Elliot Kessler

I’m not sure what to say about this show that I haven’t said before. This thrilling, excellent episode has begun to raise the stakes and set up something big. The board is set, and the pieces are moving. This episode feels like the middle of a story, and that’s because it is. But, as fantastic as it is, there isn’t much going on when you take a step back and look at the bigger picture. There is quite a bit of filler as we wait for the real action to happen. However, that doesn’t make this a bad episode.

The characters and their development are fantastic. I’ve said this before, but I will repeat it. The creators of “Andor” know what they’re doing regarding characters. I love everyone we meet in this show. They have personality, their own stories, and their own goals. They are always a joy to watch, and they all feel alive. They aren’t simply cardboard cutouts like most side characters. They can stand up on their own and work well within the world of the show.

The visuals are amazing, except for that one shot of the Star Destroyer. This is the first time we see a Destroyer in the show, and it looks like something thrown together in After Effects and put on YouTube. Other than that, everything looks terrific. Coruscant has never looked better, and the costumes are perfect.

The scenes with Luthen and Mon Mothma are always fun. The way they talk in the antique shop with the double meanings and the hidden emotion add to the tension of the scenes. It’s always fun discerning what they’re saying and cracking their codes. I’m not sure why, but there is something about characters discussing secret information and hiding their reactions in front of other people that is so tense. One simple mistake and everything is lost. If someone stops smiling, if someone says something too loudly, if someone else in the room figures out what they’re saying, the Rebellion is gone.

Cassian’s mom is a solid character. Her decision to stay on Ferrix makes a lot of sense, even if Cassian doesn’t understand it. Her character is very strong. She’s a flat arc character, but sometimes, those are what a story needs. She’s someone to help guide Cassian morally, even if Cassian doesn’t understand what she’s doing. She is strong, brave, and determined. Even in her old age, she’s fighting back against the Empire.

The flashbacks to the Republic were fascinating to watch. They made the Republic look as evil and oppressive as the Empire. A simple misunderstanding led to the hanging of an innocent man. That’s some dark stuff, and it’s hard to watch the clones do that after rooting for them for years. It’s terrifying thinking about the Republic doing something like that. What other atrocities did they commit?

The Imperials are fun to watch. Even though the Empire is evil, that doesn’t mean the people in it are. The Imperial subplot feels almost like the book “Thrawn,” and I love that. The political maneuvering, the plotting, and the investigation of the Rebellion are all super interesting. This show is for “Star Wars” fans who understand the timeline, which might make it hard for casual viewers to enjoy the show. It was also great to see Admiral Yuarlen again, even if it was for a brief cameo. His appearance does make sense and isn’t forced, which I was very glad about. It could have been another Admiral, sure. But Yuarlen makes sense. It’s nice to see a familiar face now and again, and it’s nice that he was only there for one scene and didn’t outstay his welcome.

Syril Karn’s story is enjoyable. I love that he’s stuck in a desk job now. I’m curious to see his journey and where he ends up. Will he continue to hunt down Andor? Or will he and Cassian become friends? I want to see Syril join the Rebellion around the same time as Cassian but still have it out for him. They could be put on an assignment together and have to sort out their differences or die. That would be a very interesting episode that I would love to see, but it’s more likely something like that would happen next season. But that’s what I want to see from Karn’s story.

While being a slow show, “Andor” has a lot to offer. It has outstanding characters, incredible visuals, and a very interesting story. This isn’t a by-the-numbers “Star Wars” show. This is a different and unique “Star Wars” story, and I have no idea where it might go next. What do you think will happen?

Thanks for reading! Have a fantastic day.