ANDOR’s second season was slower than the first. However, the last two weeks, with six episodes, have been some of the best TV this past year.
ANDOR has been my gateway into the STAR WARS universe. I’ve seen all the films and live-action TV series, but I always skipped the animated series. The idea of watching 77 episodes of REBELS or 133 of CLONE WARS is daunting. After falling in love with the ANDOR characters, I wanted to know more about the STAR WARS timeline. There are so many references, names being said, and extended shots on things that don’t mean anything to the casual viewer, but more to the hardcore fan.
I’m happy to report that I’ve started my journey as a young Padawan and have now watched the first season of REBELS. Why take this lengthy journey, you ask? It’s for me and my three-year-old. He’s obsessed with two things – STAR WARS and trains. I know it’s my fault, as I’ve read and created STAR WARS stories for him before bedtime, but I want to have this knowledge readily available as he gets older. It will take me some time to complete, but I’m excited to watch them with him as he ages and post my reviews.
Back to ANDOR. Holy fcking sh*t – that’s how you end a series!
E10: MAKE IT STOP
The episode moves away from Cassian’s plot and focuses on the conclusion of Luthen and Klyea. It has minimal dialogue and is executed like a 1970s espionage thrill ride. The series patiently waited to fill in Luthen and Klyea’s bittersweet backstory. Watching Klyea learn how to “keep the hate alive until she knows what to do with it” is sheer perfection. This is one of the best episodes of season two, if not the best. Enjoy the ride!
E11: WHO ELSE KNOWS?
E11 plays like THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. A bridge to connect Kylea and Luthen’s story with Cassian’s. But even more essential, we get to learn Meero’s stunning conclusion. While Meero has been a cunning villain, her outcome is well-deserved. Yet, the episode’s fun-MVP is easily K-2SO, bringing some much-needed humor to an extremely serious show.
E12: JEDHA, KYBER, ERSO
With that final episode, ANDOR cemented its legacy as the second-best TV prequel of all time (BETTER CALL SAUL still owns the top spot). The magic of ANDOR is that it makes the cold ROGUE ONE all the more meaningful. Watching Cassian’s conclusion in the 2016 film is now impactful as we learn what he sacrificed for the galaxy’s fate.
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As I continue to immerse myself in the STAR WARS universe, the ANDOR series will always be at the top of the list. It showed me that despite having some pretty awful movies and shows, the universe had more to offer than I thought… in other words – “the force is at its strongest with this one.”
It’s available on Disney+.
