Andor (Season 2)

⭐10/10

I've always had a bit of a hard time describing my relationship with Star Wars because I'd consider myself a massive fan, and have consumed tons of supplemental material, and yet I don't actually love too many movies or shows. But beyond anything, I was a kid when the prequels came out, and so I'll always be under the spell. 

Well, you don't need to be under any spell to enjoy Andor. It is one of the most detailed, meticulously crafted, thoughtfully written peices of media ever to exist, and it was made for adults. This show is incredible on its own, but I also feel like it adds a ton to the Star Wars universe in ways that prequels rarely do, and makes me have a whole new appreciation for what exists. 

This show, for the uninitiated, is about those who began the rebellion that Luke, Leia and Han later complete. While they get the glory, it's these ordinary humans that sacrificed everything (Luthen voice: EVERYTHING) to get them there. It has spy vibes, it has Bourne vibes, and this season especially had French Revolution vibes, captured in a way that i don't think has any comparison, or at least not in my experience. It is a beautiful, terrible show where these rebels are forced to live these complex, difficult lives in the name of a rebellion that they know they'll not be able to see through. In fact, just as I write this, it almost feels like Frodo and Sam in Mount Doom in a way, ordinary people trying to infiltrate and defeat a god against impossible odds. While they eventually get the aid of heroic characters, it all begins as a fool's hope. 

As mentioned, this might be the best written show I can think of. I will add that I found it to almost be too confusing, because the show does not hold your hand, and I was often left wondering what on earth was going on, what people's motivations were, who was plotting what, who knows what intel. You truly can't miss a sentence or you will feel like you're playing catch-up. But I think that goes to show how impactful every line of dialogue is. There are some standout moments, often subtle and hidden in deep subtext. One tiny moment I loved was at the beginning when an aristocratic talks about how these are difficult times, and we must find ways of being happy with the small things, a message I often agree with, but rang so absolutely hollow as he was in a room with people who are secretly giving up their chance at happiness for the greater good. But there's also grand speeches and monologues, delivered beautifully, all season long. 

If you are interested in watching this, season one was hard for me to begin. It's a slower, kinda confusing first 3 episodes, but then you are rewarded with some outstanding moments of television the rest of the way. Season 2 is even more stark, and I was worried when I wasn't really connecting with the first 7 episodes, probably episodes I would rate around an 8. But then this show has a 5 episode run of masterpiece level episodes that are not only incredible on their own, but pay off the setup from those first episodes in powerful ways. I thought episode 10 was one of the best episodes of TV I've ever seen, and got some tears from me, focusing in on my favorite characters. 

The characters are another story, with a solid 8 perfectly fleshed out, complex, layered characters. I think of Mon, her husband, Krennick, Deedra, Syril, or my favorites Saw or Partagaz. But my actual favorites, of course, are Luthen and Kleya, who's dynamic make me want to take up arms for the cause. I will say, I don't find Andor himself to be particularly compelling, and his arc one of the least interesting, but I think the show knows this, and he is the leading man in title alone. He's still great! And he and Bix are an all-time sexy couple! But I found myself drawn to others far more often. 

This is a ton of writing, but this show warrants it. I was tempted to give this show less than a 10 due to the slow start, but I think those final 5 episodes just leave me no choice. This show is a masterpiece, and somehow elevates itself to being the best Star Wars media without feeling like Star Wars. It is a show about rebelling against authoritarianism in a time when we need it, and as silly as it is to say, Star Wars speaks to the time more now than ever. Which leads to my favorite monologue:

"Remember this. Remember this moment! This perfect night. You think I'm crazy? Yes, I am. Revolution is not for the sane. Look at us: unloved, hunted, cannon fodder. We'll all be dead before the republic is back and yet... here we are. Where are you, boy? You're here! You're not with Luthen. You're here! You're right here, and you're ready to fight! We're the rhydo, kid. We're the fuel. We're the thing that explodes when there's too much friction in the air. Let it in, boy! That's freedom calling! Let it in! Let it run! Let it run wild!"