This week introduced us three extra new episodes of Andor, and one step nearer to subsequent week’s collection finale. This trio was in all probability probably the most spectacular and devastating but, bringing the occasions on Ghorman to an incendiary head and bringing some character arcs to a sudden and everlasting finish.
Should you missed our dialog about final week’s excellent episodes, you possibly can discover it right here. Now, let’s discuss three of probably the most compelling episodes of tv in latest reminiscence.
Zack Zwiezen: So I believe these final three episodes are my favourite Andor episodes of season 2 thus far and possibly the whole collection. From what occurs on Ghorman, the stuff with Mothma, and the heartbreaking ending seen in Episode 9… it was all so good!
Carolyn Petit: It was. Prior to now I’ve taken notes as I watched, simply so I had just a few issues to refer again to once we do these chats, however with this week’s trio of episodes I used to be simply so captivated and horrified by the gradual, inexorable buildup to the occasions of episode 9 that I completely forgot. I virtually couldn’t imagine how good these episodes have been. However let’s begin originally.
To begin with, it was cool to get a glimpse of life on Yavin, to see the gorgeous residence that Andor and Bix share there. Now if I ever rewatch A New Hope, I’ll have a fuller image in my thoughts of how vital this place was for the Revolt in establishing its foothold, and what life was like there when its members weren’t off partaking in operations to subvert the Empire’s efforts.
Ethan Gach: We clearly want to begin with the bizarre drive therapeutic stuff, which I’m certain Zack can clarify. It was an odd nod to the paranormal aspect of Star Wars we by no means see in Andor.
CP: Hahaha. I did just like the point out of Maarva hating Power healers, or at the least hating one Power healer. It’s important to assume that’s a discipline inhabited to some extent by scammers and the Star Wars universe’s equal of manipulative woo-woo YouTubers.
ZZ: We see a few of that within the Obi-Wan present, with the man pretending to be a Jedi. I think about faux Power Healers are a factor and I get why Andor is cautious about them. Truthfully, I really like that trendy Star Wars is making it clear that the Power isn’t one thing everybody believes in or understands. For a lot of, its this bizarre magical factor they scoff at.
As for Power Therapeutic, we primarily see Jedi doing it—like Grogu and Rey—nevertheless it’s been a factor in Legends and Canon for a while earlier than that and anybody with a deep connection to the Power might in idea do it. However there’s additionally debate that the particular person isn’t actually therapeutic them, however as an alternative the Power desires to guarantee that the injured particular person is healed to proceed on their vital journey or function. The Power Healer even mentions that it doesn’t all the time work to Andor.
And we all know Andor goes to do some vital stuff in Rogue One. So it is sensible that the Cosmic Power would intervene to ensure he’s wholesome and in a position to maintain transferring ahead on his journey. And I believe that’s what the girl sensed.
Did you all just like the Power being included in Andor? I’ve seen some combined reactions on-line
CP: I don’t thoughts it as this sort of fleeting little bit of worldbuilding element that informs our understanding of the characters. I believe it helps that the actor taking part in the Power healer was so good, she actually made probably the most of her temporary time.
I wouldn’t need it to develop into a bigger component or to overtly affect the story in any approach, however right here I noticed it as a plot machine that illuminated the truth that Cassian is feeling uptight and closed off in bigger methods, and it additionally gave Bix one thing to consider.
EG: And now Wilmon is again with “One Final Job…” and Cassian is working out of time to determine if he’s going to develop into an expert insurgent or not. I at first thought the plan to go snipe Dedra was their very own as payback for Ferrix, nevertheless it appears possibly Luthen is eager to lastly bag the spy that’s been monitoring him for years earlier than she will be able to come again and end the job.
ZZ: Yeah, I believed it was revenge too. And it’d nonetheless be, however I agree. I believe Luthen is attempting to tie up some free ends.
I believe the one 12 months leaps between every three episodes has labored effectively. But it surely was used completely right here to indicate us how a lot Ghorman has modified since we final noticed it. Seeing the plaza stuffed with Imperial troops, blockages, and reporters spouting propaganda actually confirmed how a lot progress the Empire has made in taking this place over and crushing the folks.
So the place can we land on Syril and Dedra? I believe these episodes appear to indicate that she genuniely cared about him. The kiss, the way in which she is apprehensive about his security, desires him to be saved within the constructing away from the protestors and chaos exterior, and many others. I acquired the sensation that in some twisted sick approach she actually beloved Syril. She had a reference to him and possibly it was merely that she wanted to have one thing to stay up for after doing what she did on Ghorman and being with him again on Coruscant was that finish purpose. (edited)
EG: Sure I believe it did a extremely good job of exhibiting two completely different accomplices to fascism.
The one is obsessive about combating “exterior agitators” and the opposite is simply chasing the subsequent carrot from their boss. They’re each unnerved by what’s occurring, however extra on the unpleasantness and due to the way it complicates their self-mythologizing, relatively than due to the precise evil and ache concerned. She’s like simply neglect about this genocide. A dozen extra folks have been prepared to tug the set off if I didn’t. However now we will return to Coruscant and chill and possibly get invited to some fancier events.
CP: Yeah, that reference to Syril, unusual because it was, was additionally probably the most real human factor in her life. Some a part of her actually was trying ahead to that time the place this was behind them they usually have been collectively once more on Coruscant.
I believe the present navigates that line effectively. It doesn’t ever make Syril or Dedra actually sympathetic (not but, anyway), nevertheless it does discover how fascism strips those that carry it out of their potential humanity as effectively.
ZZ: Talking of Syril, that second when he sees Andor was excellent.
The whole lot in his life is falling aside. The girl he beloved betrayed his belief. The Empire he labored for is actually evil in a approach he’s lastly understanding. His total life is shattering and falling aside. And proper at that second he sees the motherfucker who form of put all of this in movement for him. And he simply loses it.
CP: Proper, it was one other instance, possibly one of the best one but, of one thing I believe the present has performed a exceptional job of throughout all three episode drops we’ve gotten: taking conflicts that exist on each a private, intimate degree, and on a bigger, extra political degree, and weaving them collectively such that they actually construct up, complement one another, after which collide in ways in which have large emotional payoffs within the climax to every little mini-trilogy. The non-public is political, and boy does Andor comprehend it.
ZZ: Sure! We this occur in later when Andor saves Mothma. They’re each fighting private conflicts and that immediately ties into the larger political battle engulfing the galaxy. Beautiful stuff.
However again to the chaos at Ghorman. After Syril leaves Dedra, however earlier than recognizing Andor, we see the empire shove out some younger troopers into the indignant crowd as bait
CP: My coronary heart sank as that occurred. What a option to depict the utter ruthlessness of the Empire, intentionally sacrificing its personal greenest recruits for this false flag operation.
ZZ: The second that bastard despatched them out, you knew what was coming. After which the Imperial sniper aiming at not the protestors, however the guards, and beginning probably the most brutal and laborious to look at sequence in a Star Wars present or film.
CP: Proper. The present desires us to know, desires us to really feel the inevitability of all of it, because the Ghors stand there fantastically protesting. It actually was gutting, to not point out simply distinctive tv.
EG The present has been leaping round a lot this season, each in time and site, it was good to lastly see all the stress erupt in a single place for a protracted time frame. Disgrace on the Ghormans for utilizing their fellow residents as human shields although.
ZZ: The most effective moments in all of this, going again to Carolyn’s level in regards to the present weaving smaller and greater conflits collectively, is when Syril tackles Andor they usually battle for a bit.
From Syril’s perspective he’s attempting to kill the asshole who ruined his life and put him on this place. He hates Andor. However from Andor’s perspective he’s like “Who is that this random dude attacking me?”
CP: It’s superb! “Who’re you?”
ZZ: You’ll be able to see Syril in that second notice that Andor by no means cared about him. By no means knew about him. Nothing. He means nothing to him. After which he will get killed. No particular demise. No redemption. Simply an indignant dude who thought he may very well be particular person in fascist evil empire realizing how small he was. Then demise.
CP: The whole lot he’s poured his power into for all these years, and for what? To be hated by these he’s seemingly discovered to respect, just like the Ghorman chief, and to be fully unknown to the main target of his obsession. I do surprise what the ramifications of his demise will likely be within the remaining run of episodes, although. I by some means suspect that we haven’t seen the final of his mom.
Additionally, talking of all of the chaos on Ghorman, one little element that I actually appreciated was the lodge worker uttering that well-known line, “Rebellions are constructed on hope.”
Fairly often I believe one of many worst tendencies of up to date Star Wars is its impulse to elucidate the whole lot, to fill out each mysterious area in its mythos, however this little nod resonates for me. It feels genuine and human, somewhat approach of recognizing that each particular person’s contribution to the wrestle issues. Like, I completely imagine that Cassian would do not forget that, and bear in mind his interactions with the person who mentioned it.
ZZ: Yeah! I agree that Star Wars far too usually desires to elucidate each element and place it neatly in a timeline or a wiki. However that was a second that labored for me as a result of it confirmed that no voice is simply too small in a rise up. This random lodge clerk on Ghorman finally ends up having a big effect on Andor and later Jyn Erso and her allies. In some methods, you possibly can join him to the profitable mission to steal the Loss of life Star plans as seen in Rogue One.
After which after Ghorman we get Mon Mothma’s plan to name out the Empire publicly on the senate. A second we’ve learn about in canon for years, however lastly get to see. And what a speech.
CP: What. A. Speech.
EG: Adopted by the most effective escort missions I’ve ever seen.
I like that even because the Revolt is gearing up and there’s increasingly more outright insurgencies brewing, we nonetheless get a giant dose of Star Wars spy craft. What could be simply one other blaster gentle present takes a a lot sharper focus with the double-agents in Senator Organa’s circle and Cassian’s willingness to take advantage of the folks round him to flip the chances.
CP: And it did one thing Andor has repeatedly performed which is use motion each as motion but in addition as one thing that informs character. It’s the second large second this season when Mon Mothma is confronted with the truth of “Holy shit, what have I gotten into? What does this actually demand of me?” and now I believe, she in a short time has to be taught to make her peace with it and transfer on.
ZZ: “Welcome to the Revolt!”
CP: And I don’t need to gloss over the speech itself too rapidly. I imply, my mouth was hanging open as I listened to it, as I felt the reality of it in my physique.
I do know the present was in manufacturing a while in the past and it’s not just like the writers meant to immediately touch upon the current second in some ultra-specific approach, however I actually urge people who’re having fun with the present to learn Roxana Hadidi’s piece for Vulture, “Andor Dared To Say ‘Genocide’.” I believe she illuminates a giant a part of what makes these episodes extraordinary not only for Star Wars, however for tv as a complete proper now.
EG: I used to be type of shocked Disney (which is at present going through a BDS boycott) allow them to do it.
ZZ: Similar.
Fortunately, we don’t stay in a timeline the place a ruthless evil previous man has management over a big legislative physique and may use concern to make them worship him and keep away from immediately criticizing him or pushing again on his plans.
And now for the second that actually broke my coronary heart. Andor telling Bix he’s performed. That he desires a life along with her. He chooses her over the whole lot else. And her realizing, quietly as he says this, that she has to go away. It mirrors Dedra and Syril’s second. Syril walks away from the particular person he loves as a result of he now not believes within the trigger. Bix walks away from her love to save lots of the trigger she is aware of is extra vital.
EG: She fired him over Zoom identical to any nice media government would.
CP: Completely crushing, and in a approach I do have combined emotions about.
We knew Bix needed to be out of the image by the point the collection ended a technique or one other, after all, on condition that she’s not in Rogue One, and I do perceive why she would make this alternative. I believe the story and our understanding of who she is help it effectively. However I did see somebody on Bluesky comment that it’s virtually as if Andor, as a present, thinks that to be actually dedicated to a rise up or a resistance motion, you possibly can’t produce other shut attachments, when in reality after all you possibly can.
Finally I’m cool with Bix making this alternative, unhappy as it’s, nevertheless it did make me really feel that possibly someplace within the midst of all of this, there might have been one lasting, wholesome, completely happy relationship as an alternative of a complete rise up of Luthens who’ve made from their minds a sunless area. Effectively, I take it again. Ok-2SO did simply present up so we all know there’s some gentle in Cassian’s life!
ZZ: I completely get that criticism. And I believe there are smaller examples of relationships lasting on this rise up. Mothma and Erskin (not romantic, however nonetheless) and Wilmon and that girl within the Ghorman resistance. So I’m not bought on the concept that the present is attempting to say that, however I get the criticisms.
And sure, Cassian has met Ok-2SO! It was good to listen to Alan Tudyk’s voice on the finish. Tony Gilroy talked about within the behind the scenes video about this episode that having Bix go away Andor proper as Ok-2SO enters his life felt like the fitting transfer. And I agree. I actually actually actually hope we get to see them be pals and insurgent buddies. We deserve that!
EG: For now it seems like they haven’t actually resolved Bix’s struggles. Her leaving felt as a lot about her working away because it did forcing him to commit.
CP: I agree. I’m wondering if we’ll see any extra of her within the remaining episodes, or possibly find out about what she does in some spin-off comedian or different story. I’d be curious to seek out out!
ZZ: I hope so! I really feel like taking Bix out of the collection like this lets them race to Rogue One, which the ultimate three episodes will do, with out having to determine causes she wasn’t round. And now they’ve this superior character folks like from a well-liked present that they will use in future tales set in the course of the Unique Trilogy. I’d like to see Bix in additional stuff. I additionally know the second she learns about Cassian will likely be heartbreaking.
And so, right here we’re. The subsequent three episodes will likely be set within the days earlier than Rogue One. It’s coming to an finish and I’m each excited to see it wrap up and unhappy its ending. Are you all able to say goodbye to Andor?
EG: No. I maintain wishing there was an Andor immersive sim or Cyberpunk 2077-model RPG.
CP: Probably not! That’s the one downside of the three-episode drop format: all of it involves an finish a lot sooner.
However I’m additionally glad the present has burned so brightly, that Tony Gilroy and co. made it so dense with drama and character and relevance and didn’t attempt to unfold it out or water it down. At this level, I’m simply hoping for a robust ending, one which cements Andor’s place even additional as one of many best works of storytelling ever set within the Star Warfares universe.
ZZ: I’ll see you all subsequent week for the top. I’m not prepared both.
