Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Andor season 2 episodes 4-6
In the second season of Andor, there’s a significant disclosure about Saw Gerrera that offers fresh insights into his tale from Rogue One and makes him even more intriguingly tragic. As one of the last characters originally conceived by George Lucas, Forest Whitaker’s Saw Gerrera boasts a rich Star Wars legacy that stretches back to the Clone Wars and encompasses various Star Wars projects. Yet, his portrayal in Andor season 2 might just be his most compelling performance to date.
In the fifth episode of season 2 in the series Andor, Saw Gerrera enlists the help of Wilmon Paak, an expert in mechanics who usually works under Luthen Rael. Lent by Rael to instruct Saw’s rebels on the extraction and theft of rhydonium reserves, things take a turn when Gerrera forces young Wilson into his rebellion group against his will. Eventually, Wilmon becomes fully committed to the cause due to the harmful effects of the rhydonium itself. Here’s an explanation of rhydonium’s role in Star Wars and how it significantly enhances Saw Gerrera’s story in Rogue One.
Just What Is Rhydonium?
A Highly Volatile Starship Fuel
In the universe of Star Wars, Rhydonium is an exceptionally volatile and perilous starship fuel that’s challenging and risky to mine. Originating in the recognized Star Wars lore during the animated Clone Wars series, it has since been showcased in Rebels, The Bad Batch, and The Mandalorian, among others. Not only is Rhydonium incredibly explosive, but its fumes can be highly harmful to one’s lungs, vocal cords, and cognitive abilities.
In need of fuel to sustain their group of aircraft, Saw found it necessary to have someone like Wilmon train his troops on stealing and safely obtaining the fuel. Yet, he eventually decided to keep Wilmon within his ranks, as Pluti, the soldier being taught by Wil, failed to master the needed skills and appeared to be an Imperial spy (although this could have simply been Gerrera’s suspicion leading to his execution). However, a shocking revelation unfolds in episode 5 of Andor season 2 when Saw voluntarily inhales the rhydo as Wilmon is extracting it.
Why Saw Gerrera Is Using Rhydonium
Connecting To His Dark Star Wars Past
Disclosing his history prior to battling the oppression on Onderon, Saw confides in Wil that he had been enslaved with numerous others in a labor camp. In an unfortunate incident, a rhydonium leak tainted the air, causing the deaths of almost everyone present…except for Saw. Instead of succumbing to the pain and the fumes, Gerrera found solace in them. Nowadays, Saw considers rhydonium as his personal drug and also a fuel source, often referring to it as his “sister”. This term is a symbolic replacement for his actual sister, Steela, who perished while fighting for Onderon during the Clone Wars.
From a film enthusiast’s perspective, it’s undeniable that the Rhydonium has significantly altered Saw’s mental and physical state, making him more volatile, relentless, and distrustful than any other Rebel cells challenging the Imperial rule. Acknowledging his own insanity, Saw declares to Wilmon, “Revolution isn’t for the sane“. This statement prompts Will to remove his respirator and inhale the fumes, joining forces with the unstable leader of the Partisans. Looking at Saw’s addiction in Rogue One three years later, it paints a vivid picture of where he stands.
We Finally Know Why Saw’s Lungs Are Damaged In Rogue One
Saw’s Past “Rhydo” Addiction
In the film “Rogue One”, Saw Gerrera is portrayed as deeply distrustful and unquestionably paranoid, believing himself to be surrounded by deceit, falsehoods, and those intent on harming him. This suspicion, coupled with his ongoing addiction, leads him to take extreme measures in fighting against the Empire, actions that other Star Wars characters wouldn’t consider. A compelling aspect of Saw’s character is revealed when we see he relies on an oxygen mask connected to a suit of armor with mechanical lungs. It appears this device is necessary due to his addiction, as it allows him to breathe in potentially harmful fumes. This unfortunate situation has also affected his mental state significantly. In essence, we see Saw as a complex and tragic character, making him even more intriguing within the Star Wars universe.
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 |
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2025-05-01 06:27