Andor Becomes The First Star Wars Show Without Jedis and Lightsabers, But Why Doesn’t It Feature Any?

Andor is getting critical acclaim without having any Jedis or their lightsabers. But why are there no blazing sword wielders in the show?

By Ishita Chatterjee
November 24,2022
Featured Image

Andor is a beat apart from the other Star Wars productions. Not just in terms of its storytelling, but also because this is probably the first Star Wars story that doesn’t feature Jedis and their lightsabers. But why doesn’t it have Jedis? Let us explain that.

Why Are There No Jedis Or Lightsabers In Andor? 

Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi And Mandalorian
Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi And Mandalorian

From The Mandalorian to Obi-Wan Kenobi and more, no Star Wars show has been without the Jedis or their lightsabers. But Andor has broken that tradition by delivering a packed emotional storyline that didn’t need them. However, this doesn’t mean that Andor has been an isolated story. There have been plenty of references to other Star Wars characters and props.

Andor’s writer, Tony Gilroy was asked the reason behind such a decision during an interview with Collider, and he replied:

“That’s one of the first things I asked. And you know what? Most people don’t know. I don’t think anybody on Ferrix knows anything about it. I don’t think so. “I don’t think they know about the royal family. I don’t think they pay much mind to that. I mean, how many beings are in that gigantic galaxy? I think the vast majority of all of the creatures and beings and sentient things that are in the galaxy, I think the knowledge of the Jedi and the lightsaber is a pretty small number.”

Why Tony Gilroy’s Answer Makes Sense

Andor in Narkina 5
Andor in Narkina 5

Previous Star Wars shows have felt quite limited in their world building and scope. As in, we spent a lot of time on one particular planet, for example, Tatooine, or with various characters running into each other in quite random places. But Andor changed all that.

It has thrown open the universe and made the Star Wars galaxy feel infinitely larger. It’s different from how locked in Obi-Wan Kenobi and The Mandalorian felt. But the residents of Ferrix (a backwater planet) are insulated from the larger going-ons in the galaxy and are focused just on their community. As such, it makes perfect sense why they won’t have much knowledge or understanding of Jedis to care about them.

Also, it was quite refreshing to see a Star Wars show that felt grounded. And part of the reason for that was because we didn’t have people wielding shiny blazing swords. But can it change in season 2? That remains to be seen. After all, there are plenty of theories going around about Luthen actually being a Jedi in hiding. Time will tell if Tony Gilroy will bring in the lightsaber wielders.

Would you have liked to see some Jedis in Andor? Tell us in the comments below.