Andor Season 2 Final Review – Brilliant! The Best Star Wars Since Empire

Here is my Andor Season 2 final part review and boy what a brilliant ending, cementing itself as the best Star Wars since Empire Strikes Back. This is a SPOILER FREE Review, though I will be more open about the things that lead into Rogue One directly. I mean can’t spoil a sequel that happened first. 

The things to note about the final three episodes are that is again 1 year later and thus we are right up against the point where Rogue One begins. Mon is now on Yavin, as is Bail, Cass and Wilmon. Luthen and Kleya however, are still on Coruscant and Lonnie Yung wants an urgent meeting. Meanwhile Dedra has returned to Coruscant in her unending pursuit of Axis.

That is the stage set for a culmination of many characters arcs in a series of satisfying conclusions. Of course some characters like Cass, Melshi, K-2, Mon’s stories will continue into Rogue One, and beyond for Mon. However, whatever ending befalls the other characters, we all know this is really the end of their arcs in this franchise. 

Luthen and Kleya

I really, really liked this arc’s conclusion. First off we get some backstory showing how Luthen and Kleya came to be together. This works so well as we proceed through the current events to what seems an inevitable conclusion as we see events unfold. The confrontation scene early on was superb, Luthen’s face telling us how sharp he was on the uptake. The hospital scenes were just fabulous and filled with pure tension. Plus, it looked so brilliant using the building in which it was shot superbly. It actually reminded me of several scenes from the Godfather movies, in terms of that palpable tension, heightened by smart direction and excellent cinematography.

As for each character’s final destination, I’ll simply say both were perfect for me. 

Yavin

We really get into more of the debate happening back on Yavin and it reminds me of similar scenes within Rogue One. Almost all the previous actors are back, and it connects in so well with how Rogue One opens. However, I think perhaps my standout performance of the finale part was Vel, played by actress Faye Marsey. That woman should be getting more big time work than she has done in her career so far. A great character actor and she was superb in a small role in Game of Thrones as well. This week, in a more relaxed setting, I just thought she played Vel so well, as someone who could relate to all sides in the chain of command. 

The debate raging, is the one continued in Rogue One, intelligence about the Death Star. Can they trust their source, could the Empire really do something like this?

Cass and K-2

Fans have been waiting for this combo since Andor Season 1. However Tony Gilroy knows what he’s doing, sometimes less is more, and so the K-2 brilliance is kept for this final three episodes and it does deliver. From one-liners, sarcasm, heroics and just in general, K-2 will remind you why you loved him in Rogue One. Alan Tudyk and Diego Luna just play so well with one another and it’s like stepping back into a familiar double act instantly. 

It’s almost tragic we will never get anymore form these two. However, that’s what makes a story really matter, and last. When the ending was one well fought for by both. Instead let’s hate the Empire for losing these two from the Galaxy. I don’t ever want to see them come back for anything. 

The ISB

In contrast to the events of Yavin we see a net closing around the ISB. They haven’t stopped the Rebels, they kinda got caught with Ghorman and Mon’s speech and some very secretive information has leaked. Where in Yavin we see those with different views in debate, it’s respectful and compassion is at the forefront. In the ISB this week we get to see one of the main reasons the Empire and all tyranny’s fail. We have a scene with Partagaz listening to the manifesto from Season 1 and it brings home to us the audience how truly hard it is to keep on oppressing everyone, all the time. Yet, how easy rebellion can sprout and grow in unusual places. Finally, Partagaz understands how hard this task truly is. 

RELATED: Andor Season 2 Part 3 Review – Essential TV

In the Empire being good at your job can get you killed, or worse. We see how the Empire became filled with yes men idiots in higher positions. Anyone with an ounce of independent thought hasn’t made it this far. The best tactic to rise in the Empire, is to never get involved in anything and keep your head down. Hope everyone just forgets about you until it all blows over. 

This is a theme we see echoed within Rogue One, but this time with Krennic suddenly around superiors. Thematically, this fits so well with Rogue One I have to say, that’s brilliant writing.

As for Dedra? Well, again I’ll say that the end of her arc was superbly thought out. That’s all I’m saying without spoilers. 

GRADE: A+

Another absolutley outstanding piece of drama. Without a doubt, Andor Season 1 and 2 are the best Star Wars content written since The Empire Strikes Back. Staggeringly good, and you’ll wish all Star Wars content was this well written. 

I gave the final 9 Episodes all A+, so I’ll rank them,

1. Ghorman and Mon Mothma, Part 3
2. This one, Part 4
3. Tinker, Tailor, Part 2, then obviously
4. Part 1 which I gave A-. 

Season 2 GRADE: A+

I gave the same score for Season 1, but Season 2 was even better. It’s also so seamlessly fitted into Rogue One that this feel like essential Star Wars. Andor makes Rogue One better, and it also makes A New Hope better as well. Think about what a blow the events of ANH are for the Empire after what we’ve just witnessed? We the audience now understand the feeling of hope for the Galaxy before going into the darker again Empire Strikes Back. 

What did you think of the final part of Andor Season 2? What did you think of my Andor Season 2 review, do you agree it’s the best Star Wars since Empire Strikes Back? Thoughts below. 

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