Every time an episode of Andor: A Star Wars Story lands, Fantha Tracks will be giving their responses, and here are our initial gut feelings, deep dives and thoughts on episodes one, two and three of season two, ”One Year Later”, “Sagrona Teema” and “Harvest”. Beware of spoilerific elements in here.
Greg McLaughlin
I can see why presenting the season in three episode arcs on one level makes sense, and the pieces seem to fit together to give you a picture of Andor’s life in the years leading up to Rogue One. I really loved the parallel stories of Cassian and Mon Mothma, who are both shown to lose people close to them, basically as a direct result of their actions. I do love that we pretty much see all the cast members we were concerned about right away, as the table is set to conclude their storylines this season. I think visually so far, it looks really great. I did love all the locations, the sets and the costumes looked fantastic. You can really see where the money has been spent. The writing is still top notch, and I can only imagine that after the table setting of the first few episodes, things will start moving even faster and faster.
Still, it felt like I was invited to a fine, multi-course meal, and felt compelled to rush through it. Of course no one was making me watch all three chapters in the same sitting. But it did feel like if I didn’t, I might see spoilers the longer I waited to complete them. But had I wolfed them all down at once, or watched them at my leisure, I am now feeling out of step with others. In the end it felt less like the communal experience of that magical first season.
That said, two standout pieces made my heart sing. One was ‘My dinner with Eedy.’ It was incredible to see the interaction between Syril’s mother and Dedra and what effect Mrs. Karn has had on her son, who got a nice promotion since we last seen him join the Imperial Bureau of Standards. His line to the new hire – ‘There’s a future here for those who dare,’ was a master stroke of the pen. It perfectly encapsulates his character. The Second was the return of Director Orson Krennic. Ben Mendelsohn just chews up the scenery and it’s wonderful seeing him back. The Imperial Power Point on Ghorman Silk production was hilarious. It’s interesting to see the restraint the Empire still has to use with systems, and the care not to bulldoze their way to the desired results. Underscores how important the Death Star will eventually be, if arguably, for the short time it’s around.
In the beginning with Cassian’s monologue to a potential new recruit, and the end with the death of Brasso and Tay, we are shown the gamut of emotion. In the beginning, it’s a fearful, heart racing exciting rush, that may likely lead to a sobering reality of the true price that is to be paid to bring down the Empire: Despite the noble reasons and rush you get by joining the rebellion, It has no quarter for lifelong friendships, love, or time. You will be lucky to catch your breath. This is all happening in real-time. The rebellion will take every last ounce of strength you have. It can take your friends, relations, and anything that resembles a normal life. You’ll have to stop and cry later while you’re in hyperspace. It’s time to go to work. It’s a big sacrifice. Now everything changes.
Johanna Lindén Nybelius
‘One Year Later’
It is easy to say that Andor is great in showing the vast possibilities of the galaxy, showing off diverse planets and cultures, and that it is also a great adventure, what with starting with Cassian Andor stealing a TIE. The one thing that makes Andor probably among the best things Star Wars has produced isn’t the splendors of Chandrila or the technological marvel of Sienar, it is the meeting at the Malthene Divide and the scene with Orson Krennic and the Imperials. It is a scene clearly mirroring the 2001 film “Conspiracy”, which in itself was based on the protocols from the Wannsee conference, where nazi bureaucrates gathered to find the final solution to the Jewish people in Germany. In this scene Andor shows us why they Empire is truly evil. It’s not because the Emperor can shoot sith lightning or a megalomaniac moff can give the order to destroy a planet. The Empire is evil because it allows ordinary people to discuss how to carry out atrocities over some snacks and drinks, and how little it cares about the beings of the galaxy. That is what stays with me after having watched the first episode.
‘Sagrona Teema’
After the fairly energetic first episode, this is definitely slower, and you can feel that this is the episode where you start setting up things for real for the rest of the arc, and possibly for the rest of the season, and to be serious with the reveal of the jungle planet as Yavin 4, this is probably the set up for the whole rebellion. It is obvious that the rebel groups are splintered and lacking leadership everyone is doing their thing, at the same time we see the magnificent and opulent Chandrila, the more simple Mina Rau and even Coruscant, showing us that this is a vast galaxy with different possibilities for the people living there, but maybe the most important thing is that it is worth fighting for, no matter if you are a simple farmer or a wealthy clan member.
‘Harvest’
It’s the end of the world, and they know it. What a glorious episode, and I’m not just talking about the wedding scenes. Once again it hits home that it is impossible to hide from both the Empire and your actions. When Mon Mothma dances away drunk, she knows that from now on she can’t be ignorant of what it will cost to defeat the empire. And I want to give a big applause to Genevieve O’Reilly, she really is the star of the whole show so far. You also have that feeling of Andor knowing that it is impossible to hide from now on, in that last lingering scene of him staring out through the window of the TIE Avenger.
Ross Hollebon
Webs. They come in all shapes and sizes, with some valuable, some treacherous, and some just plain annoying or too telling. There are multiple examples of webs—literally and figuratively—in the first three episodes of Andor Season 2 that are likely to be spun into tragedy and drama reverberating throughout all the episodes.
From a serious perspective, everyone, whether Imperial, Rebel, or otherwise, is caught in the machine that is the growing appetite of the Empire. Webs are indiscriminate and will ensnare anyone or anything in their elaborate trap. Innocent systems, farmers, and business people are all at risk, as are those of wealth and privilege. Consider the refugee crew from Ferrix as a warning for all others.
A tongue-in-cheek, funny way to incorporate the web, in this case spun as twill, is shared through an unexpected Imperial 50’s style informational video about the spiders on the prosperous and mineral-rich planet of Ghorum. Humor aside, Director Orson Krennic’s secret meeting on the remote, snowy mountaintop of the Maltheen Divide, attended by hand-selected operatives within the Empire, symbolizes all that Season 2 of Andor will encapsulate. Political and military operatives are being introduced to a multifaceted, orchestrated web of nefarious propaganda by the Ministry of Enlightenment communication strategists. 800,000 Ghormans will face the collateral damage of greed and an unquenchable thirst for more power and control. The people in the room are expected to do their job, not what is right.
And finally, we have Mon Mothma and the “web-like” crow’s feet spreading at her eyes due to stress, anxiety, and facial expressions that need to change sometimes by the second to help convey, or hide, her true intentions. Her daughter’s wedding, Tay Kolma knowing too much and running into his own financial and personal issues, Luthen Rael showing up on Chandrilla, and her husband, Perrin, well, being Perrin, only add to the stress of the political pressure she’s under from her courtside seat to the dismantling of Democracy.
The webs confuse. The webs cause death. The webs deal irreparable damage. The only thing Cassian Andor, Mon Mothma, Luthen Rael, and others can do is try to stay one step ahead in each sticky, complicated scenario.
Clair Henry
The wait is over and Andor: A Star Wars Story has arrived! It was great to see the actors in the event in London a couple of weeks back, and at Celebration Japan talking about the next season and how it’s going to work!
I watched the entire first season before watching season two, and I’m glad I did. The move to the new episodes was seamless, so well doneand the switching between the situations of the characters and their journey to the new rebellion is contrasting yet relatable.
For me, the journey of Mon Mothma and her cousin Vel is brilliant. Perhaps it’s because I relate to being the mum of a stroppy teenager myself (not that I would married her off, but I can see her her torment). Is she an accidental rebel now due to circumstances that have gone too far? This is something I hope to see developed in future episodes.
I know that I will touch on this more on our Planet Leia podcast, but if that’s what a rave looks like in Star Wars then count me in! That sound system and the drinking shots were epic (always drink responsibly)
DJs and raving say SEND IT!!!
Vels journey is a parallel in a way. Her love interest Cinta is sacrificing herself for the rebellion. It’s heartbreaking, but you can see it from both sides. As for Cassian, his path is set. After the reading of the manifesto and Maarva’s passing, it’s clear his torment is now resolved and he has a clear path….for now.
I move swiftly to another female character, Dedra Meero. I know she’s Imperial and in the last episode looks like one totally dedicated to the cause. However, the first three episodes shows someone with ambition and drive who knows what she wants and perhaps is fed up with the old crusty ways. I’m looking forward to seeing her role develop as we see the Death Star evolve and the part she has to play in it.
Also we have to touch on the ‘meet your mother-in-law meal, as I know Johanna and I will discuss this in so much more detail on Planet Leia. Wow I would not be brave enough to speak to my M-I-L like that and I look forward to future interactions between the pair . This feels like the comedy element we are all looking for.
All in all, a great start to Andor season two for me, and I know that I’ll be watching these episodes again, plus Rogue One and A New Hope in a bumper marathon. This is the Star Wars I want – I relate to the females, whether they’re Rebel or Imperial. Well done Disney!
Daniel Lo
“Slightly less refined than season one, but still comfortably a cut above other Star Wars shows so far.” If I were to give a lazy description of the opening trio of episodes from the second season of Andor, that’s what I would say. The tone didn’t feel quite as consistent as season one from my one viewing so far, although the format was a little different this time around. With multiple episodes dropping per week, each arc is far more condensed.
I would also add that it felt a bit like drinking out of a fire hose at times. There was quite a lot of information to take in during the secret Imperial meeting, which I kept thinking could have been easily covered by a quick line or two in a traditional Star Wars opening crawl. Kind of strange to think that the franchise has been around for so long that using the word “traditional” isn’t entirely inappropriate. We’re not old yet, right?
Fortunately, much of what I liked about season one of Andor was still intact. The attention to detail stayed at a high level in every way that mattered. The directing and acting were still strong, with no random low budget-looking scenes that have plagued some other Star Wars shows. There has also been plenty of action already, while still remaining a slow burn in its own right. I appreciated watching Cassian struggle with the stolen TIE Avenger instead of spelling out right away that it wasn’t the ship he was trained to steal. As of week one, we still don’t have much information beyond that. Or, what happened to Niya.
The needle in my brain is still skipping though, as it continues to have trouble processing non-orchestral music in Star Wars. Not because it sounds bad (more often than not, on the contrary), but it still pulls me out of our favorite far away galaxy just a little. That one is on me though, and maybe in another 40-some years I will finally get used to it. Still, the jolting backdrop of an EDM track took nothing away from drunk-dancing Mon Mothma’s excellent portrayal.
An unusual and unexpected highlight from the first week of episodes has got to be the scenes in Dedra Meero and Syril Karn’s shared home. Season one left us wondering what had happened after Syril rescued Dedra, and now we know. The scenes were an excellent example of what Andor has always done best: Showing us previously unseen glimpses of the human side of Star Wars. Dedra’s brief smile in the mirror was a highly disarming moment, after having only seen the character wearing a permanent scowl up until that point. Imperial officers are human too, apparently. Their interaction with Eedy Karn felt organic and realistic, with the right mix of drama, tension, and humor. And of course, Syril’s scene-stealing moment of dejection was nothing short of comedy gold.
The first week’s final episode left us with a number of cliffhangers, but it was the middle installment’s ending that stuck with me. Cassian’s rendezvous point was on Yavin 4, which at that point hadn’t yet been established as the rebel base. While I’m usually in the “less is more” camp when it comes to backstory overload, I am looking forward to this one.
Sander de Lange looks at all the reveals and easter eggs in Andor: The Guide: Episode 1 ‘One Year Later’
Sander de Lange looks at all the reveals and easter eggs in Andor: The Guide: Episode 2 ‘Sagrona Teema’
Sander de Lange looks at all the reveals and easter eggs in Andor: The Guide: Episode 3 ‘Harvest’
Hear Mark Newbold and Mark Mulcaster discuss Chapter One of season two on Making Tracks Reaction Chat: Andor: A Star Wars Story Episodes 13, 14 & 15.
