The next comprises spoilers for Andor Season 1, Episode 10, “One Method Out,” now streaming on Disney+.
Mon Mothma’s subplot in Season 1 of Andor stays one of many present’s most intriguing parts largely due to what it reveals concerning the character. Moreover Cassian Andor himself, she’s one of many few figures with a previous within the Star Wars franchise, and because the chief of the Revolt, her arc might have the best affect on what’s to return. Watching her navigate the damaging early days of setting up the Insurgent Alliance has been one of many present’s largest strengths.
That features life along with her quietly dysfunctional household, significantly her daughter Lieda who resents her with uncommon depth. Season 1, Episode 10, “One Method Out” begins to make clear the the reason why. It is closely steeped in Chandrilan tradition — the planet Mon Mothma represents within the Senate — and the episode mentions a degree of Chandrilan custom that explains an excellent deal about why Lieda and Mon Mothma are at odds. Marriage is a proper affair on the planet, and infrequently organized, a minimum of among the many elite.
Chandrila Is an Outdated and Very Highly effective Star Wars Planet
Chandrila was first made canon within the 2015 novel Star Wars: Aftermath by Chuck Wendig, the start a part of a trilogy exploring the years following Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi. It had been fairly distinguished in a number of Legends tales as properly and was first talked about in 1987’s The Star Wars Sourcebook from the influential West Finish tabletop role-playing sport. The planet ranked as one of the politically highly effective within the galaxy and among the many earliest to declare its help for the Revolt throughout the Galactic Civil Struggle. It was additionally one of many supposed targets for the second Loss of life Star and served because the capital of the restored Republic for a number of years after The Battle of Endor.
Mon Mothma is seemingly very typical of the planet’s folks, described as peaceable and principled, but additionally considerably haughty. As one of many Core Founders who established the Outdated Republic, their tradition is over 25,000 years outdated as of the occasions of Andor. Mon Mothma’s aristocratic bearing and sense of custom are well-founded, as is the talent with which she strikes in galactic politics.
Chandrilan Aristocrats Nonetheless Worth Organized Marriages
All through the primary season of Andor, Mon Mothma has sought methods to cover her monetary help to the Revolt, which brings her involved with a decidedly sketchy nobleman in the course of “One Method Out.” Like her, Davo Sculdun is Chandrilan, although he has far fewer scruples than she does, in addition to a way of upper-class entitlement that is led him to seek out inventive methods of hiding cash. He agrees to assist, in change for introducing his teenage son to Lieda with a watch on marriage. “The outdated methods have worth,” he admonishes, and the “custom” of kid betrothals is seemingly a deep-seated a part of Chandrilan tradition.
That is consistent with the earlier description of Chandrila. In an aristocratic tradition, baby marriages might serve to cement political alliances. Davo suggests it as simply such a maneuver, hoping to achieve an influential place on Coruscant by way of the union of his son and Mothma’s daughter. Certainly, the notion of younger folks in highly effective positions has a historical past within the Star Wars universe, with figures like Leia Organa and Padmé Amidala holding key authorities positions throughout their late teenagers. Mothma herself was the topic of such a wedding, which explains her chilly relationship along with her husband.
The de facto proposal additionally explains a substantial amount of Lieda’s hostility in the direction of her mom. Mothma claims she disapproves of the follow, however Davo notes that she’s considering it over. Whereas she might not have requested one thing like that of Lieda earlier than, she’s clearly snug utilizing her daughter as a pawn in her political machinations. “One Method Out” highlights that actuality within the midst of illuminating an necessary however beforehand mysterious planet within the Star Wars universe. It is an impressive little bit of writing: infusing a easy request with an enormous quantity of dramatic vitality. Lieda’s distaste for her mom has some superb justifications and would possibly come again to chunk them each earlier than the season is thru.
New episodes of Andor stream each Wednesday on Disney+.