Andor showrunner, Tony Gilroy, has recently delved deeper into the romantic intricacies of the show, from Cassian and Bix’s dynamic to a cut romance from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. From the beginning of the show, an undercurrent of romance between Bix and Cassian was evident. That said, by the time of Andor season 1’s ending, their relationship remained ambiguous. This changed with Andor season 2’s story, which delivered one of the most emotionally impactful and well-written love stories in Star Wars. For Rogue One fans, though, this came at a cost, which Gilroy is all too aware of.

In a recent interview with Collider, Gilroy addressed the romantic implications of Andor, how these can link to Rogue One, and the feelings of fans who dedicated time to “shipping” certain Star Wars relationships. Firstly, Gilroy spoke about Cassian and Jyn’s “relationship” in Rogue One, and how this was changed in reshoots from being more overtly romantic to something more ambiguous:

“I knew very well what had happened with Jyn and Cassian in Rogue One and 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 onto Andor and 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 “s3xually 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.”

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 in Andor and Rogue One has caused Gilroy to address them as well. Interestingly, Gilroy has shown remorse over his decision to create Cassian and Bix’s relationship in Andor, 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 for Andor as 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 on Andor‘s relationships and how they impact Rogue 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 of Rogue One. Even on my latest Rogue One rewatch, after Andor season 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 s3xual/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 “s3xually liberated” point to that. Overall, I appreciate how complex a web of relationships Gilroy has created via Andor, as it only continues the exploration of typical Star Wars aspects with maturity and intricacy that the show is so excellent at.