Andor

Andor is everything I didn't know I needed to fall in love with the Star Wars universe. It'll never get the recognition of the original movies. The prequels. Or even the underwhelming sequels that couldn't stick the landing. But for what it is, Andor is one of the biggest accomplishments in tv for what it accomplished in the small window of opportunity they had in terms of material.

Andor is not only a prequel, but a prequel to a movie that's not even deeply connected to the main Star Wars story. Yet what it accomplished was one of the most grounded takes on corruption, manipulation, and abuses of power in all of television. Turning a mission of taking the plans of the Death Star into a series that embarks on all of these strong ordeals that are occurring in our world as we speak and putting a spotlight on them is something I didn't think I'd get from this universe.

Stay with me here but to me this show is what Severance and Succession / The Newsroom are to Apple TV+ and HBO. For the topics that are covered to the awful things that these multi billion dollar companies do and are apart of, it's extremely ironic that these shows would air on these platforms and go to show how much they don't care. But I am thankful that shows like this can exist and go about these topics in a way that feels earned and gives hope.

I didn't think a prequel would be even remotely close to Better Call Saul in a very long time, but when BCS ended in 2022 Andor began. And with its conclusion 3 years later despite it only being 2 seasons, Tony Gilroy and company proved me wrong.

"And know this: the day will come when all these skirmishes and battles, these moments of defiance will have flooded the banks of the Empire's authority and then there will be one too many. One single thing will break the siege.

Remember this. Try."

Wow. I just finished episode 12 of the first season of this show. As a lifelong Star Wars fan, I feel like I'm about 12 years old again. To me, the thing about the Star Wars universe that fascinated me was never the jedi, or the mysticism, or the lightsabers. All that was cool, but to me, the fascination was for the struggle. The underdog vs the world. The fight against oppression. From the original series, Wedge was my favorite character- just a regular guy doing his part.

Return of the Jedi was always my favorite, despite its flaws. The reason was the epic battle sequence at the end. Unlike basically every piece of star wars media since, ROTJ's battle focused extensively on regular 'people'. This is what the Ewoks represented- an oppressed civilisation. It's a little hokey in practice, but the message was the important thing. Likewise, the space battle was all regular pilots doing their best to survive a last-ditch battle. Green Leader going out of control and kamikazi-ing the super star destroyer, Wedge and Lando shooting out the reactor. Again, these were regular people doing their bit to fight the empire. The Rebel Alliance is built on THEIR backs, not those of some space wizard (all respect to Luke).

To me, Star Wars media lost sight of that until Rogue One. Here, they continue (or start) the tradition by focusing on Andor.

Let's be clear, Cassian Andor is not really the protagonist here. The Rebel Alliance is, and Cassian is the perspective through which we are seeing it, as a regular guy down on his luck finding his way in the galaxy despite a world of harshness thrown at him. Likewise, we see it from the perspective of its architects, Mon Mothma, a politician doing it 'straight', and Luthen Rael, a spy/terrorist playing the deeper, more violent game. We also see the Empire as the antagonist, through the eyes of those who wish for order, like Syril Karn, and a promising and talented ISB agent, Dedra Meero.

There are no jedi or lightsabers here, and surprisingly few battles and pew-pews. Almost no jokes, and (amazingly) no "I have a bad feeling about this."

What we get instead, and what I have needed from this franchise for a very long time, is incredible acting. Unbelievably good writing, and fantastic attention to detail. This is one of the most well-made shows I've ever seen. Every character's action, good or bad, makes sense here. This is Star Wars, the Real Drama, where I can simultaneously understand the perspective of a Rebel and an Imperial. I may not agree with one, or even both, of them, but I understand them.... I might even sympathise with them. It is like The Wire in the star wars universe. It really is THAT good.

I have no notes for this. There is nothing I can imagine that would make it better. It may not be for kids or for everyone. It is slow. It has relatively little action and no humor. But- if you enjoy suspense, and tension, in a Hitchcockian way.... you MUST watch this. If you're a star wars fan who enjoyed the series for those regular men and women in the background, then again, you must watch this. If you are a fan of revolutionary or antifascist history, you must watch this.

I cannot wait for Season 2.

OK- it's 7 May 2025. I've come back to make a slight edit after watching episodes 1-9.

All I can say is... I wish there would be a Season 3. I think Season 2 is forced to be just a *little* clunky in the way it skips years between three-episode arcs... but my god is that a minor critique. The acting. The writing. The production value, set design, costumes... I do not know if it is possible to make a show that is as incredibly high-quality as this.

If you aren't watching this... just watch it.

If you don't enjoy the absolute tension and drama... well downvote me because we're just not on the same wavelength.

I wish all Star Wars... hell all media.. was this good.

There were a few episodes I didn't like in both seasons, but after finishing up season 2 I can say this show is truly a masterpiece. The writing and acting were phenomenal. This was an adult story that Star Wars fans always wanted. Characters that had many dimensions to them. Good and evil were blurred as they can be in real life. Almost all the characters had many different sides to them. Bad things were done by "good" characters. You felt the pain of many of these characters. You felt like the stakes were real. Appropriate humor as well. No your momma jokes or drinking blue milk from alien nipples. You felt the weight of the story. Watching this show brings so much more context to Rogue One(the only good Disney SW movie). A show like this will have lasting impacts on the fanbase. We are not toxic as Disney always claims. We just want a good story with developed characters and no Agenda being forced down our collective throats.

I have to say that I was really looking forward to Andor ever since I first heard about it. Then when I saw the trailers I got even more excited. I just finished watching it and it not only met my expectations but even surpassed them. It actually might be the best Star Wars series so far, or at least right there with The Mandalorian. The entire cast is great but Diego Luna is obviously the real star here. He is just fantastic as the lead. This may start a little slow but stick with it because it picks up in a hurry and the next thing you know you're completely hooked. It's already been renewed for a second season so I can't wait until next season and more of Andor!

This is THE show anyone who grew up with classic Star Wars needs to see. 'Mature' Star Wars, if you will.

Maintains the aesthetics of Rogue One and has a quality of writing to shame recent pathetic efforts. Stands as a great little sci-fi adventure on its own, within the Star Wars universe.

Terrific production, script and depth of accomplished acting performances - tremendous - give it a gravitas to have you salivating if you ever so much as tingled at any great Star Wars movie.

One particular visual snippet as an example - S1E06 'The Eye' has Tie Fighter pilots scrambling into their machines. Mere seconds of screen time but a scintillating burst of realisation that such dynamic moments have never been 'authentically' presented to you before. Ally that with engaging and stimulating dialogue, and it delivers some great stuff.

Treat you inner kid and impress your critical adult: don't miss out on giving this quality production the attention and admiration it deserves. This is Rogue One (the 3rd greatest Star Wars movie behind IV & V) expanded. 8/10 and climbing.