Andor: Episodes 1–3 Review— Star Wars for adults.
The new series is a welcome change.
By R. Alexander Gratrix
It is immediately obvious that “Andor”, a prequel series that dives into the times before Star Wars: Rogue One (itself a prequel), is in a league of it’s own compared to other “Star Wars” television predecessors.
Where “The Mandalorian,” “Boba Fett,” and “Obi-Wan Kenobi” have all leaned on the crutch of their connection to famous characters and iconic locations, “Andor” stands tall in both scope and storytelling. The viewers follow a group of characters who seemingly are regular people; having nothing to do with Solos, Skywalkers or Palpatines, but whose lives matter nonetheless. It is series that does not need “Star Wars” to exist, and rather is tenuously connected (so far) to the greater expanded universe.
That’s not to say that it doesn’t have weight. Cassian Andor (Diego Luna, also an executive producer) is definitely an important character. The series follows the underground hero of 2016’s “Rogue One,” which portrayed the rebels mission to steal the Death Star plans which lead directly to the beginning of “A New Hope,” and which have a massive affect on fate of the rebel alliance and the galaxy itself. Andor and other characters from the gritty underworld, have a destiny that is not bound by the force, but rather is rooted in complex motivations, and subject to adult consequences of living in such a world.
As our own history has shown, rebellion is never a wholly clean endeavor. While rooted in noble intentions, it is often fraught with people undergoing moral trials while trying to make a difference, and in many cases being forced into making terrible choices along the way. Normally, we see the hero’s of a “Star Wars” story being romanticized, while leaving the majority of “regulars” out of the story. But these underground characters deserve a voice in the greater world of this beloved franchise, and Andor offers the chance to see the unsung heroes of the galaxy rising up to battle the Empire, and solidifying their existence in the greater tale.
Still, this is a prequel to a prequel, which comes with a risk of buckling under it’s own baggage and of letting down fans. Cassian’s “Star Wars” destiny is already written. We already know Cassian’s life will eventually intersect with rebel leader Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly, returning for “Andor”). We already know the final minutes of “Rogue One” — and the final destination for him and the others involved. Revisiting old characters is a risk that has been taken many times in “Star Wars” — for better or worse, and while off to a booming start, only time will tell how this show will balance old and new.
The show starts off far different than other shows or movies in the same universe. Taking place 5 years after “Obi-Wan Kenobi”, and five years before “Rogue One”, it is an interesting gap in the timeline. Gone are the dramatic beats of the long intros of the movies, and isn’t a classic cameo in sight. Instead, we are introduced to the dark world of Morlana One, with Cassian travelling on a rainy night, searching for his long-lost sister in an alien brothel. From there on, the adult themes and carefully woven violence (with actual repercussions) begin building as the characters are forces to make uneasy choices. The very idea of such a setup would of seemed ludicrous years ago in the age of “The Phantom Menace,” and I am all here for it.
Luna’s Cassian begins as a similar leading “Star Wars” man to “Han Solo”, but quickly proves himself to be much more. He is a fully fleshed out character with complex motivations and responsibilities. These realistic traits continue to his ex, Bix (Adria Arjona), his adoptive mother, Maarva (the amazing Fiona Shaw), and even in the villain Syril Karn (Kyle Soller), an uptight Empire cop who wants to do what he believes is right, to an almost robotic degree. Acting as a foil to Karn is the mystery character Luthen Rael (played by Stellan Skarsgaard), who takes on Cassian as a rebel pupil. Lastly, we have B2EMO, an old, loyal droid with a stutter that grew on me (voiced by veteran droid voice actor Dave Chapman).
All of this is a recipe for a grittier, darker, story that merely takes place in the “Star Wars” universe, and is not bound by its legacy. Time will tell if the Disney+ TV series will continue this trend with its 12-episode season. Created by Tony Gilroy (Sherlock, Doctor Who, Black mirror) with fantastic writing and directing, the show does run the risk that as it is a slow burn (the first three episodes act as one arc) — it might lose some viewers who are keen for faster payoffs. I would caution that those who stay with it, though, will be rewarded for their patience. This is a show with triple A production design, a swelling score (Nicholas Britell), Michael Wilkinson’s costume design and Emma Scott’s hair and makeup. This series looks and feels like a movie, and one that is arguable better constructed than some recent films in the universe that is comes from. It is not be missed.
This is a unique opportunity to see how the seeds of the Rebel Alliance being planted, and the blossoming of a people who would stand up against an empire. Furthermore, it is a critique of rebellious ideas both in and out of the underground. The villains are real people, and not archetypes. It is a long and overdue change to have a fully fleshed out world that grabs your attention, and beckons you to come along for the ride.
Rating: Four (lightsabers) out of 5
Rating 4/5
The first three episodes of “Andor” premiered Sept. 21 on Disney+.
