Andor S2 Review: Thrills, Themes, & Twists in Eps 1-3

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Andor Season 2 has been released, and true to style, showrunner Tony Gilroy continues to emphasize character-focused storytelling similar to Season 1. Although there are a few minor flaws, the overall direction remains engaging. This season delves deeply into mature topics, most notably in Episode 3, so it’s recommended that parents exercise caution. Below, I’ll provide a summary of the plot without revealing significant spoilers. Let’s dive in.

Season 2 of Andor is out, and just like before, Tony Gilroy keeps emphasizing character-driven drama. While there are some small issues, the overall storyline stays interesting. This season deals with mature topics, especially in Episode 3, so parents should take note. I’ll give you a brief summary without revealing much about the plot. Let’s go!

Episode 1

The story unfolds a year following Season 1 and four years before “A New Hope.” It commences with Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), a rebellious spy, undertaking the heist of a prototype TIE Fighter. Despite his mysterious past as a test pilot, the daring theft sets the stage for an exhilarating opening. However, the narrative then slows down to emphasize character interactions. Cassian’s comrades—Brasso (Joplin Sibtain), Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona), Wilmon (Muhannad Bhaier), and droid B2EMO—are now refugees on a farm planet, working as mechanics.

On the other hand, Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) experiences increasing pressure on Chandrila as she plans her daughter’s politically mandated marriage, while her alliances weaken. Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) resurfaces with his own objectives, and Imperial officers Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) and Major Partagaz (Anton Lesser) join forces with Director Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn) to procure resources for a crucial Imperial project—a hint at the impending Death Star.

The episode concludes with Andor being ambushed by unknown attackers after delivering the stolen TIE Fighter.

In Episode 2, Andor gets caught by an unskilled band of rebels whose reckless actions (and lack of gun safety) highlight the disarray within their rebellion. The resistance suffers from mistrust and leadership issues, making them seem scattered. Meanwhile, on a farming planet, the Empire’s lockdown and inventory check increase the tension, especially for Bix, who finds himself targeted by an Imperial officer. As Mon Mothma’s personal and professional challenges grow more intense before her wedding, Syril Karn (Kyle Soller) and Dedra Meero’s uneasy romantic relationship becomes prominent. Andor manages to flee his captors with a stolen TIE fighter, although the audience might have preferred if he had left something behind for his incompetent pursuers.

In the third episode, the narrative reaches its climax as Mon Mothma’s daughter’s wedding takes place amidst family conflict, stirring unexpected compassion for the senator. On the agricultural planet, Bix narrowly escapes an attempted sexual assault by an Imperial officer – a significant development in Star Wars‘s narrative history, underscoring the series’ mature approach. The emergence of more mature themes within Andor is now undeniable. This incites the Imperials to act, with a focus on apprehending, if not eliminating, Bix and his associates. Although tragedy is avoided, it comes at a high price, as Cassian intervenes just in time with a stolen TIE fighter. The episode concludes with a dance scene at the wedding, contrasting joy and sorrow.

The initial three-episode sequence lays the foundation for time leaps, as each subsequent group moves one year closer to ‘Rogue One’. Tony Gilroy and director Ariel Kleiman continue to uphold Season 1’s superior production quality: the cinematography, special effects, and practical sets continue to be impressive. The stunning landscapes, architecture, and costumes of Chandrila provide a glimpse into the culture of Core Worlds. The cast delivers strong performances, with Adria Arjona and Genevieve O’Reilly standing out as Bix and Mon Mothma respectively. Although Brandon Roberts’ score hasn’t reached Nicholas Britell’s impact from Season 1, it remains effective, but so far lacks the ‘wow’ factor that Britell’s had for me. As we move forward, let’s see if Roberts can match or even surpass Britell’s performance. It’s still early in the game.

Ah, cinema enthusiast here speaking! Let me share my thoughts on the second season. While I’m thoroughly enjoying it, there are a couple of points that have left me yearning for more. Primarily, the absence of a wider variety of aliens in scenes set on Chandrila and Coruscant. Given their strategic locations within the galaxy, I was expecting to see a rich tapestry of alien species, but so far, it’s been rather sparse. Here’s hoping the creators address this as the story unfolds.

Additionally, there have been moments that left me scratching my head. For instance, the sudden betrayal by the TIE technician felt unclear and unexplained, which took away from the overall narrative flow. And then there are scenes featuring Syril, his domestic life, to be quite honest, felt out of place and took away from the intensity of the plot.

Overall, I’m still hooked, but these minor issues have been niggling at me as a devoted fan of the genre.

To put it simply, delving into the covert entry of Seinar could’ve made for an intriguing storyline. While there were moments when the pace dipped slightly, the action scenes packed a punch, highlighting authenticity and gravity. The fights are often swift and gritty, mirroring real-life encounters, and the deaths carry a deeper significance. However, personal preferences might differ in this regard.

I’m excited to see where this goes. While I’ve already watched Rogue One, it’s all about the adventure that follows, isn’t it? I can’t wait to discover what happens next.

See you guys for the next 3 episodes!

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2025-04-25 00:45