What's more, he saw the value in giving the Empire an enemy to fight, allowing him to tighten his grip on the galaxy. Andor episode 6 may subtly hint the Rebellion will not be effective until the light of the Jedi begins to shine once again.
New episodes of Andor release on Wednesdays on Disney+.
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