Warning! This review contains spoilers for Andor season 2, episodes 4-6.
Andorseason 2, episodes 4, 5, and 6 make up the second act of the installment, providing romance, action, and ever-intriguing politics that George Lucas pioneered in theStar Warsuniverse. In myreview forAndorseason 2, act 1, I noted that the pace was somewhat slower than expected, yet act 2 helped me realize why. By the time ofAndorseason 1’s ending, it was clear the four acts had very different tones, with season 2 emulating this.
The second batch of episodes acts in the same vein as the Aldhani heist from season 1, with the titular character scoping out the planet of Ghorman, which seems of specific interest to the Empire. No one in-universe knows what the Empire truly wants with Ghorman, thoughAndor’s returning character Orson Krennicrevealed this much to the audience in act 1. This leads Cassian and other rebel heroes to the planet, asAndorseason 2, act 2 injects a faster pace into the story, a similar level of strong writing, and heaps ofStar Warsromance into proceedings.
Andor Season 2’s Romantic Relationships Make A Difference For Star Wars
Star Wars Romance Has Never Been A Particular Focus
One of the elements I immediately noticed and liked the most about these episodes is the focus it puts on romantic relationships. TheStar Warsmoviesof old tended to have some romance, be it Han and Leia in the original trilogy or Anakin and Padmé in the prequels. However, the variousStar WarsTV shows and most other movie installments tended to place romance as a back-seat element of storytelling.Andorchanges this.
The relationship between [Cassian and Bix] is, nonetheless, intriguing to see as it offers a look at domesticity inStar Wars…
ThroughoutAndorseason 2, act 2, a specific focus is placed on three romantic connections: Cassian and Bix, Syril and Dedra, and Vel and Cinta. The former is intriguing, with Bix struggling to overcome her PTSD from season 1’s events and Cassian having to regularly leave her to operate missions for Luthen. The relationship between the two is, nonetheless, intriguing to see as it offers a look at domesticity inStar Warsfor two rebels hiding from the Empire. How the arc concludes for them is also incredibly satisfying.
On the opposite side of things are Syril and Dedra. I mentioned in my review for the first arc ofAndorseason 2 that the show is excellent at presenting certain Imperials as investable characters, despite them squarely being villains. This continues here, with Syril essentially being used by Dedra to further the Empire’s efforts on Ghorman.Not only does this give Syril more to do as a central part of the plot, but it also emphasizes the lack of genuine love and trust between them, with the opposite being true for Cassian and Bix, for example.
Finally, the couple of Vel and Cinta is perhaps the most compelling inAndorseason 2, act 2. Naturally, the relationship is one of the only depictions of an LGBTQ relationship inStar Warsconcerning main characters, adding a level of maturity to the show. Beyond that, how their story plays out here is suitably heartbreaking. Cinta’s death is depicted as a sad casualty of rebellion, somethingAndoris excellent at portraying asStar Wars’Rebel Alliancegrows.
The Ghorman Storyline Takes A More Compelling Direction That Lucas Began 30 Years Ago
Rebellion Brews Across The Galaxy
Andorseason 2, act 1 already established that the Empire wants Ghorman for minerals — which the Empire deems more worthy than the lives of those living on Ghorman.Andortakes this storyline even further by showing how the people of Ghorman are responding to the new Imperial occupation of the planet. The increased Imperial activity has locals worried, leading the Ghorman Front to inspect exactly why. The politics on display here are fascinating, truly exemplifying thatAndor’s biggest strength is its mature writing. The Ghormans are naturally angry at the Imperial activity on the planet, leading to outright rebellion.
What this immediately brought to mind for me is that, yes, prequel fans, George Lucas was right…
This comes in the form of a heist that involves Vel and Cinta. However, the reveal that this rebellion was provoked by the Empire as a means of the institution cracking down on Ghorman makes it all very complex. The heist itself is fun and adds a deal of tension and action to the second act ofAndorseason 2.
That said, it is the politics at play beneath it that makes it all the better. Seeing how the Empire will force retribution for this act is both terrifying and intriguing, as it will likely propel Cassian, Bix, and maybe even Luthen to aid Ghorman. What this immediately brought to mind for me is that, yes, prequel fans, George Lucas was right.Star Wars’creator was criticized in the 1990s for making the franchise even more political than it already was.
Talk of taxation routes and peace treaties were deemed too boring for a high fantasy series, but it seems as though Tony Gilroy is aligned with Lucas.Andorseason 2 perfectly delves into the deeper intricacies of galactic politics in a way that Lucas beganin the prequels. In this way, the creator of the franchise is being vindicated 30 years later. Not only that, butAndoris exploringStar Warspolitics in a more exciting way than we have ever seen, making the show truly one of a kind.
Surrounding Elements Of Andor Season 2, Act 2 Were A Mixed Bag
Though They Were More Positive Than Negative
Outside of the Ghorman storyline and the romantic aspects, there were things to love and some aspects I was slightly indifferent to. Concerning the former, Mon Mothma’s depiction continues to intrigue as she fights against the Empire from the inside. She does not get as much to do here, but it allows other characters to shine.
The brief subplot with Luthen and Kleya that sees them trying to infiltrate Davo Sculdun’s event to recover a bug began as something unimportant. However, the final scene of this plot thread was suitably tense and excellently crafted. It pushed me to the edge of my seat. At the ISB, the politicking of the Imperials continues to be one of the most well-written, exciting parts of the show.
The one issue I had with this batch of episodes is simply how the titular character seemed removed from the main storyline. His relationship with Bix was good to see, and his brief excursion to Ghorman was fun as we watched Cassian embody a social aristocrat. Nonetheless, Cassian was not involved in the Ghorman heist like he was alongside Cinta and Val in season 1’s Aldhani arc, which made him feel somewhat inconsequential in episode 6, specifically. Aside from this, though,Andorseason 2, act 2 was just as enjoyable as its predecessor.
Andor Season 2, Episodes 4-6
Andor is a Star Wars prequel series set before the events of Rogue One, following Cassian Andor as he navigates a world of danger and deception. The series delves into his transformation into a pivotal figure in the struggle against the Galactic Empire.
