'Andor' season 2 review: A fantastic conclusion to the unsung heroes of the Star Wars universe
As Bix walks through the fields of Mina-Rau with Andor’s child, there is that sense of poignancy, something that is rare in anything related to Star Wars.
From the films of the original trilogy, to the prequels and sequels, there was always a sense of adventure. But here, behind all that, the things that made the above happen, those stories were more inspiring, yet grittier, than them.
Fans may have noted the tense moments in the films, such as when Luke Skywalker was chased through the crevices of the Death Star by TIE fighters, or when Anakin duels Obi-Wan after creeping into the dark side.
However, those moments were nothing compared to the palpable tension felt in each episode of this series. 'Andor' does not contain a story within an episode, but divides them into arcs, with other parallel plotlines running in the background.
Tony Gilroy, the creator and showrunner, makes masterful use of Star Wars property. Indeed, this show has truly left me questioning the entirety of the existence of the Republic and how grey the characters are.
While 'Star Wars' was defined by the battle between the forces of good and evil, 'Andor' sees both good and evil exist within grey areas, reflecting in the characters' questionable choices.
The show also depicts adopts an anachronistic style in retelling the Star Wars Universe, and depicts politics, cultures, class structures, class struggles, and the slow growth of the Rebellion. Although all this is well detailed, 'Andor' gives us a nuanced perspective of a time that is supposed to be set in the future.
Another thing that made Andor wonderful—besides the world building, the ethereal soundtrack, incredible performances by Diego Luna, Stellan Skarsgard and Genevieve O'Reilly—was its characters.
Fully fleshed out, they—especially the characters of Mon Mothma, Luthen Rael and Bix Caleen—amplified a quality that can be seen throughout the franchise: bravery.
Mothma’s willingness to be the face of the Rebellion against the oppressive forces of the ISB, employed by the Galactic Empire, is truly heroic. It showed how someone from the elite could eventually one day question everything, including that sense of comfort she had as a senator.
Luthen Rael’s tragic downfall, which depicted his origins as an Imperial officer and his relationship with Kleya, was truly emotional.
'Andor' was certainly one of a kind. It truly showed what the rebellion was: not just an adventure, but also the need to do what was necessary; a cynical approach to obtain freedom. More importantly, it meant keeping aflame the waning sparks of hope, as Nemik, one of the characters in the series said.
“Remember that the frontier of the Rebellion is everywhere. And even the smallest act of insurrection pushes our lines forward.”
This line perfectly defined the whole point of the show, or maybe Star Wars overall. The next time I watch Jedi knights duel evil, and fighters destroying Death Stars, there is a sense of euphoria, sobered with a little bit of sadness.
Show: Andor (season 2)
Showrunners: Tony Gilroy
Cast: Diego Luna, Stellan Skarsgard, Genevieve O'Reilly, Denise Gough, Faye Marsay, Kyle Soller
Rating: 4.5/5
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