You Won’t Believe What ‘Andor’ Season 2 Says About OUR World

by

In a surprising twist, the series “Star Wars: Andor,” both its exceptional first season and nearly equally impressive second season, offers very little of what typically draws me to the “Star Wars” franchise. Absent are lightsabers, only one adorable droid, minimal alien characters, and the space battles lack the grandeur we often associate with epic. The Force is barely mentioned. However, despite these departures from tradition, “Andor” has emerged as one of the finest science fiction TV shows in years. Remarkably, it uses “Star Wars” imagery to tell its story, but this connection pales in comparison to what makes it so exceptional. Three episodes towards the end of the second season are among the best television produced in the past ten years – an assertion not made lightly, as they truly are that impressive.

In a new take for the second season of Andor, creator Tony Gilroy opted to divide the original twelve episodes into four distinct story arcs spanning over four years. This structure, while generally effective, results in some arcs being more impactful than others, giving the impression that we’re watching four long movies instead of a continuous narrative as seen in season one. Despite the potential weaknesses of this approach, many still find the first season of Andor to be more compelling overall, although the peaks of the second season might outshine those of the first.

The narrative kicks off powerfully, featuring Cassian Andor, played by Diego Luna, pilfering a TIE fighter from an Imperial manufacturing world. This initial segment of the tale is more captivating than what transpires next, as Cassian finds himself stranded on a verdant planet with some of the least impressive rebels. Regrettably, this story arc is the least engaging of the season, causing me to fear that season two might be treading water, delaying the arrival of more exciting material. Certain plotlines involving secondary characters seem unnecessary, particularly given the limited time we have to conclude this narrative. Characters like Saw Gerrera, portrayed by Forest Whitaker, are present primarily to link with Rogue One, but they detract from more promising storylines. Fortunately, familiar faces such as K-2SO (Alan Tudyk) and Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn) integrate much more smoothly.

Although it could have been stronger with two episodes instead of three, the initial storyline may seem somewhat slow-paced at times. Similar to the first season, the primary focus remains on our protagonist and Genevieve O’Reilly as Senator Mon Mothma. In this opening storyline, the narrative threads concerning Mothma are significantly more engaging than those of Cassian. It’s surprising that the series was ever referred to solely as Andor. Instead, it has always been a collaborative effort. Perhaps Star Wars: Rebels was already claimed.

In my perspective, what truly sets the series “Andor” apart from other Star Wars productions, and quite unusually so, is its profound exploration and development of its antagonists, specifically Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) and Syril Karn (Kyle Soller). What’s remarkable about this show is how it manages to elicit empathy for these unrepentant fascists. Let me assure you, they are unapologetic in their actions.

Initially, there were instances that gave a glimmer of hope for Syril’s reform. However, his inherent malevolence becomes increasingly evident as the story unfolds. Remarkably, despite his despicable nature, Gilroy and the team manage to keep us captivated by his narrative and even find ourselves inadvertently rooting for him against all odds.

The same can be said about Dedra, who is arguably more reprehensible than Syril. “Andor” never loses sight of the fact that even the most heinous individuals are still human beings. There’s a scene where Dedra gets mortified by her mother in front of her girlfriend – it’s a stark reminder that beneath their cruelty, they are individuals with vulnerabilities and complexities.

In addition to some compelling character growth for Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona) this season, the narrative doesn’t gloss over her experiences from last season and tackles her PTSD authentically. However, an aspect of her character development may spark significant debate. This episode might require a trigger warning due to its sensitive content, but it feels unusual for a Star Wars chapter to contain such material, given that characters like Jar Jar Binks and Ewoks are relegated to the background. Nonetheless, this plot point aligns with the storyline. If you’re seeking raw, gritty Star Wars action, be prepared for elements like these that may be uncomfortable.

The standout aspect that propels season two of Andor to great heights is episodes 8, 9, and 10. We won’t disclose the specific events in these installments for this review. However, they powerfully emphasize the political themes in Andor, making them strikingly relevant today. Without delving too deeply into details here, these episodes carry a resonance that feels particularly timely. The entire series has been skillfully building towards these chapters of the narrative since its inception, most notably for Cassian, Mon Mothma, and Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård). Contrary to expectations, Luthen’s story takes a turn that is darker than anticipated. Season two doesn’t merely tie up neatly with the events of Rogue One, it transforms Andor into a self-contained tale that feels complete in its entirety.

In that moment, it became clear; Andor is not just Star Wars, but rather, it bears more resemblance to Star Trek. Originally airing during the turbulent 1960s, Star Trek used a science-fiction universe as a backdrop for stories about contemporary issues, tales that the network would never have approved in a direct manner. Andor is following in these footsteps. It’s highly unlikely that Disney+ would produce a show directly based on our current climate, but set it in a distant galaxy? Then it becomes just another space fantasy. Thus, due to its ability to mirror Earth in 2025 more than shows actually set on Earth in 2025, Andor is likely to endure the test of time.

In less skilled hands than Tony Gilroy’s, the ambitious second season of Andor might have come off as overly contrived. Using George Lucas’ classic mythology to explore themes of political espionage and life under fascism seems unlikely, but remarkably, it works. As a dedicated Star Wars fan, I must admit that at times it can be exasperating because it largely avoids the action-packed scenes we typically expect from the franchise. However, considering the rest of the Star Wars universe provides those moments, it’s not a flaw in Andor. Instead, any minor shortcomings are overshadowed by its exceptional quality as a television drama. And for that, we should be thankful such a remarkable production exists.

Read More

2025-04-22 00:33