It was a shame that Diego Luna only had limited time to spend with the character of Cassian Andor – one that Disney corrects, with what early on looks to be the best Star Wars series to date. Although Cassian fits squarely into the greater Star Wars universe thanks to his ultimate sacrifice in Rogue One, with Andor, writer Tony Gilroy has the freedom to tell a story that does not have to center around the Skywalker saga. Stylishly shot, and smartly written, while its characters aren’t as ingrained into the minds of fans, it can surpass other shows in quality.
Simply put, it looks beautiful. A cut above other Disney+ Star Wars offerings, with a better mix of real locations, and practical effects. Sure, it takes place in a galaxy far, far away, but it has an authenticity to it that you can recognize. It’s tangible. It’s also shot by directors with attention to detail, for things like proper framing and lighting, so nothing feels off or distracting. In a series that’s focused on the far-reaching impact of the Empire, and how its oppression of working people sparks an uprising, you need to stay invested and feel like it could be happening anywhere at any time.
Despite the first season having 12 episodes to work within, this doesn’t seem like a series that will be littered with throwaway episodes. If the first three are any indication, everything will be valuable to the central narrative, and while there are likely to be plenty of action sequences, it will remain more character-driven than any of its counterparts. The cast is excellent, every character is distinct, and of course Luna is the perfect actor to bring the intriguing espionage-based space thriller to life. It operates in a very gray area, exploring varying motivations, and levels of morality, only hinted at in other series. Something he’s inhabited not only as this character, but others throughout his career.
Andor takes place five years prior to the events of Rogue One, providing a lot of time to see Cassian progress into the Rebel hero he ultimately becomes. It spends the first 3 episodes intercutting between the series present timeline where an altercation while searching for his missing sister makes him a wanted man, and Cassian as a small boy on his home planet of Kenari, investigating a crash site, which led to their separation.
The parallels of these points in time are cleverly intertwined, always leading to impactful closing frames of each episode, especially poignant in Episode 3, “Reckoning,” accompanied by a musical score that really sets it apart. Music has always been synonymous with Star Wars, but Composer Nicholas Britell provides a unique feel for Andor, evoking whatever emotion the scene calls for, carefully crafted using a full orchestra, or simply drums and cymbals.
With an overwhelmingly serious tone, Andor already puts itself in a different space than other Star Wars series. There are playful moments, and an endearing droid called B2EMO voiced by Dave Chapman (toys must be sold), but it never leans too far into cute. If Star Wars is for kids, as George Lucas always described, this series is for the adults who grew up with it. Knowing that there is no happy ending for those involved, there is a permanent sinking feeling that follows all the intimate moments, along with a tinge of pride, knowing how big of a role Cassian will play.
The origin story of his involvement comes in an unlikely fashion. As it turns out, rebellions are built on drunk dials from jealous boyfriends. Timm Karlo (James McArdie), runs a salvage yard with Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona), who he also has an intimate relationship with. He begins to suspect that Bix is cheating on him with Cassian, as he often sees them sneaking off together. After a few too many drinks he decides to tip off Preox-Morlana, a security force used by the Empire, as to the whereabouts of Cassian.
Clearly Cassian is charismatic, and able to talk himself out of most situations, a trait which has earned him a close group of friends and supporters, Bix being one of them. While their relationship isn’t romantic – at least to this point – she does serve as a sort of broker for him, selling stolen and recovered Imperial technology and equipment. Their secret rendezvous are simply a means for her to introduce Cassian to a buyer who can provide enough credits for him to flee his home on Ferrix before being discovered.
Things escalate mostly because Preox-Morlana officer, Syril Karn (Kyle Soller), grows overzealous, trying to make a name for himself. After being told to drop the investigation by his Chief (Rupert Vansittart), he ignored that order, and pressed until he found Cassian. Ultimately, he’s in charge of, but nervously leading a team of men to Ferrix, looking to arrest Cassian. He’s clearly in over his head, supported only by Sergeant Mosk (Alex Ferns), who panders to him, looking for his own advancement. As with most things that go badly, it was all a perfect storm of poor decisions that will prove immensely impactful in the galaxy.
Once the buyer, Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) arrives and meets with Cassian, it becomes clear that he’s far more interested in him, than he is what he has to sell. As he does with most things, Skarsgård immediately elevates the series further, and the exchange between his character and Luna’s is as gripping as the tension on Ferrix that erupts into violence. While there are certainly characters like Cassian’s adopted mother Maarva (Fiona Shaw), Bix, and his boss and loyal friend Brasso (Joplin Sibtain) who owned their moments, and likely play a part moving forward, its especially exciting knowing that this portion of the story is over, and Cassian is now firmly headed towards his destiny aside Rael, and a larger world.
Opinions of other Star Wars series have been mixed, and rightly so, because while they’ve all had their moments, some were seemingly comfortable relying on nostalgia and familiar characters, rather than imaginative writing. There is hope that with Andor, Gilroy can deliver a compelling story of a familiar rebellion, from a fresh perspective, deeply rooted in human conflict and ambition. One that can stand on its own, but also appeal to Star Wars fans that have been clamoring for a different tone. Through its opening 3 episodes, that hope seems to be coming to fruition.
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