Andor is television, anti-authoritarianism artistry, and Star Wars at its finest

by

MASSIVE SPOILERS FOR ANDOR SEASON TWO AHEAD

“It had to be done.”

“It gets tiring saying that, doesn’t it?”

By mid-April 2025, David Ehlrich from IndieWire pointed out a significant change in culture. This transformation was centered around the stark contrast between the overwhelming enthusiasm audiences showed towards the movie “Sinners” and the lukewarm reception given to Shawn Levy’s “Star Wars: Starfighter,” which was announced on the same day that “Sinners” began its cinema release. For Ehlrich, this suggested that audiences were yearning for something fresh rather than just being offered the prospect of a new “Adam Project” creator working on another “Star Wars” project.

As a movie reviewer, I’ve got to join the conversation about what could shape future artistic standards. If there’s ever been a stake driven through the heart of typical Disney+ streaming content or fan-service-heavy Mouse House blockbusters, it’s a project that even this company itself has produced. It’s hard to look at shows like The Book of Boba Fett or The Rise of Skywalker when Andor is around. In its second and final season, Andor has proven itself as not just slightly more thoughtful than usual Star Wars entertainment, but truly exceptional art.

With the next theatrical Star Wars film generating early buzz about the return of Rotta the Hutt and Embo from the Clone Wars, it’s clear that Andor is an exception in a world full of callbacks.

Lucasfilm isn’t planning to create another production like this one. Appreciate its unique qualities. Keep it close, as it highlights the flaws in other Star Wars content. Understand how Andor underscores the weaknesses of other Star Wars media.

In the latest 12 episodes of “Andor”, there are four distinct storylines that unfold across three separate installments, with a time skip of one year between each narrative arc. The central character in this series is Cassian Andor, portrayed by Diego Luna, who reappears from the Star Wars saga between Episodes III and IV. Under the iron-fisted rule of the Galactic Empire, any form of resistance or individuality is ruthlessly suppressed. While Andor serves as the focal point of these events, the scripts for “Andor” do not solely revolve around him, mirroring the complex nature of a struggle for freedom that involves more than just one person.

In this story, pivotal figures such as mechanical genius Bix Caleen (played by Adria Arjona), the ambiguously moral rebel leader Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgard), strategic advisor Dedra Meero from the Imperial Security Bureau (Denise Gough), Imperial official Syril Karn (Kylle Soller), politically subversive Senator Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly), and Luthen’s assistant Kleya Marki (Elizabeth Dulau) are all wrestling with duties and aspirations that won’t earn them any honors or public celebrations. Neither supporters like Karn nor Meero will gain royal status if they manage to crush the rebellion. Their best hope is perhaps a promotion. These individuals may not appear extraordinary, but their capacity for significant actions – both beneficial and harmful – should not be underestimated.

This year, I found myself captivated by the exceptional writing in Severance’s second season, reminding me once again that compelling storytelling transcends intricate lore. The dialogue on this series is often dense with Lumon Industries jargon, yet it’s immaterial whether you grasp every nuance or not. The writers skillfully prioritize the raw emotions over the mythos, using the unique language as mere seasoning to enrich the narrative.

Similarly, in Andor’s stellar second season, a similar finesse is evident in episode eight, “Who Are You?”. Here, Karn confronts Meero about the deception surrounding Imperial activities on Ghorman, and regardless of the complexities of the Empire’s rhetoric, the emotional undercurrent is what truly resonates. The intricate verbal tapestry woven throughout serves only to accentuate the story.

In his passionate speech, he points out that Imperial troops are amassing across distinct areas of this planet, each with unusual names reminiscent of those in the Star Wars universe. Remembering these oddly spelled words isn’t crucial, however. His intense frustration consistently makes it clear what Karn is communicating. The brilliance of Andor lies in its ability to make the lore unimportant, often on purpose. Unlike other Star Wars shows such as The Mandalorian or The Book of Boba Fett, Andor doesn’t rely on viewers’ prior knowledge of characters like Cad Bane, Bo-Katan, or Ezra Bridger to engage their emotions. If you haven’t encountered these characters before, there’s little here for your enjoyment.

In contrast to Star Wars, Andor offers a wealth of independent enjoyment. Characters like Andor, Mothma, Director Krennic (played by Ben Mendelsohn), and Senator Organa (portrayed by Benjamin Bratt) appear throughout the series, but their roles in Andor are so distinct that prior knowledge from Wookieepedia isn’t crucial. Instead of incorporating familiar characters like Darth Maul for dramatic pauses, the show subtly references its past through historical allusions. For example, protesters in “Who Are You?” chant “The galaxy is watching!”, mirroring the “The whole world is watching!” cry from 1968 anti-Vietnam protests.

In simpler terms, the most impressive episode of Andor‘s second season features a striking parallel to real-world events. Given how exceptional this set of 12 episodes is, it’s a significant praise, but “Who Are You?” definitely deserves it. This particular episode follows Andor and Wilmon Paak (Muhannad Bhaier) as they go to Ghorman to assassinate Meero, coinciding with a peaceful protest by the local population against Imperial forces causing harm to the planet and its people. The climax of this event takes place in a town square where, many years ago, an Imperial-sanctioned massacre occurred. As history often does, it repeats itself here. From afar, an Imperial sniper shoots and kills one of the troops intimidating the protesters. A falsehood is spread that the shot originated from the protestors, which gives Imperial forces a reason to brutally kill all the unarmed protesters.

This particular Star Wars battle scene deviates from the usual cathartic and heroic sequences found in other Star Wars battles. Instead, it resembles real-life conflicts such as The Battle of Algiers or police brutality footage seen in The Seed of the Sacred Fig or Whose Streets. The creators deliberately choose a somber ending and disturbing imagery of common people terrified by laser blasts, adding depth to the production’s eerie ambiance. In this emotionally taxing episode, Star Wars media demonstrates exceptional artistry not just by referencing its own legacy but by reflecting reality. I never thought a Star Wars TV episode could portray events like this or employ such visually realistic scenes. The second season of Andor has proven me wrong time and again with its tragically relevant and subversive storytelling.

The somber symbolism in “Who Are You?” resonates deeply within the visually stunning backdrop of many Andor episodes. A significant aspect of this visual language is its deliberate use of emptiness. Wide shots that position characters such as Bix or Andor towards the periphery create an impressive sense of scope. These characters are mere components in larger systems, and this expansive imagery poignantly reflects that reality. Closer framing, on the other hand, is equally impactful. A scene where Bix directly addresses the camera while reading her final message to Cassian amplifies the emotional intensity of her farewell.

Over the span of approximately 12 hours, the second season of ‘Andor’ doesn’t shy away from revealing some imperfections. The most significant issue is that four seasons worth of additional content were condensed into only 12 episodes, which leaves certain supporting narratives feeling slightly rushed. However, these minor flaws are significantly overshadowed by the many aspects these concluding episodes get absolutely right. This includes understated conclusions for characters we’ve grown attached to, where no character experiences a neat resolution. Instead, unfulfilled emotional desires linger in the air, intentionally left unresolved. Surviving until the final moments of ‘Andor’ often feels more like a burden than a gift for those characters who make it that far.

Towards the end of the final episode of “Jedha, Kyber, Erso,” a voice familiar to listeners echoes. Karis Nemik (played by Alex Lawther) reads his manifesto. He states, “The Imperial drive for control is so frantic because it’s fundamentally unnatural. Tyranny demands constant upkeep.” This recording was made years ago, when he passed away. A discussion between Partagaz (Anton Lesser) and another Imperial officer reveals that the author of this manifesto remains a mystery. However, Nemik’s ideas have not been forgotten. Partagaz acknowledges that they resurface frequently.

Life can be tough, even under ideal circumstances. But living under authoritarian rule makes it even harder. The series Andor vividly portrays this struggle, showing the countless ways people resist oppressive regimes and the exhaustion that comes with achieving even small victories against fascism. However, resistance is crucial – it’s about survival, perseverance. You don’t need fame or monuments to honor you to have led a meaningful life. Andor explores characters like Cassian Andor and Nemik, who are reminiscent of the souls George Eliot wrote about in her book Middlemarch, which inspired the title of Terrence Malick’s A Hidden Life. Eliot would call the actions of these characters “unhistoric acts,” suggesting that even though things might not seem great for us, it’s partly because of those who lived quietly and selflessly, their graves unvisited.

a rebellion against authority, affection for robots, and diverse characters. Whether it marks a new chapter or the full creative potential of Star Wars, Andor has left an indelible mark with its exceptional quality across 12 episodes. Its impact on cultural history will become more apparent over time, but one thing is certain: the extraordinary artistry displayed in these episodes will never fade.

Read More

2025-05-15 16:15