The following contains spoilers for Andor Episodes 1-3, now streaming on Disney+.
The Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi gave Star Wars fans a look at what life is like under a tyrannical empire from the perspective of a person who was once at the height of the Republic's power structure. Cassian Andor from Rogue One was never rubbing elbows with Senators before. This is why the Empire is almost completely absent from the first three episodes of his Disney+ show Andor.
While the new program spans across the Star Wars timeline, most of the "present day" story takes place about five years before Cassian's death on Scarif. For most of his life on Ferrix, he's been a subject of the First Galactic Empire -- but he hasn't felt the bootheel of s Stormtrooper on his neck. On Ferrix and Morlana One, the planet Cassian visits looking for his sister, the all-powerful and unaccountable authority is some corporation in charge of this territory. Even this late in Palpatine's reign, holding onto power is difficult without a fully functioning Death Star. Thus he relies on the old Republic institutions of the Senate and powerful corporations. What makes this alliance work is that the Empire weakens the former and gives the latter free rein... so long as the space-checks clear.
One reason Star Trek and Star Wars fans often find themselves fundamentally at odds is that despite the "star" similarities, they represent two vastly different philosophies. Star Trek imagines a universe where people create a utopian system. If that system fails, individuals who uphold Federation ideals fix the problem. Star Wars, on the other hand, imagines a universe where every system eventually fails, no matter who is committed to its ideals. Syril Karn, played with square-jawed intensity by Kyle Soller, would have done very well in Starfleet. He's by the book, loyal to his fellow servicemembers and a true believer. In the Star Wars galaxy, however, he's just another schmoe about to discover that his steadfast commitment is in service of a pointless and cruel cause.
As fun as every Jedi story is, Andor is an important part of the mythos of that universe. Showrunner Tony Gilroy and company show how an authoritarian nightmare state affects everyday folks. Most of the focus of big, mythic and visually different Star Wars stories is on people who are connected by blood or circumstance to the most important events in the galaxy. Cassian's life and the lives of those around him are so unimportant to those questions that the Empire can't be bothered to maintain a presence even for show. After Karn's disastrous mission to Ferrix, however, that will almost certainly change. Starfleet would lock up Karn's corrupt supervisor and give him a demotion to serve under some amazing captain so he could reach his full potential. In Star Wars, he'll be lucky to walk away from this mess with his life.
Fear not, fans. As soon as Cassian grows more involved with the Rebellion, the Empire will definitely become the main villains. Yet even moreso than the crew of the Ghost in the possibly continuing Star Wars Rebels, Andor is a simple man trying to make his way in the universe. He's used to ducking and hiding from any authority -- Republic, Imperial or private. Viewers know where Cassian's story ends, so Andor's job is to show audiences why a person who didn't see Imperial cruelty firs-thand would end up dying for a mere chance at setting the galaxy free.
Star Wars has always been a political story. It's about the revolutionary spirit in human beings and how absolute power corrupts absolutely. Andor finally gives fans a live-action project that is all about that political struggle and absent the mysticism of the Force. The Empire may also be missing, but that's only because the Disney+ series has a very good reason why.
New episodes of Andor stream Wednesdays on Disney+.