Jar Jar Binks: The Unsung Hero Behind Your Favorite Star Wars Andor Characters
Jar Jar Binks has long been misunderstood within the Star Wars community, a stigma that weighed heavily on his actor, Ahmed Best, for years. However, Best made a triumphant return to the galaxy as Jedi Master Kellaran Beq in The Mandalorian, receiving a much warmer welcome. In Marvel’s new one-shot comic, Jar Jar, the Gungan teams up with Beq, creating an intriguing link to one of Star Wars’ most acclaimed TV series.
Crafted by Ahmed Best and Marc Guggenheim, with visuals from Kieran McKeown and Laura Braga, colors by Mike Atiyeh, and cover art by Taurin Clarke, Jar Jar follows the Gungan senator on a mission to the idyllic planet of Urubai, which conceals a sinister truth. Accompanied by Kellaran Beq, Jar Jar discovers that Urubai’s beauty is built on the backs of laborers tirelessly mining coaxium, a vital hyperfuel for starships that the Empire would later covet. The harsh conditions stem from the emergency powers granted to Chancellor Palpatine, a decision Jar Jar supported near the end of Attack of the Clones.
Eager to assist the people of Urubai, Jar Jar’s efforts extend beyond mere redemption. He and Beq uncover that the laborers have stumbled upon a rare and transformative material: cyphristal. This unique crystal can establish a fractal radio network, enabling secure and encrypted communications. Beq explains to Jar Jar, “Secure, private communications will allow for the truth to be shared and the opposition to be organized. If that happens, then we have a means to always fight back. One day, if necessary, such a network could have a galaxy-wide impact.”
Sharp-eyed fans will recognize “fractal radio network” as the specialized communication tool used by Luthen Rael and Kleya Marki in the Galactic Antiquities and Objects of Interest. Through this network, they connected with their rebel allies, including Cassian Andor, Cinta Kaz, and Vel Sartha. While the canon doesn’t clarify how Luthen and Kleya acquired their device, we now see that the initial development of such networks originated from the crystals found on Urubai.
But it’s not just Beq and Jar Jar who play a role in the inception of what would become the Axis Network. The knowledge of these minerals comes to light because Beq and Jar Jar rescue a laborer named Mira Bridger, who has been using Urubai’s early network to send out messages of dissent.
Star Wars Rebels fans will recognize her as the mother of Ezra Bridger, the series’ protagonist. Although she and her husband, Ephraim, met their end during the Rebels timeline, the show highlights their crucial role in broadcasting revolutionary messages against the Empire while on Lothal. They were imprisoned for their efforts, but their rebellious spirit and the knowledge they passed down inspired Ezra to join the fight against the Empire. Mira’s understanding of fractal radio networks would also prove vital for the formation of the Axis Network in Andor.
Moreover, Beq’s assertion about the discovery being a game-changer holds true. Luthen and Kleya’s use of the fractal radio network allows them to spy on and infiltrate Imperial territories, gathering essential intel on both allies and foes. The actions of Jar Jar, Beq, and Mira resonate with the core themes of Andor, encapsulated in Nemik’s manifesto: “The frontier of the Rebellion is everywhere. And even the smallest act of insurrection pushes our lines forward.”
Every individual who dares to stand against the Empire contributes to a monumental cause, no matter how small their actions may seem. This ripple effect ultimately leads to the decisive blow against the Empire: Luke Skywalker’s destruction of the Death Star. As Nemik wisely states, “One single thing will break the siege,” and that pivotal moment may very well stem from Jar Jar’s quest for redemption.
