In the very first scene of “Andor” on Disney+, there is a text overlay that immediately situates the action in time and space: “Morlana One – Preox – Morlana Corporate Zone – BBY 5”. At least part of it is immediately understandable: Morlana One is the planet on which Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) is currently located. The name Preox – Morlana Corporate Zone is a bit trickier. But if you understand a little English, you will at least learn that it is an area that is probably controlled by a company (more on this at the end of the article). But what on earth is BBY 5 supposed to mean?
“ANDOR” IN THE “STAR WARS” TIMELINE: THE MEANING OF BBY 5
For those who regularly deal with “Star Wars” on the Internet and also browse English-language sites such as Wookiepedia (the Wikipedia for “Star Wars”), the two abbreviations BBY and ABY are the standard for orienting themselves in the chronology of the star saga. The two abbreviations are, so to speak, the “Star Wars” counterparts to the designations BC and AD. Chr. (before Christ and after Christ), which we use in the real world.
BBY 5 means 5 Years Before the Battle of Yavin, which refers to the battle in the finale of the very first “Star Wars” film where the first Death Star was destroyed.
Analogously, there is also the abbreviation ABY for After The Battle Of Yavin. In German, the abbreviations VSY and NSY are usually used. But with “Andor”, Disney+ apparently decided against translating the text inserts. In addition, the series breaks with the usual way of writing, in which the year is placed before the abbreviation. Normally, one writes 5 BBY and not BBY 5.
Interestingly, BBY has never appeared in an official “Star Wars” adventure. The term has only been used in non-fiction books and among fans. But the fact that “Andor” is now using it makes it finally official.
“Andor” is set five years before the events of “Star Wars: Episode 4 – A New Hope” and thus also five years before “Rogue One”. In season 1 it will stay that way for the time being. For the already confirmed season 2, however, the gap to “Rogue One” will be completely closed, which is why the time from 4 BBY to 1 BBY will then be covered.
AND WHAT IS PREOX?
To return briefly to the term at the beginning of the article: Preox is a security company that works for the Empire to monitor trade sectors so that the Empire itself doesn’t have to worry about them. The sector Preox-Morlana controls includes Morlana One, where the company is based, and the planet Ferrix, where Cassian Andor lives. It is not yet known whether there are other Preox offshoots in other areas of the galaxy, but it is conceivable.
