Rebellions Are Built on Hope - Price Prediction

As a devoted Star Wars fan, I must confess that among all the Star Wars movies and series, “Andor” seems to be least concerned with traversing the expanses of the galaxy far, far away. The majority of its characters are fresh faces, with only a handful of familiar figures getting their moments in the limelight, despite the storyline coinciding with the timeframe of Star Wars Rebels. Even ties to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which Andor is a prequel to, have been scant. However, it’s worth noting that the show does subtly lay groundwork for the movie, and the latest episodes have introduced its most explicit link yet.

The series Andor has earned acclaim for its exceptional writing throughout its two seasons, featuring compelling speeches and dialogues on themes like morality and revolution. The latest episode, “Welcome to the Rebellion,” sparked some conversation within the fanbase due to the inclusion of a revised version of Senator Mon Mothma’s speech criticizing Emperor Palpatine. Given the series’ rich collection of memorable quotes, fans were delighted to discover that an iconic line from Rogue One, “Rebellions are built on hope,” was referenced in Episode 8, titled “Who Are You?” Interestingly, Andor unveils that this phrase wasn’t initially coined by Cassian, as seen in Rogue One, but instead, its origins are revealed to be heart-wrenching.

‘Rebellions Are Built on Hope’ Was a Call to Action in Rogue One

Jyn Erso Repeats Cassian’s Line at a Crucial Moment

For the first time, audiences encountered this well-known idiom during their visit to Jedha in the movie “Rogue One”. Cassian was outlining the strategy of using her name with the hope it would secure a meeting with Saw Gerrera when Jyn expressed doubt, saying simply, “Hope?” Cassian’s response became a memorable moment in convincing Jyn to join him. While basing a plan on what one hopes for may not seem logical or prudent, under the circumstances, it was their best option. This approach reflected the constant struggles the Rebel Alliance faced against the Empire, but they persisted with the conviction that one day, their efforts would bear fruit. Meeting Saw Gerrera was just a single piece in a much larger puzzle that could have easily unfolded differently, yet they had faith in their ability to prevail and ultimately succeed.

In the movie “Rogue One”, Jyn, following Cassian’s advice, urged the Alliance to retrieve the plans from Scarif. Her initial attempts seemed unsuccessful as the rebel council was uncertain about the plan and declined to send their fleet. However, Jyn and Cassian proceeded with a team to Scarif regardless, and eventually, more rebel forces joined them, aiding in the execution of this crucial mission. Though it may not have swayed them initially, the Rebel Alliance needed a reminder of the power of hope when confronted by seemingly impossible challenges.

Andor Reveals the True Origins of Cassian’s Best Quote

The Ghorman Massacre Adds Tragic Context to the Rebellion

It might appear that Cassian came up with the phrase “Rebellions are built on hope” himself, but the show Andor reveals this wasn’t the case. In the episode titled “Who Are You?”, after Cassian’s mission is disrupted by protests and increased Imperial activity in Ghorman, he remembers his encounter with Thela, a bellhop he met during a previous visit to the city (in Episode 5, “I Have Friends Everywhere”). To avoid Imperial scrutiny, Thela had kept Cassian’s stay off the hotel records. In gratitude for this help, Cassian thanks Thela and says, “I hope things work out for you.” In response, Thela replies with the memorable line, “Rebellions are built on hope.” This phrase clearly left a lasting impression on Cassian throughout his life.

In a subtle nod to “Rogue One,” the series “Andor” adds additional depth to a quote when viewed through the lens of the Ghorman Massacre. The character Thela, a resilient survivor of the Tarkin Massacre, finds himself once more in the crosshairs of the Empire as they exploit his home world for resources. Despite not being part of the Ghorman Front, Thela takes advantage of the situation to retaliate, detonating a bomb following an Imperial attack on protestors. It’s likely that he knew his days were numbered, yet he acted with faith that his actions would make a difference, even if he wouldn’t be there to witness it. With the Empire manipulating the truth about the Ghorman Massacre, Thela could have easily been forgotten as just another name. However, Cassian keeps his legacy alive by sharing his words and message.

Beyond doubt, Thela represents the essence of both “Andor” and “Rogue One.” Just as in the first season of “Andor,” standing up against an oppressive empire is about more than just grand gestures; even the tiniest act of rebellion can make a difference. While Thela was merely a bellhop, he could have easily succumbed to fear or used his ordinary status as an excuse not to act against tyranny. However, he chose to make the ultimate sacrifice, trusting that someone else would take up the struggle in his place. Despite never witnessing the Empire’s fall, Thela’s courage and conviction left a lasting impact on the galaxy at large.

Andor Cements Cassian’s Crucial Role in the Rebellion

How Andor Sets Up Cassian’s Sacrifice in Rogue One

In the second season of Andor, we see the setup for Cassian’s future self-sacrifice, a key event from Rogue One. The character of Thela appears to be involved in these events as well. In Season 2, Episode 7, Cassian is given a predetermined mission when the rebels’ psychic cook refers to him as a messenger, which is the episode’s title. This seems to hint at Cassian’s role in transmitting crucial information, first to Jyn Erso and later to the Rebel Alliance. Their act of delivering this data is their most significant contribution to the rebellion, but it’s not the only important message that Cassian conveys throughout the series.

In the series “Andor” and the film “Rogue One,” Cassian Andor often served as a messenger in the Rebellion, despite not necessarily being his primary role. After his escape from Narkina 5 with Ruescott Melshi in Season 1 of “Andor,” Cassian was tasked by his friend to disseminate information about the Imperial prison’s unjust practices, even though they had served their full sentences. Later, in Season 2 when he parted ways with Wilmon Paak, Wilmon urged him to share the truth about Ghorman, knowing the Empire would distort the facts for its benefit. In “Rogue One,” Cassian’s initial mission involved meeting an informant who revealed that the Empire had constructed the Death Star, information he relayed to the rebels. Though Thela didn’t instruct him to do so, Cassian also became a messenger for Thela when he passed her message along to Jyn, which ultimately reached the Rebel Alliance. The original message, though possibly from a dying man, ignited hope within the rebellion at a crucial moment.

In “Star Wars,” Luke Skywalker became a historical figure by destroying the Death Star with a decisive shot; however, it was someone else who metaphorically set up that shot for him. Similarly, “Andor” doesn’t just expand on Cassian Andor’s tale but emphasizes that he is part of a long line of rebels who stood on the shoulders of those who came before them and paid the ultimate price. Much like Nemik described, many of these rebels were ordinary people who chose to fight despite the odds, driven by their faith in the cause. They dared to harbor hope in even the most challenging situations, and as “Andor” illustrates, there would be no rebellion without them.

New episodes of Andor air Tuesdays on Disney+.

2025-05-12 05:09