TV Series Review: Andor- A return to greatness for Disney’s Star Wars
Star Wars ‘Andor’ logo. Picture Source: Scholarlyhexes
Andor follows a character from the 2016 film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and his journey before we first meet him. Set five years before his death we see the beginning of a man who eventually ends his story helping the resistance destroy the Death Star, as seen in ‘A New Hope’ (1977).
We start our story with our main protagonist Cassian Andor (played by Diego Luna) on an unnamed planet searching for a woman we later learn to be his long-lost sister. Andor meets two imperial officers and trouble is soon to follow as they blackmail him for payment to roam freely. A brawl ensues and during the panic a misfired shot sees one of the officers dead and in a moment of panic or what could be described as self-preservation, Andor fires a second shot killing the witnessing officer, as he flees off the planet.
The show follows a distinct format of four separate story arcs that span over three episodes each in its 12-episode run. The show has three different directors focusing on a different story arc each, this includes Ben Caron, Susanna White, and Toby Haynes. This makes for a slower-paced experience in comparison to previous Star Wars Disney+ shows, however, the slow burn of Andor's growth and development as a character is stark from start to finish and makes the viewing feel that much more rewarding.
Previous Disney+ Star Wars shows such as ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ and ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ have suffered from criticisms of their mediocrity. Andor manages to break this pattern with excellent storytelling and not relying on the Star Wars name to continue making uninspired content.
At its core, Andor is a story of oppression, tyranny, political injustice and rebellion and tells a more subtle nuanced tale away from the Skywalker saga. Characters feel more fleshed out and fully explored and the never-ending universe that is Star Wars feels bigger than ever in a show that remains so grounded in a universe of laser sword-wielding warriors.
Andor also highlights some beautiful cinematography that has been amiss in the Star Wars property as of late. We visit planets never seen before on screen and move away from the sand dunes of Tatooine. This has been a complaint from fans and critics alike who have made it clear that they are tired of seeing the same old planets time and time again that have appeared on screen since the 70s.
The darker themes shown in Andor are some of the most mature ever seen in the Star Wars universe and the stories told are elevated even further with the appearance of some excellent acting performances. This includes Andy Serkis, Stellan Skarsgård and Fiona Shaw.
The show makes Andor, a character who could have easily been forgotten, a martyr for the resistance and the fight against the repression and iron fist of the emperor.
★★★★☆
Andor season one is streaming now on Disney+.