Andor delivers a darker take on the Star Wars universe that can be quite complex, but it also gives us an excellent sci fi drama.
What Is It?
The first season of Andor starts five years before the events of Rogue One and focuses on Cassian Andor’s journey from cynical loner to rebel activist after he becomes involved in the killing of two Imperial agents. He is recruited by Luthen Rael, exposed to organized resistance, and reluctantly finds himself drawn into the rebellion. As the season ends, Cassian stands ready to fight, and a post-credits scene reveals the construction of the Death Star—signaling that a bigger threat is on the way.
Starring: Diego Luna, Kyle Soller. Adria Arjona, Stellan Skarsgård, Fiona Shaw, Alan Tudyk
Created By: Tony Gilroy
Johnny Jay’s Thoughts:
While Star Wars fans have grumbled about the prequel trilogy and the sequel trilogy, the one film beyond the original trilogy that usually gets a thumbs-up is Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. It takes place right before the events of A New Hope, and it follows the attempt to steal the Death Star plans and uncover the station’s weaknesses. It was designed as a stand-alone film with no real way to produce a sequel, but Tony Gilroy (who co-wrote the film’s script) came up with the brilliant idea of a prequel to the prequel—and that led us to the Andor television series.
Andor (Diego Luna) is the co-lead in Rogue One alongside Felicity Jones’ Jyn Erso, and Gilroy decided that he would be the most interesting character to explore through a serialized tale. And considering that he got 24 episodes without the story feeling padded, that was a good choice. The first season follows Andor’s path to joining the Rebel Alliance after he’s drawn into conflict with the Empire. He is reluctant to trust this ragtag group and questions their motives, but as he sees increasing signs of tyranny from the Empire and loses people close to him, Andor chooses to enlist.
But as the second season picks up, he finds himself regretting that decision. He sees the rebels as disorganized, with various factions splintering off and following their own agendas. He also becomes frustrated with the slow game of politics played by those trying to build sympathy and support for the rebellion. Yet as the shadow of the Empire grows darker and more people fall victim to its brutality, Andor becomes fully committed—leading directly into the events of Rogue One as Season 2 concludes.
I’ve seen Andor referred to as the best of the live-action Star Wars series, and I would have to agree. The Mandalorian seemed to wander and lose its focus by Season 3, Ahsoka hasn’t given us enough to go on yet, and Skeleton Crew appears more geared toward younger audiences. But while Andor may be the best of the bunch, take note: it’s a rather grim series. It explores the dark underside of the rebellion and the moral ambiguity its members must navigate. It also lacks the humorous elements we often find in Star Wars, but that was true of Rogue One as well. Also take note that the show introduces a wide array of characters and plotlines, and those can be hard to follow—even for binge-watchers. So those seeking the lighter side of the Star Wars saga may not enjoy this one as much, but fans of good sci-fi drama should find plenty to appreciate in Andor.
And you don’t need to know the full Star Wars backstory to jump into this one. You may miss a few references, but this actually serves as a good jumping-on point into the franchise. That said, you’ll need to watch Rogue One for a proper conclusion (which will likely lead you straight into A New Hope, and so on). At 24 episodes, the length of the series feels just right. It offers just enough space for character development and plotlines, and it delivers a strong lead-in to Rogue One, resulting in a truly compelling sci-fi saga that even jogs your brain matter at times. It might seem like watching the show is grueling at times, but in the end, it is worth it.
Rating: 4 ½ out of 5 Stars
What’s Next?
As mentioned above, Andor plus Rogue One tells a pretty complete story, and Tony Gilroy has not shown any interest in pursuing it any further. It is possible that another prequel focusing on Jyn Erso could happen at some point, but Gilroy would likely not be involved. Following are his comments when asked about Rogue One:
I couldn’t think of a way to get anything else from Rogue One, really. I always thought, ‘Oh my God, I’m going to have to deal with Tivik the spy! Should I deal with Galen Erso? And was there anybody else?
In the end, I realized if people didn’t absolutely have to be there, they shouldn’t. And it would’ve been lame to bring Jyn back as a cameo. That would’ve been really disrespectful in a way. I’d rather honor Rogue and keep it straight.
So count this chapter pretty much closed at this point. Though considering the strong viewership from both seasons, don’t be surprised if Disney chases the money and asks for another spin-off at some point (and that final scene with Bix suggests a future sequel).
Where Can You Watch It?
Both seasons of Andor, along with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, are available for streaming on Disney+. And since the show counted as a big hit, I expect it to remain available on that service for quite a while.
Are you watching Andor and do you consider it one of the best Star Wars TV shows? Chime in with your thoughts in the comments section below.
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