The past four episodes of ANDOR have led up to one big event… And thankfully, we’re getting that now instead of, say, E11. Based on how the previous live-action Star Wars shows have played out, I’m astonished we’ve gotten a big episode like this at the halfway point. So if you fall into the cross-section of fans who feel the show has been too slow, well, I’ve got news for you…This is the episode you’ve been waiting for! Now, if you’re more like me and absolutely love this weighty, mature story within the Star Wars universe, it will thrill you just as much, if not more.
I’ve spoken about this in my earlier reviews, and it’s true again here: The way the ANDOR reveals the layers within the Imperial forces is quite extraordinary. The dark side isn’t Darth Vader, his stormtroopers & pilots, and a few high-ranking Imperial officers. Instead, it is rank after rank of officers, soldiers, pilots, engineers, button-pushers, and lower-level crew, all the way down to the local security forces like Syril serves on. I would not be the least surprised if the powers that be at Lucasfilm and Disney are planning a film or live-action series told from the point of view of people working for the Empire. EPISODE VII started to give us Finn’s tale of how he was raised to be a stormtrooper, but unfortunately, anything further we may have learned about him was discarded in subsequent sequels. Â
The Rebels are lean in numbers but intelligent and driven by the cause or the money. They don’t seem like an alliance yet, so maybe I should apologize for referring to them as that in my ALDHANI review. On the other hand, the show has surprised me several times so far, so we may see next week a far more extensive network of Rebels than we know exist so far.Â
Earlier in the season, we learned a little about Cassian’s homeworld and sister; I’d love to know more about his backstory. While the prospect of the credits certainly drives him, promised to him by Luthen Rael, his skills with a ship, a blaster, and as a spy reveal there’s more to his background than just being raised as a thief by Maarva Andor. Rael told him he was specifically and personally chosen, so I hope we learn more about why.Â
With six more episodes left and a significant plot point out of the way, I sense we might get some cameos coming up. I haven’t read any rumors or spoilers, but we, the viewers, have already heard Saw Gerrara’s (Forest Whitaker, ROGUE ONE) name thrown around. And as we go deeper into the Empire and higher up the chain of command, could we get a Darth Vader cameo? I’d be thrilled with Galen Erso (Mads Mikkelsen) too, but that might be a next-season surprise if it even happens.Â
And that’s the thing with Star Wars; there are countless stories to tell that don’t need to involve a Skywalker or Solo in any way. ANDOR has been an incredible addition to the universe so far; I hope it can continue for the last half of the season and beyond. There are still five more years (give or take) to go before Cassian meets Jyn Erso.Â
ANDOR streams on DisneyPlus, with a new episode every Wednesday.
