Season 2 of Andor is finally out. It released three episodes simultaneously, which will continue to happen every week. They’re centered around a royal wedding, Cassian’s new mission, and Mina-Rau.
The price of freedom
Cassian’s first appearance shows his growth since last season. The scale of things has increased considerably but so has his confidence and determination. I really liked his interaction with Niya.
The girl is terrified, and with good reason, she’s not only betraying the Empire but putting a target on her back. If she survives, then Niya will have to watch over her shoulder for the rest of her life.
Cassian is not the best with words, but in his own way, he tries to reassure and comfort the girl about the impact this will have. Sadly, words are insufficient to comfort anyone after Brasso’s death.
I’m so mad that he died to the only Stormtrooper in the galaxy with decent aim. The man helped and cared for Cassian and the others like a big brother. Even if we don’t know much about their story together, he was undoubtedly very close to Cassian, Bix, and Wil.
The way he died makes it more infuriating. After surviving the Ferrix incident and hiding for one year, he just died without any warning. The saddest thing is that no one had the chance to process or grieve the loss.
It’s a good reminder of how many regular people have sacrificed everything to help defeat the Galactic Empire, but it’s also the efforts of thousands of people like this that will eventually bring down the Empire‘s reign of terror.
Sticking together
One of my favorite things about Andor is that it shows how people build and integrate themselves into a community. In times of oppression and tyranny, the smartest thing to do is to help each other. Even then, this is no guarantee of anything when something as powerful as the Empire rules the galaxy.
Wil, Brasso and Bix went to Mina-Rau not because of the lifestyle or the beautiful sight. The reason is that these places are fairly isolated, and contact with the authorities is minimal compared to more industrialized planets.
These fields also have a low population, and similar to Ferrix, it’s a place where their people look after each other. When you’re facing such an overwhelming enemy, one of the few things that can keep you moving forward is the people you care about.
One does not become a rebel because it’s fun, but because there’s something worth fighting for. It doesn’t matter if you’re a low-ranking officer or an influential aristocrat; the Empire has likely taken something from you. It’s ironic how the Empire’s atrocities only empower its enemies to take them head-on.
An insatiable machine
The meeting at the Maltheen Divide is a fantastic example of how a tyrannic government plans and executes a detailed plan in order to obtain something important for their agenda, in this case, a natural resource.
The lack of any decency or regard for human life is both astounding and unsurprising. It’s not as if any of them got to their current positions by advocating for the well-being of others, but it’s still shocking to see how wiping out an entire culture means so little to them. For Krennic, it’s nothing more than another work meeting.
This fantastic but terrifying scene is directly inspired by the Wannsee Conference of 1942, the infamous meeting where the Germans planned the deportation and execution of all Jews.
For many of us, Star Wars has been a way to “escape” from reality in difficult times, but sometimes it’s also important to remember how the darker side of it is a reflection of what happens frequently in our world.
The weirdest couple in Star Wars
Dedra and Syril are very strange by their own, seeing them as a couple is very weird, but at the same time, it makes perfect sense. Both are extremely dedicated to their work and the Empire, and their lack of social skills makes their interactions very strange in a way that works out perfectly.
The scene with Syril’s mom is fantastic, even though the poor man was getting insulted non-stop. I loved how Dedra genuinely tries to be nice and have a good conversation, but the moment Eedy starts humiliating her son, Dedra doesn’t hesitate to shut her down.
I believe their relationship is going to be one of the highlights of the season. Mainly because I have the theory that Dedra is going to turn back on the Empire. As loyal as she is to the Empire, she doesn’t strike me as a mindless robot capable of doing unspeakable things without feeling remorse.
There’s nothing else I have to sustain this, but if I’m right, it’s going to be very interesting to see what Syril does. He’s a man who has struggled to find purpose. The Empire has provided that, but what would happen if he had to choose between the Empire and the only person who genuinely likes him?
Regardless of what happens, I can’t wait to see how this relationship flourishes or gets destroyed by all the chaos that’s around it.
Strength is useless without leadership
There are many rebel cells spread out in the galaxy, all of them operate independently as a precautionary measure, and also because the ideals of their leaders are different. It was very interesting to see how Cassian’s captors, one of said rebel cells, lost their leader, and everything went south immediately.
Ego, lack of trust, and past grudges were enough to make them turn against each other in a couple of days. Cassian barely had to do any work; he just remained calm and waited for his opportunity.
This conflict between allies shows the current state of the rebellion. Fighting for the same cause is different from being united. Sure, it might last for some time, but eventually the differences between individuals can ruin everything.
That’s why having leaders who people trust in is so vital for the Rebel Alliance. Take Saw, for example, the dude is an extremist, but his subordinates have a massive respect for him and are willing to follow him until the end.
The Cassian Andor that we met in Rogue One has the qualities of a good leader, that’s the only reason why so many joined him in the Scariff incursion. He might not be there yet, but every remaining arc will slowly show how he becomes that version of himself. It’s going to be a fun ride.
That scene
Watching the Imperial Lieutenant trying to rape Bix was very unsettling, but I’m glad that Tony Gilroy wasn’t afraid to show it. The second episode already gives hints of what he is planning, but to actually see it happen was unexpected.
Soldiers raping women is something that’s common in every armed conflict throughout history. If Andor is about the darker and more real side of the war, then this topic must be addressed without sugar coating it. It’s definitely disturbing and unexpected, but another good reminder of how real some elements of this series are.
I feel bad for Bix, she lost her boyfriend, got tortured by the Empire, saw Maarva in her last moments, had to flee Ferrix to start over, and now this. The main reason why I think it happened to her is that, as an illegal immigrant, she doesn’t have anyone to protect her.
The worst thing is that things probably won’t get better. Just like Brasso, I believe that she will die fighting the Empire.
A complicated relationship
The Chandrilan wedding showed how the elite use these events to work towards their personal interests. Beginning with the fact that the wedding is the result of Mon Mothma meeting with Davo Sculdun because she needed a “business partner” in order to access her funds without the Empire getting nosy about it.
I feel bad for Leida because of how she was used as an exchange coin, exactly as Mon Mothma was when she was a teenager. At the same time, I really don’t like her as a person. She always has an entitled attitude and has a complete disregard for how Mothma feels.
There’s probably a good reason why her anger is only directed towards Mon Mothma, but with all the other storylines happening, it’s very unlikely that we’ll know the reason. I have the feeling that Leida and Mon’s relationship is going to be one of the many things the Senator sacrifices in this process.
Betraying old allies
Tay Kolma thinking twice about his partnership with Mon Mothma wasn’t on my bingo card. They have been friends since their childhood, and people have been gossiping about him being in love with her since forever.
Not even Mothma expected it; the look on her face was of both surprise and terror, though that reaction is eclipsed by the moment where Luthen tells her that she must be protected. Her long friend has become a liability that must be dealt with.
You can see how she’s completely on the edge of a breakup when she’s dancing. Fear, guilt, sadness, uncertainty, doubt, shame, frustration, and despair, combined with a powerful mix of alcohol.
To me, she’s dancing her problems away. I know it sounds silly but what else is there to do? She is completely powerless, in the middle of her daughter’s wedding. All she can do is try to ignore the negative emotions. It’s funny how even Perrin gets surprised by her behaviour.
Luthen’s Angel of death
There are some characters in Star Wars whose appearance is a synonym of something. Hope, evil, heroism, corruption, extremism, and so on. In Andor, that character is Cinta. Every time she has appeared,d is because she’s on a mission to assassinate someone.
The Imperial officer and his family on Aldhani, the other Imperial on Ferrix, even though her target was Cassian Andor, and now Tay Kolma. It’s incredible how she just appears for a second, and you instantly know what she’s about to do.
Cinta is Luthen’s executioner and arguably one of the scariest characters in the show. What I enjoy about her is that she isn’t a mindless, cruel assassin machine. Back in Aldhani, you could see her crying after eliminating that family.
Just like Luthen, she understands that having a clean conscious is one of the many sacrifices required for success. I’m eager to see her in future episodes and also curious about who her next targets are going to be.
Final Thoughts
Season 2 of Andor had a strong start. It was a good mix of slow-paced, building up the tension, and a brief climax. The scenes that are hard to watch are very good because that’s their entire purpose. They are so cruel and that’s what makes them so real and relatable.
Bix, Krennic, Dedra, and Mon Mothma were my favorite characters from these first three episodes. The acting was incredible, I’m looking forward to the next episodes to see what happens with them.
I can’t believe they left B2EMO behind, the little guy has always been there for Cassian. It’s unlikely that we’ll see it again. The only thing that comforts me is that nothing will happen to it.
I was worried that the pace would be as slow as the first season during the first episodes, but time flew. What I don’t like about this format is that it’s going to last only four weeks, but being able to watch entire arcs in one sitting is definitely more entertaining and nerve-wracking.
There are nine episodes left; it’s too soon to say more about the entire series, but so far, I am pleased with how it started. Hopefully, it will only get better.
Next up, check out all of the hidden details and Star Wars references from the first three episodes of the second season. They were all packed with interesting secrets!
Andor Season 2, Episodes 1-3: Hidden Details and References
