‘Andor’ Season 2 Speculation: The Sienar Heist
Image Source: YouTube
In the runup to Season 2 of Andor, we’ve used some of the material we’ve seen to theorize about a trio of plot and world details that could be a factor in the show. Today on CultureSlate, we’re going to theorize about a single event, what we’re calling the Sienar Heist, where Cassian appears to be involved in the theft of an advanced model of TIE, seemingly from the same planet his friends are hiding out on after Season 1.
Where is the Heist?
Image Source: YouTube
What we’ve seen in the special look and first trailer for the show tells us that the Heist will take place on a planet rich in agriculture. Vast fields of rolling grain cover the ground, with large farming facilities sitting in the background or part of the scene when main characters are in frame. Even if this is only representative of one portion of the planet, it seems likely that agriculture plays a key role in the world’s economy.
RELATED:
What planet could this be though? Some fans have theorized that the world might be Lothal, which would make sense as the TIE manufacturer Sienar Fleet Systems has a major presence on the planet thanks to the lobbying of Governor Arihnda Pryce. The targeted model of TIE seems likely to be experimental, so a world with notable Sienar facilities seems like a good candidate. Lothal’s significant agricultural sector also fits, but there are more candidates.
Some have suggested this planet might be Dantooine instead, which is a planet with a long history in Legends though it has made less appearances in canon. It is a planet known for its grasslands, which hold agricultural operations, and it would be a big irony for the Empire to miss the presence of a Rebel base on a world where a major heist of one of their test vehicles takes place.
The last, and probably most likely option though, is that this is a new world. Andor Season 1 shied away from any familiar planets making an appearance aside from Coruscant and crafting a world from scratch allows the Andor creatives the room to shape the planet however they want to suit the needs of the story.
Who is Involved?
Image Source: YouTube
From the clips we’ve seen so far, this particular mission by Cassian appears to be a solo operation, as he is the only infiltrator in the hangar bay, and the only one wearing the test pilot flight suit. But we know of four other people who are on this world of golden grains, and that is the Ferrix Four. In several shots, we have seen Bix Caleen, Brasso, B2EMO and Wilmon Paak likely living together in the same agricultural region mentioned earlier. Brasso is seen having rolled up his sleeves and seemingly involved himself in the farm work, while Bix and Wilmon have a much less certain role, as does B2EMO. As we see the droid next to Brasso, we can assume he is assisting him, but maybe he just wanted to go for a roll about the property.
It may be that we have an awkward scenario where Cassian finds his friends and allies from Ferrix, only to immediately ask them for help with his heist. It is also possible he finds them accidentally while planning and preparing for his strike, and their reunion is a will of the Force scenario, but we’ll have to wait and see.
What is being Stolen?
Image Source: YouTube
Many fans were theorizing when the first small clips for Season 2 dropped that a TIE Avenger was appearing in the show. In the months since, the clips provided by the first trailer and special look have all but confirmed this ship as the target of Cassian’s heist. In Legends, the TIE Avenger was a rare type of TIE known for possessing incredible speed, shields, a hyperdrive, and missile launchers. It shared a history with the TIE Advanced, notably piloted by Darth Vader, and was never seen in large numbers due to costing a significant amount of money for the Empire.
While the Avenger has been mentioned in canon, it has only appeared in reference books, without a great deal of information beyond stating it bears links to the TIE Interceptor and the TIE Advanced. Its existence in such a big way in canon is an intriguing scenario, since it could possibly be used to show the rivalry within the Imperial Military when put against Thrawn and the TIE Defender. Depending on when this heist is taking place, it may be that another military leader is helping sponsor the creation of a rival starship distinct from Thrawn and Morgan Elsbeth’s Defender project in direct opposition to their efforts. If it is earlier, it could be why there was some trepidation about the Defender, but if it is later than Thrawn and Elsbeth’s plans, then it could be a sort of copycat, created by a “more Imperial” designer as opposed to a Chiss and a Nightsister. We’ll have to wait and see if there is any interplay between the Avenger and Defender, or if they are simply both impressive Rebel-defeating projects that end up shuttered or limited thanks to Rebel efforts.
What Happens?
Image Source: YouTube
We’re now going to give our take for the most likely series of events with regard to the Sienar Heist. Given everything we’ve discussed above, and clips we’ve seen in the last several weeks, we think we have a pretty fair guess at the series of events that will play out.
The arc with the theft of the Avenger will be the first story arc we get in Season 2. Cassian, while looking for his friends and still working with Luthen, will discover he can kill two birds with one stone. The four Ferrix natives have found themselves living on a world with a special Imperial testing facility, with a fighter that needs to be stolen and its prestige sabotaged.
Cassian goes to this agricultural world, and reunites with his friends first. Everyone is glad to see him, but Brasso will become upset that Cassian is here with another scheme, another plan, like the old days only with his intentions now turned against the Empire. Brasso won’t help, but he won’t hinder Cassian either. Bix will be reluctant to aid Cassian directly due to her lasting scars for her torture, while it will be Wilmon Paak who steps up to offer direct support in some way. B2EMO will want to go with Cassian, but being a very non-standard droid, he will have to stay with Brasso.
Image Source: YouTube
Cassian, with Wilmon’s help, sneaks into the Imperial facility and pretends to be a test pilot. Gaining access to the craft, his deception is uncovered and he’s forced to fight his way out, blasting high into orbit and then dropping down at incredible speed to avoid Imperial searches for him. However, Wilmon’s irregular activity at the facility is noticed, and the Imperials find the Ferrixians, searching the farm, though they are not sure what they’re looking for. Meanwhile, Cassian comes in from the air, and uses the impressive fighter to destroy troop transports and wipe the Imperials out before he lands and meets Bix in an embrace. Alternatively, Cassian immediately rushes back to the farm of Ferrixians, into Bix’s embrace, and is in the process of encouraging them all to leave when the Imperials begin to approach. Hiding the ship, and Cassian, a fight ensues which ends in Ferrixian victory.
Exactly what happens to the Avenger is unclear, it might be taken and reverse-engineered by Saw’s Partisans, it might be used to attack the Empire, or it might simply be trashed in some overt, public way to humiliate the regime. Overall, it will be a dynamic, fascinating heist with Cassian probably needing to help save his friends after his return to their lives puts them in some degree of jeopardy. We can’t wait to see it!
READ NEXT:
Source(s): YouTube [1] [2], Wookieepedia
Latest News
Featured
