Star Wars' best TV shows, if not the single best. In part, this was because Andor broke the mold in such an interesting way.
It did so by capturing massive events in the Ghorman Massacre. In addition to those events, though, Andor also offered a closer look at characters, planets, and storylines that haven't really been front-and-center before. The focus on the planet Chandrila in particular provided so much more insight into Ben Solo/Kylo Ren as a character and why he became so obsessed with Darth Vader, as was shown throughout the sequel trilogy.
Chandrila Is A Surprisingly Important Part Of Ben Solo's Story
Ben Solo Was Born on Chandrila
Mon Mothma's planet, Chandrila, had already been shown in Andor season 1, and it offered a fascinating look at the planet's culture and traditions. In fact, the complex nature of those traditions was already hinted at in Andor season 1, as Mon was experiencing conflict and concern over her daughter, Leida, being seemingly so committed to those more archaic traditions. This couldn't have been further from the truth for Mon.
Yet, Andor season 2 took this concept so much further by depicting Leida's (teenage) wedding, which was not only representative of the old-fashioned nature of these traditions, to say the least, but also showcased a host of Chandrilan customs. Interestingly, this included the reveal that Chandrilan wedding ceremonies include the cutting off of the bride's braid, which is very similar to the Jedi Knighting Ceremony.
I'm Haunted By Andor Season 2's Decision To Leave One Character's Fate Unaddressed—And It's Not Cassian's Sister
Andor season 2 left one significant character's fate entirely unknown, and that makes her story even more disturbing than it already was.
While this may seem to have nothing to do with Ben Solo or the sequels, there is actually a shocking connection here. Namely, in Star Wars canon, it is confirmed that Ben Solo was born on Chandrila. In of lineage, Ben actually represented a host of planets, from Tatooine, where his grandfather Anakin Skywalker and uncle Luke Skywalker were raised, to Alderaan, where his mother Leia grew up. Even Naboo was relevant to Ben's story as his grandmother, Pé's home planet. Yet, Chandrila evidently had quite the impact on Ben as well, based on his sequel story.
Chandrila evidently had quite the impact on Ben as well, based on his sequel story.
Chandrila Is Focused On The Traditions Of The Past
Leida's Wedding Made Those Traditions Clear
As mentioned, many Chandrilan traditions shown in Andor season 2 seemed quite antiquated. Yes, there was a lovely wedding and stunning architecture and clothing that revealed the beauty of the planet as well, but at the core of even these aspects of the culture was a traditionalism that theoretically should have concerned the audience as much as it did Mon. After all, it's pretty horrifying that a teenager is getting married; it's hard to explain away a child bride as just tradition.
Interestingly, one of the most jarring examples of the archaic nature of these beliefs comes from Mon herself, after Leida hurt her by saying she wished she was drunk, thereby refusing Mon's offer of help and understanding. In response, as Leida moves in front of Mon, Mon tells her, "You stand behind me." This emphasized the importance of tradition but also on the past and on heritage, particularly via maternal lines. Given Ben's own heritage and lineage, this no doubt would have been a concept that sunk in for him.
This would have proven particularly problematic in light of Leia's very complicated heritage. On the one hand, Ben would have been aware of his mother's adoptive parents and the painful history of Alderaan and its fate. Yet, as was shown throughout the sequels, it was Ben's focus on the Skywalker family—Leia's family by blood—that truly became his focus.
It was Ben's focus on the Skywalker family—Leia's family by blood—that truly became his focus.
The Darth Vader Revelation Broke Ben Solo's Faith In The Light
Family Ties Were Fundamental To Ben's Story
Ben also learned of his family lineage in a troubling way, which likely made this fascination all the worse. In Star Wars: Bloodline, written by Claudia Gray, Leia's blood connection to Darth Vader is actually revealed without her knowledge before the New Republic Senate, which essentially tarnishes her previously very good image permanently. What made this reveal especially painful for Ben, though, was that he'd had no idea; he found out alongside everyone else.
Yet another layer to this connection is the fact that Mon Mothma ultimately stepped in as a mother figure for Leia, particularly after the death of her adoptive parents, Bail and Breha Organa. This bond may even have been why Ben was born on Chandrila, as it's conceivable that Leia would have wanted to be by Mon's side after the Empire fell, as they worked to rebuild what the Empire had torn apart. In addition to reinforcing the importance of family connections to Ben through this relationship, it's likely that Mon Mothma also felt like family to Ben.
All these very complex connections likely added up to Ben putting too much stock in the importance of family, especially blood family through matriarchal lines, and the secrecy around Leia's lineage likely only increased his interest in Vader. This, combined with the revelation that his parents had kept this massive piece of information from him, likely only pushed him that much further toward the dark side. In that sense, Andor season 2 shockingly provided new insight into Ben Solo/Kylo Ren's obsession with Darth Vader.
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