Another Tuesday, another drop of three new Star Wars: Andor episodes. This time in the Rogue One prequel series, Bix and Cassian dealt with the struggles of being rebels while we learned more about Ghorman and its own fight against the Empire. These new episodes, like last week’s first three, were fantastic. And once again, not everyone made it out alive this week. Turns out rebellions are dangerous. Here’s our conversation about Andor episodes 4-6.
Last week I said that I really hoped Cassian would get to play a more active, central role in this chunk of episodes, and he certainly did, but I’m gonna kick things off by sidelining him anyway because I want to start with our boy Syril. I have to admit, the first 15 minutes or so of episode 4 really had me going. I thought we might see that petty fascist undergo a profound awakening, that maybe his experiences on Ghorman had opened his eyes to the evils of the Empire and provoked a moral crisis within him. They got me good with him telling his mother that she’s been watching too much “Imperial news”—I love the idea of the Empire having its own propagandistic media arm, it totally makes sense that it would, and I know so many folks who have seen their own parents be brain-poisoned by exposure to Fox News so his concern rang true for me—only for this to be revealed as part of the long, elaborate con he’s running with Dedra. Did y’all think there might be some good somewhere deep in Syril, or was I the only one naive enough to fall for it?
I also bought it for a bit. And I have some thoughts on that which I’ll mention later, but yeah, I was like “Okay, maybe he’s better!” Nope. I loved the one resistance guy who was listening in on his call, remarking on how terrifying his mother sounded. Made me chuckle hard. I was totally hoodwinked, just like the naïve bourgeoisie turned budding rebels Ghormans Cassian chides later on.
I think it was really smart of Gilroy and co to make Ghorman basically space France and show the rebels as the French Resistance. It immediately conveyed what was happening here without having to spend too much time explaining the details. The show is very deft with its kind of revolutionary politics shorthand, cluing us in to the ways it draws on historical events and famous thinkers while still being believably rooted in Star Wars. And to Ethan’s point, one thing I really appreciated across all three of these episodes was Andor’s use of physical space and real sets. Having that plaza on Ghorman with its hotel and café and twillery showroom helped make everything there feel more concrete, from the bellhop’s story about remembering the Tarkin Massacre to the action of that tragic covert op at the end.
I really loved that Ghorman was a big set. I didn’t realize how much I miss Star Wars having big sets filled with aliens and people in the background. By the end of the three episodes I felt like I understood that part of the planet/city and could probably walk around it and not get lost. At least they live in a very walkable city with lots of nice cafes Though, based on how easily Bix and Andor get around in the dreary depths of Coruscant, I think that giant city is walkable, too.
Saw Gerrera, on the other hand, feels like he needs his own animated spin-off. Forest Whitaker creating a more compelling Star Wars in less than 15 minutes than most of the new trilogy. I was so happy to see all those alien senators and weirdos. That’s Star Wars, baby. And yeah, poor Mon Mothma. The reveal that the person she’s talking to and trying to get a vote from is Ghorman’s own senator. Damn.
Those Ghormans are in a tight spot, no doubt about it. And I’m excited to see what, I think, is our first on-screen bodega in Star Wars. In fact that’s one of the things I love about Andor in general. By being focused so much on the lives of relatively “ordinary” people—sure, people who get swept up in revolutionary struggle but not Jedi or bounty hunters or what have you—it’s informing our understanding so much of what life is like for ordinary people in the galaxy.
Yes! The moment where Bix woke up to a crappy morning talk show was very relatable. I could use one or two more VFX shots to better establish scope of his insurgency. Show me the battalion pieces on a chess board.
Once again, I think this chunk of episodes really did a fantastic job of showing us that the rebellion isn’t this unified thing that we see eventually in the OG movies. It’s still messy, spread out, disorganized, and sometimes directly at odds with each other and their methods. And I hope by the end of the series we see them coming together just in time for the Rebels’ first big victory against the Empire as seen in Rogue One.
Kleya is such a badass character, and I’m glad we got to see more of her in these episodes. The scene where she is squeezing the hidden mic so hard that her hand starts to bleed was one of the best moments in the show. That whole sequence was so tense, too. And then Luthen saying how much is face hurt from smiling.
Forest Whitaker is such an incredible actor, and I was so glad to see him finally get to bring the full force of his talent to this role. I admit I only know Saw from Rogue One and now Andor (not counting his little appearance in Jedi: Fallen Order), and I’ve always wanted to understand what drove him better, and have a better handle on his politics and on what he brings to the struggle. Part of me felt that his presence in Rogue One could be interpreted as kind of a warning, that little neoliberal tsk-tsk of “sure everyone, fighting fascist oppression is good but you don’t want to go too far with it.”
Once again, I think Luthen can make it. Just because he’s not there doesn’t me he’s dead. And are you are talking about Bix? Cinta’s death was heartbreaking, but I think it was a necessary moment in the show. Heroes don’t always get big moments. Sometimes they just die quietly because of a dumb kid or a single trooper. She’s always been the most laser focused on the cause, and puts it above even her relationship with Vel. Her loss seemed fittingly chaotic and self-inflicted, but I think she also knew that was a possibility and made the choice anyway.
She was a character we cared deeply about, she’s one of many characters who have died (and no doubt more will yet), and I feel the show earned that moment, which, as you suggest Zack, may have repercussions in the episodes to come. The show is a visual treat in addition to everything else, and for me it makes such a difference that it doesn’t rely too heavily on the kinds of (admittedly pretty effective) techniques that The Mandalorian often employed. And in that dynamic, Dedra seems to be operating at one level of deception beyond Syril; to him, they’re partners of a sort, but I feel like to her, maybe he’s just a pawn.
The ending scene with Bix and Cassian was so satisfying and well-done. It was nice to see their bond and trust in each other play out in such a powerful way. Having someone on your side, someone you love and trust, can be a strength in a rebellion. The show is doing a great job of showcasing the complexity of relationships and loyalties in times of conflict. I’m excited to see how everything unfolds in the next set of episodes.
