'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUH/8QAHxAAAgICAgMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDBAAFESEVIzFR/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwT/xAAVEQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8AyTXbhvCWYUr13rUbgaIToZD7AVY8E8A9D5+DIMu1VpXJo0eSSeq64xgxRX//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Here’s the thing about Andor: it’s the kind of show that doesn’t waste a single detail. While most fans are busy following the gritty plotlines and sharp dialogue, the series has been quietly dropping little nods to the broader Star Wars universe, and one in particular might just be the most meaningful of all. It’s a blink-and-you-miss-it kind of moment, but once you know what to look for, it feels almost poetic.
In Season 2, the show slips in a surprising callback to The Phantom Menace, and not through dialogue or visual props, but through a location. A very specific one. And it just so happens to be tied to George Lucas himself.
Andor isn’t your typical Star Wars story, and that’s the point
Tony Gilroy’s Andor broke new ground from the moment it dropped in 2022. It didn’t try to recreate the nostalgic highs of lightsaber duels or space battles, instead, it pulled us into the raw, often brutal reality of rebellion. It zoomed in on Cassian Andor, played with quiet intensity by Diego Luna, and showed us how revolutions are built not by chosen ones, but by people who are angry, scared, and human.
More than a prequel to Rogue One, Andor digs into the emotional cost of resistance. It’s thoughtful, complex, and a bit of a slow burn, but that’s part of what makes it stand out. The show doesn’t rush. It trusts the audience to stay with it and uncover the layers.
The Lucas connection no one saw coming
In one of Season 2’s scenes, the story takes us to Naboo. At first glance, it looks like any other beautifully shot Star Wars moment. But here’s where it gets interesting: that garden palace setting isn’t just a random scenic backdrop. It’s Hever Castle in England, the same location George Lucas used back in 1997 to shoot a scene for The Phantom Menace. The scene ended up being cut from the final movie, but it featured Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Jar Jar Binks arriving at the Royal Palace in Theed after escaping a waterfall.
By choosing to film at that exact same location for Andor, the creators slipped in a quiet tribute to Lucas. It’s not flashy, it’s not shouted from the rooftops, it’s just there, quietly bridging the gap between eras. A deleted prequel scene reborn in a gritty modern narrative. That’s the kind of thoughtful full-circle moment that long-time fans live for.
Easter eggs, worldbuilding, and invisible threads
The Hever Castle callback is just one of many hidden gems sprinkled throughout Andor. Take Luthen Rael’s shop, for example. Eagle-eyed fans spotted artifacts that connect to everything from The Clone Wars to ancient Force lore. There’s even what looks like a statue of the Ones, mysterious figures introduced in the Mortis arc, deep-cut stuff for the real lore-heads.
What’s great is that none of these nods feel forced. They’re just... part of the world. And that’s what makes them work. They don’t scream for attention, they just sit there, quietly deepening the mythology for anyone curious enough to notice.
Why do little things like this actually matter
You might wonder, does any of this make a difference? For casual viewers, maybe not. But for longtime fans, these kinds of subtle connections are everything. They’re signs that the people telling these new stories still care deeply about the ones that came before. They’re reminders that the universe is still connected, not just narratively, but emotionally.
That emotional thread, the one that ties modern shows like Andor back to the original spark lit by George Lucas, is what keeps this franchise alive. And when creators take the time to weave that thread into the storytelling, it makes all the difference.
What the critics and the audience are saying
Critics didn’t just like Andor, they loved it. The first season pulled in a stellar 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, praised for its sharp writing, nuanced performances, and its willingness to slow down and tell a more grounded story. And Season 2? It’s been getting even more love.
Reviewers are calling it one of the most mature, emotionally layered chapters in the Star Wars canon. Diego Luna continues to deliver, and the writing only gets bolder, digging into themes like sacrifice, guilt, and what it really means to fight for something bigger than yourself.
The audience response has been just as passionate. Fans who’ve been around since the original trilogy, and those who came in through the newer entries, have found common ground in Andor. It’s the rare kind of show that respects its legacy while also pushing the boundaries of what Star Wars can be.
Wrapping it all up
Trending
At the end of the day, Andor isn’t just telling a great story. It’s honoring one. The choice to revisit a location from a scrapped prequel scene might seem small, but it says so much. It says the creators remember. They respect where this all began. And they’re building something that doesn’t erase the past, it builds on it.
That’s what makes Star Wars special. It’s a galaxy that evolves, yes, but it never forgets. And if you’re paying close enough attention, it’ll show you just how connected everything really is.
Reply
