‘Andor’ Recap: ‘Rix Road’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) in Lucasfilm's ANDOR, exclusively on Disney+. ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season one finale of ‘Andor’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Over the course of the past twelve weeks, we’ve talked at length about what lights the spark of Rebellion. For the Disney+ series, Andor, has taken the time to explore just that, since this show is set in the early days of the Rebel Alliance. Where heroes weren’t plentiful, and infighting and disarray and worry was commonplace for the Rebellion. A move that creates the perfect place for the discussion in question, and what we have learned about what lights the spark, has been fascinating to say the least. Since this series has made it clear that there isn’t just some switch that flips on for a fight such as this. It takes time and recognition. 

Recognition that there is an evil surrounding a people, one that must be fought and destroyed, and then of course… comes organization and funding, and recruitment and fighting. But above all, for there to be true fighting and a genuine rallying cry to the cause… it is heroes that are needed to light the spark. People that are willing to speak out regardless of the danger and act swiftly to show others that the evil can be fought, and that good people are out there trying to make things better and well… at long last, we finally saw that come into play in the season one finale of this series. For ‘Rix Road’ is a story that saw everyone arrive on Ferrix to celebrate the life of Maarva. Including the Empire in the hopes that Cassian would come, and he did. But what happened during that service, is what mattered most.

Because there were some in the crowd, ready and willing to fight but unsure if the setting was right or if there would be a reason to raise up arms and take on the Galactic Empire. But Maarva’s farewell speech to the place she called home, and loved dearly, demanded that the fight take place. That the Empire be toppled and burned and well, that lit the spark. Because the Empire was displeased to hear such words and poked an already ailing and aware crowd and that led to a heroic fight. One designed to speak to how little the people of Ferrix wanted the Empire there and the heroic acts didn’t end with what happened in the streets.

For Cassian finally decided the time was right to inspire hope and teach others out there, a better way existed and that heroes were still real, all through being kind and helpful. For he rescued Bix from her new prison and offered all the advice and aid, he could, to get the right people to the right place, unnoticed by the Empire and those acts, while subtle in nature, went a long way. Since everyone understood what he was doing for them and would likely tell tales of that kind of heroism and kindness and to top it all off… he finally confronted Luthen and asked to be part of the Alliance properly, even though Luthen and his handy assistants were pondering upon killing him mere hours ago. 

But what matters more, is that in this moment, we finally saw the spark, we finally saw open rebellion and a desire to fight the Galactic Empire and we saw heroes rise. Which was the perfect way to end this brilliant season of storytelling. Since we and the characters had to earn every single moment present in this finale and it of course, laid down the foundation for the future. For now, the Rebel Alliance is coming into shape and the stage is set for more fighting and more inspiration. Courtesy of a slow burning, and calculated story that properly explored the birth of a Rebellion, and just like that… we are now left counting down the minutes to the arrival of season two of this magnificent series. Until next time.

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