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Andor Season 2 Brought Back The Best George Lucas Idea, 45 Years After The Empire Strikes Back Destroyed It

By Liz Declan

Published May 12, 2025

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Image via Disney+

the Ghorman Massacre was finally depicted in episode 8, canonizing what this event really entailed.

Mon Mothma’s incredible speech to the Senate, which finally called Emperor Palpatine out by name, followed in the very next episode. While perhaps not as massive as either of these events in of their impact on the galaxy, Andor season 2, episode 9, also contained a key Star Wars moment, this one between Bix Caleen and Cassian Andor. In fact, this Star Wars storyline brought back an original Star Wars idea that The Empire Strikes Back arguably ruined.

Luke Skywalker Started Out As An Everyman Hero... But He Lost It

Luke's Story Radically Changed Between A New Hope And The Empire Strikes Back

When Luke Skywalker was introduced in A New Hope, he was the perfect example of an Everyman Hero. This character trope essentially boils down to a character who is a true hero but is also down-to-earth and average enough to be relatable to many audience . Given Luke was raised as a moisture farmer on the desert planet Tatooine and always dreamed of being something more, he certainly fit the bill.

However, The Empire Strikes Back completely undid that characterization of Luke in A New Hope by revealing Luke wasn’t ordinary at all. Instead, he was the son of the greatest villain in the galaxy and someone who had once been one of the Skywalker family tree has come to define and dominate the entire franchise.

The Empire Strikes Back completely undid that characterization of Luke in A New Hope by revealing Luke wasn’t ordinary at all.

While that of course didn't dim Luke Skywalker's role as a hero in Star Wars, it did mean he was no longer an Everyman Hero. The payoff of that change was arguably worth it, as it came about with the Hollywood-changing plot twist that Darth Vader was really Luke Skywalker's father. Even so, it was a shame for Star Wars to lose this trope, as it made the galaxy far, far away feel more grounded.

Star Wars Empire Strikes Back Poster

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Cassian Andor Is Now A True Everyman Hero

Cassian Has Taken On (And Kept) This Role

Cassian Andor looking dapper in the Andor season 2 trailer

While that storyline was ultimately done away with for Luke Skywalker, Cassian Andor has become a true Everyman Hero in Star Wars. This already seemed to be the case in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, as Cassian was seemingly a nobody (he had never been mentioned in any other Star Wars project, for one), but he played a pivotal role in taking down the Death Star. Of course, that was due to the chronology of Star Wars movies and TV shows, but even so, it was clear he was not a major name in the galaxy following his death.

Cassian Andor has become a true Everyman Hero in Star Wars.

Andor season 1 and the first 9 episodes of season 2 have proven beyond a doubt that Cassian fits this trope. Not only did Andor season 1 confirm his origin story, which revealed humble beginnings to say the least, but the show has since confirmed that Cassian had no exceptional abilities or massive family lineage. He was simply a man driven to fight back against oppression and overthrow the Empire.

Given we already know what happens in Rogue One and beyond, it's also clear that being an Everyman Hero is enough. In the end, Cassian gives his life for this fight, but it is also because of Cassian and Jyn's efforts that the Rebels get their hands on the Death Star plans and are able to destroy it. Without Cassian and Jyn, it's doubtful that the Rebel Alliance would have been victorious in the end.

The Rebellion Wouldn't Have Been Possible Without Everyman Heroes

Cassian Isn't The Only Everyman Hero—Not By A Long Shot

Andor Rebellions are Built on Hope Thela hotel clerk

While Andor season 2 has solidified the notion that Cassian Andor is an Everyman Hero, it has also revealed just how many people across the galaxy fit that trope during the Dark Times. Throughout the show, many everyday, ordinary people have proven themselves to be Everyman Heroes, who, though widely unknown, contributed significantly to the downfall of the Empire. This is true of the rebels who worked to get Mon Mothma’s brilliant speech in Andor season 2, episode 9, out to the masses and those who delayed the Imperials shutting it down.

Even on a smaller scale, there are so many characters in Andor season 2 who are Everyman Heroes in their own way. A more subtle example is the hotel worker who is technically the first (at least chronologically) to say “Rebellions are built on hope.” Later, this would be echoed by Jyn Erso in Rogue One, which gives this seemingly minor character a massive role in the fight.

There are so many characters in Andor season 2 who are Everyman Heroes in their own way.

These examples are also simply so emblematic of what Andor—especially Andor season 2—means to Star Wars more broadly. These are exactly the stories that this show, which was always meant to offer a more realistic, boots-on-the-ground representation of how the Empire and its oppression impacted the everyday person, set out to depict. Ultimately, this is precisely why Andor is among Star Wars' best shows, if not the single best show thus far.

Andor Really Is One Of Star Wars' Best Stories

This Show Is Revolutionizing Star Wars In The Best Way

Genevieve O'Reilly looking concerned as Mon Mothma in Andor season 2 (2025)

While some may bristle or believe there’s only fanfare around the show because it’s what’s coming out right now, I truly believe Andor season 2 is Star Wars’ best TV show, and I hope it sets the bar for Star Wars movies and shows to come. No, not every Star Wars movie or show now has to have the same darker, more adult tone that Andor does. After all, I also thoroughly enjoyed Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, and that had a clearly younger target audience.

However, the thoughtfulness, innovation, and care evident in every episode of Andor season 2 should show other Star Wars movies and TV shows a path forward. Particularly because Andor avoids a focus on the Jedi, the Sith, and the Skywalkers and is still so successful and beloved, it should show Disney and Lucasfilm that the franchise can indeed move on from these stories and characters and still be successful. This return of the Everyman Hero trope via Cassian Andor in Andor, after The Empire Strikes Back did away with it for Luke Skywalker, is just one key example.

New episodes of Andor season 2 release weekly on Tuesdays at 9 PM EST/6 PM PST on Disney+.

Release Date	Episode Drop
April 22, 2025	Andor season 2, episodes 1-3
April 29, 2025	Andor season 2, episodes 4-6
May 6, 2025	Andor season 2, episodes 7-9
May 13, 2025	Andor season 2, episodes 10-12