“Andor” spoilers observe.
Tony Gilroy’s “Andor” is a masterpiece not solely of the “Star Wars” franchise, being the perfect title since “The Empire Strikes Again,” but additionally only a masterpiece of tv generally. Each factor of the present, from its beautiful manufacturing design, to the casting and performing, to the impeccable storytelling that delivers an exciting, poignant, and well timed story about preventing fascism, work collectively seamlessly to ship the perfect TV present of the yr.
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An underrated however no much less good side of “Andor” is the way in which it connects to the remainder of the franchise. Ever because the prequel trilogy tried its finest to present an origin story to each single character each main and minor, “Star Wars” has had a little bit of a clumsy strategy to interconnectivity. Now we have had origin tales like how “The Dangerous Batch” exhibits the poignant flip from clones to stormtroopers, but additionally the second in “Solo: A Star Wars Story” the place Han will get his final identify merely from being unaccompanied.
“Andor” is by far the perfect instance of connecting to the remainder of the galaxy with out feeling compelled. Each Easter egg, each nod feels thought out and intentional, relatively than pure fan service. Not solely does the present connect with the unique trilogies, however it additionally brings in issues from Legends, the prequel period, and extra. In fact, as Tony Gilroy has repeatedly teased, the season is constructing as much as finish proper as “Rogue One” begins, so there are many nods to that film, including context to character selections, or simply turning already nice strains into gut-punches.
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Rebellions are constructed on hope
“Rebellions are constructed on hope” might be the only finest line in “Rogue One,” a poignant, emotionally-charged line that finally ends up being what lights the spark that fuels the Battle of Scarif and offers the Rise up its first victory. There was no want to clarify that line, or give it any added context, however nonetheless that is what occurs in episode 8 of “Andor.”
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Within the episode, Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor heads to Ghorman to try to assassinate Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) out of revenge for what occurred on Ferrix. Realizing the hazard the folks of Ghorman are in, and the way arduous it’s to even get a clear shot of Dedra, Cassian decides to abort the mission and get the hell off of the planet. On his manner out, Cassian turns into Thela (Stefan Crepon), the lodge clerk who defined the historical past of the primary Ghorman bloodbath to Cassian. Cassian needs Thela good luck, recognizing the indicators that Ghorman is on its technique to ending up like Ferrix did, to which Thela merely replies, “Rebellions are constructed on hope.”
It is a easy, temporary nod, however one which speaks volumes concerning the form of present “Andor” is, and a nod that makes each this present, Cassian’s arc, and “Rogue One” higher than they have been earlier than. Cassian tells that line to Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) at a time when he is absolutely dedicated himself to the Rise up past any doubt, in spite of everything. To see that he first heard the phrase whereas nonetheless having doubts about his place within the Rise up, and to have him hear that phrase from a man who already survived a bloodbath by the Empire and is about to expertise the genocide of his whole folks, is each heartbreaking, rousing, and goosebumps-worthy. The second recontextualizes Cassian saying that line in “Rogue One,” including yet one more layer of tragedy to the character and his relationship to the Rise up. The road was already nice, however now? It could be some of the vital in all of “Star Wars.”
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The Ghorman Bloodbath is the turning level of the Imperial Period
“Andor” episode 8 gave us the emotional crux of the season, the antithesis to the “One Manner Out” episode of “Andor.” The place that episode was about seeing the oppressed lastly struggle again and obtain freedom (although not with out heavy sacrifices), episode 8 of season 2 is simply 45 minutes of pure, relentless horror and heartbreak. That is the Empire at its most evil, a second we have identified was coming not simply due to “Star Wars Rebels,” however as a result of the present itself advised us within the very first episode of the season that Ghorman was doomed to die. Properly, no quantity of preparation was sufficient to reduce the emotional devastation of seeing the bloodbath play out in actual time.
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That is by far probably the most heart-wrenching factor we have seen in “Star Wars,” an episode that far surpasses the shock of seeing Alderaan blow up within the very first film, or the seats of the New Republic blow up in “The Power Awakens.” This isn’t some superpowered evil, however totally human, grounded evil, one that’s calculated, deliberate by committee, and executed with out regret.
Director Janus Metz makes the episode really feel like a documentary warfare movie whereas additionally basically delivering “Les Misérables” in a galaxy far, far-off (really, Victor Hugo’s novel has been an enormous a part of the DNA of this present from the beginning). The sight of a peaceable protest in opposition to occupation turning right into a widespread bloodbath is probably the most visceral the franchise has ever been. It is heartbreaking, riveting, extraordinarily well-made, and likewise fairly well timed in the way in which it portrays Imperial propaganda at work — as we see a number of information crews reporting the occasions making it appear to be the Ghormans attacked the Imperial officers on the planet whereas in actuality they have been being massacred. That is the second every thing adjustments for the “Star Wars” galaxy, and for the Rise up. The galaxy was watching.
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