With the second season of Andor starting last month, those opening three episodes were a delight to watch. A year after the end of season one’s finale, it showed where these characters we’ve been following are now. Cassian, Mon Mothma, Luthen Rael, Syril, Dedra, Vel, and many others all have changed in someway across that year. What those first three episodes revealed set in motion the dynamics that would follow through across this second season.

Owing to the structure of this second season, each of the three episode arcs take place in a different year. It means that many of the events that happen between years change the characters, with us as the audience seeing a few dramatic changes in a few cases. Events that happen between those years get referenced, or the impacts of them are seen in action. In speaking of impacts, there’s two that are just so beautiful in just how well built they have been.

The first episode introduced what would later be coming. Ghorman. Massacre. The tipping point of Imperial atrocities. And Dedra has the assignment to spin the locals into enough of a frenzy to justify that massacre. And she uses Syril as an inside man to do it. Both have been diverted from their fixations. And both, when given the opportunity, fall right back to their fixations. And pay for it. Are, in effect, used by the system they support.

Cassian, having lost Brasso on Mina-Rau in that first arc (along with B2EMO), is reluctant to lose anyone else. Especially Bix. To the point that he’s wanting to run away with her. From the Rebellion. Hide away from the Empire and the war that’s coming. He’s not fully committing what he could to the cause, which Bix sees. Knowing she is the reason why. The recovery from torture Bix has been going through led to a rather cathartic scene for her, and a decision that she felt she had to make.

Luthen told Cassian to scout Ghorman, prepare its people to rebel. And perhaps Cassian’s caution might have delayed the inevitable. But that’s not facing the tough decisions a leader is meant to make. Something Luthen wants for Cassian. So that Cassian can be a strong member of the Rebellion. To bring forth the win he will never see. Even though Cassian isn’t involved in preparing the Ghor to rebel, he’ll still be there to witness the massacre.

A massacre that hits hard. That doesn’t shy away from showing how brutal it is. Or the effects it has on the characters. It really is a marvel how the tension of that episode builds, knowing what is to come. Knowing that, when the critical move is made, chaos will spread. It absolutely is one of the best impacts that Andor delivers, with the other coming in the aftermath of the massacre. The point Mon Mothma can no longer stay a part of the Senate.

The speech. I’m talking about her speech. Another great build up to it, with plenty of tension being delivered with how the Empire is trying to stop anyone speaking out. And when a decree allows her the floor uninterrupted, trying to stop the broadcast and arrest her. I very much loved this third arc, wondering how it could possibly be matched by the final three episodes. But they do. By utilising the one thing that the series has done so brilliantly up to this point.

Characterisation. The last threads of this journey to the start of Rogue One. Showing the strength between the bonds that have been built. That we’ve been shown. Particularly with what Luthen means to all. And his final act that kickstarts the events of Rogue One into motion. And also seeing K-2SO delivering so much humour from simply stating facts while also being an absolute loyal beast to Cassian.

A particular highlight during the final episode is one I really don’t want to spoil, but speaks so much to the characterisation the final arc is built on. After showing such great support to Mon during the wedding, Vel again shows such qualities at the end of this season to another person who similarly feels lost. Who feels their life has been torn apart. She remains strong, even after everything she has faced. Including her own moment of feeling her life has been torn apart.

There really is so much to love about Andor season two. There’s so many impactful moments that it delivers. Even away from those I’ve mentioned. While I do understand that this type of series might not get everyone invested, it is still an easy recommendation from me. Everything I have seen across these two seasons makes me confident in saying that. And if you’re unsure, give it a chance, understanding that it’s not the most action heavy of series.

Images Taken From:
Andor | Season Two Trailer | Star Wars
Andor | Official Trailer | Final Season… | Star Wars