Describing it as “arguably the best thing the franchise has ever produced“, Empire Magazine have named Andor: A Star Wars Story as their TV show of the year, topping such heavyweights as Severance at 6, Pluribus at 7, The White Lotus at 8, Stranger Things at 15 and The Bear at 18. Not too shabby for a show that Empire describe as “the most accomplished piece of storytelling Star Wars has ever produced.” (even if they spell Lonni wrong)
“The distance between what is said and what is known to be true has become an abyss. Of all the things at risk, the loss of an objective reality is perhaps the most dangerous.” Mon Mothma’s blistering speech to the Imperial senate wasn’t the first body blow delivered by Tony Gilroy’s astonishing second season of Andor (even then, a part of us was still bleeding in the rubble of Palmo Plaza), but boy did it hit hard. Gilroy hasn’t been coy about the real-world inspirations for his revolutionary series, but never have the lines between Star Wars and the real world felt so gossamer thin. A tale of rebellion, what we sacrifice (“EVERYTHING!”), and the fragility of tyrannical rule, Andor stands as something quite extraordinary: a political manifesto, a masterclass in subtle character work, a gripping political thriller and the most accomplished piece of storytelling Star Wars has ever produced. That it emerged as a prequel to a prequel, turning a forgettable cypher into one of the saga’s most compelling heroes, is nothing short of astonishing. Mon Mothma’s trauma groove; Syril’s tragic revelation (“Who are you?”); Lonny slumped on a bench; Kleya’s final act of mercy; Dedra, head in hands, screaming at her fate; the series gifted us so many perfect moments that it’s hard to single out just one (or two, or ten!) Each of those moments contributed to a series that not only made for an incredible season of television, but one that completely transformed the way all of us will see Lucas’ franchise going forwards.
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