Andor – Week Four Review

I remember that, years ago now, when I watched the pilot of Andor, I had pretty low hopes for the series. After all, I hadn’t been a big fan of Rogue One. I felt there had been precious little character development in the film and I didn’t care all that much about the characters as they risked their lives to steal the Death Star plans. I mean, we knew they would succeed, so where was the dramatic tension? Well, after watching this last triptych of Andor, I can say I was so incredibly wrong in my initial thoughts. This series was utterly spectacular on every level, from writing, acting, directing, design – everything. And this final chapter? Perfection.

I had heard rumblings from folks who had seen the entire season that Kleya, and Elizabeth Dulau, were the season’s dark horse MVP. That Kleya was given something truly spectacular by way of her season arc. And I’ll admit, I was impressed with everything the character and Dulau did in the initial nine episodes. But in this batch? Holy hell. What a performance. And what writing. Kleya was one of the few characters left in the series whose fate we didn’t know, and the tension throughout these final episodes was electric. I’m sure there will be some decrying that we didn’t get much Mon or Cassian in this final stretch, but their stories were set in stone following episode nine. Both were to remain on Yavin until Cassian was tasked to head off to begin Rogue One while Mon continued to lead the rebellion. This was the time to tell the tale of our two key characters original to this series – Kleya and Luthen – and to wrap their stories up so that we could segue into the films. And what an ending it was.

Dulau was just amazing, doing more with a look throughout these episodes than most actors could do with pages of dialogue. And Stellan Skarsgard? Man, we all knew he was good, but seeing just who Luthen was – how he was created alongside Kleya – and how that relationship blossomed into something as close to a father-daughter one as possible (when you’re working on teaching your “kid” how to be a vital cog in the resistance)? Just brilliant writing, acting, and direction – making sure we see what young Kleya sees and understand how Luthen teaches through action. There’s a part of me that would love to watch an entire series showing how the duo of Luthen and Kleya managed to build their sector of the resistance before Cassian drops in, but I wouldn’t want to sully the brilliance of the story we just saw by tacking on more to it. Although it worked with Rogue One.

These three episodes were the perfect conclusion to this spectacular story. They wrapped up each of the remaining story arcs (poor Dedra, building the Death Star instead of manning it; poor Bix, waiting for Cassian who will never return) and positioned our key characters where they will be when things really kick off. I’m glad Kleya is among friends – and after all the sniping between her and Vel, I’m glad those two have called a truce. And Mon will absolutely vouch for her – and there might just be a role in the rebellion for a former communications master.

But a great ending isn’t about ending things with explosions and excitement (although we definitely got that). A truly great conclusion ties up the loose ends while letting us know that life will go on for those characters who remain alive and well. Cassian is about to meet Jyn Erso and a host of others. Mon Mothma will lead a revolution. Bail is going to head home to Alderaan. His adopted daughter is about to meet two guys who will change her life. This story will move forward and luckily for us, we can just press play and see it unfold. It will end in tragedy for some, joyous victory for others. And sure, there are a few folks whose futures we don’t know – Vel, Kleya, Wilmon, Bix – but we can happily pencil in that they all lived and thrived amidst the hardship they’re about to face. That’s the magic of storytelling – at some point, the story becomes our own to tell and imagine.

Andor offered us so much in terms of rich storytelling and incredible performances. But it also spoke to universal truths that exist now, have existed in the past, and will likely exist in the future. The slow creep of authoritarianism is a mere whisper until it’s not. It’s easy to stand quietly by whilst others are persecuted. So long as there are those willing to stand up for freedom, justice, and push back against those who would divide us, lie to us, and try to use our fears to turn us against each other, there is hope for us all. Mon Mothma’s speech in episode nine was chilling because it speaks to a reality in today’s political climate – not just in the US but in many countries around the world. But the idea that ordinary people can do extraordinary things to stop fascism and authoritarianism from winning? Everything within Andor sets up that story to be told in Rogue One and the original trilogy films. It’s all one message (yes, a very political one, internet naysayers) about the power of people to band together and fight for what’s right.

When I watched the pilot of Andor, I had no idea just how good this series would end up being. I had no idea how much I would come to love these characters, to root for them, to cry for and with them. Sure, we knew how some of their stories would end. But, for once, knowing the ending didn’t make the journey any less engaging and compelling. And while I haven’t watched Rogue One since I saw it on opening night in the theater, my plans for tomorrow night include sitting down and giving it another look. Because I know so much more about that story. So much more about the enigma that is Cassian Andor – Diego Luna was an absolute revelation in this role – and so much more about what he’s risking to try to save the galaxy. To try to save Bix. To save Wilmon. To save millions he has never met and will never meet. It’s rare that I finish a series and immediately think, “Man, I’m going to miss these characters. This world. This story.” But here I am, so sad this is the end of the road for this corner of the Star Wars universe. What an achievement. Bravo, Tony Gilroy and company. Bravo.