Warning! This article contains spoilers for Andor season 2, episodes 10-12.The final episode of a brilliant Andor series finale while seamlessly transitioning into the events of Rogue One.

While fans like me have watched Rogue One several times, it may have been some time since others last saw the movie. Certain viewers may also have watched Andor without having seen Rogue One, which may cause the show's final episode to feel surprisingly inconclusive. Whatever your perspective on the Andor series finale, here's where Cassian went and how it connects to Rogue One.

Who Is Tivik, The Informant Cassian Is Meeting At Kafrene?

Cassian Andor's Rogue One Debut

Despite initially being grounded for disobeying orders and violating Alliance procedures, Cassian was permitted to meet an informant on the Ring of Kafrene. General Draven received word that the informant, Tivik, would only speak to Cassian in person, causing Draven to suspect a trap. While he seemed to share some of Draven's concern, Cassian agreed to the mission, knowing it might confirm Luthen Rael's information about an Imperial superweapon.

Andor teased that General Draven has a number of agents in Saw Gerrera's Partisans - which doesn't exactly help the distrust between the Gerrera and the Rebel Alliance. Tivik is one of these informants, and he and his sister are based on Jedha. Clearly Tivik and Cassian had worked closely together for some time, with Cassian serving as his handler.

This leads to Cassian's first scene in Rogue One, where he meets Tivik in a dark alley on the Ring of Kafrene. Tivik tells Cassian that an Imperial pilot defected on Jedha and told people that the Empire was developing a "planet killer," and that Galen Erso was involved in its creation. Unfortunately, Cassian is forced to gun down Tivik so he won't be captured and interrogated by stormtroopers.

We're Literally Seeing Setup For Rogue One's Intro

Every character is in their Rogue One starting position

Although Andor's final episodes don't require viewers to have seen Rogue One, the final scenes emphasize the characters now being in their starting positions for the film, highlighting the importance of what is about to happen. The Rebel Alliance council has assembled, Melshi trains the troops he will soon lead to rescue Jyn Erso, Saw Gerrera stares out the window of his base on Jedha, and Director Krennic watches the Death Star's construction.

These moments help Andor's finale feel more complete while giving new weight and context to Rogue One's introductory scenes. Krennic's arrival in the flashback evokes more urgency because of how menacing he is in Andor, the events leading to Cassian's mission and Jyn's rescue are clearer, and the Rebellion's inner conflict is fleshed out. Most importantly, there are clear parallels between Cassian and Jyn as they struggle to honor the sacrifice of their respective father figures.

Cassian Has Lived His Entire Life In The Death Star's Shadow

Every decision he has made has led to this moment

One of the last people Cassian sees before departing Yavin 4 is the Force healer he spoke with in the previous arc. She sensed a great weight he carried and felt that he had an important destiny, setting up his role in stealing the Death Star plans. This final acknowledgment between the two reinforces how much of Cassian's life has been defined by this destiny.

At the start of the series, Cassian prioritized himself and wanted to get as far away from the Rebellion as possible. However, his experiences gradually showed him that he could never live with himself if he didn't fight the Empire, and many of them were unknowingly connected to the Death Star. The components Cassian assembled in prison, all his missions on Ghorman, and his impending death were all because of the planet-killing space station.

It's tragic how Cassian's entire life was building to his part in stopping the Death Star, and Andor season 2's ending adds to the tragedy by revealing he never got to meet his son. Of course, if Cassian hadn't embraced that destiny, then the Rebellion never would have stopped the Empire. Andor's final episodes beautifully capture both sides of Cassian's arc and perfectly set up Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

All episodes of Andor are now available to stream on Disney+.