Andor Season 2: Cassian and Luthen's confrontation scene is more important than you think

Cassian Andor confronted Luthen after discovering he had interrogated Bix at their apartment. We discuss why this scene is pivotal to Cassian's arc and what it reveals about him.
Star Wars Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) in Lucasfilm's ANDOR Season 2, exclusively on Disney+. ©2025 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
Star Wars Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) in Lucasfilm's ANDOR Season 2, exclusively on Disney+. ©2025 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved. | starwars.com

A furious Cassian Andor confronted Luthen Rael at the latter's antique shop in Andor Season 2, Episode 6, "What a Festive Evening." While Cassian did what any loving partner would've done had he been put in the same situation as Cassian, this short exchange reveals a lot about where he stands at the halfway mark this season.

At this point in the story, Cassian is nowhere he needs to be in Rogue One. He lacks commitment, he's careless, and reckless. As Luthen says, he's "soft on Ghorman but willing to protect Bix at any cost." Not only that, but Luthen rightly points out Cassian's "fury" and "lack of control" and his blatant disregard for every protocol they're supposed to follow by confronting Luthen in the middle of the night at his shop.

If you're a romantic, Cassian did everything right in this scene. However, as a leader and revolutionary, like Cassian in Rogue One, this behavior falls short. Luthen reminded Cassian that what's most important isn't Bix, or what Luthen wants. The most important thing is "The Cause," and at the moment, Cassian might have forgotten that. Cassian was the one who pledged his life to the Rebellion, and he asked Luthen to "Kill me or take me in." Luthen reminded him of that during their confrontation, but Cassian seemed little affected by it.

While Cassian's balancing act in Season 2 is inspiring, it's impossible to maintain. He has to choose between giving himself to the Rebellion or protecting Bix. If he chooses Bix, no one can blame him. He's a human being, and he's already lost enough people he loved. He can't be blamed if he decides to leave now, but we know that's not how his story ends. Cassian will choose the Rebellion and, in the process, grow into one of its most trusted leaders.

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Rogue One: A Star Wars Story with Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) and Cassian Andor (Diego Luna). Image Credit: StarWars.com

Luthen was disappointed by Cassian not once but twice in this episode, and it won't be long before Cassian realizes that Luthen was right. He has to be fully in or fully out, or he puts the Rebellion at risk. Putting Luthen and himself in danger of being exposed isn't much compared to putting the efforts of everyone connected to the Rebellion in danger of failure. If Cassian continues to look back, he'll never be able to accept Luthen's radical ideas, and his recklessness could place others in danger.

By the time Season 2 ends, Cassian will be the opposite of the person he is in episode 6. He'll be the one to remind others that they're either in or out. There's nothing more important than The Cause, and he'll understand that he's not the one who has to sacrifice everything to help defeat the Empire. Luthen suggested that Cassian would have to decide when his relationship with Bix "becomes too large a problem."

Even though Cassian wants Luthen to ensure he can be with Bix and continue to help the Rebel Alliance, the decision may come down to Bix and Cassian together. They've both been through enough, especially Bix, and perhaps fighting for others to live freely instead of fighting to balance their relationship during war will be easier on both of them.

Andor Season 2 is streaming on Disney+.