"He Doesn't Have A Lot To Say": Why Darth Vader Isn't In Andor (& Where He Is During The Show)

Andor season 2 is set during the Dark Times of the Empire's reign, and yet there's a good reason Darth Vader isn't in the show. Tony Gilroy's Andor is often described as Star Wars' best TV show, but it's like nothing else we've seen before. Most Star Wars stories are focused on Jedi and the Sith, but Andor is different; it's all about the nascent Rebel Alliance, exploring what it looks like to fight the Empire on the ground level. Naturally, though, the Star Wars fandom is always eager to see more of Darth Vader. The online debate over Andor season 2 has included an odd one about whether Darth Vader would brook certain conduct among Imperials, a discussion that's been rather eyebrow-raising to say the least. But Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy has always insisted Darth Vader won't be making a cameo; "We will not be dealing with the royal family of Star Wars," he explained in an interview back in March. But why is that the case? Tony Gilroy Feels Darth Vader Wouldn't Be A Good Fit For Andor "He Doesn't Have A Lot To Say" Speaking to Rolling Stone, Gilroy gave a simple explanation for the show's lack of a Vader cameo: "Writing for Darth Vader is really limiting. I’ve done it. He doesn’t have a lot to say." He's referring to Darth Vader's cameo in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which actually includes what is generally seen as one of Darth Vader's best Disney Star Wars scenes. But it's loved because it is so very badass, a demonstration of Darth Vader's sheer power as he cuts a brutal swathe through rebels. Gilroy is right that this portrayal of Vader is fairly one-note, loved simply because it serves as a perfect reminder why Vader should be feared as a villain. Anakin Skywalker stands at the heart of the Star Wars saga, and that's actually a problem for writers like Gilroy. His story has been told, his motivations have been explored, and there's only so much you can do with him - especially during this period of the Dark Times. This is the time when Vader was at his darkest, when nobody in the galaxy believed he could be redeemed. There should be no trace of conflict in him when it comes to the Empire's evil, for any such hints would diminish his eventual, unexpected moment of goodness in Return of the Jedi. Related "Anakin Can't Be Redeemed": 20 Years Ago, George Lucas Explained Why Darth Vader Hero Worship Is So Misguided Darth Vader has become a character who seems larger than life itself, but that celebration of the villain must not become confused with hero worship. Andor is all about conflict - internal as well as external. It turns both rebels and Imperials into protagonists, giving them an unusual degree of depth and nuance, exploring their inner struggles. Darth Vader simply doesn't have anything to say when it comes to this kind of story, especially not at this part of the Star Wars timeline. Where Is Vader During The Events Of Andor Season 2? He Has Other Things On His Mind It's important to remember that Palpatine wanted the Empire to be relatively self-sufficient, to require as little of his time and attention as possible, so both he and his apprentice could focus on the dark side of the Force. Palpatine increasingly avoided even the Republic Senate, only appearing when he believed matters required his presence. He encouraged his apprentice to take the same kind of attitude. As seen in Rogue One, Darth Vader established his base on the Outer Rim planet Mustafar, where he commissioned the construction of a Sith fortress to channel the power of the Force vergence found there. He commanded the Imperial Inquisitors, who were also based in the Mustafar system, and they prioritized hunting down the last of the Jedi. Petty rebels were considered beneath his notice. Darth Vader's Andor Season 2 Absence Makes Rogue One All The Better He Steps In Only When The Empire Has Failed This actually makes Darth Vader's cameo in Rogue One all the more important. The construction of the Death Star was one of Palpatine's priorities; he believed it would secure his dominance of the Empire forever, because nobody would ever dare oppose him. With the Death Star completed, Palpatine would have no reason to ever bother thinking about the galaxy's ordinary citizens again. He disbanded the Senate as soon as the Death Star was completed. That, then, is why Darth Vader finally appears in Rogue One; this is a critical moment, and the Death Star plans are threatened. He appears when everybody else in the Empire has failed, the Dark Lord of the Sith entering the arena at the moment Imperial blunders risk the Death Star project. It's perfectly fitting for Darth Vader to be absent in Andor season 2 - and it just makes his eventual appearance all the more significant. Andor 8/10 Release Date 2022 - 2025-00-00 Network Disney+ Showrunner Tony Gilroy Directors Susanna White Writers Dan Gilroy

View Original Article