Andor 2: Beginning of the End of Empire

It’s probably the best thing to come out of the Star Wars Universe in many years. I’d argue in the last decade outside of Andor season 1. A dramatic series about key players on both sides and at all levels of society about the beginning of the rebellion against the growing tyranny of the Galactic Empire. 

And the season starts off with a bang. Great drama and action. And plenty of comments on the nature of people. The silent instigator & ringleader Luthen, when in reference to a former friend: “People fail. That’s our curse.” He is right. Maybe this is why I trust so few people. And when I find someone trustworthy I really treasure them. But it’s a sad fact of life: most people are unreliable & unworthy of our time and energy. Doesn’t mean you don’t help people, you should. But you should never expect anything from others. Least of all gratitude, this way you will never be disappointed. 

There is even great wisdom from the minor characters, Perrin, the husband consort of Rebellion finder & future leader Mon Mothma, said: “Pace yourself or Pay the price.” That is great advice whether drinking or really anything in life. For someone as extreme and excessive as I am, this is a good reminder. My workaholism over the last two and half decades has really hurt my health and family life. It will take a while to fix. 

But Perrin also has had a great speech to his daughter and guests: 

“Pain will find you. Trouble and disagreement will arrive without summons. There’s no choice in this. There’s no effort required. You simply stand still and the galaxy will deliver a daily basket of fresh anxieties to your door without fail. My hope, my hope. My hope is that you learn to reach past this constant cloud of sadness. 

Pleasure. Gaiety. Amusement. These are the hidden things. The music buried beneath all that noise…..Joy! Joy! Joy. But Joy had no wind at it’s back. Joy will not announce its arrival. You need to listen for it, and be mindful of how fleeting and delicate it can be. 

But search out these treasures. A moment of….of pleasing sensation, the memory of laughter and good company, the comfort of a fine meal.”

These are the small things that keep all of us going. Most of the time it’s enough. 

You have to learn to find some pleasure in pain. Just like at the gym & hard training and exercise. 

But more importantly you will overcome pain by having purpose. A BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal). A mission. There was a great scene when Andor meets a conspirator. 

She asks him: “If i die tonight, was it worth it? You’ve done this before, you must have thought about it.”

Andor responds: “This makes it worth it. This. Right now. Being with you. Being here at the moment you step into the circle. Look at me. You made this decision long ago. The Empire cannot win. You’ll never feel right unless you’re doing what you can to stop them. You’re coming home to yourself. You’ve become more than your fear. Let that protect you.”

Many of us will find out soon enough. As Andor says: “We’re in a war. Not everybody knows it yet, but it’s happening.” 

We absolutely are at war as I have written many times. If we really think about it and are honest with ourselves. We’ve always been at war. Society is always at war, externally and internally. This is human history. More so now as America  lines up against the Axis of China & Russia. 

And we are also always at war with ourselves: our misconceptions, our delusions, our limiting beliefs, our laziness, our greed, our fear. A war to conquer our weakness. It’s strangely ironic but I’ve finally realized that life is war, it’s when I came awake. Alive even. Once I got this I started to overcome my challenges and start to thrive. To win. 

As rebel leader Saw says in a spectacular and apt speech: “Remember this. Remember this moment! This perfect night. You think I’m crazy? Yes, I am. Revolution is not for the sane. Look at us. Unloved. Hunted. Cannon fodder. We’ll all be dead before the Republic is back and yet….here we are. Where are you boy? You’re here. You’re here. You’re right here, and you’re ready to fight! We’re the Rhydo kid. We’re the fuel. We’re the thing that explodes when there’s too much friction in the air. Let it in, that’s freedom calling! Let it in. Let it run! Let it run wild! “ 

Amen. Let it run people. LFG!