Andor returns for an explosive and riveting second and final season that cements itself as not only the greatest Star Wars show of all time, but the best television show of the year thanks to the masterful storytelling of Tony Gilroy that explores the darkness and morality for the fight for freedom against the Empire and the out of this galaxy performances from Diego Luna and Genevieve O’Reilly!

 

When Rogue One: A Star Wars Story premiered back in 2016, fans were treated to a different view of the Star Wars universe. Up until that point, Star Wars had been a fantastical space opera featuring a legendary battle between good and evil, epic lightsaber duels, noble heroes and unforgettable villains, but Rogue One: A Star Wars Story grounded the franchise and  provided a war based tale that was a breath of fresh air. This genre based approach to Star Wars continued with the Disney+ series Andor, giving an origin story to Cassian Andor, one of the heroes of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, detailing his origins and how he became a hero of the Rebellion as well as the origins of the Rebellion itself in a galaxy under the Empire’s control. And after the spectacular first season of Andor which provided the most thematically rich and complex, political and gritty storytelling in the Star Wars universe at that time, and a two and a half year wait, the fan favourite series returns for its second and final season to conclude the tale of the Rebellion and Cassian Andor’s rise superseding the high standard set by the first season.

 

Even with a clear end goal for the series as it takes viewers right up to the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and some of the lead characters having predetermined endings for their arcs, there are still lots of surprises, shocking moments and exhilarating events that ensures that Andor’s second season is nothing short of epic television. The season is broken down into four distinct sections, with each set of three episodes acting as a mini-movie as the five year gap between the events of Andor and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is closed. Much like the first season, what unfolds is a gripping portrayal of the fight for freedom against an oppressive political regime, finding a grittiness and harrowing brutality once again in the Star Wars universe that is not only a great contrast to the more mystic based tales of the Jedi, but sets the stage for a magnificent season of television that marks the best episodic work in the Star Wars universe to date!

 

Within the Star Wars universe, there has always been a clear distinction between good and evil. The Jedi and the Sith. The Rebellion and the Empire. It worked well in the grand space opera of the Jedi based stories, but Andor takes a different approach, and even more so in its second season. Within each side, as there is a clear distinction between the good and evil of the Rebellion and the Empire, there is fracturing of differing views from the more analytical and reserved views, to the extreme views that create friction with each side. As the relationships on each side begin to fracture due to different ideologies and levels of extremist, what ensues is a great character driven narrative as we watch our heroes and villains develop as the battle between the Rebellion and the Empire intensifies, exploring individuals at the most intimate level imaginable and what drives them. It’s all under the careful guidance of showrunner Tony Gilroy, who not only perfectly understands each character and ensures that their arcs are rewarding for viewers, no matter how they end, but captures the humanity within these two mighty forces rather than the larger spectacle that the Star Wars films tend to lean towards. And by the time the season reaches its eighth episode, it’s a flawless run to the series finale that delivers heart pounding, emotional, riveting and rich narrative that is prestige television at its finest, making for some of the best Star Wars storytelling in the franchise’s entire history. 

 

This masterful storytelling allows the audience to see Mon Mothma and Cassian Andor become the leaders of the Rebellion that they encountered in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and chronicle the emergence of the Rebellion after Palpatine took control of the galaxy and built the Empire. Cassian continues his hero’s journey, becoming a full fledged member of the Rebellion, while still finding himself torn between the more radical nature of Luthen and what he knows in his heart to be right. It is an emotional journey for Cassian, transforming his view on the galaxy and helping to shape him into the conflicted Rebel hero we first met in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Mon, on the other hand, sees massive development over the course of the season as she ups her efforts in building the Rebellion and becoming its leader, at great cost to her and her family who are still very much part of the Empire’s system. While Mon has been part of the Star Wars universe since Return of the Jedi, this season of Andor gives her the most flushed out and intricate role to date, making her the standout character of the entire season. And though the season showcases Cassian and Mon the most, the development of the rest of main players is great, giving each character a fitting end to their storyline for this series while mixing in familiar faces from the films such as Ben Mendelsohn’s Director Krennic and Alan Tudyk’s K-2SO.

 

As brilliant as Tony Gilroy’s vision for Andor’s second season and as a series as a whole is, it would be nothing without the cast. Diego Luna excels as Cassian, capturing the internal conflict within Cassian as he finds himself becoming a more prominent player in the Rebellion, creating a complex hero’s journey for Cassian as he takes his place in the fight against the Empire. Never for a second does Luna not stun with this performance that features moments of great vulnerability as Cassian finds his place in the galaxy and unwavering strength and compassion as he protects his loved ones, while Adria Arjona gives a powerful arc to Bix who is grappling with the torture she faced as the hands of the Empire in the first season and helping Cassian become the hero he was destined to be. It’s a much larger role for Arjona than in the first season, allowing her to shine as she tackles the heavier arc for Bix, while her chemistry with Luna helps to create the heart of Cassian’s storyline. Becoming even more calculated and deadly are Denise Gough and Kyle Soller as Dedra and Syril, thriving as a remarkable pairing as they embark on a strategic game of chess within the Empire vying for power and control against dangerous individuals. Emerging from the smaller role she had last season is Elizabeth Dulau as Luthen’s assistant Kleyla, proving to be the breakout star of the season with some magnificent moments, while Stellan Skarsgård and Faye Marsay continue to be excellent as Luthen and Vel respectively.

 

Though, it is the performance of Genevieve O’Reilly as Mon that is the performance you won’t forget this season. Delivering the most powerful moments of the entire season, O’Reilly captures the fight, grace and tact within Mon without having to say a single word, transforming her from senator to the leader of the Rebellion by the end of the season. While keeping up appearances as she navigates her way through the deadly political scene on Coruscant, O’Reilly has so many powerful moments that will leave you speechless with her performance. From her dancing montage which is a powerful release of emotion that the audience feels with every movement of her arms and spin she does, to that unforgettable speech to the Galactic senate which is not only something audiences will want to rewind to watch again and again, its masterful work from O’Reilly in every scene. Needless to say, her performance this season should rightfully secure O’Reilly an Emmy nomination.