Chris Connor reviews episodes 4-6 of Star Wars: Andor season 2…
The opening three episodes of Andor season 2 really set the stakes for the season. While it may have been a busy three episodes in terms of the assortment of characters, it carried on the strengths of the first season and contained some of the best character development in the entire franchise, with its seemingly slow pace ultimately worth the satisfying payoff.
The opening arc concerned Imperial interest in the planet of Ghorman, integral to the construction of the Death Star. Ghorman is also crucial for episodes four-six as we dive head first into Ghorman culture and the increased Imperial efforts on the planet. While the Empire is looking for ways to exert control and achieve its aims, the population are not going to lie down easily.
Beau Willimon, who wrote one of the most memorable arcs in the first season with the prison break, returns here building tension throughout and really capturing a sense of unease. It’s clear Willimon and Tony Gilroy have drawn from the French Resistance in WWII for the resistance on Ghorman, not least because of the local language and cast of actors. With covert networks and phone tapping, it also borrows from the likes of The Conversation and spy fiction.
The tone may be darker but it is still constantly gripping as the Empire looks to consolidate control and the locals become more and more unruly. The arc eventually builds to an explosive climax as all sides look to make a stand against the Empire. Once again the character development and gradual build-up really help to deepen our understanding of these characters’ motives and the lengths they’ll go to.
Forest Whittaker’s Saw Gerrera has been a prominent character across multiple media since Rogue One, and he’s given a prominent role here as his band of rebels are already making a name for themselves that will ultimately set them on a path apart from the eventual Rebel Alliance.
For an ensemble show Diego Luna’s Cassian is still the show’s beating heart, his relationship with Adria Adjona’s Bix driving so much of this season. Bix still suffering from the events in both the opening three episodes and show’s first season, and Luna and Arjona remain magnetic together.
As we reach the midpoint in its final season, Andor continues to be a Star Wars project unlike any other. It’s not afraid to take risks and its gradual build-up makes every second count. Tonally it feels far more indebted to espionage fiction, again marking it apart from other corners of the franchise, and really selling the desperation of the fledgling rebellion and Ghorman in particular.
Chris Connor
