Set one year after Season 1, Cassian Andor accepts his role as a spy for the Rebel Alliance. The resistance expands residing in Yavin IV. Dedra climbs the Empire ladder as well as dating a focal character. Mon Mothma struggles to promote her political campaign to aid the Rebels. Luthen learns a shocking discovery that the Empire’s constructing a weapon of mass destruction, the Death Star. All this eventually builds up “Rouge One” and Luke Skywalker who will help the Rebels destroy the Death Star in “A New Hope.”
Andor’s second and final season officially streamed in 2025 (same year My Hero Academia’s final season streamed) on Disney Plus. Like Season 1, this one earned widespread acclaim from critics, fans and streamers alike. Anyway, Ryan Gosling will headline in upcoming Star Wars film, “Starfighter.” It’s not a 100% adaptation of the video game. It’s actually set five years after “The Rise of Skywalker.” Mr. Gosling’s project will be released on May 28, 2027. The year A New Hope turns 50.
Light Side & Dark Side Qualities
Light Side: Diego Luna and most of the cast from Season 1 reprise their roles and they all did an excellent job for their respective performances. Diego also served as an executive producer.
Ben Mendelssohn reprises his role as Orson Krenic. Obviously leading up to his involvement in Rouge One.
Speaking of Rouge One, Alan Tudyk reprises his role as K-2S0. He’s my favorite droid known for brains and brawn.
Tony Gilroy (Succession) did a great job mapping out all twelve episodes.
Action Sequences are legit,
Brandon Roberts (Eli Roth’s Thanksgiving) orchestrated the soundtrack.
Special Effects are an effective mix of Practical and Visual.
Sound Effects are spot on.
Cinematography’s shot in stable condition lacking technical issues throughout.
Pacing felt natural. I’m gonna let you in on a warning, this isn’t your typical Star Wars TV show like The Clone Wars. Andor’s a character driven story building up Rouge One. This show may not be your cup of tea.
The Tone has a serious atmosphere. There’s no cute Jim Henson-esque creature designs. This is a Star Wars show for fans who are already older like me.
Twist and turns change the trajectory of Star Wars canon.
Dark Side: I couldn’t find nothing wrong, I’m giving the cast and crew an Extra Point for making a worthy grand finale as possible.
Episode 13 – One Year Later
Andor steals a prototype TIE Fighter. He arrives on a jungle planet and meets two Rebel groups. That’s one heck of an opening scene.
Bix and the Ferrix residents relocate to a planet as farmers.
Krenic has a business meeting. He also mentioned “Unlimited Power.” Palpatine’s line from “Revenge of the Sith.”
Episode 14 – Sagrona Teema
Somebody utters out, “It’s a Trap.” Admiral Ackbar’s memorable quote.
We learn who Dedra’s dating.
A big reveal on the jungle planet. Yavin IV duh. Not a spoiler. We’re already familiar with A New Hope.
Episode 15 – Harvest
Mothma’s daughter, Leida gets married.
Dedra has dinner with her boyfriend and the latter’s mother. Things get awkward like that dinner scene from “Meet the Parents.” Except it doesn’t involve a “Godspell” prayer and “milk anything with nipples”.
Luthen informs Mothma a harsh reality. A risky decision she’s forced to make.
Bix and the farmers come face to face with the Empire conducting census.
Episode 16 – Ever Been to Gorman?
Luthen assigns Andor to gain intel on the Empire and a Rebel faction.
Grand Moff Tarkin’d brought up. He crossed a huge line in Gorman.
Mothma supports the Gorman locals against the Empire’s manipulative campaign.
Syrill goes on an undercover mission.
Episode 17 – I Have Friends Everywhere
Andor heads to Ghorman assigned by Luthen on an undercover mission. He poses as designer.
Addicted to inhaling drugs, Gerrera loses it. He crossing a line.
Syrill investigates the Imperial Security Burea.
Kleya discovers something shocking.
Episode 18 – What a Festive Evening
Vel leads inexperienced Rebels on a heist mission.
Vel has a heart to heart moment with a loved one. Thankfully, it didn’t feel forced. Felt natural. Vel and her partner have known each other for quite awhile.
Mothma attends a fancy party.
Mothma & Krenic have a verbal confrontation. It ain’t a typical “Yo Mama” fight.”
Bix gets her revenge on her tormentor.
One character said “look at me.” Then, shouts “LOOK AT ME!” A possible reference to Heath Ledger’s Joker in “The Dark Knight.”
Benjamin Bratt portrays Bail Organa. Jimmy Smiths wasn’t available to reprise his role due to scheduling conflicts. I would assume the effects team didn’t have time to deep fake the latter’s face. Translation, budget cuts.
Episode 19 – Messenger
One Year Later, the Rebels grow strong now that their base of operations reside in Yavin IV. Getting close Luke Skywalker’s fateful role in aiding the Rebels. Andor & Bix live in the jungle.
Conflicted over his affiliation with Luthen and the Rebels, Andor has a hard time accepting a mission to eliminate an important member of the Empire. He eventually has the courage to do so.
An elderly person claims Andor will have a purpose as a “messenger.” Obviously building up his fate in Rouge One.
Mothma continues her diplomatic effort for peaceful resolution. Politics in a nutshell.
Episode 20 – Who Are You?
An assassination attempt escalates in turmoil.
Syrill realizes he got punked. he gets into a dispute with his girlfriend.
This episode was savage.
The episode’s title isn’t a generic saying, but something meaningful. If you know, you know.
Dedra gets a reality check.
Episode 21 – Welcome to the Rebellion
Andor insures Bix once the conflict’s all over, they’ll live a peaceful life. Well…
Mothma delivers a risky speech denouncing the Empire. Plus, she learns a horrific truth regarding a close friend.
Rebels reprogram an imperial droid who eventually assists them in the future. He’s none other than my favorite droid, K-2S0
Episode 22 – Make It Stop
This episode mostly centers on Luthen’s past.
In the past, stormtroopers do something effed up.
One Year before Rouge One, Luthen learns the Empire is constructing a weapon of mass destruction. The Alan Parsons Project. I’m kidding, it’s the Death Star.
In the present, a focal character’s eliminated.
Episode 23 – Who Else Knows?
Fed up with the Death Star leaks Krenic interrogates Dedra.
Kleya sends a message to the Rebels.
Andor embarks on a rescue mission.
Episode 24 – Jedha, Kyber, Erso
After 24 episodes, the series finale fills in the gaps. Leading up to Andor’s involvement risking his life to send Death Star plans to the Rebels. Thus, A New Hope begins Luke Skywalker’s journey to become a Jedi Knight. Like his father before him.
Andor goes on a yet another rescue mission. This one’s not repetitive.
We learn the fate of characters who weren’t present in Rouge One.
The final shot will make you cry.
Once you finish the last episode, rewatching Rouge One gives you a whole new perspective.
The Final Verdict: A, FOR APEX!
Perhaps Andor’s the best (if not the best) Star Wars related TV show. Lucasfilm, Diego Luna Troy Gilroy & Disney did good. I didn’t expect a realistic Star Wars TV show to win me over after the disastrous Obi-Wan mini-series. As a huge Star Wars fan, I officially declare Andor as the best TV show within the franchise. Darth Maul’s solo series has big shoes to fill. His second season will stream next year. If you haven’t seen Andor, watch all 24 episodes on Disney Plus. I wanna see more serious and less cutesy shows or movies within the franchise.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 