I hope you are doing fine, mate! It surely isn’t easy to love someone and still be pushed away by their character. I am glad you are aware, you aren’t the problem and hope you continue to do so!
@@cyberwar4111 she's a narcissist. Everything she said was related to herself. How it made her feel, how it affected her publicly or with relatives, etc.
The contrast between Syril and his mother with Casian and his mother is interesting. Additionally the way Syril has adopted Dedra as a proxy for his mother - "Here is the woman I can finally impress and be deemed worthy by!" Syril is one of those people who is so desperate for affirmation that he is driven to a delusional perfectionism; which everyone else finds annoying and causes them to despise him - thus multiplying his desperation.
Good analysis and yet…some people want approval and seek it out. And I wish we would do right by them rather than take advantage or judge them for being “such a Boy Scout”
Perfectionism? You sure everyone else aren't just apathetic, corrupt slobs? The man wanted to solve a double murder. Nobody else did. "perfectionism"???
When I look at Karn I see someone who could have been a perfect rebel, but his entire self worth is wrapped in his standing. Cassian and him really are two sides of the same coin.
I wonder if his presence on ferrix for the funeral and is seen by deedra and therefore arrested and that arrest is a catalyst for rebellion sympathizers to rise against the ISB putting karn on the side of the rebellion
@@tombearclaw That's what i hope since the start his mum and the emire are making him crazy. I think he could also realize how bad is the empire see how they treat the civilians too violently, maybe will completely change his mind? I think he didn't realize how evil empire is and he wil get a revelation on Ferrix. But i'm not sure, he is near to fall into dark side also.
@@thomaslacornette1282 I mean he was a security officer for a corporation I think he very directly saw the suffering of people he thinks he’s better than people…..
I've served in the Military. I knew straight away Karn would be a dangerous player. Reading his reactions and body language during the 1st raid with our favorite blueberry Sergeant, there was no question who he was loyal to. Amazing acting and directing really.
If shit hits the fan freezing can be fucking deadly. Best thing you can do is turn off part of your brain and let the training take over. That’s at least what I found was my best bet from what little I got to experience of it.
My prediction for the finale is that Andor and Karn will both show up at the funeral, but Marva isn’t dead (just a ruse to hide her rebel activities). The two end up in a deadly confrontation, but Marva ends up in peril and Andor can’t help her because he’s losing the fight with Karn. He begs Karn to “save Marva,” and Karn shouts “why did you say that name!?” Unlikely allies because their mothers had the same name.
Karn was the first thing that really sucked me into the show. He's a true believer. He knows in his heart he's the hero of the story. I think that's why he's so obsessed with Cas. He sees Cas as his nemesis, a villain trying to topple order. I don't think Karn is romantically attracted to the ISB agent, I think he means exactly what he says, that she inspires him to carry on because he sees her as a morally noble and just paragon of virtue fighting tooth and nail to hold together civilization, just as he wants to desperately do himself. It's just unfortunate he comes off cringe AF to everyone he meets. Except for former officer Blueberry who's basically stamped from the same mold.
He's actually been a first for me in Star Wars: someone I actually felt was a tragic figure. There's been lots of other people who have had tragedy have been to them, but it's always been framed in such a way that they were clearly never actually beaten down by it, or that it threatened them in an existential sense. With Cyril, you just always have in the back of your mind but this thought that he could have, should have even, been a hero. But destiny just wasn't going to let him do it. And that in turn has ground him into The volatile individual he has become.... Maybe it's over the top to say he's the first tragic figure, I guess what I should say is, he's the first Star Wars character I've ever actually felt sorry for....
No, absolutely I felt the same kind of pity! In Coruscant under the empire, he really has no freedom or opportunity to be 'alive'...the word I feel is 'radicalised', desperate to find a life purpose and success...with the societal expectations of success and happiness. Although Mon Mothman shows how someone at the top of the societal 'rungs', even her and her family are enslaved to the empire. Thoroughly fascinating to watch.
Personally, I like to think Cyril is one of the most relatable SW characters because he's just like your everyday Joe's. Unlike other SW major characters who usually work as someone special or just generally work in a field/industry that's rare to the entire population (ISB officer, Jedi, Sith, Senate, Bounty Hunter, or just adventurous strangler like Cassian Andor and Han Solo). Cyril live is somewhat realistic, he's not protected under this grand blessing of SW plot armor, nor is he this wild card character who travel around the galaxy for fun and pleasure, he's just a guy living in a very big world trying to find his own footing and a sense of identity. His life might not be adventurous or all that exciting in a personal standpoint, but the risk he takes and his ultimate downfall are realistic to what many of us in the real world may also experience.
Syril is an Ewok, he is beneath the main characters, but in Return of the Jedi, the Emperor had everything planned for except the Ewoks, because they where beneath him. Because of the Ewoks the Death Star II was lost. I think Syril will have the same kind of impact on this show.
i agree, except in his case it wont be deliberate. He'll come very close to catching Andor only to be finally killed and inadvertently thwart the Empire's efforts to crush the early rebellion. He's a tragic character in his own way.
I'm so excited to see where Syril's story ends up. Honestly, I can see so many potential outcomes, with so many possibilities in each outcome. I could realistically see him descend into insanity trying to catch Andor, I could see him "catching" Andor (temporarily obviously, Rogue One still has to happen) and joining the ISB/getting promoted, or I could see him dying to Andor, but I could also see him turning against the Empire because of its forced conformity and joining the rebellion, or maybe him rejecting the Empire but going his own way, going solo against both the Rebellion and the Empire. I feel like all of these outcomes could be possible. An outcome I personally think would be interesting would be that he and Luthen cross paths somehow, as unempathetic arbiters of their own justice, and he's brought to the rebellion for a short time but he can't let go of his grudge with Andor so he subsequently leaves/dies. So many possibilities for this one single character, it's really exciting to see where it'll go!
I kinda like the idea of him going completely insane and waging attacks on both enpire and rebellion. But also I kinda like the guy I wanna see him find his concept of self worth
Part of Syrils personality can be plucked from those around him that he vibes with. Why he and the SGT get along so well says something about both characters
@@kungolaf4499 he solved a murder case in 2 days, the only reason he failed was because of something he couldn't have predicted nor controlled That ain't incompetent, that's unlucky
@@mannamoth918 You have it backwards. Siril got lucky to get to Andor in the first place. His only clue was a reference to Kenari. Only a handful of people knew that Cassian was really from Kenari and one was stupid enough to misread the situation, get jealous and report Cassian in. If Timm decided to just sleep on his decision first, he would have probably changed his mind and Siril would have nothing to go on. Even if Sirisl somehow found out Cassian's identity, he would have been too late and Cassian would have either left with Luthien or taken Luthien's money and gone off planet. Siril got lucky just enough that when his luck run out he crashed spectacularly due to his lack of experience and/or competence. He went with a semi-professional team of security guards into a location where the locals despised them. Cassian was a local who knew the area and all its hiding places and escape routes. If it was not for Luthen, Cassian would have went into hiding and then left town at night. The firefight happened because Cassian needed to get Luthien out of town ASAP.
I think the thing people don't catch/realize, is that it wasn't Syril's worldview that was upended by Cassian. It was his self-image that was completely obliterated. His worldview is still as strong as ever, and it's not even necessarily Cassian himself that wrecked him. It's the chaos that Cassian brought that Syril abhors, and needs to eliminate.
More than for any other Star Wars series, your video essays are providing the perfect adjunct to Andor. Watch the show, give it some thought, then jump over onto Alex to have your perspectives broadened and your impressions tested. Andor validates our strained hope in Star Wars; Generation Tech shows us why our hope isn’t misplaced.
My prediction is that Karn will evolve into a disturbingly capable and extremely terrifying villain. The writing has consistently presented characters and then undermined trope or simplistic interpretation. The more you admire and identify with characters over the series, the more likely that identification will end up being turned against you. Karn is presented as so weak, and so desperate to be strong and indispensable. Eventually, the plot will offer him an opportunity to achieve the power he craves, and you will see him turn decisively into a tyrant.
Kinda wish we got some background Syril Karn’s father, maybe he was a very dedicated cop or imperial officer like Syril and died because of it, and that’s why Syril is also very dedicated also why is mom is so protective and against Syril being a cop/going back It would explain a lot about his character I think
@@SophiaAphrodite Luke joins the rebellion, finds out Vader high up in the empire is his father syril joins the empire, finds out Luthen high up in the rebelion is his father It's like poetry, it rhymes... Also Was sarcasm
Just for the record, Anakin's awkward dialog is definitely intentional. Imagine taking a bright ten year old podracing kid from the outer rim and bringing him to the center of the galaxy and raising him as a monk that's supposed to suppress how he feels. Ofc he's going to have no idea how to properly communicate with the mpst attractive senator of all time (Momma Mon underrated tho 😍)
The last couple minutes hit me for real, Im right over the threshold of millennial, growing up seeing my mom navigate the recession, spending most of college in a virtual environment and unpredictable and unprecedented time, graduating with a degree in politics and entering into essentially a partisan gladiator arena with a difficult job market, living at home with my family in my mid twenties, I can sympathize with Karn and what you said. Gotta keep moving though like you said
Man, I graduated with a polisci degree in 2008 and…I retired from politics in 2008. The way the Soros/Koch funded groundcover industry (yes I know other people pay the bills for that too), they really churn through idealistic young people for Pennies. I worked every waking moment running a campaign office with 2 other graduates my age and, I was the one like Syril seeing things that just weren’t right and needed to be addressed…
@@The_CGA College Degrees are a general waste of money nowadays, unless you are becoming a Doctor, a Lawyer, or a Teacher. Political Science degrees doubly so. I exited college after three years, without completing my degree, because I saw the dead end where that was leading to, and the college debt that I was racking up, for essentially no reason. 20 years later, and I work a boring job delivering packages. But I'm HAPPY where I am. Living a life of no pressure, complete self-governance, no more school debt, and having no trouble staying above water. I think that more American youths need to pursue this path, unless, like I said, they are trying to get into a truly important role in life (like what I listed at the start of my comment).
I love the precise subtleties in facial expression and mannerism that Denise Gough employs in the character of Dedra. When Syril reveals that he is obsessed with and stalking Dedra she makes that classic "I just threw up a little bit in my mouth" face; but' just ever so slightly as she is maintaining her professional composure. It really heightens the intrigue of the character as it hints at the violence raging just beneath the surface of Dedra's cols and calculating exterior.
Karn is a loyalist, he has already proclaimed that he values the Empire and what its trying to do. He values order and the rule of law. His path is destined for compnor or some sort of imperial security or intelligence branch. He isn't bad at what he does, he is factual, smart, and extremely determined. This is no doubt shaping up to be one of my more favorite characters who we have seen very little of.
@@MalzraAirwynn i agree, he should still make a good intelligence officer, which do not see combat often. He shouldn't have personally lead that mission, because if he hadn't maybe it would have succeeded
@@Kommissar_Yarrik Hard to say. Cassian getting the drop on him did allow them to use him as bait. But I'm not sure the Sergeant could have handled it himself either.
In the first episode they showed the dichotomy between him and his superior. His superior had pertinent information about the people who were killed and deducted exactly what happened to them. Syrill had a more impressionistic idea of what happened and only wanted Justice for them without knowing why they ended up dead. Even when he’s presented with the information he still goes full head on without finding supporting or conflicting arguments. In short I believe he’s psychologically impressionistic. He then develops a real “emotional wound” when people under his watch are murdered. So it’s a mixture between the very crude and blurry details of the murder of people he didn’t know and the real tragedy of dead subordinates that’s driving him to find Andor. The diversity of paths he could take is due to his impressionistic attitude. How he deals with what he doesn’t completely know. We know that he’ll probably do the right thing if he had the details, but we don’t know if he’ll ever mature enough to notice when he doesn’t have them. The former character trait is why someone like him would blindly join the empire, though he may have a change of heart if he ever met that “I’d like to hang him” Guy. Or that polite torture guy. Or when he sees a real planet being destroyed by a mechanical one. My prediction is that he believes the ISB lady is a lot like his Irish buddy in that they share attitudes in a galaxy where very few have the same ideals. He clings to these people because “No one else is like me.” Which is the lie that he believes (a device that precedes a character arc). If he has a positive arc it’ll be when he sees the ISB lady for who she really is, an apathetic data cruncher willing to do whatever she wants to living beings to advance her career or goals. He’ll notice that they’re not the same at all. A negative arc is if he doesn’t heed that they’re different and advances further up the empire’s political ladder.
I like your idea of him seeing Dedra for what she is - I suspect that might have already started given their meeting. I think he was convinced he was falling in love with her, like the Empire, because he's used to domineering behaviour from his mother, and is subconsciously expecting it, and trying to gain affection despite it. The sergeant is Scottish, by the way - Morlanans mostly seem to have pretty strong Scottish accents, mostly Glasgow.
@@Sinewmire i mean real falsifiable evidence of her behavior and where her behavior leads. And not the cloudy impressionistic idea of who she is like he did with those two murdered co workers he leaped to avenge.
@UCCalWOJrm2gJya9_RCZfeJw I really don’t see him having a negative arc and I think outside of the characters of the story, his personal arc being a positive one would tackle those in universe, and in the audience, why are on the fence about blind order. However, it would be very hard for the writers to pull that off because he never saw what happened to his murdered co workers. Sure he can experience the horrors of the empire and find that it’s not for him but in that horror he must address his highly impressionistic behavior. If that’s convincing enough then I could see him addressing his initial mistake in going after Andor, especially if another person from corporate security channels his former superior’s interpretation of what happened.
6:47 Momma Karn: “I do not fear the Dark side as *you do* ! I have brought tidiness, nepotism, and sugar cereal to my new Empire!” I’m convinced you’re not investing 16min into a sarcastic bit, but the list of characterization you assign to Syril Karn plays like a roast: “Syril might be pathetic 30-something virgin complete unequipped for a world outside of his childhood bedroom, but nothing stops him from botching the next thing!” 😆
"if you haven't lived with your parents as a an adult as a milenial, your are in the minority" - why you gotta do me like this bro xD Had to move in with family for October and November because the UK housing market is garbage right now and moving in to another place has been delayed multiple times so far. (at least I don't feel too bad about it now)
Syril's mother is a carbon copy of my mother-in-law. I have no idea how my husband managed to live under her roof until he was 26. He just couldn't get a job that paid well enough to move out. (Damn economic crash!) I had to live at their house for just 2 months, and it was stifling. Like it literally sucked the energy out of you just dealing with the non-stop nagging. Syril truly must have been desperate to return to that home. Syril: the Star Wars Millennial.
I enjoy your long-form analyses on this show. They reflect a deep understanding of the characters and provide keen insights to some of their motivations. Looking forward to your takes on the overall Series as Season 1 wraps up next week! Keep 'em coming!
Many of us millennials also grew up in households, and around people who consistently emotionally abused us. Syril's mom is emotionally abusive, and likely has been his whole life. I can relate to that. She said, "You might as well wear a sign that says "I will disappoint you." My dad told me when I was 12 that, "If you can't be anything, be an example of what not to do." He might have said he was joking, but you don't say that to a sensitive neurodivergent kid (ADHD and autism here) who internalizes everything and can't tell if it's a joke or not. You don't say that to anyone. It is extremely mentally taxing to stay in that environment and not explode, because we know we have nowhere else to go. If we lose that, we lose any help we might need in the future. It's a shitty support system, but at least one that exists. The way you describe Syril's life on Coruscant hit me in an uncomfortable way that made me realize why I don't like that planet: it feels suffocating. I'd feel trapped, and anxious, constantly living feeling enclosed with no way out. This is why Alderaan and Naboo are my favorite planets, and likely why I designed a planet that's a mixture of the two with added elements. Cleithrophobia - the fear of being trapped anywhere with no way out. It's not claustrophobia. Cleithrophobia is mostly a response to being in a physical location that gives you the visceral feeling of being repressed and the need to claw your way out just to breathe. But it can be triggered by even a toxic relationship, a job, being raised in a place compounded by circumstances and people forcing you to stay, or a another form of living situation. Anywhere where you feel trapped with no way out that puts you in that mental place. If you're trapped, you're ignored, lost, and forgotten by those above you in the light, open space, and fresh air. I get this feeling everytime we see Syril's apartment, and listen to his mother - who makes it worse. I also got this feeling during the Narkina 5 arc. This is the discomfort I feel watching or playing "The Backrooms" or any game that won't let you get out into open space, fresh air, and light. I hate those, because I have a severe discomfort of liminal space. This is what the MC of my book has, being raised enclosed by walls both physical and metaphorical. It was a slow development that creeped up on him, but he has cleithrophobia. As a result, he hates liminal space.
He’s like that smart kid in high school that was always going above and beyond to prove how smart they were, then when they get into adult life they don’t know how to properly function in real scenarios
really liked this video its nice to see a deeper look at syril and I can understand his pain with every on screen appearance. I look forward to when something goes his way to finally give him the push he needs to be either a Rebel or a member of the ISB. Andor has been a thrill to watch, every character means something whether small or large they play their roles to the letter.
the star wars youtube space is highly populated and crowded, I did not think I could find another channel that I would enjoy say as much as Star Wars Theory, but I love yours! Thank you for your deep analysis, and keep burping!
I've really enjoyed a lot of the recent episodes, Alan. You go extremely in depth with relating a lot of the ways characters and plot are compared to life in the real world. (I've re-read that sentence 3 times and it still feels weirdly worded and I can't figure out a better structure for it. X_X) I've been struggling a lot with hopelessness and my inability to make progress with things, lately. I graduated college over 12 years ago with a degree in information technology. In this age where devices are everywhere, I figured I'd have a good shot at getting my career moving, somehow. Took me 7 years to find a place that actually hired me, and I was pushed out during the height of the pandemic. I never got a real chance to make it on my own, and I still live at home. When you made that real world comparison in this episode, it did make me feel a bit less bad about my situation, and I appreciate it. TLDR: You talked about stuff that made me feel less crappy. Thanks. lol
I'm curious to see if syril will help the empire to then see no benefit or respect and will then help andor and will feel like he is valued and then turn to the rebellion
Impossible lol, syril will require literal brain surgery to change that attitude. He basically has constructed a version of the universe in his head where healthy free creatures like andor are pollution like light pollutes darkness. He will stop at nothing for " his " " truth" to be the only truth 😂😂
I completely agree with all of your points about Syril. His behavior can be off-putting and even strange, but he is the way he is for a reason - because his environment was a major contributor to his formation. It can be easy to forget that characters in (competent) shows don’t always have a sound mind or may act rashly or in desperation, but you can reasonably expect their social atmosphere to say something for their behavior.
Let's give Syril a round of applause for resisting the urge to kill his mother throughout the hall duration of the series where she was present. 👏 Respect!
What I like about how this character is written is he is not evil, he is a fan of Order and he believes that the Empire can bring the order that he wants.
I sense none of that in him. He's more like mentally broken and twisted and doesn't want to ever accept it. He's extremely mad at andor for doing what is right and crushing and exposing syrils cowardly response to evil. He's not evil like palps but he's certainly bad
I think Syril is one of the most interesting characters in any of the D+ SW shows. The slow burn of his development is intriguing and even though he seems to slot into some of those terms you pointed out, that’s only surface level stuff hiding much deeper and way more complex inner thoughts and even genius, as if he just hasn’t found that one job/activity/career that really stimulates him. I think he will redeem himself on Ferrix and become ISB.
Those of us who gravitated to the world of Star Wars: The Old Republic MMO understand Syril, and all of Andor, very well. The films for the most part made evil so black and white (and when Rian Johnson tried to subvert that, it didn't go over well) and that's fun for a minute, maybe, but if you pay attention to the universe Lucas created, it works best when you see it in shades of gray and Andor is as gray as it gets. Andor takes what Lucas tried to do with corporatism and brings it to the forefront. A lot of "good" American people want order and quiet and to live their lives in peace even if it means ignorance. I predict Syril's either going to go full Javert and become ISB and wind up on Scarif (oh the delicious irony) or he'll see just how genuinely inefficient the Empire really is and ... who knows. If I had to bet, though, I'm still going with Syril = Javert. He won't give up. But I'm more than willing for Tony Gilroy to completely shock us all.
Me and my BF said awhile ago that Karn will join the rebellion. He is going to show up and Dedra despises him and likely threatens to have him sent to prison after being told to stay away. Karn seems to be the only person Cassian points a pistol at the he did not just outright kill when he had a chance. Cassian will likely reference the manifesto to appeal to Karn's experience with a corrupt system that has no sense of justice. Just power. In the rebellion Karn would have a place and have value. Everyone has value. To the Empire he is a worthless cog.
Really could go several different ways: (1) Syril redeems his name and rises to the ranks in the Empire, probably working for the ISB, becoming an ongoing nemesis for Andor right up to Rogue One; (2) Syril is forced to become an outlaw, perhaps even a competent one, but hates Andor & the rebellion and becomes a wildcard driven by revenge; (3) Syril is treated brutally for his meddling and finally sees the empire for what it is and aligns with the rebels, a redemption arc, but his love for Dedra blinds him to what she really is, which creates complications--he trusts her at just the wrong time; (4) obsessed with but spurned by Dedra, Syril becomes a lone-wolf terrorist in an attempt to prove something to her, causing some spectacular damage in a suicide attack of some sort. He's not trying to help the rebellion, but Dedra callous disregard of him ends up with his suicide attack completely ruining some ISB plans and helping the rebels unintentionally. I love how all four of the above radically different fates would work quite well with the groundwork already laid.
I don't think he is a fascist, that being said, he gives off extremely creepy vibes and is also stalking Meero, I can't put my finger on exactly what it is but my lifetime of noticing red flags he is definitely a type of person I'd be afraid to share a room with, he genuinely scares me - compare that to how bubbly, fun and welcoming the actor is in interviews and you can see that this is clearly intentional
Personally, I like to think Cyril is one of the most relatable SW characters because he's just like your everyday Joe's. Unlike other SW major characters who usually work as someone special or just generally work in a field/industry that's rare to the entire population (ISB officer, Jedi, Sith, Senate, Bounty Hunter, or just adventurous straggler like Cassian Andor and Han Solo). Cyril life is somewhat realistic, he's not protected under this grand blessing of SW plot armor, nor is he this wild card character who travel around the galaxy for fun and pleasure, he's just a guy living in a very big world trying to find his own footing and a sense of identity. His life might not be adventurous or all that exciting in a personal standpoint, but the risk he takes and his ultimate downfall are realistic to what many of us in the real world also experience.
NGL I identify with Syril a lot. Everyone in my family wanted me to overachieve and grow up the social ladder.. and I wanted to pay my dues contributing to society and be part of something bigger than my family. I wanted to catch bad guys and fight…and everyone said I wasn’t cut out for that…but I wanted to…play in the big kids game and bring my sense of justice to it. And yeah Syril is wants that independence that comes from command. He wants to make a family out of his workplace. He want to be. A father figure.
i hope this isnt some kind of spoiler, i know some members of the press have seen ep 12 already... but i enjoyed the speculation and the essay was well thought out.
Hey great clip.. You actually did change my mind about syril as well as give me a greater appreciation for the actor behind him! Comparing him to the current economic climate really put things in perspective. He's one of my favorite characters now my guy. Great job. Also, thank you for the segment on the names that he gets called. Those names really are the words of weak men.
Syril Karn will come to see the faults of the Empire as it exists right now and on the brink of disillusionment he will be caught by a debonaire Chiss sailor with an affinity for art who shows him a new and better way...
Considering just how firmly he believed in his mission at the beginning and how desperately he's seeking Dedra's approval it would take a monstrous wake up call to change his position. If this was a one season show I could see him just getting destroyed and left with no future in the last episode, but a _second_ season gives him a chance to rise up from this low point in his own hero's journey and possibly wind up in the ISB... possibly being used by Luthen. The instinct is to underestimate him becuse people that fail this much rarely step out of the shadow of failure. Of course this is a D+ show though so who knows.
I think in a different setting, Syril could easily have been the headstrong, idealistic but somewhat naïve hero of the story. Also, awesome deep-dive! I found it very illuminating.
I wouldn't be surprised if Syril realizes the futility of trying to exist in the Empire, not being recognized, never being given his due even though he tries to do his duty to the letter, and winds up joining the Rebels and feeling alive for possibly the first time in his life...threatened every second and never more than a step away from death at any time, but truly free and alive...
I could see Syril becoming just another grunt on the line, but rather than his Imperial higher-ups telling him he's stupid, worthless and a failure his Rebel higher-ups would call him on his mistakes but also take a moment to tell him "Hey, it's ok to not be perfect, but just remember that mistakes cost us all, so try not to make them." which would be a breath of fresh air to him, give him the nurturing he needed and wanted, not the constant blow to the head he was used to...
I"ve been theorizing that Syril will turn Rebel, I had begun to give up on the notion but this *awesome* character analysis has me leaning toward him turning into a Mole. Either way, this show is giving us a brilliant swath of personality types on both sides of the conflict.
I feel this message right now I’m living at home after getting out of the Marine Corps and trying to find a job and get back out there. I was overseas for a few years so it’s all very different than when I left
I can see Karn joining the Rebellion. Assuming he lives long enough to fully realise what atrocities the Empire is commiting. I think it will clash with his view of the rule of law too much.
Alan, thank you for doing a deep dive on Cyril, I think that Tony Gilroy really meant for us to end up liking this character for some reason, make him identifiable in the viewer as someone who could actually exist within our world, the everyman for those living in massive urban sprawl, fighting to understand the greater world outside of the concrete cell. Great work!
I love the Millennial mention. My daughter falls in this category and strives for the ideals you mention here. I appreciate the insight into how you describe Millennials. I hope you dive deep into these topics more often. I think it helps move the needle. Put another way; it helps us understand one another more.
Pure genius. Syril is engaged in a personal rebellion. Making him a mirror image of Andor engaged in a larger collective rebellion. Bravo. He is the "Anti Andor", and will play a major part in Season 2.
His initial drive was for justice. He couldn't believe two of his colleagues had been murdered. He'd make a formidable ally, were he to become a rebel.
1 word: pride. The entire movie wouldn't even be possible if he had just listened to the CO and stayed away from the case. Instead this idiot took a small team to Ferrix and caused hell for everyone
In war, there is no good or bad. Its all grey, there are evils on both sides and virtues on each side, trying to survive as they are toys played with by their leaders.- Maria Weber, 1915.
Can you imagine an entire planet which is essentially NYC and the capital of the galaxy. No trees, no earth, no grass, no flora or fauna. What a sterile environment, devoid of all intelligent life...
The first 1,000 people to use the link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/generationtech11221
As someone with a textbook narcissistic mother those scenes with Syril at home really make my skin crawl. It hits too close to home
I hope you are doing fine, mate!
It surely isn’t easy to love someone and still be pushed away by their character.
I am glad you are aware, you aren’t the problem and hope you continue to do so!
I feel your pain brother.
I hope you enjoy and make the most of finding out who you can be!!
@@cyberwar4111 Even her sabotaging his call?
@@cyberwar4111 she's a narcissist. Everything she said was related to herself. How it made her feel, how it affected her publicly or with relatives, etc.
The contrast between Syril and his mother with Casian and his mother is interesting.
Additionally the way Syril has adopted Dedra as a proxy for his mother - "Here is the woman I can finally impress and be deemed worthy by!"
Syril is one of those people who is so desperate for affirmation that he is driven to a delusional perfectionism; which everyone else finds annoying and causes them to despise him - thus multiplying his desperation.
Good analysis and yet…some people want approval and seek it out. And I wish we would do right by them rather than take advantage or judge them for being “such a Boy Scout”
“Nobody is listening” to Syril and that’s an awful place to be.
You hit the nail on the head!
They just share a love of high collars
Perfectionism? You sure everyone else aren't just apathetic, corrupt slobs? The man wanted to solve a double murder. Nobody else did. "perfectionism"???
When I look at Karn I see someone who could have been a perfect rebel, but his entire self worth is wrapped in his standing. Cassian and him really are two sides of the same coin.
I wonder if his presence on ferrix for the funeral and is seen by deedra and therefore arrested and that arrest is a catalyst for rebellion sympathizers to rise against the ISB putting karn on the side of the rebellion
@@tombearclaw That's what i hope since the start his mum and the emire are making him crazy. I think he could also realize how bad is the empire see how they treat the civilians too violently, maybe will completely change his mind? I think he didn't realize how evil empire is and he wil get a revelation on Ferrix. But i'm not sure, he is near to fall into dark side also.
Everyone suffers under fascism
@@thomaslacornette1282 I mean he was a security officer for a corporation I think he very directly saw the suffering of people he thinks he’s better than people…..
I've served in the Military. I knew straight away Karn would be a dangerous player. Reading his reactions and body language during the 1st raid with our favorite blueberry Sergeant, there was no question who he was loyal to. Amazing acting and directing really.
If shit hits the fan freezing can be fucking deadly. Best thing you can do is turn off part of your brain and let the training take over. That’s at least what I found was my best bet from what little I got to experience of it.
My prediction for the finale is that Andor and Karn will both show up at the funeral, but Marva isn’t dead (just a ruse to hide her rebel activities). The two end up in a deadly confrontation, but Marva ends up in peril and Andor can’t help her because he’s losing the fight with Karn. He begs Karn to “save Marva,” and Karn shouts “why did you say that name!?” Unlikely allies because their mothers had the same name.
Hey thanks. That made made my morning. You get 5 Internet Points.
Lol 🤣
Totally fake death to get the empire to come to the funeral and ambush they
Yes!
Didnt they literally show us that maarva died, they literally carried out her dead body
Karn was the first thing that really sucked me into the show. He's a true believer. He knows in his heart he's the hero of the story. I think that's why he's so obsessed with Cas. He sees Cas as his nemesis, a villain trying to topple order. I don't think Karn is romantically attracted to the ISB agent, I think he means exactly what he says, that she inspires him to carry on because he sees her as a morally noble and just paragon of virtue fighting tooth and nail to hold together civilization, just as he wants to desperately do himself.
It's just unfortunate he comes off cringe AF to everyone he meets. Except for former officer Blueberry who's basically stamped from the same mold.
He's actually been a first for me in Star Wars: someone I actually felt was a tragic figure. There's been lots of other people who have had tragedy have been to them, but it's always been framed in such a way that they were clearly never actually beaten down by it, or that it threatened them in an existential sense. With Cyril, you just always have in the back of your mind but this thought that he could have, should have even, been a hero. But destiny just wasn't going to let him do it. And that in turn has ground him into The volatile individual he has become....
Maybe it's over the top to say he's the first tragic figure, I guess what I should say is, he's the first Star Wars character I've ever actually felt sorry for....
No, absolutely I felt the same kind of pity! In Coruscant under the empire, he really has no freedom or opportunity to be 'alive'...the word I feel is 'radicalised', desperate to find a life purpose and success...with the societal expectations of success and happiness. Although Mon Mothman shows how someone at the top of the societal 'rungs', even her and her family are enslaved to the empire. Thoroughly fascinating to watch.
Personally, I like to think Cyril is one of the most relatable SW characters because he's just like your everyday Joe's. Unlike other SW major characters who usually work as someone special or just generally work in a field/industry that's rare to the entire population (ISB officer, Jedi, Sith, Senate, Bounty Hunter, or just adventurous strangler like Cassian Andor and Han Solo). Cyril live is somewhat realistic, he's not protected under this grand blessing of SW plot armor, nor is he this wild card character who travel around the galaxy for fun and pleasure, he's just a guy living in a very big world trying to find his own footing and a sense of identity. His life might not be adventurous or all that exciting in a personal standpoint, but the risk he takes and his ultimate downfall are realistic to what many of us in the real world may also experience.
@@lilyscarisbrick9633mon mothman 💀
Syril is an Ewok, he is beneath the main characters, but in Return of the Jedi, the Emperor had everything planned for except the Ewoks, because they where beneath him. Because of the Ewoks the Death Star II was lost. I think Syril will have the same kind of impact on this show.
i agree, except in his case it wont be deliberate. He'll come very close to catching Andor only to be finally killed and inadvertently thwart the Empire's efforts to crush the early rebellion. He's a tragic character in his own way.
I'm so excited to see where Syril's story ends up. Honestly, I can see so many potential outcomes, with so many possibilities in each outcome. I could realistically see him descend into insanity trying to catch Andor, I could see him "catching" Andor (temporarily obviously, Rogue One still has to happen) and joining the ISB/getting promoted, or I could see him dying to Andor, but I could also see him turning against the Empire because of its forced conformity and joining the rebellion, or maybe him rejecting the Empire but going his own way, going solo against both the Rebellion and the Empire. I feel like all of these outcomes could be possible. An outcome I personally think would be interesting would be that he and Luthen cross paths somehow, as unempathetic arbiters of their own justice, and he's brought to the rebellion for a short time but he can't let go of his grudge with Andor so he subsequently leaves/dies. So many possibilities for this one single character, it's really exciting to see where it'll go!
I predict he'll become a Trump supporter.
@@DMSProduktions because you disagree or don't understand? Weak
@@O1OO1O1 Neither! I just thought it was a pointless, & OFF topic comment!
I kinda like the idea of him going completely insane and waging attacks on both enpire and rebellion. But also I kinda like the guy I wanna see him find his concept of self worth
Part of Syrils personality can be plucked from those around him that he vibes with. Why he and the SGT get along so well says something about both characters
I think he naturally feels more comfortable around him because he has some authority over him
@@GenerationTech And the sergeant is super-willing to be his underling even with his incompetence…
@@kungolaf4499 he solved a murder case in 2 days, the only reason he failed was because of something he couldn't have predicted nor controlled
That ain't incompetent, that's unlucky
@@mannamoth918 well he was certainly competent in his environment; the office. However he was green when it came to the real shit
@@mannamoth918 You have it backwards. Siril got lucky to get to Andor in the first place. His only clue was a reference to Kenari. Only a handful of people knew that Cassian was really from Kenari and one was stupid enough to misread the situation, get jealous and report Cassian in. If Timm decided to just sleep on his decision first, he would have probably changed his mind and Siril would have nothing to go on. Even if Sirisl somehow found out Cassian's identity, he would have been too late and Cassian would have either left with Luthien or taken Luthien's money and gone off planet.
Siril got lucky just enough that when his luck run out he crashed spectacularly due to his lack of experience and/or competence. He went with a semi-professional team of security guards into a location where the locals despised them. Cassian was a local who knew the area and all its hiding places and escape routes. If it was not for Luthen, Cassian would have went into hiding and then left town at night. The firefight happened because Cassian needed to get Luthien out of town ASAP.
I think the thing people don't catch/realize, is that it wasn't Syril's worldview that was upended by Cassian. It was his self-image that was completely obliterated. His worldview is still as strong as ever, and it's not even necessarily Cassian himself that wrecked him. It's the chaos that Cassian brought that Syril abhors, and needs to eliminate.
More than for any other Star Wars series, your video essays are providing the perfect adjunct to Andor. Watch the show, give it some thought, then jump over onto Alex to have your perspectives broadened and your impressions tested. Andor validates our strained hope in Star Wars; Generation Tech shows us why our hope isn’t misplaced.
My prediction is that Karn will evolve into a disturbingly capable and extremely terrifying villain. The writing has consistently presented characters and then undermined trope or simplistic interpretation. The more you admire and identify with characters over the series, the more likely that identification will end up being turned against you.
Karn is presented as so weak, and so desperate to be strong and indispensable. Eventually, the plot will offer him an opportunity to achieve the power he craves, and you will see him turn decisively into a tyrant.
Kinda wish we got some background Syril Karn’s father, maybe he was a very dedicated cop or imperial officer like Syril and died because of it, and that’s why Syril is also very dedicated also why is mom is so protective and against Syril being a cop/going back
It would explain a lot about his character I think
Syril's father is Luthen confirmed (it is like poetry, it rhymes) /s
@@Relisysification LOL, would be silly, not poetic.
The actor's theory is that he was just a shit father and left.
@@SophiaAphrodite Luke joins the rebellion, finds out Vader high up in the empire is his father
syril joins the empire, finds out Luthen high up in the rebelion is his father
It's like poetry, it rhymes... Also Was sarcasm
Eh, I’m fine with Edie as a single mom, adopting, maybe widowed, w/e. I hadn’t even assumed she was straight
Just for the record, Anakin's awkward dialog is definitely intentional. Imagine taking a bright ten year old podracing kid from the outer rim and bringing him to the center of the galaxy and raising him as a monk that's supposed to suppress how he feels. Ofc he's going to have no idea how to properly communicate with the mpst attractive senator of all time (Momma Mon underrated tho 😍)
The last couple minutes hit me for real, Im right over the threshold of millennial, growing up seeing my mom navigate the recession, spending most of college in a virtual environment and unpredictable and unprecedented time, graduating with a degree in politics and entering into essentially a partisan gladiator arena with a difficult job market, living at home with my family in my mid twenties, I can sympathize with Karn and what you said. Gotta keep moving though like you said
How it b when u choose a shite major
Man, I graduated with a polisci degree in 2008 and…I retired from politics in 2008. The way the Soros/Koch funded groundcover industry (yes I know other people pay the bills for that too), they really churn through idealistic young people for Pennies. I worked every waking moment running a campaign office with 2 other graduates my age and, I was the one like Syril seeing things that just weren’t right and needed to be addressed…
@@The_CGA College Degrees are a general waste of money nowadays, unless you are becoming a Doctor, a Lawyer, or a Teacher. Political Science degrees doubly so. I exited college after three years, without completing my degree, because I saw the dead end where that was leading to, and the college debt that I was racking up, for essentially no reason. 20 years later, and I work a boring job delivering packages. But I'm HAPPY where I am. Living a life of no pressure, complete self-governance, no more school debt, and having no trouble staying above water. I think that more American youths need to pursue this path, unless, like I said, they are trying to get into a truly important role in life (like what I listed at the start of my comment).
I love the precise subtleties in facial expression and mannerism that Denise Gough employs in the character of Dedra. When Syril reveals that he is obsessed with and stalking Dedra she makes that classic "I just threw up a little bit in my mouth" face; but' just ever so slightly as she is maintaining her professional composure.
It really heightens the intrigue of the character as it hints at the violence raging just beneath the surface of Dedra's cols and calculating exterior.
I loved it when Syril was going back to his mother's. In the elevator his expression grows darker and more depressed with minimal expression change
They really outdid themselves with the cast!
They all seem very convincing, while keeping it subtle and natural.
Karn is a loyalist, he has already proclaimed that he values the Empire and what its trying to do. He values order and the rule of law. His path is destined for compnor or some sort of imperial security or intelligence branch.
He isn't bad at what he does, he is factual, smart, and extremely determined. This is no doubt shaping up to be one of my more favorite characters who we have seen very little of.
He was good at the detective work, not so much in the field though commanding the operation.
@@MalzraAirwynn i agree, he should still make a good intelligence officer, which do not see combat often. He shouldn't have personally lead that mission, because if he hadn't maybe it would have succeeded
@@Kommissar_Yarrik Hard to say. Cassian getting the drop on him did allow them to use him as bait. But I'm not sure the Sergeant could have handled it himself either.
I really really like his character. He values law and order, and despite being bad at the arrest attempt his investigation was good.
In the first episode they showed the dichotomy between him and his superior. His superior had pertinent information about the people who were killed and deducted exactly what happened to them.
Syrill had a more impressionistic idea of what happened and only wanted Justice for them without knowing why they ended up dead. Even when he’s presented with the information he still goes full head on without finding supporting or conflicting arguments. In short I believe he’s psychologically impressionistic.
He then develops a real “emotional wound” when people under his watch are murdered. So it’s a mixture between the very crude and blurry details of the murder of people he didn’t know and the real tragedy of dead subordinates that’s driving him to find Andor.
The diversity of paths he could take is due to his impressionistic attitude. How he deals with what he doesn’t completely know. We know that he’ll probably do the right thing if he had the details, but we don’t know if he’ll ever mature enough to notice when he doesn’t have them.
The former character trait is why someone like him would blindly join the empire, though he may have a change of heart if he ever met that “I’d like to hang him” Guy. Or that polite torture guy. Or when he sees a real planet being destroyed by a mechanical one.
My prediction is that he believes the ISB lady is a lot like his Irish buddy in that they share attitudes in a galaxy where very few have the same ideals. He clings to these people because “No one else is like me.” Which is the lie that he believes (a device that precedes a character arc). If he has a positive arc it’ll be when he sees the ISB lady for who she really is, an apathetic data cruncher willing to do whatever she wants to living beings to advance her career or goals. He’ll notice that they’re not the same at all. A negative arc is if he doesn’t heed that they’re different and advances further up the empire’s political ladder.
I like your idea of him seeing Dedra for what she is - I suspect that might have already started given their meeting. I think he was convinced he was falling in love with her, like the Empire, because he's used to domineering behaviour from his mother, and is subconsciously expecting it, and trying to gain affection despite it.
The sergeant is Scottish, by the way - Morlanans mostly seem to have pretty strong Scottish accents, mostly Glasgow.
@@Sinewmire i mean real falsifiable evidence of her behavior and where her behavior leads. And not the cloudy impressionistic idea of who she is like he did with those two murdered co workers he leaped to avenge.
@UCCalWOJrm2gJya9_RCZfeJw I really don’t see him having a negative arc and I think outside of the characters of the story, his personal arc being a positive one would tackle those in universe, and in the audience, why are on the fence about blind order.
However, it would be very hard for the writers to pull that off because he never saw what happened to his murdered co workers. Sure he can experience the horrors of the empire and find that it’s not for him but in that horror he must address his highly impressionistic behavior. If that’s convincing enough then I could see him addressing his initial mistake in going after Andor, especially if another person from corporate security channels his former superior’s interpretation of what happened.
6:47
Momma Karn: “I do not fear the Dark side as *you do* ! I have brought tidiness, nepotism, and sugar cereal to my new Empire!”
I’m convinced you’re not investing 16min into a sarcastic bit, but the list of characterization you assign to Syril Karn plays like a roast: “Syril might be pathetic 30-something virgin complete unequipped for a world outside of his childhood bedroom, but nothing stops him from botching the next thing!” 😆
I just heard that in Syril’s mom’s voice and smacking him saying those words
"if you haven't lived with your parents as a an adult as a milenial, your are in the minority" - why you gotta do me like this bro xD
Had to move in with family for October and November because the UK housing market is garbage right now and moving in to another place has been delayed multiple times so far. (at least I don't feel too bad about it now)
Syril's mother is a carbon copy of my mother-in-law. I have no idea how my husband managed to live under her roof until he was 26. He just couldn't get a job that paid well enough to move out. (Damn economic crash!) I had to live at their house for just 2 months, and it was stifling. Like it literally sucked the energy out of you just dealing with the non-stop nagging. Syril truly must have been desperate to return to that home.
Syril: the Star Wars Millennial.
But he's gone the wrong way, he acts like her on the large scale when he's away from her toxicity.
He needs to deal with her properly
4:21. I remember when the algorithm rewarded longer form content haha.
I enjoy your long-form analyses on this show. They reflect a deep understanding of the characters and provide keen insights to some of their motivations. Looking forward to your takes on the overall Series as Season 1 wraps up next week! Keep 'em coming!
Many of us millennials also grew up in households, and around people who consistently emotionally abused us. Syril's mom is emotionally abusive, and likely has been his whole life. I can relate to that. She said, "You might as well wear a sign that says "I will disappoint you." My dad told me when I was 12 that, "If you can't be anything, be an example of what not to do."
He might have said he was joking, but you don't say that to a sensitive neurodivergent kid (ADHD and autism here) who internalizes everything and can't tell if it's a joke or not. You don't say that to anyone.
It is extremely mentally taxing to stay in that environment and not explode, because we know we have nowhere else to go. If we lose that, we lose any help we might need in the future. It's a shitty support system, but at least one that exists.
The way you describe Syril's life on Coruscant hit me in an uncomfortable way that made me realize why I don't like that planet: it feels suffocating. I'd feel trapped, and anxious, constantly living feeling enclosed with no way out. This is why Alderaan and Naboo are my favorite planets, and likely why I designed a planet that's a mixture of the two with added elements.
Cleithrophobia - the fear of being trapped anywhere with no way out. It's not claustrophobia. Cleithrophobia is mostly a response to being in a physical location that gives you the visceral feeling of being repressed and the need to claw your way out just to breathe. But it can be triggered by even a toxic relationship, a job, being raised in a place compounded by circumstances and people forcing you to stay, or a another form of living situation. Anywhere where you feel trapped with no way out that puts you in that mental place. If you're trapped, you're ignored, lost, and forgotten by those above you in the light, open space, and fresh air.
I get this feeling everytime we see Syril's apartment, and listen to his mother - who makes it worse. I also got this feeling during the Narkina 5 arc.
This is the discomfort I feel watching or playing "The Backrooms" or any game that won't let you get out into open space, fresh air, and light. I hate those, because I have a severe discomfort of liminal space.
This is what the MC of my book has, being raised enclosed by walls both physical and metaphorical. It was a slow development that creeped up on him, but he has cleithrophobia. As a result, he hates liminal space.
Cleithrophobia. Cool i learned something today
When syril said "it's syrilin' time" and started eating cereal I wept by how much I was moved by the art before us
When you said Syril ran into the main character of a Disney+ show, I laughed out loud
He's misunderstood by the people around him but not by the audience.
He becomes the ideal representation of taking his chances and risks that 99% of us never would.
@@SophiaAphrodite Yeah cause most of us aren't douchebags.
He’s like that smart kid in high school that was always going above and beyond to prove how smart they were, then when they get into adult life they don’t know how to properly function in real scenarios
amongst the incredible creative analysis of this character, all i can say is "out the window, buzz youre a genius!"
really liked this video its nice to see a deeper look at syril and I can understand his pain with every on screen appearance. I look forward to when something goes his way to finally give him the push he needs to be either a Rebel or a member of the ISB. Andor has been a thrill to watch, every character means something whether small or large they play their roles to the letter.
the star wars youtube space is highly populated and crowded, I did not think I could find another channel that I would enjoy say as much as Star Wars Theory, but I love yours! Thank you for your deep analysis, and keep burping!
This is best channel for “Andor” reviews and analysis.
Karn actually breaks my heart - so emotionally beat, but still trying to fit in.
I understand him just fine, just don't like him but he's very interesting and a well written character
I've really enjoyed a lot of the recent episodes, Alan. You go extremely in depth with relating a lot of the ways characters and plot are compared to life in the real world. (I've re-read that sentence 3 times and it still feels weirdly worded and I can't figure out a better structure for it. X_X)
I've been struggling a lot with hopelessness and my inability to make progress with things, lately. I graduated college over 12 years ago with a degree in information technology. In this age where devices are everywhere, I figured I'd have a good shot at getting my career moving, somehow. Took me 7 years to find a place that actually hired me, and I was pushed out during the height of the pandemic. I never got a real chance to make it on my own, and I still live at home. When you made that real world comparison in this episode, it did make me feel a bit less bad about my situation, and I appreciate it.
TLDR: You talked about stuff that made me feel less crappy. Thanks. lol
I'm curious to see if syril will help the empire to then see no benefit or respect and will then help andor and will feel like he is valued and then turn to the rebellion
I really really really hope that’s NOT gonna happen. It will ruin the entire character
He doesn’t have the empathy needed for the Rebellion, even though this show is stacked with unempathetic antiheroes.
Impossible lol, syril will require literal brain surgery to change that attitude.
He basically has constructed a version of the universe in his head where healthy free creatures like andor are pollution like light pollutes darkness.
He will stop at nothing for " his " " truth" to be the only truth 😂😂
I love the way u draw comparisons between star wars and real life
You’re on an absolute role with these Andor video, best SW content creator atm!
I completely agree with all of your points about Syril. His behavior can be off-putting and even strange, but he is the way he is for a reason - because his environment was a major contributor to his formation. It can be easy to forget that characters in (competent) shows don’t always have a sound mind or may act rashly or in desperation, but you can reasonably expect their social atmosphere to say something for their behavior.
Let's give Syril a round of applause for resisting the urge to kill his mother throughout the hall duration of the series where she was present. 👏 Respect!
What I like about how this character is written is he is not evil, he is a fan of Order and he believes that the Empire can bring the order that he wants.
I think you mean he is a fan of fascism. But yeah he's not completely evil he's more complex than that, great character
I sense none of that in him.
He's more like mentally broken and twisted and doesn't want to ever accept it.
He's extremely mad at andor for doing what is right and crushing and exposing syrils cowardly response to evil.
He's not evil like palps but he's certainly bad
13:25 "If we can't protect the Earth, we'll be damn sure we'll avenge it."
I like Syril, he looks at cereal like Anakin looks at sand which is funny. He has potential to be a good Cop with some more guidance from the Sarge.
The whole first season is his joker origin story.
🙄
I think Syril is one of the most interesting characters in any of the D+ SW shows. The slow burn of his development is intriguing and even though he seems to slot into some of those terms you pointed out, that’s only surface level stuff hiding much deeper and way more complex inner thoughts and even genius, as if he just hasn’t found that one job/activity/career that really stimulates him. I think he will redeem himself on Ferrix and become ISB.
Those of us who gravitated to the world of Star Wars: The Old Republic MMO understand Syril, and all of Andor, very well. The films for the most part made evil so black and white (and when Rian Johnson tried to subvert that, it didn't go over well) and that's fun for a minute, maybe, but if you pay attention to the universe Lucas created, it works best when you see it in shades of gray and Andor is as gray as it gets. Andor takes what Lucas tried to do with corporatism and brings it to the forefront. A lot of "good" American people want order and quiet and to live their lives in peace even if it means ignorance. I predict Syril's either going to go full Javert and become ISB and wind up on Scarif (oh the delicious irony) or he'll see just how genuinely inefficient the Empire really is and ... who knows. If I had to bet, though, I'm still going with Syril = Javert. He won't give up. But I'm more than willing for Tony Gilroy to completely shock us all.
Me and my BF said awhile ago that Karn will join the rebellion. He is going to show up and Dedra despises him and likely threatens to have him sent to prison after being told to stay away. Karn seems to be the only person Cassian points a pistol at the he did not just outright kill when he had a chance. Cassian will likely reference the manifesto to appeal to Karn's experience with a corrupt system that has no sense of justice. Just power. In the rebellion Karn would have a place and have value. Everyone has value. To the Empire he is a worthless cog.
Really could go several different ways: (1) Syril redeems his name and rises to the ranks in the Empire, probably working for the ISB, becoming an ongoing nemesis for Andor right up to Rogue One; (2) Syril is forced to become an outlaw, perhaps even a competent one, but hates Andor & the rebellion and becomes a wildcard driven by revenge; (3) Syril is treated brutally for his meddling and finally sees the empire for what it is and aligns with the rebels, a redemption arc, but his love for Dedra blinds him to what she really is, which creates complications--he trusts her at just the wrong time; (4) obsessed with but spurned by Dedra, Syril becomes a lone-wolf terrorist in an attempt to prove something to her, causing some spectacular damage in a suicide attack of some sort. He's not trying to help the rebellion, but Dedra callous disregard of him ends up with his suicide attack completely ruining some ISB plans and helping the rebels unintentionally.
I love how all four of the above radically different fates would work quite well with the groundwork already laid.
I really love your breakdown of this series as well as the links to real life, great job
Ah episode 11 ... it kinda looks like Syril was getting over things, but then his buddy tac blue gave him a lead on Cassian Andor.
No, he wasn’t giving up. He is Ahab and Cassian his White Whale.
I don't think he is a fascist, that being said, he gives off extremely creepy vibes and is also stalking Meero, I can't put my finger on exactly what it is but my lifetime of noticing red flags he is definitely a type of person I'd be afraid to share a room with, he genuinely scares me - compare that to how bubbly, fun and welcoming the actor is in interviews and you can see that this is clearly intentional
Your videos are always outstanding! Have been hooked to them alongside Andor!
Personally, I like to think Cyril is one of the most relatable SW characters because he's just like your everyday Joe's. Unlike other SW major characters who usually work as someone special or just generally work in a field/industry that's rare to the entire population (ISB officer, Jedi, Sith, Senate, Bounty Hunter, or just adventurous straggler like Cassian Andor and Han Solo). Cyril life is somewhat realistic, he's not protected under this grand blessing of SW plot armor, nor is he this wild card character who travel around the galaxy for fun and pleasure, he's just a guy living in a very big world trying to find his own footing and a sense of identity. His life might not be adventurous or all that exciting in a personal standpoint, but the risk he takes and his ultimate downfall are realistic to what many of us in the real world also experience.
NGL I identify with Syril a lot. Everyone in my family wanted me to overachieve and grow up the social ladder.. and I wanted to pay my dues contributing to society and be part of something bigger than my family. I wanted to catch bad guys and fight…and everyone said I wasn’t cut out for that…but I wanted to…play in the big kids game and bring my sense of justice to it.
And yeah Syril is wants that independence that comes from command. He wants to make a family out of his workplace. He want to be. A father figure.
i hope this isnt some kind of spoiler, i know some members of the press have seen ep 12 already... but i enjoyed the speculation and the essay was well thought out.
i haven't seen it don't worry :)
@@GenerationTech omg ty so much!
Hey great clip.. You actually did change my mind about syril as well as give me a greater appreciation for the actor behind him! Comparing him to the current economic climate really put things in perspective. He's one of my favorite characters now my guy. Great job.
Also, thank you for the segment on the names that he gets called. Those names really are the words of weak men.
Syril Karn will come to see the faults of the Empire as it exists right now and on the brink of disillusionment he will be caught by a debonaire Chiss sailor with an affinity for art who shows him a new and better way...
This makes too much sense
I would give my right claw for this.
Considering just how firmly he believed in his mission at the beginning and how desperately he's seeking Dedra's approval it would take a monstrous wake up call to change his position. If this was a one season show I could see him just getting destroyed and left with no future in the last episode, but a _second_ season gives him a chance to rise up from this low point in his own hero's journey and possibly wind up in the ISB... possibly being used by Luthen. The instinct is to underestimate him becuse people that fail this much rarely step out of the shadow of failure. Of course this is a D+ show though so who knows.
i noticed the ad pivot by by goodness it was smooth
I think in a different setting, Syril could easily have been the headstrong, idealistic but somewhat naïve hero of the story. Also, awesome deep-dive! I found it very illuminating.
Syril seems obsessed and lost, both for the same reasons. He's a character that can make people feel equally bad for and uncomfortable because him.
Love your Star Wars analysis and reviews. Keep up the great work.
I wouldn't be surprised if Syril realizes the futility of trying to exist in the Empire, not being recognized, never being given his due even though he tries to do his duty to the letter, and winds up joining the Rebels and feeling alive for possibly the first time in his life...threatened every second and never more than a step away from death at any time, but truly free and alive...
I could see Syril becoming just another grunt on the line, but rather than his Imperial higher-ups telling him he's stupid, worthless and a failure his Rebel higher-ups would call him on his mistakes but also take a moment to tell him "Hey, it's ok to not be perfect, but just remember that mistakes cost us all, so try not to make them." which would be a breath of fresh air to him, give him the nurturing he needed and wanted, not the constant blow to the head he was used to...
Never thought I'd see a suit& tie in starwars
I"ve been theorizing that Syril will turn Rebel, I had begun to give up on the notion but this *awesome* character analysis has me leaning toward him turning into a Mole. Either way, this show is giving us a brilliant swath of personality types on both sides of the conflict.
Keep up the excellent Andor videos. Love the quality of the deep dives recently.
Love your channel
Another superb video! Yes, there is so much to love about Syril Karn. Can't wait to see where adventure leads him.
I really appreciate your self dolphincating humor and dense of self porpoise
Great video, especially the true and accurate description of living in NYC...
I feel this message right now I’m living at home after getting out of the Marine Corps and trying to find a job and get back out there. I was overseas for a few years so it’s all very different than when I left
He’s overzealous and looking for purpose. We’ll see which side finds him first.
Great video Allen !
Syril's mom is the most villainous villain in the galaxy
I like this analysis, well thought out! good job!
I can see Karn joining the Rebellion. Assuming he lives long enough to fully realise what atrocities the Empire is commiting. I think it will clash with his view of the rule of law too much.
This video just earned you another fan. Great analysis.
I honestly feel for characters like Karn and Mosk
Alan, thank you for doing a deep dive on Cyril, I think that Tony Gilroy really meant for us to end up liking this character for some reason, make him identifiable in the viewer as someone who could actually exist within our world, the everyman for those living in massive urban sprawl, fighting to understand the greater world outside of the concrete cell. Great work!
I love the Millennial mention. My daughter falls in this category and strives for the ideals you mention here. I appreciate the insight into how you describe Millennials. I hope you dive deep into these topics more often. I think it helps move the needle. Put another way; it helps us understand one another more.
Pure genius. Syril is engaged in a personal rebellion. Making him a mirror image of Andor engaged in a larger collective rebellion. Bravo. He is the "Anti Andor", and will play a major part in Season 2.
His initial drive was for justice. He couldn't believe two of his colleagues had been murdered.
He'd make a formidable ally, were he to become a rebel.
1 word: pride.
The entire movie wouldn't even be possible if he had just listened to the CO and stayed away from the case. Instead this idiot took a small team to Ferrix and caused hell for everyone
Syril's mother is a classic covert narcissist, I'm so happy that you picked up on that too
I love how everyone just ignores the fact Karn is using stalking as a way to develop a relationship with Daedra
He is my favorite character of the show.
GenTech is one of the best SW content on TH-cam
Syril's mum is the textbook emotionally manipulative parent: All of Syril's failures are his own, but his successes are hers.
I have enjoyed your Andor videos so much allen thank you sir 😃
11:39. I didn't know Andor had an urge to modify his uniform? Lol. 😜 keep up the good work Generation Alan, my name is Tech.
In war, there is no good or bad. Its all grey, there are evils on both sides and virtues on each side, trying to survive as they are toys played with by their leaders.- Maria Weber, 1915.
Videos like these are why you’re the best star wars TH-camr Alan
Best Star Wars live action show, sorry Dave I still love you.
5 seasons of this would've been heaven.
Your videos are addicting. Makes watching Andor even more fun
Edited very well. The clips always match up with the topic. 👍🏻
Can you imagine an entire planet which is essentially NYC and the capital of the galaxy. No trees, no earth, no grass, no flora or fauna. What a sterile environment, devoid of all intelligent life...
Thank you for giving Cyril this spotlight! He was definitely deserving of it to help people better understand this character.
This has become my favorite Star Wars channel.