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Andorshowrunner Tony Gilroy and star Diego Luna delve into the romance between Bix and Cassian, exploring the powerfulStar Warsromance and its impact on a popular Jyn-Cassian theory fromRogue One: A Star Wars Story. The romantic history between Bix and Cassian was clear throughAndorseason 1, but their romance became a major part of season 2’s powerful story - one of the most impactful and well-written love stories inStar Wars. ForRogue Onefans, though, it came at a cost.
Tony Gilroy and Diego Luna have both addressed the romance withCollider, with Gilroy recognizing that this has implications for Jyn and Cassian. As he explained, a romantic subplot was cut fromRogue One- and he’s glad of it.
“I knew very well what had happened with Jyn and Cassian inRogue Oneand what had happened in the elevator.I knew that scene very, very well. I probably went back and looked at that. I was pleased to see that my memory of it was of all the other takes and other things, and I was really pleased to see how we’d edited that, that it was really ambiguous about what it was…"
This led Gilroy ontoAndorand the reality that Cassian and Bix’s relationship from season 2 altered the perception of Cassian and Jyn. In Gilroy’s mind, though, any hints about Cassian and Jyn’s relationship do not dampen the connection the former shared with Bix. Gilroy describes Cassian and Bix as"sexually liberated,“stating that both have had their share of partners over the years. This does not change the strength of their connection, but it certainly explains why both Cassian and Bix have been shown as separate as much as they are together. According to Gilroy: “they have a very healthy idea of what the different calibrations of love are.”
According To Diego Luna, Bix Is The Love Of Cassian’s Life
“There Is No Him Without Her”
Diego Luna built on the same point while speaking toColliderin a separate interview, stressing the sheer scale of their relationship.
“For me, that relationship is everything. It’s beyond what — at my age — I can call love. This is the first friend, the love of his life, the first kiss, the first person who was there when he did something wrong.She’s his home, his country.It is as vast and as rich as possible. That relationship is everything for him. It’s the last thing that connects him with the past. She is basically the only stamp of who he is.There’s no one else, you know, there’s no one else.”
Luna recalled the beautiful Ferrixian hand dance inAndorepisode 4. “I think that dance says it really nicely. Obviously, if he ever has an opportunity to think for a second about himself, she will be part of that thought. Because there is no him without her.”
Cassian & Jyn’s Romance May Be Popular, But It’s Not Canon
Gilroy Never Saw It As Something To Adhere To When Making Andor
All of the discourse that has ensued surrounding Cassian’s romantic relationships inAndorandRogue Onehas caused Gilroy to address them as well. Interestingly, Gilroy has shown remorse over his decision to create Cassian and Bix’s relationship inAndor, but not for storytelling reasons. Gilroy stated “I have to do what I have to do,” as he is well aware Cassian and Bix’s connection was what was best forAndoras a show. Where the apologetic nature comes into things is the non-canon nature of Cassian and Jyn, despite how much time and effort fans have placed into their relationship:
“I felt bad for the people who had invested so much time in the fan fiction and stuff like that.The people who really had gone deep on it. It’s not considered canon, and it’s not something I have to pay attention to, legally, within the order, but people worked hard on that stuff, and it meant a lot to them. You don’t want to trample on somebody’s flower garden, you know I’m sure there’s somebody who will never get over that. I apologize. I really do.”
As Gilroy proves, Jyn and Cassian are not considered a canon relationship. Bix and Cassian are, causing Gilroy’s apology to those who were invested in the former.
Our Take On Andor’s Relationships
Relationships Are Not So Black And White
Concerning where I stand onAndor’s relationships and how they impactRogue One, and vice versa, I think Gilroy has the right idea. Cassian being in love with Bix and having his connection with her does not become lesser because he sought comfort from Jyn in the final moments ofRogue One. Even on my latestRogue Onerewatch, afterAndorseason 2, I felt the emotional undercurrent between Jyn and Cassian. This could be perceived as romantic, but it could also be companionship or even a sexual/physical connection.
This comes an entire year after Bix leaves Cassian, so it is not out of the realm of possibility for the latter to feel any of these things for Jyn. If so, this does not mean he has forgotten Bix or that he does not love her. Relationships are not as black-and-white as this, and Gilroy’s comments about Cassian and Bix being"sexually liberated"point to that. Overall, I appreciate how complex a web of relationships Gilroy has created viaAndor, as it only continues the exploration of typicalStar Warsaspects with maturity and intricacy that the show is so excellent at.
