Chris Connor reviews the ninth episode of Star Wars: Andor…
Andor’s ninth episode ranks among the seasons’ best to date, capturing the grim reality of life under Imperial rule and a real sense of despair pervading our characters’ fates and the desperation that forces them to act. Especially bleak are the sequences within the prison Cassian finds himself in on Narkina 5 as the walls seemingly never cease closing in and he and his comrades try and find a way to escape their fate, in his case a six-year prison stint.
The series as a whole has impressively captured the harsh reality of life under the Empire but this episode escalates it to another level with some of the most mature content in the Star Wars franchise to date, impressively carving new ground in a franchise now 45 years old but showing its urgency here. The interrogation between Denise Gough’s Dedra Meero and Adria Arjona’s Bix Caleen is not always comfortable viewing but is impeccably acted and tense showing the lengths the Empire will go to extract information.
This also further develops both characters and once again the progression of the Imperial characters in this episode is an asset for the series with so much of Star Wars previously depicting things solely from the Rebellion’s perspective. Here we get a sense that this is a truly intergalactic conflict far away from the likes of Han Solo or Luke Skywalker.
This episode acts at the midpoint of another three episode arc but rarely feels like filler as we build towards the escape attempt that is sure to come in the tenth episode which will also push us closer to the final two episodes. Offsetting the plight of the prisoners with Dedra Meero’s investigation into Andor gives some impetus to proceedings, and continuing to build on Mon Mothma’s underground activity as she is paid a visit by Vel who urges her to act also shows the disorganisation of the Empire’s opponents that we will surely see progress between now and the second season.
The self-focused story and commitment to Cassian’s time in prison is far removed from the series’ main narrative and wider franchise but this is to its credit. Andor hasn’t been an Easter egg fest with cameos galore its commitment to telling a focused story is what helps it stand out as one of the strongest Disney Star Wars projects to date. Toby Haynes who has cut his teeth on the likes of Doctor Who and Sherlock has shown a natural aptitude for the franchise and built an unbelievably tense, grim atmosphere accompanied by Nicholas Britell’s delightful score that is so far removed from the work of John Williams but feels a natural fit here.
‘Nobody’s Listening’ feels bleaker than any point in Andor’s run to date, capturing the desperate odds facing all concerned on the Rebellion side as for the first point in this series, the Empire seems to be coming out on top. It magnifies the strengths of the series wonderfully with its commitment to story arcs and slow buildup equalling a rewarding payoff. The acting across the board continues to deliver while the world building again highlights the disparity on all sides and lack of cohesion within the rebellion especially.
As we move into the final straight, Andor continues to feel urgent and just what Star Wars needed.
Chris Connor
