The first three episodes of Andor season two are now out on Disney+. The show will be dropping three new episodes a week, on Tuesdays at 9:00 p.m. ET. Each set of three eps will jump one year forward, with the second season starting one year after the events of the first season. This puts us at 4 BBY, aka four years before the Battle of Yavin, when Luke blows up the Death Star at the end of A New Hope. It also puts us roughly four years before Rogue One takes place. The final three episodes will presumably lead us up to the moments before Jyn Erso enters the picture. (I am absolutely convinced that we will get a Felicity Jones cameo in the series finale.)
Mr. Rosie and I did a season one rewatch before we left for Star Wars Celebration Japan a few weeks ago. There was so much that I’d forgotten about and I’m glad we had the refresher. As for season two, I’ve watched the first three episodes twice now, and they are truly incredible TV. I’m not just saying this! Critics have been able to watch the entire season, and the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. Everyone (who isn’t an incel keyboard warrior) agrees: It’s not just good Star Wars, it’s really good television.
[O]ne of [the new Star Wars] series, Andor, somehow manages to be good television. And not just good for a latter day Star Wars show. Andor, which returns for a second season on Disney+ April 22, stands toe-to-toe with any of the great series currently airing. It’s a sophisticated epic, a feat of both expansive and granular imagination. The series is rushing toward a foregone conclusion—we’ve already seen its lead character, smuggler turned rebel captain Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), die in the 2016 film Rogue One—but finds endless suspense in the journey toward that fixed point. Creator Tony Gilroy goes for highbrow political intrigue in a way that is complementary to the space-opera fun of Star Wars, rather than disdainful of it. He gives a long cherished galaxy a respectful weight; Andor takes this all very seriously.
Maybe there is some haughty avoidance in Andor; the series never mentions Darth Vader, nor Yoda nor Jabba the Hutt nor anyone named Skywalker. It keeps the wicked Emperor Palpatine safely off screen, though his presence nonetheless looms over the show. Many fantastical elements of Star Wars have to be eschewed for this grave and grownup take on the material to work, a putting away of childish things that may rankle some viewers. Plenty of Star Wars fans do want goofy aliens and mystical heros’ journeys toward cosmic greatness—but Andor denies them that in favor of grim ruminations on fascism and resistance.
Rotten Tomatoes has a great compilation of quotes from reviewers who have seen the complete season, and the praise does not waiver. From the acting to the storytelling to the music, we are apparently in for one helluva emotionally powerful ride. I don’t even know if I’m ready for what’s to come after watching those final moments of the third episode with Mon’s frenetic dancing, Vel’s devastating realization after seeing Cinta, and Cassian’s heartbroken look. Just phenomenal television. (And yes, I know that MAGAs are big mad about *that* Bix scene; I have so many different responses but will condense it to reminding them about Slave Leia and point them in the direction of the excellent Skeleton Crew if they are into Star Wars-for-kids.)
Speaking of Mon’s storyline, holy sh-t! I’ve always thought she was a badass, but I can’t wait to see her evolution from wealthy white-lady Senator that’s helping fund the rebellion to the actual leader of the Rebel Alliance. With so much more context, I’m guessing that it’s going to involve Luthen’s death and Mon losing her family in some devastating way. Oh, and fun fact: The song that Mon dances to, Niamos! is the same song that played at different points throughout the first season, including the first episode. I think the overall story arc of this season will be a sober reminder that fighting facism is ugly. Doing what is right comes at a cost. Luthen figured that out a decade earlier and now we’re seeing what that cost is for both Cassian and Mon. But back to the series: So far, season two of Andor more than meets the moment. Despite being filmed between November 2022 and February 2024 (with a break for the 2023 Hollywood strikes), it is the moment.
photos credit: Jennifer Graylock-Graylock.com/Avalon, Justin Ng/Avalon, Sue Andrews/Avalon, IMAGO/RW/ MediaPunch/Avalon
Diego Luna is absolute 🔥 this season. The entire cast is amazing. Andor raises the bar so high.
I am loving Andor season 2! Not to mention Dedra and Syril though, our baddies in love! Their whole domestic scene getting ready for Syril’ s mother to arrive and the dinner!
Are my eyes deceiving me or does Diego Luna look sort of like a young Paul McCartney?
I can see it now that you say it, but I think it’s just the angle of the pic? I think he’s so so attractive, and I’ve never been into Paul McCartney.
The entire cast, the costumes, music and story this season -amazing.
Felicity Jones would make sense but I have wondered why we haven’t seen Jimmy Smits (Bail Organa). We know he’s involved in the resistance and this specific plot and he’s in the Senate with Mon Mothma. It’s weird we haven’t seen him.
Good point! It wouldn’t surprise me if he shows up later on in the season, as Mon’s storyline progresses. I have always agreed with this theory about Luthen’s ultimate fate: https://www.reddit.com/r/andor/comments/1g26rck/luthens_demise_theory/
(linking to it in case it’s considered a spoiler)
We watch EVERYTHING late, but we’re gonna try to do Andor on time. I’m really hoping Andy Serkis’ character turns up, having survived the plunge and maybe dog paddling to safety. Love Diego Luna, does he age at all?? He looks practically the same as when I first saw him in Open
The entire time I watched these eps, I kept thinking, “He’s older than me and looks so good!”
I capital “L” love this show and we plan on rewatching Rogue One immediately following the series finale.
I’m both dreading and looking forward to it lol