Andor Season 2 Part 1 Review – Intelligent And Emotional Start

Here’s my Andor Season 2 Part 1 review folks, and these first three episodes were intelligent, unique and emotional. I’ll start by saying this is a SPOILER FREE review folks. Additionally rather than go episodic, I’m reviewing this in three episode chunks, like Season 2 is being shown. 

First off I applaud Disney for deciding to release this in the three episode chunks. Not doing this was my main gripe for Season 1 and I’m pleased they listened to feedback. I’ll also say that any doubts fans had that Gilroy would be left to do his own thing in Season 2 are unfounded. You can tell that Gilroy has been left to do his own thing here. Whether it’s to your own taste or not might be a different question. That’s the thing, as you’ll see I love Andor Season 2 Part 1. However, I can also foresee it won’t be to the liking of all Star Wars fans. 

No spoilers, but I’ll talk a little about what I felt of each of the storylines being presented here. Cass on a mission, Cass’s crew trying to avoid Imperials whilst they wait for him, Mon Mothma’s daughter’s wedding, and the Imperial angle seen through the eyes of Dedra.

Cass’s Mission

If you are looking for some action, this is the storyline you’ll find most in. However, it’s also where you’ll find the most humor. There were actually some genuinely funny moments here. I also feel like the writers understand how we the audience feel. we all know when and where Cass dies, which can remove jeopardy at times. But the real jeopardy for Cass is what happens to his friends and Rebel colleagues.

The storyline here also explores an often overlooked aspect of rebellions/revolutions. That being the untrained undisciplined sun groups that rise up and tear each other apart or get killed through sheer incompetence. It actually worked really well. Funny at times, but also brutal here and there. 

However the main purpose of this plot is to have Cass off world whilst the net closes in on his friends. 

Cass’ Crew

Cass friends and fellow Rebels lie Bix and Brasso from Season 1 are waiting for Cass on an Imperial planet. The plot here is really simple. They don’t want to be seen as outsiders and the Empire are dropping by local towns checking visas. 

However, this is definitely the most hardcore of the four storylines in Part 1. That tension and suffocated oppression of Season 1 is in full show here. You never get the feeling anyone in this crew is safe from episode to episode. There’s a constant feeling of tension which could boil over at any minute and of course does, spectacularly so.

I think I have to mention there is quite the harrowing moment or two in this storyline. One of which definitely takes Star Wars into the hard R category more than anything else has before. This is where we really see what absolute **** are working for the Empire. 

A lot of emotional moments, beautiful cinematography and very adult drama. If you liked Season 1, you’ll be hooked on this story till its conclusion.

Dedra and the Empire

Like Season 1 we see the Imperial point of view through the eyes of Dedra and Syrril. Things begin just as we’d expect from season 1, with Krennic making his Andor debut to whip up the team for a new round of oppression. 

However, once we get to the second episode, the tone shifts completely. Now we are exploring Dedra’s personal life outside of work as a citizen of the Empire. I absolutley loved this twist we were not expecting. However, I do also think some fans might find the domestic drama far away from what they expect from a Star Wars series. I of course, loved it. 

It was so surprising and rewarding getting this glimpse into ‘normal life’ for a law abiding Imperial Citizen on Coruscant. Time has passed since Season 1, we see this sin all the stories presented, but this one may perhaps be the most surprising of developments since S1. I found myself quietly smiling with enjoyment at some of the scenes here, which are definitely on the smaller scale. Hard to get into the specifics I liked due to spoilers, but yes, I was a fan, and I was not expecting this at all. 

Mon and Perrin Mothma Invites You To The Occasion of…

Our final piece of the Part 1 puzzle is the wedding day of Mon Mothma’s daughter. This match as you know was set up in Season 1, though not happily by Mon. So the big day has arrived and the rich power couple alongside the even richer father of the groom have guests by the bucket load. 

Of course, this is Andor. Therefore, not everything goes as smoothly as Mon would like. For a start Luthen shows up, not in his Rebel mode, but as the fancy antique dealer. However, Tay, Mon’s old friend who is helping her keeps funds from the Empire is a tad grumpy, in a posh, polite way. This sets the stage for a situation which builds and spirals out of Mon’s control.

I won’t get into what happened, but I will say that when Mon eventually gets drunk and let’s her hair down, we feel that anxiety and pressure still weighing her down. Luthen, played by Skarsgard is as always brilliant in his dual modes. He understands the stake better than anyone else, and he’s willing to do anything to build and protect this Rebellion. However, this portion of the story really hangs on Genevieve O’Reilly as Mon Mothma. she’s so, so good here that I’m left wondering again how Dave Filoni manages to destroy here and give her zero to work with in Ahsoka. 

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With Gilroy at the typewriter this time, O’Reilly is once again on fire as the eventual Rebel Leader. Without her saying anything, we as the audience can see every thought going through her mind as she reacts to a series of events during an already stressful and emotional day. 

I will say, some Star Wars fans won’t like the final scene of this storyline. No plot spoilers, but it involves a typical evening reception dance floor situation we may expect from a marriage here on Earth. Some people will maybe think it leans too Earthy. I’ll disagree because the Chandrillan culture is also always at the foreground. Additionally it just makes sense that this is how you’d do a disco for rich folks in the Star Wars universe. I thought it worked really well and especially when cut between all the other storylines which were heading towards their own dramatic conclusion.

In some ways, I enjoyed this Part 1 more than the one we got in Andor Season 1. Andor is simply a great show and nothing I saw in Part 1 makes me worried for the rest of the season to come. Instead, I’m makes excited to see Part 2 next week. 

That being said, here’s my score.

GRADE: A

A good start which sets certain pieces on the board, and removes others. Gilroy is taking a few sings here though and I do think some fans might not appreciate them. I can only ever give my own opinion, and as a TV critic of nine years, this is great TV for me.

I only wish this adult approach could be more common in the Star Wars franchise.

 What do you think of my review for Andor Season 2 part 1? What do you think of the first three episode of Andor Season 2? Lave any thoughts below. 

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