If you know me, then you know I am deeply into Star Wars. My first ever appearance on this blog was discussing the virtual Star Wars movie marathon that Mary Fan, Karissa Laurel and I watched during the pandemic.
So it will come as no surprise that I am a huge fan of the latest live action Star Wars show on Disney+, Andor. The show has been justly heralded as a thrilling look at how the average person in the Star Wars universe becomes radicalized against the Empire. It’s a ground level view of the birth of the rebellion. It follows Cassian Andor, one of the protagonists from the Rogue One movie, and his journey from aimless, small time criminal to becoming an active member of the resistance. It is the most mature work Star Wars has produced, something more akin to a political thriller than the space opera adventures we grew up loving.
There isn’t a single lightsaber or mention of the force or the Jedi, and it’s an absolutely amazing work.
(Warning: Some spoilers for Andor Season 1 will follow here)
One of the most rousing and inspiring moments in a series full of them (seriously, go take 12 hours and watch Andor if you haven’t already done so) happens in the finale. Cassian joins a group about to launch a raid on an Imperial garrison in order to steal the payroll and use it to fund the rebellion. Several of the party die in the effort, including the idealistic Nemik, who has been writing a manifesto for the cause. Before he dies, he gives his book to Cassian.
Andor is all about how far people can be pushed before they break and rebel. Cassian got sent to a prison for a few episodes, and most of the prisoners were reluctant to consider an escape attempt, at least until they found out that anyone who got “released” was merely transferred to a different facility. The people of Cassian’s planet, Ferrix, had an uneasy pact with the Empire and their corporate arms, but then the Empire occupied them and tightened down on their freedoms. And the series is pretty open about how many people are pretty enthusiastic about supporting the fascism of the Empire,so long as it means personal advancement. The Empire is shown to be omnipresent, with its Stasi-like Imperial Security Bureau spying on and interrogating citizens everywhere. As a result, the rebellion seems insignificant, hiding in shadows, striking in secret, and taking whatever small victories they can get before the boot of the Empire crushes any dissent.
All those issues are surely on Cassian’s mind as he reads Nemik’s book at the start of the final episode.
The passage, read aloud in the series by Nemik, reminds the reader that though things may seem overwhelming and the odds may seem impossible, it is important to carry on. Throughout the galaxy, people are fighting and resisting, unaware of each other’s actions, and one day it will become too much for the Empire to contain.
Remember this. Try.”
It’s a flashpoint for Cassian, and the people of Ferrix begin to fight back during the funeral of Cassian’s mother, Malva. It is an act of open defiance against the occupiers, with the everyday people fighting back against the Empire’s troops.
It is also a stark contrast to some of the other messages in Star Wars. You probably know that one of the most quotable lines in the original trilogy comes from Jedi Master Yoda. During their training session in the swamps of Dagobah, Yoda challenges Luke to use the Force to pull his X-Wing out of the muck. Luke balks, having never moved something that big before, but says he’ll try.
Yoda is not having it. “No. Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.”
This is an oft-quoted line, used as an example of the Jedi mentality. And I saw more than a few people contrast that with the hopeful message of Nerik’s manifesto. “See how out of touch the Jedi are? No concept of the real world. People have to try and try until they get results.” Now, Yoda has long been one of my favorite characters so I feel the need to defend my 900 year old friend from slanders.
The thing is, these two concepts - “Try” and “There is no try.” aren’t contradictory. They can be read as two halves of a whole.
In other words, trying is doing.
When Yoda tells Luke “Do or do not,” he does not mean “succeed or fail.” He means “You either use your powers and grow and improve, or you do nothing.” In this context, “try” does not mean “attempt success.” “Do” means do something, “do not” means do nothing. Even if the attempt is unsuccessful, it is an opportunity to learn and to grow. The only failure is not trying.
One of the most famous quotes in sports history comes from hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. (I grew up in Canada, so I am legally required to mention hockey every so often.) Namely, “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Each shot is a “do.” Each hesitation is a “do not.”
Likewise in Andor, “try” means do something, anything you can to fight the fascists. Each attempt is a shot on goal. Each attempt brings your X-Wing closer to the surface. The next brick thrown could be the one that breaks the line of stormtroopers. “Do or do not” does not mean “overthrow the Empire or you have failed.” “Do or do not” means participate or be a bystander. There is no try. You are either a part of the rebellion or you are tacitly endorsing the Empire.
Remember this: Do or do not.
And also remember this: watch Andor.
On a personal note, this post marks my one year anniversary of writing on this blog! It's been a lot of fun, and I'm glad that to have an audience that tolerates my musings on Stephen Sondheim, Star Wars, and my little doggy. Thanks for reading!
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