A galaxy far, far away feels much more familiar in the wake of a growing number of Star Wars releases. Those who thought the Star Wars journey might be over after The Rise of Skywalker were pleasantly surprised to discover that Disney has a long and enduring plan for the beloved franchise. Now, after two seasons of The Mandalorian and a single entry of The Book of Boba Fett, enter Andor.
After the mixed reviews turned in for The Book of Boba Fett, Disney’s latest entry in the Star Wars mythos had some ground to make up. Further, telling the story of Cassian Andor comes with the implication that most Star Wars fans already know the character’s ending. Finding a way to tell a compelling origin story for one of the Rebellion’s most revered heroes whose ultimate fate is already known posed a problematic prospect, indeed.
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Luckily, Andor not only exceeds as a show, but it may also go down as one of the greatest Star Wars entries to date. Let’s take a look at what makes Andor stand out amongst an ever-expanding galaxy of Star Wars properties.
Andor’s Dialogue
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Star Wars has developed a bit of a reputation for hokey dialogue. In fact, many fans see the franchise’s pattern of awkward phrasing and occasional corny lines as an endearing quality that simply makes Star Wars feel like Star Wars.
If there is any adjustment Andor is looking to make to the Star Wars formula, it is in offering character dialogue that is layered, intriguing, and nuanced. Interactions between characters feel more akin to watching the smooth, flowing dramatics of Mad Men and other character-driven stories than the terse and often spectacle-heavy offerings of Star Wars. Cassian Andor takes his time when speaking, and conversations between characters move at a natural and relaxed pace. The dialogue is rarely filled with the punchy verbosity of The Mandalorian, opting instead for a more subtle and realistic conversational texture.
The Development
Much like the steady delivery of dialogue, the plot of Andor doesn’t come screaming out of the gate. The series takes its time establishing its central protagonist, the people Cassian Andor interacts with, and the generally oppressive mood that has fallen under the long shadow of the Empire. When the action-heavy scenes present themselves, they are all the more engaging and visceral because of their scarcity. Though some may consider the slow burn approach of Andor boring, many will find the series to be a more grounded and believable entry into the Star Wars canon.
In part, this can be explained by the number of episodes slated to tell the story origin story of Cassian Andor. Both seasons of The Mandalorian ended with eight episodes each, while The Book of Boba Fett concluded at seven. In contrast, Andor season one will be divvied out over a total of 12 episodes. We also know that Disney has slotted an additional 12 episodes to tell the remainder of Andor’s story before the events of Rogue One. In all, that means audiences can look forward to approximately 24 hours of Andor before the final credits roll.
During a panel, Andor creator and Rogue One script doctor Tony Gilroy stated:
Andor’s Dramatic Acting
Not enough complimentary things can be said about the cast of Andor. Diego Luna turns in a brilliant performance as he reprises the role of Cassian Andor. The rippling stress and deep tension, both personal and societal, weigh heavy on Luna’s face throughout the current offering of episodes. Side characters like Bix Caleen, Syril Karn, and Mon Mothma, played by Adria Arjona, Kyle Soller, and Genevieve O’Reilly, respectively, are given the space to breathe and feel far more fleshed-out than many of the throw-away side characters Star Wars has presented in the past.
So far, the real show stealer has been Stellan Skarsgård, who portrays Luthen Rael. His brilliant portrayal of an upper-class art dealer turned rebel resistance leader is filled with wit, charm, and brilliant duplicity of character that rivals the best spy movies. In one particular scene, Luthen is returning to Coruscant after a deadly skirmish, tense subterfuge, and heavy-duty spy work. He places his ship on autopilot and begins the process of putting on the mask of his charmed, high-society alternate persona. The scene is quiet and heavy. Luthen systematically trades his drab clothes for luxury wear, places ornate rings on his fingers, and even attaches a hairpiece to further mask the man behind the cultural camouflage.
Lastly, and most powerfully, Luthen begins to practice a relaxed saunter while a forced smile stretches across his face. The moment is uneasy and filled with unspoken weight. The smile drops and Luthen stands for a moment, his mind filled with the burden of his responsibility toward the fledgling rebellion that hopes to face the seemingly all-powerful Empire.
With just four episodes released so far, Andor unquestionably provides a cinematically gorgeous and well-scripted look at the legacy of Cassian Andor and his rogue’s gallery of characters. With nine episodes left, Andor is poised to take Star Wars fans on a tense and gritty ride throughout the galaxy.
