Armed Kleya with a Firearm
In the gripping second season of the Star Wars spin-off series, Andor, a new character emerges as a force to be reckoned with - Kleya Marki. In a tense and emotional moment, Kleya uses Cassian's Bryar pistol to execute multiple ISB tactical officers.
Previously identified as a derringer with stacked barrels and a small grip, Cassian's Bryar pistol has now been revealed to be in Kleya's possession. This weapon, once belonging to Cassian, has quite the history. Cassian took the pistol from Syril Karn when he was arrested on Ferrix. Later, Cassian passed it on to Melshi during the Narkina 5 breakout.
The transfer of Cassian's Bryar pistol signifies its journey from the Imperial forces to the Rebel Alliance. The pistol's new owner, Kleya Marki, is a coordinator and go-between for Luthen in Andor. Her tools of resistance have been her comms system and icy looks, but she wields a weapon for the first time in this execution scene.
Kleya's blaster in Andor resembles a derringer with stacked barrels and a small grip, and feels less like a typical Star Wars blaster. Interestingly, the blaster used by Kleya is not a standard Star Wars prop, but a customized real-world firearm. The blaster's design is based on a Brasso custom gun, a testament to the show's commitment to authentic visual and practical effects.
The possession of Cassian's Bryar pistol by Kleya Marki symbolizes her resistance to the Imperial regime. The line "Who belongs to this?" spoken by Vel Sartha in the ninth episode of Andor's second season could be interpreted as a question about the ownership of Cassian's Bryar pistol, as it has now come into Kleya's hands.
The scenes of Kleya using Cassian's Bryar pistol have become significant since the episode aired. The blaster shoots energy clean through a Stormtrooper's skull, a characteristic of Star Wars blasters. This climactic moment of an episode is a culmination of Kleya's life, torn apart by the Empire and rebuilt out of her hatred for it.
In the Aldhani heist crew in season one of Andor, the characters were armed with AK-74s, a departure from traditional Star Wars weaponry. Cassian's Bryar pistol, however, is a straightforward and efficient tool, not an elegant weapon. It serves as a reminder of the gritty, realistic nature of the Andor series, where every tool matters in the fight against the Empire.
Io9 and Gizmodo have highlighted the significance of Kleya Marki's blaster in the second season of Andor, which resembles Cassian's Bryar pistol. This customized real-world firearm, based on a Brasso custom gun, underscores the show's dedication to authentic visual and practical effects in the entertainment genre of movies-and-tv. Future discussions about the Andor series might focus on the symbolic implications of Kleya wielding Cassian's Bryar pistol, a weapon that has passed through various hands, from the Imperial forces to the Rebel Alliance.