The following review contains spoilers for Andor Season 2
“May the force be with you, Captain.” Andor and perhaps Star Wars as a whole are proof that knowing the ending doesn’t take away the astonishment that still washes over us as human beings consuming something. It’s evidence that storytelling isn’t about the destination, but as we’ve known all along, it’s about the journey. And as saccharine as that idea might be, it’s the most human answer we can cling to when everything else is unclear. Where we’re going matters, even when we can’t always see the clear picture.
It’s strange that the introduction of Cassian Andor in Rogue One and the beginning of his story all end while the political climate in America is as bleak as a galaxy far, far away in the hands of the Empire. Star Wars has always been political commentary, telling stories of the people who stand up and fight for future generations to live in a world that’s better than the one they exist in. It’s comforting to know that maybe someday, the sun will indeed shine again because of those battling against evil forces.
Perfectly penned by Tony Gilroy, Andor Season 2 marks an exceptional conclusion to character journeys that will stay with Star Wars fans forever. There’s an indescribable and raw depth woven into the fabric of the show that accurately portrays pain in the face of incoming combats. It’s achingly slow at times as it spends ample time with each character, allowing the actors to deliver some of the most heartrending performances of the year that are equally as important as they are entertaining.
In addition, from the moment Andor Season 2 opens up with its first three episodes to the final installments, it structurally tells a split story that effectively contributes to its astute pacing and compelling division of time. By the time an episode like “Welcome to the Rebellion” rolls around, it’s easy to accept why so many of us are breaking down into sobs at the mere thought of what’s about to arise in the finale. Every quiet moment, every loud bang, and every intimate beat serves a purpose that’s so poignantly earned it’s hard to imagine the world of Rogue One without the inclusion of Andor.
For many people, Rogue One was the perfect standalone—it quietly stood the test of time as a revolutionary prequel that added new depth to the original trilogy, and it left its mark. And in the same way that Kenobi expanded Princess Leia’s character arc, Andor thoughtfully emphasizes not only Cassian Andor’s legacy but Bix Caleen’s, Mon Mothma’s, Luther Rael’s, Kleya Marki’s, and even Jyn Erso’s. It’s proof of concept that behind every hero is someone who made a colossal sacrifice to ensure that there are people to appreciate the next sunrise and a better world.
It’s also worth knowing that, in many ways, Andor could have simply been a means to an end, but it’s bigger than that. The first season is an ode to those who’ve stood against the beginning stages of Empire, but the sophomore season is a sweeping love story about endurance. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the hardest choices people make are the ones that are driven by pure, unbridled love.
And with the meticulous decision to expand on relationships, Andor Season 2 not only places Adria Arjona’s Bix Caleen at the center of the story, but it makes sure that we remember her legacy. It ensures that we understand the gravity of her sacrifice and the love she shared with Cassian Andor while simultaneously underscoring the importance of people crossing our paths at the right time. To quote both Hamilton and our Meredith Loftus, as she covered the series: who lives, who dies, who tells your story?
With every new addition we get toward expanding the Star Wars universe, we’re given a whole new meaning to the idea that it takes a village. It takes a worthy, brave politician to utter the words “genocide” for the world to recognize how important it is to acknowledge the injustices within this horrific, cruel planet (and galaxies far away). We’re reminded that sometimes, it takes ages for change to feel tangible and real. We’re reminded that there’s a lot of sorrow before there’s any bit of light, and as bittersweet as it is, it’s always, always meaningful. Every bit of Andor Season 2 emphasizes how important each character is to the lore and why they all matter—the big legacies and the quiet ones.
Andor Season 2 is now streaming on Disney+.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Lucasfilm