One Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which leads directly into the beginning of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. While the plot of Rogue One has always been important, and the culmination of the plot is the Battle of Scarif, this theory assigns a change in the Rebellion to Scarif which previously had not been considered.
The Rogue One's perfect ending even more impactful in the Star Wars universe, as it would ultimately mean that the Battle of Scarif was the birthplace of the Rebellion shown in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope.
The Rebellion Was Much Darker & More Disparate Before The Original Trilogy
Andor is the latest Star Wars show or movie to take place between the original Star Wars trilogy and the prequel trilogy. So far, it has added to what is a bleak picture of the galaxy during that time period. The full display of the Empire's cruelty has demonstrated why the Rebellion was so much darker and more pessimistic during this time, and it has changed the way the audience sees Star Wars' Empire. The Rebellion we see in Andor and Rogue One seems to be very disted and somewhat vindictive, whereas the Rebellion from the original trilogy is an organized and honorable resistance to an evil Empire.
Groups of guerilla fighters, like those with Saw Gerrera, or spy networks, like that of Luthen Rael, seem to be what makes up the majority of the Rebellion before A New Hope. It is made up of groups of independently operating resistance, largely fighting for vengeance based on personal grievances or traumas suffered at the hands of the Empire. They often seem to be resisting the Empire for resistance's sake, rather than making a feasible plan to overthrow the Empire and install a new order. As such, the Rebellion at this point is not the organized, concerted effort at overthrowing the Empire that exists in the original Star Wars trilogy.
Theory: Rogue One's Battle Of Scarif Changed The Rebel Alliance
The Rebellion's acquisition of the Death Star plans at the Battle of Scarif changed all of this. The Death Star plans provided a spark of hope for the Rebellion and something to rally toward. It provided a common goal - destroying the Death Star - and it gave them a real chance to hurt the Empire drastically for the first time. The battle itself also provided an important symbol to the Rebel Alliance. The incredible bravery shown by the rebels who fought on Scarif, even in the face of imminent death, could not help but inspire others to do whatever it takes to bring down the Empire.
Furthermore, the Rebels were forced to change personnel after the battle of Scarif. Many of the Rebellion's most integral operatives and spies, including Cassian Andor, were killed on Scarif. Some of their best pilots and guerilla fighters - including vital Star Wars figures like Saw Gerrera and company - also died either on Scarif or leading up to the battle. The Battle of Scarif fundamentally changed the personnel that the Rebellion had to work with. The Rebellion became more of a political machine with a standing army after Scarif, as opposed to the various guerilla units that made up the Rebellion before Scarif.
Rogue One Theory Makes Star Wars' Rebellion Even Better
This theory makes Star Wars' Rebellion better because it shows that the Rebellion grew from a dark place to become something bright and formative for the galaxy. It would mean that the Rebellion went from a general nuisance to a real mechanism for change. Somehow, between Rogue One and the time that Luke Skywalker s the Rebels in A New Hope, the Rebel leadership organized and brought purpose to the disted group of rebels that existed in Andor. Moreover, this would be the point where their purpose went from vengeance against the Empire to creating justice for the galaxy.
The Battle on Scarif has always been important. After all, it did bring the Death Star plans into rebel hands. However, this theory adds a new importance to that battle and the impact it had on the Rebellion as a whole. It also adds major importance to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. This theory makes the Rebellion, and Star Wars as a whole, better than it already was.
