General Star Wars Discussion

[BrianL]

Okay, so....

Spoiler

Man, what a ride! It definitely had some emotional punch. Even though he is an absolute peice of.... losing Luthen was hard. He's such a great character. Did he really have to kill Lonnie? Man, that guy! I don't feel sorry for him. I like how the show makes you think Kleya is going to rescue him...oh no, not Kleya. That was cold! Getting past that, it was great to see K2 - what an asset he is! "Are you with us?" "No." *SMACK* He's so great. I am also glad that he brough some levity to a dark situation/show - that's when it's needed the most! It was as expected - Saw's on Jedha, though we didn't see much of it. Andor is on his way to the first place in Rogue One. It all came together. The Empire totally screwed Dedra! I was honestly shocked by the very end - woah!

I still stand by my assertion that the format caused it to be a tad rushed. I would have liked to see a little more of Dedra. Sidelining her so early I think was an issue. I do however love the resolution to her character - unexpected! I am also not crazy about that "one-off" episode that so many streaming shows do. They were kind of in a jam with that part thoguh as it had to be told before moving on. Still an episode of Andor without Andor - it's not the choice I would have made. These are minor criticisms though. I know a lot of people hold Andor up as peak Star Wars (though that's still Rebels!), it's not my personal favorite. Still, it's generally very well done. I hope they get some Emmy recognition this season!

 

[Suger Mag]

It was fantastic. This broke the mold for storytelling in the modern Star Wars era.

Spoiler

Gilroy was right about K2. It was totally worth waiting for because he is way too large for some of the stories they did. He was used perfectly. Hope everyone noticed when they blow up the Imperials, that's on Naboo. I couldn't place what Luthen was in his past when he found Kleya. Was he a separatist or an imperial shock trooper? The uniforms weren't clear. Kleya is the MVP of this show. Just a certified bad-A. Dedra getting put on Narkina is great but think about it. If she survives till the Emperor is killed, she's probably freed with everyone else. So she might make it out of all this. The Bix reveal, I knew that was coming but at least a part of Cassian lives on. Seriously, this was masterful. We're watching Rogue One tomorrow night. I can't wait till the weekend.

Spoiler

according to Wookiepedia which usually updates after each show, Luthan was an Imperial Army Trooper when he deserted in 18 BBY with Kleya

https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Luthen_Rael

 

[Suger Mag]

Spoiler

Overall I have enjoyed this show very much. There were times my heart was pounding during those last three. and many times I cried during this journey. To me it has been a refreshing show that was dark and gritty, and about regular people and not the Jedi/Sith which was a nice change for the moment.

Some of my highlight moments....

I liked how they were playing the revolutionary manifesto when Partegan was about to get called to task... and then him collecting his thoughts... well done. such a classic theme from antiquity to allow the general to make his death after dishonor, failure is not acceptable in the Empires.

Luthen committing seppuku with an ancient dagger and then quietly getting disconnected by Kleya was not the ending I expected for him... but it fits. Wonder who gets that cool ship....

Was so worried about my grrl Kleya and happy to see her make it to Yavin, I am happy to see some folks survive through this like Bix and the baby

Vel pulling the pieces together and convincing Mon was a nice touch

Love Love Love they introduced the DIY hairstyle for Mon and her Rebel leader smock in the last episode

LOL and Perrin with his in law mistress... was glad we got a last look at him, I like how Mon left him without an apparent thought at all... Buyeee.

Plan on watching Rogue 1 this weekend to cap it all off.

 

[mdmost]

I think what makes this show so good to me is it has been what I've been hoping for as an adult watching Star Wars. It was something fresh and unique that bolstered the story I grew up loving. It felt real and lived in. It was mature and spoke to universal themes like the Original Trilogy did. It was what I hoped The Acolyte would've been. Yes, Star Wars is meant to be a story for kids but like Logan, you can make a great story in a genre mostly aimed at kids that adults can enjoy. I don't need every Star Wars show or movie to be like Andor or Rogue One. I know that's not really even a possibility or Kathleen Kennedy would be greenlighting more of these. I'm sure with Filoni in charge, we're not going to get something like Andor moving forward. This is why I enjoyed every minute of this show.

Star Wars is unique in that it first hits you exactly how it needs to at the age you are when you watch it. The OT resonated so much for me because it was when I was a little kid full of wonder. I was 7 when Jedi came out. It was my Star Wars movie I most connected to because I was at the golden age to receive it. For my brother, that's Empire as he was a similar age. I think that's why Skeleton Crew was so enjoyable for me. It reminded me of that 80s kid who ate up all that sci-fi that was aimed at me. For prequel kids like Brian, that's his Star Wars. It's not mine and I don't enjoy it as much but I get it. For my kids, it was Rebels. I guess people who are now hitting their teens had the sequels. I've argued before that the nostalgia is why some have a hard time with modern Star Wars. They're chasing that same feeling they had when Star Wars first entered their conscious. They want it to be what it was. That's why I'm thankful for Andor because it's what I would like to see from Star Wars now as an adult. It still had the bones of that original story. I think Gilroy toed the line really well with working within the framework of George's pre-built world. There were a lot of things about this show that directly felt like he tried to given reverence to A New Hope.

And happy 81st birthday to the man who started it all.

 

[BrianL]

I think what makes this show so good to me is it has been what I've been hoping for as an adult watching Star Wars. It was something fresh and unique that bolstered the story I grew up loving. It felt real and lived in. It was mature and spoke to universal themes like the Original Trilogy did. It was what I hoped The Acolyte would've been. Yes, Star Wars is meant to be a story for kids but like Logan, you can make a great story in a genre mostly aimed at kids that adults can enjoy. I don't need every Star Wars show or movie to be like Andor or Rogue One. I know that's not really even a possibility or Kathleen Kennedy would be greenlighting more of these. I'm sure with Filoni in charge, we're not going to get something like Andor moving forward. This is why I enjoyed every minute of this show.

Star Wars is unique in that it first hits you exactly how it needs to at the age you are when you watch it. The OT resonated so much for me because it was when I was a little kid full of wonder. I was 7 when Jedi came out. It was my Star Wars movie I most connected to because I was at the golden age to receive it. For my brother, that's Empire as he was a similar age. I think that's why Skeleton Crew was so enjoyable for me. It reminded me of that 80s kid who ate up all that sci-fi that was aimed at me. For prequel kids like Brian, that's his Star Wars. It's not mine and I don't enjoy it as much but I get it. For my kids, it was Rebels. I guess people who are now hitting their teens had the sequels. I've argued before that the nostalgia is why some have a hard time with modern Star Wars. They're chasing that same feeling they had when Star Wars first entered their conscious. They want it to be what it was. That's why I'm thankful for Andor because it's what I would like to see from Star Wars now as an adult. It still had the bones of that original story. I think Gilroy toed the line really well with working within the framework of George's pre-built world. There were a lot of things about this show that directly felt like he tried to given reverence to A New Hope.

You know I'm a big "Star Wars is for kids" guy, though I really mean that to be that Star Wars is for everybody! My final assessment on Andor is that it did maybe get right up to the line of how mature I'd want Star Wars content to get, but it did not cross it. I was worried when it was said that more intense scenes that that one scene were coming, but they never really did. I am generally okay with everything shown. It wasn't much beyond the OT really, which did have just a little blood after all. This was fine. Honestly, I wouldn't even really have an issue with a kid watching it. The content is fine, other than that they might be bored with all of the intrigue and politics.

 

[nancipants]

Spoiler

I'll be the party pooper - I didn't like the ending. I hate the secret baby trope and I hated the way they handled Bix in the later half of the season. I don't mind her going off to live on the farm, but she was the one who was all in on the Rebellion earlier, so why is she not fighting? It just felt like lazy, cheap storytelling to make us feel sadder during Rogue One, which is unnecessary because it's already heartbreaking! So yeah, I really wish they'd done more with Bix and she'd be contributing to the cause as well.

I also think it was unnecessary to do another extraction with Kleya. She should have left Coruscant as soon as she killed Luthen - she's definitely smart and capable enough! And she knew they were on Yavin so there was no reason for her to stay and risk being found. Their story was heartbreaking, though, and I was glad to learn more about them. She really became a stand-out.

Still angry at Luthen for killing Lonni, though.

Overall, it was a great show and I'm so thrilled to see more of Coruscant and the Senate during the Imperial era, and more of Mon Mothma, who has always been one of my favorite characters.

 

[mdmost]

Spoiler

Sure it was a bit of a trope but I think Gilroy wanted to give a little bit of sunlight to a dark story where you know how it turns out for the main character. It's the sunrise in visual form that he and Luthen never get to see because of their sacrifice. Andor lives on like Luke and Leia did for Anakin and Padme. Bix was the one thing holding Cassian back from being all in. I didn't find it cheap at all. It's heartbreaking but then think of Lonni's family or Mon's family. Everyone had to sacrifice something for the Rebellion and there were plenty who got left behind.

I think the extraction had to happen because Kleya knew she couldn't be captured and the signal box wasn't made to send a fully coded message and her comms were gone. The signal to Andor was an emergency extraction SOS. She was also emotionally and physically exhausted. I also think they wanted to give Kleya something to go on with. Her world collapses and her to go off somewhere else than Yavin would've been a bad ending for her. And yes, Kleya was the real MVP of the entire series. What a breakout performance for Elizabeth Dulau. I hope it leads to big things for her.

Lonni might be the most tragic hero of this whole thing. He sacrificed everything to get the message out which saved the galaxy, only to be killed because he was a loose end.

 

[jade1]

Spoiler

I'll be the party pooper - I didn't like the ending. I hate the secret baby trope and I hated the way they handled Bix in the later half of the season. I don't mind her going off to live on the farm, but she was the one who was all in on the Rebellion earlier, so why is she not fighting? It just felt like lazy, cheap storytelling to make us feel sadder during Rogue One, which is unnecessary because it's already heartbreaking! So yeah, I really wish they'd done more with Bix and she'd be contributing to the cause as well.

I also think it was unnecessary to do another extraction with Kleya. She should have left Coruscant as soon as she killed Luthen - she's definitely smart and capable enough! And she knew they were on Yavin so there was no reason for her to stay and risk being found. Their story was heartbreaking, though, and I was glad to learn more about them. She really became a stand-out.

Still angry at Luthen for killing Lonni, though.

Overall, it was a great show and I'm so thrilled to see more of Coruscant and the Senate during the Imperial era, and more of Mon Mothma, who has always been one of my favorite characters.

Spoiler

Yea same, just seemed let down at the end.

 

[BrianL]

Spoiler

I'll be the party pooper - I didn't like the ending. I hate the secret baby trope and I hated the way they handled Bix in the later half of the season. I don't mind her going off to live on the farm, but she was the one who was all in on the Rebellion earlier, so why is she not fighting? It just felt like lazy, cheap storytelling to make us feel sadder during Rogue One, which is unnecessary because it's already heartbreaking! So yeah, I really wish they'd done more with Bix and she'd be contributing to the cause as well.

I also think it was unnecessary to do another extraction with Kleya. She should have left Coruscant as soon as she killed Luthen - she's definitely smart and capable enough! And she knew they were on Yavin so there was no reason for her to stay and risk being found. Their story was heartbreaking, though, and I was glad to learn more about them. She really became a stand-out.

Still angry at Luthen for killing Lonni, though.

Overall, it was a great show and I'm so thrilled to see more of Coruscant and the Senate during the Imperial era, and more of Mon Mothma, who has always been one of my favorite characters.

I'm not as harsh on it as you are, but I think your points are very valid. They don't ruin it for me, but I can't say I disagree with any of it. I do feel you on....

Spoiler

The Lonni thing! I mean, dang, was that really necessary?

 

[Suger Mag]

Spoiler

Kleya's extraction did not bother me. She made sure Luthan was set and then went to the safe house and stayed put. Leaving from the hospital and heading to Yavin was likely not a realistic option by herself.

Yavin is a secret base, it is not an inhabited planet with cities is my understanding, so she could not simply book passage with a conventional transport. She would need a ship, trying to hire someone new would expose the base and open her up for arrest. She knew she would be identified soon with people looking for her.

Also Kleya might not have been able to pilot a ship, and even if she knew how to fly she likely would no longer have access to the Haulcraft which would have been compromised with Luthan's arrest.

Going to the safe house and arranging transport was really her best option

 

[mdmost]

This is an enjoyable podcast I regularly listen to that had Gilroy on to talk about the last two arcs of the series. Gilroy really is an open book on things. I would love to hear an entire podcast of him talking about what all he did on Rogue One. Going to put in the spoiler tag but just for the podcast line on Spotify. I think it's also on YouTube if you're not a Spotify person.

Spoiler

 

[nancipants]

Spoiler

Kleya's extraction did not bother me. She made sure Luthan was set and then went to the safe house and stayed put. Leaving from the hospital and heading to Yavin was likely not a realistic option by herself.

Yavin is a secret base, it is not an inhabited planet with cities is my understanding, so she could not simply book passage with a conventional transport. She would need a ship, trying to hire someone new would expose the base and open her up for arrest. She knew she would be identified soon with people looking for her.

Also Kleya might not have been able to pilot a ship, and even if she knew how to fly she likely would no longer have access to the Haulcraft which would have been compromised with Luthan's arrest.

Going to the safe house and arranging transport was really her best option

Spoiler

I feel like she and Luthen would have discussed how to get off Coruscant if they ever needed to. If she was able to get into and out of the hospital by herself, she could definitely find her way off Coruscant. Plus, there was no way she would know someone would come for her, and she was the only person at that time who knew about the Death Star. To be fair, it's not that big of a deal to me because we got a great scene with K-2SO, but it was something I thought could have been edited to make room for other plotlines.

The bigger issue to me is that Cassian was able to land that U-wing on Coruscant, and later take off, with no issues!

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

I hate the secret baby trope and I hated the way they handled Bix in the later half of the season.

Rebellions are built on hope.

Still angry at Luthen for killing Lonni, though.

Its the only way to protect his wife and children.

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

I think the scene with Supervisor Lagret when he motions to the Stormtroopers to not enter into the room after the blaster sound was perhaps the best scene of the entire series. That's the subtle storytelling I truly miss with modern TV and film.

Although I did enjoy the moment when Syril realizes everything he believed in was a complete farce and lie and he grabs Dedra. That scene was well told and shot.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Spoiler

I'll be the party pooper - I didn't like the ending. I hate the secret baby trope and I hated the way they handled Bix in the later half of the season. I don't mind her going off to live on the farm, but she was the one who was all in on the Rebellion earlier, so why is she not fighting? It just felt like lazy, cheap storytelling to make us feel sadder during Rogue One, which is unnecessary because it's already heartbreaking! So yeah, I really wish they'd done more with Bix and she'd be contributing to the cause as well.

I also think it was unnecessary to do another extraction with Kleya. She should have left Coruscant as soon as she killed Luthen - she's definitely smart and capable enough! And she knew they were on Yavin so there was no reason for her to stay and risk being found. Their story was heartbreaking, though, and I was glad to learn more about them. She really became a stand-out.

Still angry at Luthen for killing Lonni, though.

Overall, it was a great show and I'm so thrilled to see more of Coruscant and the Senate during the Imperial era, and more of Mon Mothma, who has always been one of my favorite characters.

Spoiler

No issue with your stance as it’s reasonable to come to that conclusion just my take on a couple things:

For Bix I think she knows if she tells Cassian she’s expecting that he’ll leave the Rebellion and make her go too. We as the audience know he has to stay because of Rogue One so it kind of pigeonholes it to have to go this way where Bix removes herself for some reason or dies. The baby is a common trope of storytelling but it provides that hope and light in times of darkness.

Lonni was a loose end to me and was only going to be trusted by Luthen and Kleya. I view a little bit of Luthen going to “guardian” protection of Kleya by eliminating someone that could identify her as a rebel in interrogation. Luthen is trying to eliminate all loose ends on Coruscant including himself so that Kleya can escape.

 

[leiaorgana]

Spoiler

I stayed up late to watch it all last night so I wouldn’t get spoiled (2am start time for me ) and I’m still feeling very conflicted about this last arc especially and parts of the last arc after mulling them over.

I know its already been discussed on here with mixed opinions but I do agree with what BrianL said about these last couple of arcs being very rushed and important plot points being set up and then glossed over because of the times jumps being as big as they were.

I’m still firmly in the camp that this season should have been split into 2 seasons or maybe another arc somewhere either between arc 2 and 3 or arc 3 and 4 if another season wasn’t possible due to how much each episode costs and the time it takes to make a show of this scale and quality. Having a bottle episode this late in the game just wasn’t for me though, I’m afraid.

They set up a very interesting storyline for Bix surrounding her multiple traumas, potential addiction issues ( yes, we don’t know “the dosage and potency” but Luthen still drove home the point she was on a slippery slip with it if she kept it up) and her involvement with the Rebellion and Luthen outside of Cassian and then in my opinion, simply reduced her to “Cassian’s girlfriend” and a prop for his character and character development in these last 2 arcs. I personally would have liked to have seen her out “in the field” with or without Cassian at some point but I guess you could argue that Cassian wanted her to be somewhere safe now that they had a real home together on Yavin IV and Bix was happy to support Cassian on his journey with the Rebellion.

I also feel like Vel got very sidelined during these last 2 arcs after that amazing performance from Faye in 2 x 06. I may be biased just because I loved her character so much in Season 1 but I just felt like in these last 2 arcs she was essentially the “emotional support” character for everyone else but if that meant she survived along with Wilmon and Kleya, which I was pleasantly surprised about because I thought for sure at least 1 or 2 of them would be-gonners, I’ll take it.

Also really loved how Dedra’s story played out in the end and how it not only paralleled Syril’s in realising she’s just another cog in the empire’s machine and that it was their egos that were their downfalls but also how it was a circular journey for her as well after what she said about her parents and her upbringing in arc 2. I felt her ending was very satisfying compared to other characters in the show and more satisfying than her being assigned to the Death Star or Scarif because it was so unexpected and fitting.

I would have loved maybe just a quick scene of something like Galen sending Bodhi on his way to Jedha or even just Jyn working at the Wobani labour camp just to really tie it all in and give it that epic feeling for a series finale but I understand how unrealistic and “fanservicey” that would have been (it’s not a Filoni show after all haha) and it was probably too difficult to get those actors back just for a montage scene anyway and I guess they wouldn’t want to distract away from this being Cassian’s story and the characters we’ve followed the last 2 seasons by having the attention taken away from that for just a couple of seconds long cameos.

I called Bix’s pregnancy in another post and honestly, I really really really hate this addition to the story because as someone else said it’s very tropey and I know this sounds very dramatic but it kinda ruins Rogue One for me now because I’ve firmly been a RebelCaptain (Jyn x Cassian) fan over the last 9 years and I hate how people are now trying to deny the clear romantic subtext between them throughout the film and reframe it as a sibling dynamic between them or that Cassian finally “found his sister in Jyn”. That elevator scene and several other moments in the film and the Rogue One adaptation novel would clearly say otherwise but we won’t get into that here haha

But yeah, overall really loved the show, the weight and impact that it’s had and when it comes to the quality of the writing and reflecting our own history and current outlook. It’s very clear that everyone involved in this project deeply cared about the story they were telling, the world they were building and the characters involved and I’m very sad that it’s unlikely we’ll get something of this scale again going forward but these are just my thoughts and I’ve enjoyed reading everyone else’s thoughts and opinions on everything to do with it.

 

[waters85]

One word .... Amazing. Wow, what a season. Best I've seen in a long time. Not to compare, but Shogun (on FX) was similar in terms of quality (and it has the awards to show for it). What a great show all around - sad it's over.

 

[Suger Mag]

Spoiler

I stayed up late to watch it all last night so I wouldn’t get spoiled (2am start time for me ) and I’m still feeling very conflicted about this last arc especially and parts of the last arc after mulling them over.

I know its already been discussed on here with mixed opinions but I do agree with what BrianL said about these last couple of arcs being very rushed and important plot points being set up and then glossed over because of the times jumps being as big as they were.

I’m still firmly in the camp that this season should have been split into 2 seasons or maybe another arc somewhere either between arc 2 and 3 or arc 3 and 4 if another season wasn’t possible due to how much each episode costs and the time it takes to make a show of this scale and quality. Having a bottle episode this late in the game just wasn’t for me though, I’m afraid.

They set up a very interesting storyline for Bix surrounding her multiple traumas, potential addiction issues ( yes, we don’t know “the dosage and potency” but Luthen still drove home the point she was on a slippery slip with it if she kept it up) and her involvement with the Rebellion and Luthen outside of Cassian and then in my opinion, simply reduced her to “Cassian’s girlfriend” and a prop for his character and character development in these last 2 arcs. I personally would have liked to have seen her out “in the field” with or without Cassian at some point but I guess you could argue that Cassian wanted her to be somewhere safe now that they had a real home together on Yavin IV and Bix was happy to support Cassian on his journey with the Rebellion.

I also feel like Vel got very sidelined during these last 2 arcs after that amazing performance from Faye in 2 x 06. I may be biased just because I loved her character so much in Season 1 but I just felt like in these last 2 arcs she was essentially the “emotional support” character for everyone else but if that meant she survived along with Wilmon and Kleya, which I was pleasantly surprised about because I thought for sure at least 1 or 2 of them would be-gonners, I’ll take it.

Also really loved how Dedra’s story played out in the end and how it not only paralleled Syril’s in realising she’s just another cog in the empire’s machine and that it was their egos that were their downfalls but also how it was a circular journey for her as well after what she said about her parents and her upbringing in arc 2. I felt her ending was very satisfying compared to other characters in the show and more satisfying than her being assigned to the Death Star or Scarif because it was so unexpected and fitting.

I would have loved maybe just a quick scene of something like Galen sending Bodhi on his way to Jedha or even just Jyn working at the Wobani labour camp just to really tie it all in and give it that epic feeling for a series finale but I understand how unrealistic and “fanservicey” that would have been (it’s not a Filoni show after all haha) and it was probably too difficult to get those actors back just for a montage scene anyway and I guess they wouldn’t want to distract away from this being Cassian’s story and the characters we’ve followed the last 2 seasons by having the attention taken away from that for just a couple of seconds long cameos.

I called Bix’s pregnancy in another post and honestly, I really really really hate this addition to the story because as someone else said it’s very tropey and I know this sounds very dramatic but it kinda ruins Rogue One for me now because I’ve firmly been a RebelCaptain (Jyn x Cassian) fan over the last 9 years and I hate how people are now trying to deny the clear romantic subtext between them throughout the film and reframe it as a sibling dynamic between them or that Cassian finally “found his sister in Jyn”. That elevator scene and several other moments in the film and the Rogue One adaptation novel would clearly say otherwise but we won’t get into that here haha

But yeah, overall really loved the show, the weight and impact that it’s had and when it comes to the quality of the writing and reflecting our own history and current outlook. It’s very clear that everyone involved in this project deeply cared about the story they were telling, the world they were building and the characters involved and I’m very sad that it’s unlikely we’ll get something of this scale again going forward but these are just my thoughts and I’ve enjoyed reading everyone else’s thoughts and opinions on everything to do with it.

Spoiler

I dont think the prior relationship with Bix negates a relationship with Jyn.... or cheapens it. Maybe I read too much into it, but ....

Bix and Cassian were together when they were teens and then not together when we meet them in Andor... after the Ferrix trauma they get back together again.... until she leaves him and goes away. I dont think they would have rekindled their relationship if it was not for all the drama, torture and him saving her, and her being all messed up. I think they found comfort and healing in each other in a time of extreme duress. But she still leaves him, which to me in part means she has healed and so has he and they do not need to be together now. She does not tell him she is pregnant or had the baby. He is right in that she knows where he is, but she does not want to reach out ... and thus neither does he.

When we see him that last year he seems like he has gotten over with essentially being dumped by Bix (perhaps for the second time) and he seems happy and content on Yavin .... and does not seem eager to want to take Vel's suggestion to look Bix up again.

So when he meets Jyn .... he does not know about Bix's and his baby and he is a year out from a relationship ending.... I dont see a problem with his attraction for Jyn.... which I do agree was a thing, however I do think their bond was complicated by the situation and more than just sexual... especially if I remember correctly, they hugged rather than kiss at the end of Rogue.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Spoiler

After rewatching Rogue One, I also like to think there’s a mirror story for Syril and Jyn.

Syril being a man who grew up believing in the morals and ideals of the Empire and thinking they truly served bringing a form of Peace and Justice to the galaxy. He actively wants to mean something and be a part of it, but as he learns more he sees the Empire for what it truly is and in the moment he’s faced with the person who altered his life and the spark of his rage and is asked “Who are You?” and he’s lost and doesn’t know or believe anymore and is killed.

Jyn, grew up with a disdain for the Empire but a lack of belief in what the Rebellion stood for. She was exposed to Saw’s form of Rebellion but was dismissive of it after years of exposure. As she progresses in the story she becomes more committed to the cause and when comes the time to face Krennic who was responsible for taking her father to the Empire and killingbher mother she’s asked the same “Who are you” and she confidently responds because she has the faith and belief in what she is doing and what it stands for.

 

[mdmost]

Spoiler

Gilroy said in episode 11, it's basically a frat house with him and Melshi. He mentioned that K2 is there at the right moment for Cassian. I think the moment with Vel showed he was going to look for Bix after it was all over but understood he needed to keep her safe. I never took from Rogue One that there was any romantic interests in Jyn and Cassian other than a bond because he was with her when her father died and her world fell apart again. Then he was going to go with her when she became fully committed to the cause and so he could atone for all the awful things he had done for the cause. He saves her in the end from Krennic and they spend their last moments together as warriors who died hoping what they did was worth it. Plus, a giant shockwave was about to kill them. I think a kiss would've cheapened the ending and I'm glad Gilroy killed it. IMO, the story didn't need a romance. It was always about sacrifice. The show continues that theme.

I can understand wanting more bad-a Vel but I think Gilroy showed that she had already given up enough for the cause. She lost the person she loved and saw the life she gave up for the cause. So she then finds peace by being a leader that can rally people to be ready for the coming war. She is the foil to Dedra. Her tragedy led to her demise. Vel's led to her salvation. In my head canon, her and Kleya have a happy ever after when the 2nd Death Star blows up. There was something there at the wedding when they were talking. If I had a financial magic wand, I would greenlit a Kleya/Vel post-ANH series.

It's so amazing how well this show fit into ANH. George really needs credit for just dropping you straight into a galaxy with a small preamble that could be narratively backfilled in the right hands. Thank of the miracle shot Luke made with the Force and then realize all the events that now led to that moment. I love the butterfly effect you can now chart.