u/Bespashin

Back in the EU, it was very much established that black market weaponry, intel, etc, and smugglers were fundamental to the creation and growth of the Rebellion, and that they had a very cooperative relationship. And honestly that makes perfect sense. Early canon material did follow that logic for a time, but in recent years (especially with Andor), it very much comes across as though smugglers were not typically people the Rebellion would be able to make fair deals with, and that Han being allowed to survive in ANH was because they were already at War with the Empire, and despite being tracked, Han had one of their most valued leaders and the intel to destroy the Death Star on board, with no need to dispose of him afterwards.

Although many deals and operations wouldn’t involve Yavin directly, security is so much more complex than previous stories made out, and Andor puts it very clearly into perspective. Any kinds of chains can be tracked, and especially in the 5-0 BBY era, the ISB was on the ball in terms of observing absolutely anything like this, and were so much more aware than people realise. And the Rebellion was very strict on security. A highly trusted and competent rebel spy (Cassian) posed a risk to the Rebellion once, with some very crucial intel to show for it, yet his direct boss he’d been working for years for (Bail, who had him as a fulcrum agent) who was also renowned for being highly compassionate, immediate turned on him and confined him to quarters whilst they held a meeting to discuss his ‘fate.’ Granted, as Gilroy said, part of that comes from Bail’s personal beef with Luthen (and consequently Cassian), but there was a genuine point he was making, and he did technically handle it the way he was supposed to. If that’s how they treat one of their best and most trusted spies, how much would they really be relying on or delegating to known criminals?

What are your thoughts? We’re smugglers used, and they just had some ways of dealing with it, or has the notion changed?