The hidden leitmotif of Andor (and what it means)

If you've watched Andor, you've probably heard Andor's theme song and it's many, many variations.

But what if I told you there was another theme song. The unofficial theme song. A track which acts a leitmotif of change; a baptism into the rebellion.

It's called "Niamos!" and many folks attribute the song as first playing on the planet of the same name.

When we're first introduced to Niamos, we hear this track:

But this theme was established in the very first episode. Not only that, but it's the very first diegetic song we hear in the show:

The first instance of the Niamos theme is as Andor is searching for his sister.

He attracts the attention of the corrupt Morlana One rent-a-cops – whom he then has no choice but to kill. This sets off the series of events which lead him to the rebellion.

The next time we hear a version of this song, it's at the Chandrillan Embassy on Coruscant. Senator Mon Mothma is hosting a party for VIPs and we hear the song in the background. In attendance, her old friend Tay Kolma.

Mon confides in Tay that she needs his help to cover up some of her financial contributions to the rebellion.

This scene set Mon on her path to becoming the leader of the Rebel Alliance.

Then we hear the theme as we visit Niamos for the first time. We meet up with Cassian after the raid on Aldhani.

Niamos is the planet where Cassian is abducted arrested by storm troopers. It's where he is sent to the Narkina 5 prison and where he witnesses, first hand, the injustice of the Galactic Empire.

All he wants is to be left in peace, yet the events of Niamos and Narkina 5? That's when he realizes the Empire will never afford him the peace he craves.

Welcome to the rebellion, Cassian.

From there, we hear the theme at the wedding reception for Mon's daughter Leida. Tay, who had been serving as the chair of Mon's front organization, vaguely threatens her because rebel activity had been "souring [his] investments."

Luthen, who is a shadowy mover and shaker for the rebels, gets wind of this and intimates to Mon that Tay must be killed so that she can be protected.

Mon's silent consent builds as the Niamos theme dietetically pushes her to suppress her emotions for a greater cause.

We all make sacrifices.

The final instance I can find of the Niamos theme is with Kleya at the Lina Soh Hospital on Coruscant. We hear the track as she's making her way to kill her mentor Luthen. (It's a long story.)

In this instance, it's humorously playing as an elevator music remix. A brief moment of levity for a particularly heavy episode.

The presence of the song here is telling. At this point, Luthen and Kleya have been working behind the scenes against the Empire, but not really with the rebellion. They both operated deep in the shadows and their independence has rubbed many alliance leaders the wrong way.

What's important is that, later in this arc, Kleya emotionally protests going to Yavin. This is because she feels as though she's not welcome or that's she's not truly one of the rebels.

Yet, I believe the inclusion of Niamos is the elevator signals to us the moment Kleya became part of the rebellion.

I believe this track is meant to be a baptism of sorts–it accompanies watershed moments for each character that it accompanies. Interestingly, it recurs with Andor and with Mon multiple times, yet with Kleya it happens near the very end of the series. I think that makes perfect sense and is very fitting for Kleya.

I'd love your thoughts on this one!