I liked them a lot because I could watch them while doing something else (working, TKPing, etc). They are fun, entertaining, and nostalgic, but hardly the best TV out right now. JMO.
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Yes, the whole vibe of the show is much darker than anything else SW (on screen at least). But in a good way. Same reason why Rogue One was so good.
I thought the first episodes really nailed the "lived in, this galaxy is a real place" feel better than ever too. If you told me I would really be enjoying scenes that can best be described as "middle manager power trips on low level radar tech" in Star Wars, I would not have believed it until that first episode.
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Up until now Disney has made two good pieces of Star Wars media: Rogue One and The Mandalorian. Pending the rest of the episodes, I'm willing to add Andor to that list. It's really good, with especially high praise for set design and atmosphere. Hopefully the rest of the episodes will bear that out.
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The first three episodes dropping together was a master stroke. After one, i thought it was good and intrigued on where it was going. After two, i liked it a lot and was excited where it was going. Third ep might be the best "tv" episode of any of the star wars live action series and i absolutely jazzed about the rest of this series. Really well acted, shows so many people coming to the realization of the consequences of their actions, connects a small personal story to the higher level star wars story. I love the jumping of the timelines. I love the setting and the visuals. The soundtrack is so good.
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Feel like we are getting spoiled in the visual department lately with Rings of Power and now this. Some of, if not the best, Star Wars has ever looked. Not just the CGI, the physical set design is fantastic.
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This is mostly what I wanted from this show in terms of vibes. Rogue One is my favorite Star Wars movie and this seems to be picking up the tone right where that movie left off. I didn't need the childhood backstory, but maybe that'll pay off later. Slow playing the hook for 3 episodes was risky, but with an established character and world they can do that. It gives me confidence they'll let the story breathe. I'm excited for the rest of this series for sure.
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Slow playing the hook is risky but less risky with all three eps out at once. This is basically a ~90 min run time movie to start that sets the stage for the remaining eps.
As far as the backstory goes, I'm with you. But it adds depth to the character and I'm all for it. I think there's still some gap-filling to do as to why it needed to be kept a secret that he's from Kenari, Maarva's wider connections (is she "just a scrapper"?), Cassian's little group of friends on Ferrix (bix, brasso) etc.
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Yeah forgot to add that 3 episode release also reduces the risk, and you're right it does play more like a movie. I think the backstory will pay off eventually, but it reminded me of some of the Mando stuff I wasn't really into and some poor storytelling that other non-SW shows have done with those types of flashbacks. I don't think this will be one of those, however. After that premier I have confidence in the showrunners.
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Also with 12 episodes this season there is definitely time and space to let the story breathe and develop a bit. Love it where it seems to be going so far
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So can anyone clear up the timeline a little for me in regards to kid Cassian? The dialogue from the episodes seems to imply that some kind of bad mining accident (that massive pit they showed) from the Empire killed the parents of all those kids. But I don't think the ship that crashed had Imperial logos (Separatist maybe?). Given adult Cassian's age, I would think the Republic would have been in charge of stuff at that point so its some time during The Clone Wars.
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His adoptive mother referenced the kids killing "a Republic officer" to the other guy when she decided to take him back to their ship.
So it's a little hazy, because the other guy in the current timeline clearly said Imperial mining accident. The ship that crashed was definetrly not Imperial (especially with an alien crew).
Per canon, the Empire was in existence for 19 years before the first Death Star got blown up. Andor was 26 for the events of Rogue One, so he would have been 7 or so when the Empire formed. So it makes sense that whatever the accident was would have happpened sometime after that, and there is no chance the Republic would still have been around if that's the case. The Wookiepedia page says it was a Separatist ship, just maybe just a bit of confusing dialogue with Maarva calling it a Republic ship. Meaning she was just referring to it in an outdated way that she was used to.
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Also, in Rogue One, didn't they say a "mining accident" destroyed the city on Jedha, even though we know it was a test blast from the Death Star.
So I'm thinking it's quite possible it was some sort of weapons development or along those lines that the Empire was testing out that jacked up the planet (possibly intentionally). Everyone besides the natives had masks on, so either it is toxic and they are just used to it now, or the Empire is using that as a cover to keep people from going there and find out what really happened.
So as to the timeline, those flashbacks are taking place sometime in the early years of the Empire.
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Either way, great show. The quality of the writing to this point leads me to believe we get more information about whatever went down, as him finding his sister/filling in his past is going to be a key point of the show from what I can tell.
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Just finished the first 3 episodes. So far not at all disappointed, and I had high expectations for this show based on the previous. Looking forward to the rest of the series
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I watched the first episode last week and was for the most part unimpressed. Not that it was bad, it just didn't interest me much. Last night I decided to put on episode 2 and 3 and let them run in the background while noodling around on the guitar and online.
Episode 2 didn't really spark much interest either, but then episode 3 grabbed me by the collar and punched me in the face! Now I need to go back and re-watch episodes 1 and 2, and I'm really looking forward to the next episode and the rest of the season!
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I read an interview with Tony Gilroy (the guy behind the show) where he basically said a lot of the episodes work better as 3 episode chunks. He comes from movies and this is like his first real TV show so instead of keeping to your typical episodic structure, he's just telling a story and wherever the time cut off for an episode happens is where it happens. It makes sense now considering how a couple of the episodes just end in somewhat awkward times (like the latest episode). Them releasing the first 3 together is because it completed the first initial narrative.
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Okay this makes so much sense and thanks for the insight. To be honest I wasn't feeling it after episode 1 at all and I actually stopped watching for a while. Turns out ep1 is much better when looked at as the opening act to a 3 episode chunk.
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Had the chance to watch episode 4 early today as the kids had an early release day from school.
Another very good episode...but I LOVE through all the on the nose fan service some of these new Star Wars movies/shows have offered, they use this one to drop a very subtle Easter egg making KOTOR canon.
Beyond that, getting to know more about Mon Mothma was so much more compelling than even I thought it would be. Can't wait to see more of her moving forward
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I'm really enjoying seeing scenes of the every day life living in the Galactic Empire. All the Imperial bureaucracy, stuff like the boarding announcements on Coruscant playing in the background,etc, that's really intriguing to me
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I thought episode 4 was really good. So far, Andor is showing what the combination of good writing, directing, acting and cinematography can do - no need for constant explosions or firefights. Who would have thought Star Wars without Wookies, lightsabers and star destroyers could be so fun? :)
I particularly loved the scenes in the Imperial security force meetings. You can feel the tension and seriousness within the halls of power of the Empire. Also Syril Karn, the security deputy, is a great character. Seeing him go back home to his mother after his humiliating failure was a cool scene. It humanizes a character that has been easy to dislike to this point.
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I have a distinct feeling that Syril Karn is going to end up helping the Rebellion. There is a reason he has gotten so much screen time, and I don't think it's to just have him be a mid level security deputy for the Empire. He is an excellent character. This series has a number of them. Luthen is awesome, and Skarsgaard is a hell of an actor.
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I think you may be right. I looked up the actor who plays Karn (his name is Kyle Soller) because I thought he looked like the spitting image of a young Kyle MacLachlan (from Twin Peaks and the original Dune movie), and I wondered if they might be related. Turns out Soller has an extensive theatre background.
And Skarsgaard is a great actor. The scene of him flying in to meet with Cassian, as simple as it was, was the scene that made me start paying attention, when up to that point I just had the show running as background.
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I happened to be up super early this morning so ended up watching the episode already.
I really like this show. It might be my favorite Star Wars show, and that includes Mandalorian.
It's awesome to see the show runners be confident enough to tell a story where normal people are doing normal things. The deputy and his mother ripping him while he eats his Cocoa Puffs, and it's compelling! The leader of the Rebellion arguing with her ass husband and ungrateful teenage daughter. Gimme! No lightsabers or Wookiee needed!
And then the next thing you know you get a scene with a TIE just ripping through a valley, and it's loud and it's gorgeous. TIE Fighters have never felt so menacing as this show has made them.
Good acting, good dialogue, great visuals, and a story I'm interested in. We'll done
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All the Star Wars shows have been good. I was pleasantly surprised by Obi-Wan and I've been shocked by how much better Andor is than I expected.
It's apples to oranges obviously, but I sort see Andor as being to The Mandalorian what Better Call Saul was to Breaking Bad. Not as sensational and exciting on the surface. And maybe not as appealing to a broad audience. But actually a better show, even though I know that sounds sacrilegious.
I watched episode 5 last night and was somehow nervous the whole time, even though nothing eventful even happened!
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That's a really good analogy. As someone that well yell at a stranger how great Breaking Bad is...I actually think BCS was a better show with a more nuanced story, if not more "whoa" moments (with a few notable exceptions obviously).
I can not wait to see the heist go down. I can not wait to see who Uncle Harlo is. I can't wait to see how Mon Mothma really gets these disparate pieces moving towards each other that have been alluded to.
And there are still plenty of "Star Wars" moments they can reference in future seasons that will tie things into the movies. A great example I would love to see...how the Rebels get the defectors that bring the X-Wing designs with them. Because they have em by Rogue One. It's a story beat that would fit perfectly to Andor, and to the movies without being just fan service.
It's just a good story.
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Absolutely agree with the above sentiments. This is shaping up to be like short arcs of story, but perhaps sequential and more strongly tied together than Clone Wars (which also relied heavily on arc structure but more in an anthology).
Either way, this show is absolutely riveting. Especially for the slow burn of things. Who is Uncle Harrlo? How does Mon Mothma go from *gestures vaguely* this to that. It's just so different than anything else we've gotten, the grandeur is in the little things and not in the huge sweeping vast scale.
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Looks like the 3 episode sets i read about is definitely how this is shaping up. Great episode, and next week should wrap up the heist.
I feel this series is really capturing what everyday life was for people living under imperial rule, which is a side of the star wars universe that has never really been explored this way.
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This show is good. That episode might be my favorite Star Wars thing ever.
I loved that it kept with the theme of this show and showing the small things happening in this galaxy. The casual cruelty of the Empire. Being a regular "employee" in their ranks. And details like the commander having trouble putting in his sash and the wife making a comment about how he's gotten fat...heart attack later starting the firefight off. That's good writing. A guy reading the paper, so to speak, bringing up the attack to Luthen. Brilliant
Not to mention the episode was visually stunning, more so than any other episode so far imo.
And feeling more Rebellion vs Empire since anything has since they blew up the Death Star. Cassian is becoming one of my favorite SW characters, and they've done well setting up his motivations
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Just finished the episode. Agree, it was amazing. I am still kind of wishing they would release 3 episodes at a time, but yeah, the payoff for the last two weeks was worth it.
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The details in the plot and dialogue are just wonderful. Like, so much better than expected for something Star Wars wonderful. Watching ep6 again now and the opening dialogue between Andor and Nemik hits different when you know what happens. The scene with the commandant and his family, showing what an arse they all are, man...they are just nailing all the little stuff in addition to the big stuff. I couldn't wait to see the Eye happen and it was cool af.
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Yeah this show is great. I was away last week and am catching up on andor and rings of power -- it says a lot that i was more interested in Andor ep 6 heist than Rings of Power finale.
They nail so much of this show -- the very differing motives for everyone to be involved in the heist. The plan that involved obvious sacrifice to make work (Cinta staying behind by design), the losses along the way (not a feel good story or even the token death). But even how the competing motives can pull on the alliances of the rebels, it's all tenuous and difficult to trust anyone
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Just binged the first 6 episodes today. Wow. This show is definitely giving the Mandalorian a run for its money. The Eye chase scene was incredible. Even though we've only known these characters for a few episodes, I'm still sad to see them get knocked off. Quality all the way around.
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Watched it this morning with my 8 year old son that's home sick from school. Same feeling. I've got news for you, you just keep loving them even when they get bigger and start doing stupid stuff :)
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The boardroom scenes are amazing. Honestly, Cassian is the least intriguing character in the show because we know what his end game will be. I am more intrigued about the other folks and who is going to turn, because someone is going to turn to the rebellion.
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I don't think it's fluff that they have him working a cubicle job where he has access to records, and we still don't know who this "Uncle" is. Jus the dialogue from his new boss while they were walking, seemed like he was being put into a specific position for a reason. Just the vibe I got
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Of all the shows I'm enjoying right now (HoTD and Rings of Power in particular)...Andor is the one show I MUST watch on Wednesday when a new episode drops.
Just from a character perspective, I was already a Cassian fan. I love learning more about these other characters as mentioned above. Mon Mothma is amazing. I can't wait to see how Vel approaches dealing with Cassian as she was told to get rid of him (we obviously know she doesn't, but I still can't wait to see).
They feel like actual people, which is honestly quite a departure for Star Wars.
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This show is amazing every week it gets better and better. Really curious where they go next but obviously someone else turns here as French hinted at. Really really curious where cinta is going on a speeder.
The bit between Ma and Cassian was emotional and her bit hit me like a truck seeing what happened to clem. Beautiful writing and acting all around.
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This is the best of the current crop of streaming shows by a good margin. Also, this is what I wanted out of the prequels 23 years ago. A world that feels real and lived in, an Empire (or Republic as the case may be) that isn't made up of comically evil and inept people, stakes that feel like they matter, interesting new worlds, good acting
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You make a great point about the competency of the Empire in this show. In the movies, they make bad decision after bad decision. Makes you think, how in the hell did this organization dominate the galaxy.
In this show, it shows smart, intelligent, ruthless people, and you go "oh yeah..."
Like the ISB scenes. Sure you have your lickspittles that just suck up to the boss, follow the "rules". But that's how real life works. You also have people that have a pretty good idea of what they are doing. It works for the Rebellion too. How the heck do you start to organize a galaxy wide revolution against that? Well...Mon Mothma seems like she's up to the task.
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I mean, kind of reflects real life where multiple companies or governments are able to spin up real quick and get really strong through original ownership and competent management, but after years of corporate backstabbing and less than honorable individuals making their way up the chain, the incompetence always finds a way to show itself all at once to bring the whole thing crumbling down.
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I'm a broken record each week, but this show is just such a good watch.
Now it's like watching Oz, but Star Wars. Andy Serkis as the pod "boss" is brilliant casting. The dialogue is fantastic. Nothing else to say about it, just a hell of a show. I can't wait to see how Andor gets out, and I'm assuming that will be the culmination of this 3 episode arc
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My wife and I got caught up on this last night. There's a lot of good to unpack but Andor feels like a show that knows exactly what it wants to be from the start (which is great). Not everyone is going to love it and that's okay. It's not a show that's trying to please everyone.
Also Stellan Skarsgård is doing some heavy lifting. He's putting on a performance unlike anything I've seen in the SW universe.
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I'll rewatch it again and try and screenshot it this time. It was a really quick glance but I swear it was him. That said I cant find anything online about it so im not sure anymore.
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The SW universe has never felt so real. I think it's because we are watching people do things day to day that most of us are familiar with...and then flying through a gorgeous meteor shower while TIEs explode in pursuit. And the two just work perfectly together.
The soundtrack gets overlooked I think because the production is just so good on all the other aspects, but I could just listen to it on its own.
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Honestly I'm always convinced some of the best stuff to ever come from GOT is Ramin Djawadi's music. His soundtrack was glorious and to me hes a big part of just how good GOT was.
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Another kind of familiar character introduced that I just read about. The guy on Cassian's table 5 team that was doing sign language with the guy in the other tunnel is Ruescott Melshi. He was part of the rebel team that broke Jyn Erso off the prison planet, and also put the team together for the assault on Serif.
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Another banger. Show builds tension so freakin well.
Syril's character is the ultimate plot wild card. What are they doing with him?! Every time he seems static, they put in a new layer.
Also, does anyone else find themselves impressed or even rooting for Dedra? I have a weird compulsion to see her succeed, no matter how many innocents she wastes along the way. But I hate her too, lol you know what I mean?
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Agree. All the characters in the show have so much depth, there is a lot to explore. Vel being Mon Mothma's cousin was unexpected, but a great tie in. Looks like the final 3 episode arc might conclude with a prison break.
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this show uses repetition in lines and actions so well. When a trend breaks it is immediately noticeable and when a callback occurs you can really identify the importance.
I am really impressed with the whole process: acting, directing, pacing, all of it.
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Man, this show just keeps hitting. This week Serkis just killed it, especially at the end with his realization that nobody is getting out unless they get themselves out.
Just so many details that get thrown in that build to such logical outcomes. When Cassian inevitably gets out, it won't be because "the plot required it". It will be because they noticed the railing on the lift won't fry you. It will be whatever he was hacksawing at in the bathroom. It will be because there are only 12 guards per floor and they aren't listening. Just all these things this show provides, and it will make sense.
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Serkis has done some really heavy lifting acting wise. Watching how Kino's face and demeanor change as he works through his denial of the situation, the slow realization that things aren't going to work out, to when he finally "breaks" is a master class.
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This show being so good just makes me madder at all the crap the Star Wars/Disney people have put out the past decade. They can do it! They can make good star wars! It doesn't have to be cheesy and suck!
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Semi-related: don't sleep on Tales of the Jedi. The wife and I caught up on Andor tonight and switched to TotJ. We got 3 episodes in and it really makes me want a series centered around Dooku in his prime. Episodes are only 10-15 minutes long too
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These were great - it also really makes me wonder what Episodes 1-3 could have been if they had Filoni and team driving them rather than Lucas who at that point was surrounded by people that would never tell him "no"
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I was worried serkis was only going to be a brief cameo but my man is slaying it. His emotion shift through the episode was beautiful to see take place. The writing for this show is phenomenal all around they can build enough tension to hold up the death star.
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His expressions playing gollum we're top tier stuff. Him arguing by the pool with his alter ego was stuff of legends.
His monologue was epic and the way the camera panned to be directly in front of him was amazing.
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I won't spoil anything, but Serkis absolutely dominates this episode. He delivers what I think might be the best moment of the series to this point. Such a brilliant casting choice.
Some great character development for Cassian as well. They are really filling in why he is the person we meet in Rogue One beautifully.
One thing I really like about this show, and we've talked it, is that it's making the Empire that much worse by actually making it and it's operators more than one dimensional. A blaster in the hands of an Imperial guard or Stormtrooper actually has stakes, because they can actually hit what they are shooting at in this show. It's a simple thing, but it makes for so much more tension when you know a firefight breaking out means some people we care about might not make it.
The ISB is cruel, but competent (more on that later). But ultimately, the Empire are craven and cowardly too. Cassian has a great line "That's not power! Power doesn't panic."
Mom Mothma continues to shine, that actress is crushing it too.
There is one other development that I did not expect at all, but makes sense in the "Oh my god I should have seen that coming" sort of way, and will now have me going back to rewatch a bunch of scenes. The writing continues to be top notch. Score continues to shine. Some of the audio is just so good (the scene with Serkis I mentioned above is a particular example).
I'm going to be sad when this season ends, because it's my favorite thing right now.
"One way out!"
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Yea I didn't even mention that, not sure how I forgot. Now that's writing. We are just at a point where this show doesn't miss. It knows exactly what it wants to be and where it is going, and is elevated for it.
"I need all the heroes I can get."
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That scene at the end with Luthen played even better with "one way out" ringing in the head -- there's no deciding to be done with the rebellion, only one way out
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Hell of an episode and the way it basically embodies the theory of a rebellion is perfect. Everyone realizing in the same episode there is no easy way out was perfect writing. All arcs feel connected even if they don't know it and the way they all are going through the same inner struggle is awesome and makes this show the best thing on TV right now by a mile.
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One Way Out is a fantastic episode and this tidbit doesn't ruin it at all for me but it does stick in my brain a bit? How are they getting off the planet? So far the show made it seem like its just an isolated planet with nothing on it but Imperial prisons...so where are the ships? Other parts of the planet inhabited? I get it from the prisoners' perspectives. Just get out, figure out the rest later.
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Anything but eating from a tube till you drop dead sounds better to me. My guess is this is where luthen will come in or one of the two girls whose names escape me who work for him will figure out where he is and get him back.
My one and only gripe is I want to know if Kino jumped or not.
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I also wanted some indication of the other prisoners who did jump. Did the rest drown? did others make it to another part of the beach? I am hoping for some kind of small indication next episode like "We're the only two who survived, we owe it to them to keep going" or "we have to avoid big groups so they can't track us all down" or something like that.
Doesn't have to be a big acknowledgement, but I want something.
edit: And the writers deliver.
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One of the other prisoners (Melshi?) is part of Andor's commando team in Rogue One, and he was the guy doing the hand signals on the bridge, not the one we see running with Cassian at the end of the episode, so my guess is at least a decent number of them survive.
They mentioned there were 5000 prisoners in total. I'm sure the show will provide us with a logical way they get off the planet. It's earned our trust on that at this point.
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Agreed. And it wouldn't have been appropriate in that ending montage anyway. Just the only criticism I could think of the entire episode. This show has been a masterclass in how to use the long form to tell a cohesive story.
Other shows/movies: please take notes. The curve is being adjusted in real time here.
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Final episode will have a batman like ending where Cassian sits at a cafe with Bix sipping coffee and he looks across the street and Kino is eating a nice juicy fish with some potatoes and reading the paper.
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I think we did see Melshi running with Cassian at the end? he's not the same as the guy who was doing the hand signals. Hand Signal Guy was the one saying "i'm already dead" in this ep while they were on the work floor.
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Confirmed the guy with Andor is Melshi after this weeks episode. I thought it was hand signal guy as well when I first read about the Rouge One connection to the character, but dig some digging on imbd and the guy with Andor is actually Melshi.
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This show is proving that Star Wars is at its absolute best when you ignore that Jedi and Sith exist. This is basically Blade Runner in the SW universe, and its been absolutely fantastic from the start.
Andy Serkis and Stellen Skarsgaard absolutely stole the show in this episode. Their speeches and their delivery were so good that I would not be shocked if either earned himself an Emmy for it. To be honest, the show overall deserves it, they're the best thing on TV or movies right now.
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Unfortunately shows like this don't get much Emmy love, but this one absolutely should. And both those guys should get nominations for this episode alone, and they've been great in every episode they've been in.
From the first trailers I thought this was going to be entertaining, but it has blown my expectations away more than any show I can think of in recent memory.
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related: I am currently listening to the Two Towers narrated by Serkis and he is amazing. Already finished the Hobbit and Fellowship and they are well worth your time if you are an audiobook fan.
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I'm glad to see someone else calling it Bladerunner. You've done it twice here, I noticed today.
The whole time I've been watching I've been feeling like it's blade runner, but more outdoors and less dark. And I don't mean moody. I just mean the lighting levels in Blade Runner we're loooowww.
It even moves like blade runner. It crawls, then hits you with some action. Not huge amounts. Just enough to remind you it's a violent galaxy. But when it's crawling, you're still being inundated with information.
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I watched the episode again, and loved it even more. The writing...just so good and being served by really great actors.
I know that Cassian is ostensibly our protagonist, and I think lesser writing would have had him step in and make that speech to the prisoners. But his character is both very confident and very uncertain at the same time, but also extremely observant. He is learning how to trust people to help him, and realized that Kino HAD to be the one to rally the prisoners. When Kino repeated the words he said to him earlier, that was a huge moment in his development. That's leadership.
As for Luthen's speech...as said above the best dialogue I've ever seen in a show, let alone the Star Wars universe. He is fully aware that he may be just as immoral as the Empire he is fighting, but that's what it's going to take. I don't think it was a coincidence that the visual was of him with his cloak blowing in the darkness when the elevator opened.
It reminded me of actual stories from WW2 codebreakers. They would identify actions/attacks/etc, and sometimes they had to let it still happen and people die because it was more worthwhile to not let the Axis know that they had figured them out and were listening.
Just so many parallels between all of these characters. Nothing comes without strings attached. Leadership requires sacrifice. It makes the Rebel Alliance even more real.
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Skarsgard should get a freaking Emmy for that speech alone, and the writer should get one too. Most riveting moments of SW since I can't remember when. Honestly, this is the best SW show since Episodes 4-6. This is better than Mandalorian, and I love that show too. There, I said it, convince me I'm wrong.
It feels great to actually care about these characters, to see them make difficult decisions with brutal rationalizations, and to see an Empire worthy of fear due to their cunning and cruelty. Everyone working on this show is being grossly underpaid, because it's the best SW product made by the mouse, hands down.
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Definitely would agree this is the best thing disney has done with star wars thus far. Issue is every time I see someone mention the mouse I cant get the south park mickey mouse laugh out of my head.
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Really good penultimate episode. Not the best of the season, but great set up for the finale. Really good acting as always, and dialogue setting up a lot for the finale.
The one brief action sequence was AWESOME though. And I really enjoyed Cassian encounter with the native Narkinians
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Absolutely thought they were setting up seismic charge, wtf was THAT???
Forest whitaker and stellan skarsgard incredible dialogue. Genevieve o'reilly killing it as mon mothma -- wow she looks so broken. Kleya and Vel's exhange a great contrast in priorities and craft as well. How long before ISB Watcher and Cinta figure each other out.
And phenomenal contrast with the scene at the end of this ep vs the end of Rogue One
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He lightsabered two TIEs, bagged two more, and flechetted a cruiser's tractor beam array in under two minutes. Luthan's got the coolest ship in the galaxy.
I said what I said.
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THE coolest. can escape tractor beams. shield itself with blast shields. most accurate guns in the galaxy. ship lightsabers that extend like 300 ft.
apparently the rebels lost this technology as time moved on because they would have chewed through the empire tie fighters like butter on the way to blowing up the deathstar.
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Makes you really wonder about Luthen's origin snd what else he's hiding. Large kyber crystal, lightsaber weapons going from his ship, a sacrifice of all "calm" to do what he's doing. "Forced to use my enemy's weapons" -- Could he have been a jedi temple reject that never made it to Padawan?
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I was gonna say.... metal staff out of one end, lightsaber out of the other. And explain it away in that he's a connoisseur of ancient forgotten technology.
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this low key has me all in on Luthen as a former member of the Jedi Service Corps -- which heretofore has been in Legends only (to my knowledge) and not canonized. But the Filoniverse has slowly and steadily recanonized a lot of the Legends material in a more cohesive way. The JSC was mostly comprised of former younglings who failed their trials and were not admitted into the academy.
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You can see all the players and pieces beginning to move together in this episode, but I still have no idea what's going to happen in the finale. Aldhani and Prison Break were all-time great Star Wars viewing for me, thrilled to see where the move all this development for the finale.
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to me, his (and the ISB's overall) competence is what elevates this show above the other star wars we've seen for the last few years. There is finally an Empire that appears worth having a rebellion over instead of a collection of comically evil mustache twirlers.
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Finale was great, sets up season 2 nicely which should be the last and take us up to the beginning of Rouge one. I hope K2SO plays a prominent role in s2.
I also didn't realize there was an end credits scene, just went back and watched, awesome.
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They HAVE to have K2SO in the show at some point, right?
Just incredible to me how many instances of great dialogue/monologues this show has given us. The build of the funeral scene and Maarva's "speech"...chefs kiss
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11/10 best thing from star wars since season seven of clone wars.
Everyones acting was fantastic all season long and the finale was no slouch. Season two is setup nicely as the finale tied some arcs together as they needed to be. I cannot wait for the second season if they keep this line of storytelling as I can't get enough of this kind of stuff.
Funeral scene was powerful, her speech was powerful and had me ready to find an empire and kick it's ass.
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Finale and season were both excellent. One of the best pieces of Star Wars period. Rogue One was already the best thing Disney SW has done and this series has added even more value to that movie. Gotta rewatch it this weekend to appreciate it in a new way.
My only complaint is we need more seasons. One more isn't enough. I know the original plan was multiple seasons and it got cut to two but they need to revisit that idea. This show is just too good.
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Only thing I'm going to enjoy more than that finale is going back and watching all this glorious season again.
Such great tension throughout the episode. Any time Maarva talks I cry lol. Her message to Cassian from beyond was just the best. What every hero needs to hear as they prepare to quest.
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Also, how shitty is is that Chewy didn't go off and rip some people's arms off and received exactly zero emotional support from anyone after his friend of decades is murdered right in front of him.
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I think we can just ignore the attempt at the latest trilogy. Let's all wash the pain that was that three stage turd and simply enjoy what real star wars content is and can be.
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For a brief moment I said to myself, "no way, are they going to kiss"? I thought no way but for a brief moment...I was like, "wayyyyy". But, they didn't. Do you think she was thinking about it though? s/
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I don't like droids building the death star. That makes the Rebels killing all the innocent independent contractors on the 2nd Death Star way less impactful.
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And of course the neck beard ratings are out today. Apparently, Andor is the worst thing that Disney+ has put out and "95% of the show is a total wash that only those suffering from Phantom Menace delusion could defend".
I had seen a headline somewhere mentioning that Andor wasn't getting ton of viewership compared to other Star Wars shows, which I get. There's no Wookies or lightsabers or Jedi.
But how would you rate it low if you actually watched the show? I mean, if it's just not your thing, sure. But if you actually chose to watch the whole season, how could you say, "meh, that wasn't very good"?
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Because for some reason, the only thing people like doing more than watching a thing they enjoy...is watching a thing they don't enjoy and then complaining about it
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A friend of mine and I aren't talking right now (lol jk) because he says that Andor isn't good. I'm just shocked at his take, because he's a big Star Wars guy. Says that it "feels like a book report, because we already know what happens, but has some cool moments". Also doesn't love Rogue One. I'm just like...wut?!
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Your friend likes sanitized or stylized violence and simple plot lines.
Probably likes only the original series and says that the prequels had some decent moments, but says nothing good about the sequel trilogy.
Not a fan of grittier movies or tv shows, is my guess. Didn't like Saving Private Ryan or Black Hawk Down. Probably didn't like Band of Brothers for the same reason, but has no problem binging Tarantino films.
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Dude must be such a fun guy at parties. Probably hasnt seen the daylight in years which is why he would write such a laughable take. My favorite bit,
Had the show jettisoned Cassian's character entirely, or at least worked him into a better narrative, the results could have gone different. This should have been a Mon Mothma show instead, since she's the only remotely interesting character of the bunch.
Right, a show named Andor which should've really been about Mon Mothma.
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What a dreadful website... I've never seen a better real life representation of She-Hulk's "Intelligencia". And guess what show they happened rated a 0/10? Something tells me it struck a nerve lol.
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I enjoyed a lot about that show (it isn't without its flaws), but I think the accuracy with which they predicted the organized jackass response is particularly great.
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Don't think that I could disagree more with this review. Andor delivers multiple fantastic performances and an intricate group of plot lines that are much deeper than typical Disney SW efforts (looking at you Boba Fett and Obi-Wan).
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Comments
Oh shit, I need to reup my D+ subscription!
Slightly OT: I'm way behind on my Disney x Star Wars shows. Haven't seen any Boba Fett or Kenobi. Are those worth a watch or skip?
I liked them a lot because I could watch them while doing something else (working, TKPing, etc). They are fun, entertaining, and nostalgic, but hardly the best TV out right now. JMO.
Kenobi was pretty good, and Boba Fett is basically The Mandalorian season 2.5 so worth a watch if you like the The Mando.
Can't wait to watch these tonight. Raining in AZ, perfect binge weather
I didn't really know what to expect when this was announced but I really liked this. It's unlike anything Star Wars has done so far.
Yes, the whole vibe of the show is much darker than anything else SW (on screen at least). But in a good way. Same reason why Rogue One was so good.
I thought the first episodes really nailed the "lived in, this galaxy is a real place" feel better than ever too. If you told me I would really be enjoying scenes that can best be described as "middle manager power trips on low level radar tech" in Star Wars, I would not have believed it until that first episode.
Up until now Disney has made two good pieces of Star Wars media: Rogue One and The Mandalorian. Pending the rest of the episodes, I'm willing to add Andor to that list. It's really good, with especially high praise for set design and atmosphere. Hopefully the rest of the episodes will bear that out.
The first three episodes dropping together was a master stroke. After one, i thought it was good and intrigued on where it was going. After two, i liked it a lot and was excited where it was going. Third ep might be the best "tv" episode of any of the star wars live action series and i absolutely jazzed about the rest of this series. Really well acted, shows so many people coming to the realization of the consequences of their actions, connects a small personal story to the higher level star wars story. I love the jumping of the timelines. I love the setting and the visuals. The soundtrack is so good.
Feel like we are getting spoiled in the visual department lately with Rings of Power and now this. Some of, if not the best, Star Wars has ever looked. Not just the CGI, the physical set design is fantastic.
This is mostly what I wanted from this show in terms of vibes. Rogue One is my favorite Star Wars movie and this seems to be picking up the tone right where that movie left off. I didn't need the childhood backstory, but maybe that'll pay off later. Slow playing the hook for 3 episodes was risky, but with an established character and world they can do that. It gives me confidence they'll let the story breathe. I'm excited for the rest of this series for sure.
Slow playing the hook is risky but less risky with all three eps out at once. This is basically a ~90 min run time movie to start that sets the stage for the remaining eps.
As far as the backstory goes, I'm with you. But it adds depth to the character and I'm all for it. I think there's still some gap-filling to do as to why it needed to be kept a secret that he's from Kenari, Maarva's wider connections (is she "just a scrapper"?), Cassian's little group of friends on Ferrix (bix, brasso) etc.
Yeah forgot to add that 3 episode release also reduces the risk, and you're right it does play more like a movie. I think the backstory will pay off eventually, but it reminded me of some of the Mando stuff I wasn't really into and some poor storytelling that other non-SW shows have done with those types of flashbacks. I don't think this will be one of those, however. After that premier I have confidence in the showrunners.
Also with 12 episodes this season there is definitely time and space to let the story breathe and develop a bit. Love it where it seems to be going so far
Wow!! The ending of the third episode gave me the same feels as the ending of Rogue One. I really can't describe it but man, I am All In, Hooked.
So can anyone clear up the timeline a little for me in regards to kid Cassian? The dialogue from the episodes seems to imply that some kind of bad mining accident (that massive pit they showed) from the Empire killed the parents of all those kids. But I don't think the ship that crashed had Imperial logos (Separatist maybe?). Given adult Cassian's age, I would think the Republic would have been in charge of stuff at that point so its some time during The Clone Wars.
His adoptive mother referenced the kids killing "a Republic officer" to the other guy when she decided to take him back to their ship.
So it's a little hazy, because the other guy in the current timeline clearly said Imperial mining accident. The ship that crashed was definetrly not Imperial (especially with an alien crew).
Per canon, the Empire was in existence for 19 years before the first Death Star got blown up. Andor was 26 for the events of Rogue One, so he would have been 7 or so when the Empire formed. So it makes sense that whatever the accident was would have happpened sometime after that, and there is no chance the Republic would still have been around if that's the case. The Wookiepedia page says it was a Separatist ship, just maybe just a bit of confusing dialogue with Maarva calling it a Republic ship. Meaning she was just referring to it in an outdated way that she was used to.
Definitely separatist markings, my guess is maarva just used familiar language
Also, in Rogue One, didn't they say a "mining accident" destroyed the city on Jedha, even though we know it was a test blast from the Death Star.
So I'm thinking it's quite possible it was some sort of weapons development or along those lines that the Empire was testing out that jacked up the planet (possibly intentionally). Everyone besides the natives had masks on, so either it is toxic and they are just used to it now, or the Empire is using that as a cover to keep people from going there and find out what really happened.
So as to the timeline, those flashbacks are taking place sometime in the early years of the Empire.
Great points all around. It's also possible the "murder of a Republic officer" gets filled in later
Either way, great show. The quality of the writing to this point leads me to believe we get more information about whatever went down, as him finding his sister/filling in his past is going to be a key point of the show from what I can tell.
Just finished the first 3 episodes. So far not at all disappointed, and I had high expectations for this show based on the previous. Looking forward to the rest of the series
I watched the first episode last week and was for the most part unimpressed. Not that it was bad, it just didn't interest me much. Last night I decided to put on episode 2 and 3 and let them run in the background while noodling around on the guitar and online.
Episode 2 didn't really spark much interest either, but then episode 3 grabbed me by the collar and punched me in the face! Now I need to go back and re-watch episodes 1 and 2, and I'm really looking forward to the next episode and the rest of the season!
Yeah I think they released the first 3 episodes together for this reason. They wanted to get people fully into the show, and up to the events of Ep 3.
I read an interview with Tony Gilroy (the guy behind the show) where he basically said a lot of the episodes work better as 3 episode chunks. He comes from movies and this is like his first real TV show so instead of keeping to your typical episodic structure, he's just telling a story and wherever the time cut off for an episode happens is where it happens. It makes sense now considering how a couple of the episodes just end in somewhat awkward times (like the latest episode). Them releasing the first 3 together is because it completed the first initial narrative.
Kinda sounds similar to what Clone Wars did. Everything was 3-5 episode story arcs.
Okay this makes so much sense and thanks for the insight. To be honest I wasn't feeling it after episode 1 at all and I actually stopped watching for a while. Turns out ep1 is much better when looked at as the opening act to a 3 episode chunk.
Had the chance to watch episode 4 early today as the kids had an early release day from school.
Another very good episode...but I LOVE through all the on the nose fan service some of these new Star Wars movies/shows have offered, they use this one to drop a very subtle Easter egg making KOTOR canon.
Beyond that, getting to know more about Mon Mothma was so much more compelling than even I thought it would be. Can't wait to see more of her moving forward
I feel like nothing of substance has happened yet on this show, but I am riveted by it.
I'm really enjoying seeing scenes of the every day life living in the Galactic Empire. All the Imperial bureaucracy, stuff like the boarding announcements on Coruscant playing in the background,etc, that's really intriguing to me
I thought episode 4 was really good. So far, Andor is showing what the combination of good writing, directing, acting and cinematography can do - no need for constant explosions or firefights. Who would have thought Star Wars without Wookies, lightsabers and star destroyers could be so fun? :)
I particularly loved the scenes in the Imperial security force meetings. You can feel the tension and seriousness within the halls of power of the Empire. Also Syril Karn, the security deputy, is a great character. Seeing him go back home to his mother after his humiliating failure was a cool scene. It humanizes a character that has been easy to dislike to this point.
I have a distinct feeling that Syril Karn is going to end up helping the Rebellion. There is a reason he has gotten so much screen time, and I don't think it's to just have him be a mid level security deputy for the Empire. He is an excellent character. This series has a number of them. Luthen is awesome, and Skarsgaard is a hell of an actor.
I think you may be right. I looked up the actor who plays Karn (his name is Kyle Soller) because I thought he looked like the spitting image of a young Kyle MacLachlan (from Twin Peaks and the original Dune movie), and I wondered if they might be related. Turns out Soller has an extensive theatre background.
And Skarsgaard is a great actor. The scene of him flying in to meet with Cassian, as simple as it was, was the scene that made me start paying attention, when up to that point I just had the show running as background.
I happened to be up super early this morning so ended up watching the episode already.
I really like this show. It might be my favorite Star Wars show, and that includes Mandalorian.
It's awesome to see the show runners be confident enough to tell a story where normal people are doing normal things. The deputy and his mother ripping him while he eats his Cocoa Puffs, and it's compelling! The leader of the Rebellion arguing with her ass husband and ungrateful teenage daughter. Gimme! No lightsabers or Wookiee needed!
And then the next thing you know you get a scene with a TIE just ripping through a valley, and it's loud and it's gorgeous. TIE Fighters have never felt so menacing as this show has made them.
Good acting, good dialogue, great visuals, and a story I'm interested in. We'll done
Disney is missing out on a marketing opportunity if they aren't selling that cereal and blue milk. I'd definitely buy it
All the Star Wars shows have been good. I was pleasantly surprised by Obi-Wan and I've been shocked by how much better Andor is than I expected.
It's apples to oranges obviously, but I sort see Andor as being to The Mandalorian what Better Call Saul was to Breaking Bad. Not as sensational and exciting on the surface. And maybe not as appealing to a broad audience. But actually a better show, even though I know that sounds sacrilegious.
I watched episode 5 last night and was somehow nervous the whole time, even though nothing eventful even happened!
That's a really good analogy. As someone that well yell at a stranger how great Breaking Bad is...I actually think BCS was a better show with a more nuanced story, if not more "whoa" moments (with a few notable exceptions obviously).
I can not wait to see the heist go down. I can not wait to see who Uncle Harlo is. I can't wait to see how Mon Mothma really gets these disparate pieces moving towards each other that have been alluded to.
And there are still plenty of "Star Wars" moments they can reference in future seasons that will tie things into the movies. A great example I would love to see...how the Rebels get the defectors that bring the X-Wing designs with them. Because they have em by Rogue One. It's a story beat that would fit perfectly to Andor, and to the movies without being just fan service.
It's just a good story.
Absolutely agree with the above sentiments. This is shaping up to be like short arcs of story, but perhaps sequential and more strongly tied together than Clone Wars (which also relied heavily on arc structure but more in an anthology).
Either way, this show is absolutely riveting. Especially for the slow burn of things. Who is Uncle Harrlo? How does Mon Mothma go from *gestures vaguely* this to that. It's just so different than anything else we've gotten, the grandeur is in the little things and not in the huge sweeping vast scale.
I keep feeling like we are gonna meet Uncle Harlo and it's gonna be Luthen
You're probably right about this and that is a juicy development
ESPECIALLY makes Syril's reaction after the "car bomb"-speeder-escape on Ferrix more important. Did he recognize him?!?
Looks like the 3 episode sets i read about is definitely how this is shaping up. Great episode, and next week should wrap up the heist.
I feel this series is really capturing what everyday life was for people living under imperial rule, which is a side of the star wars universe that has never really been explored this way.
Holy
Forking
Shirtballs
This show is good. That episode might be my favorite Star Wars thing ever.
I loved that it kept with the theme of this show and showing the small things happening in this galaxy. The casual cruelty of the Empire. Being a regular "employee" in their ranks. And details like the commander having trouble putting in his sash and the wife making a comment about how he's gotten fat...heart attack later starting the firefight off. That's good writing. A guy reading the paper, so to speak, bringing up the attack to Luthen. Brilliant
Not to mention the episode was visually stunning, more so than any other episode so far imo.
And feeling more Rebellion vs Empire since anything has since they blew up the Death Star. Cassian is becoming one of my favorite SW characters, and they've done well setting up his motivations
Just finished the episode. Agree, it was amazing. I am still kind of wishing they would release 3 episodes at a time, but yeah, the payoff for the last two weeks was worth it.
Please, no need to commit sacrilege against The Empire Strikes Back.
But seriously, Andor might the be best show on TV right now.
I wasn't born yet when Empire came out. Great movie, but some perspective.
Please, no need to make me feel old. :-)
I was by the time RoTJ came out, so I'm no spring chicken
Very intense
The details in the plot and dialogue are just wonderful. Like, so much better than expected for something Star Wars wonderful. Watching ep6 again now and the opening dialogue between Andor and Nemik hits different when you know what happens. The scene with the commandant and his family, showing what an arse they all are, man...they are just nailing all the little stuff in addition to the big stuff. I couldn't wait to see the Eye happen and it was cool af.
Yeah this show is great. I was away last week and am catching up on andor and rings of power -- it says a lot that i was more interested in Andor ep 6 heist than Rings of Power finale.
They nail so much of this show -- the very differing motives for everyone to be involved in the heist. The plan that involved obvious sacrifice to make work (Cinta staying behind by design), the losses along the way (not a feel good story or even the token death). But even how the competing motives can pull on the alliances of the rebels, it's all tenuous and difficult to trust anyone
Just binged the first 6 episodes today. Wow. This show is definitely giving the Mandalorian a run for its money. The Eye chase scene was incredible. Even though we've only known these characters for a few episodes, I'm still sad to see them get knocked off. Quality all the way around.
Watched episode 7 with my 6-day old son in my arms. "That's just love, nothing you can do about that" I'm not crying you're crying!
Watched it this morning with my 8 year old son that's home sick from school. Same feeling. I've got news for you, you just keep loving them even when they get bigger and start doing stupid stuff :)
I said it last week and I'll say it this week
This show is just good. When I'm watching Star Wars and looking forward to the next ISB boardroom meeting, you've done well.
"Your approval is heartening"
The boardroom scenes are amazing. Honestly, Cassian is the least intriguing character in the show because we know what his end game will be. I am more intrigued about the other folks and who is going to turn, because someone is going to turn to the rebellion.
My money is still on Syril turning.
I don't think it's fluff that they have him working a cubicle job where he has access to records, and we still don't know who this "Uncle" is. Jus the dialogue from his new boss while they were walking, seemed like he was being put into a specific position for a reason. Just the vibe I got
Love this showwwwwwww!!!!!
Another riveting episode where "nothing" happens. All of the dialogue is just so so good
Pretty sure the Bureau of Standards is an actual depiction of Hell.
Of all the shows I'm enjoying right now (HoTD and Rings of Power in particular)...Andor is the one show I MUST watch on Wednesday when a new episode drops.
Just from a character perspective, I was already a Cassian fan. I love learning more about these other characters as mentioned above. Mon Mothma is amazing. I can't wait to see how Vel approaches dealing with Cassian as she was told to get rid of him (we obviously know she doesn't, but I still can't wait to see).
They feel like actual people, which is honestly quite a departure for Star Wars.
This show is amazing every week it gets better and better. Really curious where they go next but obviously someone else turns here as French hinted at. Really really curious where cinta is going on a speeder.
The bit between Ma and Cassian was emotional and her bit hit me like a truck seeing what happened to clem. Beautiful writing and acting all around.
Finally caught up on this one.
This is the best of the current crop of streaming shows by a good margin. Also, this is what I wanted out of the prequels 23 years ago. A world that feels real and lived in, an Empire (or Republic as the case may be) that isn't made up of comically evil and inept people, stakes that feel like they matter, interesting new worlds, good acting
You make a great point about the competency of the Empire in this show. In the movies, they make bad decision after bad decision. Makes you think, how in the hell did this organization dominate the galaxy.
In this show, it shows smart, intelligent, ruthless people, and you go "oh yeah..."
Like the ISB scenes. Sure you have your lickspittles that just suck up to the boss, follow the "rules". But that's how real life works. You also have people that have a pretty good idea of what they are doing. It works for the Rebellion too. How the heck do you start to organize a galaxy wide revolution against that? Well...Mon Mothma seems like she's up to the task.
I mean, kind of reflects real life where multiple companies or governments are able to spin up real quick and get really strong through original ownership and competent management, but after years of corporate backstabbing and less than honorable individuals making their way up the chain, the incompetence always finds a way to show itself all at once to bring the whole thing crumbling down.
I'm a broken record each week, but this show is just such a good watch.
Now it's like watching Oz, but Star Wars. Andy Serkis as the pod "boss" is brilliant casting. The dialogue is fantastic. Nothing else to say about it, just a hell of a show. I can't wait to see how Andor gets out, and I'm assuming that will be the culmination of this 3 episode arc
I hated the empire before because I was supposed to. Then I watched this show and now I hate the empire because I have to.
Me when the X-Wings made an appearance this week
After every episode I only am left wanting more. This show is beautiful and anything that uses andy serkis is even better.
My wife and I got caught up on this last night. There's a lot of good to unpack but Andor feels like a show that knows exactly what it wants to be from the start (which is great). Not everyone is going to love it and that's okay. It's not a show that's trying to please everyone.
Also Stellan Skarsgård is doing some heavy lifting. He's putting on a performance unlike anything I've seen in the SW universe.
Did anyone notice the celebrity cameo as the gaurd when andor first arrived at the prison?
was that who I think it was? Or am I just racist?
I swear that was Ken Jeong or his twin brother.
Ok good, so either that was him, or we're both kind of racist
I'll rewatch it again and try and screenshot it this time. It was a really quick glance but I swear it was him. That said I cant find anything online about it so im not sure anymore.
Better watch what you say or the empire is going to give both you guys 10-years due to racism.
I mean, I'm with you, I totally thought that exact thing when I watched it. I'm glad I'm not the only one.
I am absolutely loving this 'Blade Runner meets Star Wars' concept that Andor is playing perfectly
Between aesthetic to the soundtrack, its a beautiful blending of the two concepts.
The SW universe has never felt so real. I think it's because we are watching people do things day to day that most of us are familiar with...and then flying through a gorgeous meteor shower while TIEs explode in pursuit. And the two just work perfectly together.
The soundtrack gets overlooked I think because the production is just so good on all the other aspects, but I could just listen to it on its own.
Great call on the soundtrack. So hard to walk the subtle line between augmenting the dialogue/plot and stepping all over the scene. They're nailing it
Honestly I'm always convinced some of the best stuff to ever come from GOT is Ramin Djawadi's music. His soundtrack was glorious and to me hes a big part of just how good GOT was.
Another kind of familiar character introduced that I just read about. The guy on Cassian's table 5 team that was doing sign language with the guy in the other tunnel is Ruescott Melshi. He was part of the rebel team that broke Jyn Erso off the prison planet, and also put the team together for the assault on Serif.
Could be a huge clue as to how Cassian gets out of the prison.
Huge catch there man I figured he wasnt just another guy but couldnt tell who it was.
Another banger. Show builds tension so freakin well.
Syril's character is the ultimate plot wild card. What are they doing with him?! Every time he seems static, they put in a new layer.
Also, does anyone else find themselves impressed or even rooting for Dedra? I have a weird compulsion to see her succeed, no matter how many innocents she wastes along the way. But I hate her too, lol you know what I mean?
Agree. All the characters in the show have so much depth, there is a lot to explore. Vel being Mon Mothma's cousin was unexpected, but a great tie in. Looks like the final 3 episode arc might conclude with a prison break.
Already feels like they'll need a second season to sort this all out, amirite?!?!
Yes it's been confirmed but there's likely to be a long wait between seasons
this show uses repetition in lines and actions so well. When a trend breaks it is immediately noticeable and when a callback occurs you can really identify the importance.
I am really impressed with the whole process: acting, directing, pacing, all of it.
Man, this show just keeps hitting. This week Serkis just killed it, especially at the end with his realization that nobody is getting out unless they get themselves out.
Just so many details that get thrown in that build to such logical outcomes. When Cassian inevitably gets out, it won't be because "the plot required it". It will be because they noticed the railing on the lift won't fry you. It will be whatever he was hacksawing at in the bathroom. It will be because there are only 12 guards per floor and they aren't listening. Just all these things this show provides, and it will make sense.
Serkis has done some really heavy lifting acting wise. Watching how Kino's face and demeanor change as he works through his denial of the situation, the slow realization that things aren't going to work out, to when he finally "breaks" is a master class.
This show being so good just makes me madder at all the crap the Star Wars/Disney people have put out the past decade. They can do it! They can make good star wars! It doesn't have to be cheesy and suck!
For real. This isn't just "good for Star Wars" good, it might be the best show on television right now
Award shows typically ignore Disney streaming, but this show is one they better be paying attention to.
Semi-related: don't sleep on Tales of the Jedi. The wife and I caught up on Andor tonight and switched to TotJ. We got 3 episodes in and it really makes me want a series centered around Dooku in his prime. Episodes are only 10-15 minutes long too
Totj is on my to-watch list this weekend!!
These were great - it also really makes me wonder what Episodes 1-3 could have been if they had Filoni and team driving them rather than Lucas who at that point was surrounded by people that would never tell him "no"
I was worried serkis was only going to be a brief cameo but my man is slaying it. His emotion shift through the episode was beautiful to see take place. The writing for this show is phenomenal all around they can build enough tension to hold up the death star.
Serkis is amazing. The most expressive face in Hollywood. He understands how to project emotion like few others.
His expressions playing gollum we're top tier stuff. Him arguing by the pool with his alter ego was stuff of legends.
His monologue was epic and the way the camera panned to be directly in front of him was amazing.
I won't spoil anything, but Serkis absolutely dominates this episode. He delivers what I think might be the best moment of the series to this point. Such a brilliant casting choice.
Some great character development for Cassian as well. They are really filling in why he is the person we meet in Rogue One beautifully.
One thing I really like about this show, and we've talked it, is that it's making the Empire that much worse by actually making it and it's operators more than one dimensional. A blaster in the hands of an Imperial guard or Stormtrooper actually has stakes, because they can actually hit what they are shooting at in this show. It's a simple thing, but it makes for so much more tension when you know a firefight breaking out means some people we care about might not make it.
The ISB is cruel, but competent (more on that later). But ultimately, the Empire are craven and cowardly too. Cassian has a great line "That's not power! Power doesn't panic."
Mom Mothma continues to shine, that actress is crushing it too.
There is one other development that I did not expect at all, but makes sense in the "Oh my god I should have seen that coming" sort of way, and will now have me going back to rewatch a bunch of scenes. The writing continues to be top notch. Score continues to shine. Some of the audio is just so good (the scene with Serkis I mentioned above is a particular example).
I'm going to be sad when this season ends, because it's my favorite thing right now.
"One way out!"
#OneWayOut
Emotional hot take having just watched it: the Skarsgaard monologue is the single best piece of dialogue in the entire Star Wars canon.
Yea I didn't even mention that, not sure how I forgot. Now that's writing. We are just at a point where this show doesn't miss. It knows exactly what it wants to be and where it is going, and is elevated for it.
"I need all the heroes I can get."
That scene at the end with Luthen played even better with "one way out" ringing in the head -- there's no deciding to be done with the rebellion, only one way out
That episode was incredible, just incredible stuff
Hell of an episode and the way it basically embodies the theory of a rebellion is perfect. Everyone realizing in the same episode there is no easy way out was perfect writing. All arcs feel connected even if they don't know it and the way they all are going through the same inner struggle is awesome and makes this show the best thing on TV right now by a mile.
You summed it up perfectly. Cassian. The prisoners. Mom Mothma. Lonni. Luthen.
There is one way out.
One Way Out is a fantastic episode and this tidbit doesn't ruin it at all for me but it does stick in my brain a bit? How are they getting off the planet? So far the show made it seem like its just an isolated planet with nothing on it but Imperial prisons...so where are the ships? Other parts of the planet inhabited? I get it from the prisoners' perspectives. Just get out, figure out the rest later.
Anything but eating from a tube till you drop dead sounds better to me. My guess is this is where luthen will come in or one of the two girls whose names escape me who work for him will figure out where he is and get him back.
My one and only gripe is I want to know if Kino jumped or not.
I also wanted some indication of the other prisoners who did jump. Did the rest drown? did others make it to another part of the beach? I am hoping for some kind of small indication next episode like "We're the only two who survived, we owe it to them to keep going" or "we have to avoid big groups so they can't track us all down" or something like that.
Doesn't have to be a big acknowledgement, but I want something.
edit: And the writers deliver.
One of the other prisoners (Melshi?) is part of Andor's commando team in Rogue One, and he was the guy doing the hand signals on the bridge, not the one we see running with Cassian at the end of the episode, so my guess is at least a decent number of them survive.
They mentioned there were 5000 prisoners in total. I'm sure the show will provide us with a logical way they get off the planet. It's earned our trust on that at this point.
Agreed. And it wouldn't have been appropriate in that ending montage anyway. Just the only criticism I could think of the entire episode. This show has been a masterclass in how to use the long form to tell a cohesive story.
Other shows/movies: please take notes. The curve is being adjusted in real time here.
Final episode will have a batman like ending where Cassian sits at a cafe with Bix sipping coffee and he looks across the street and Kino is eating a nice juicy fish with some potatoes and reading the paper.
I think we did see Melshi running with Cassian at the end? he's not the same as the guy who was doing the hand signals. Hand Signal Guy was the one saying "i'm already dead" in this ep while they were on the work floor.
Confirmed the guy with Andor is Melshi after this weeks episode. I thought it was hand signal guy as well when I first read about the Rouge One connection to the character, but dig some digging on imbd and the guy with Andor is actually Melshi.
I thought I remembered us seeing HSG getting shot during the breakout
This show is proving that Star Wars is at its absolute best when you ignore that Jedi and Sith exist. This is basically Blade Runner in the SW universe, and its been absolutely fantastic from the start.
Andy Serkis and Stellen Skarsgaard absolutely stole the show in this episode. Their speeches and their delivery were so good that I would not be shocked if either earned himself an Emmy for it. To be honest, the show overall deserves it, they're the best thing on TV or movies right now.
Unfortunately shows like this don't get much Emmy love, but this one absolutely should. And both those guys should get nominations for this episode alone, and they've been great in every episode they've been in.
From the first trailers I thought this was going to be entertaining, but it has blown my expectations away more than any show I can think of in recent memory.
related: I am currently listening to the Two Towers narrated by Serkis and he is amazing. Already finished the Hobbit and Fellowship and they are well worth your time if you are an audiobook fan.
I'm glad to see someone else calling it Bladerunner. You've done it twice here, I noticed today.
The whole time I've been watching I've been feeling like it's blade runner, but more outdoors and less dark. And I don't mean moody. I just mean the lighting levels in Blade Runner we're loooowww.
It even moves like blade runner. It crawls, then hits you with some action. Not huge amounts. Just enough to remind you it's a violent galaxy. But when it's crawling, you're still being inundated with information.
I watched the episode again, and loved it even more. The writing...just so good and being served by really great actors.
I know that Cassian is ostensibly our protagonist, and I think lesser writing would have had him step in and make that speech to the prisoners. But his character is both very confident and very uncertain at the same time, but also extremely observant. He is learning how to trust people to help him, and realized that Kino HAD to be the one to rally the prisoners. When Kino repeated the words he said to him earlier, that was a huge moment in his development. That's leadership.
As for Luthen's speech...as said above the best dialogue I've ever seen in a show, let alone the Star Wars universe. He is fully aware that he may be just as immoral as the Empire he is fighting, but that's what it's going to take. I don't think it was a coincidence that the visual was of him with his cloak blowing in the darkness when the elevator opened.
It reminded me of actual stories from WW2 codebreakers. They would identify actions/attacks/etc, and sometimes they had to let it still happen and people die because it was more worthwhile to not let the Axis know that they had figured them out and were listening.
Just so many parallels between all of these characters. Nothing comes without strings attached. Leadership requires sacrifice. It makes the Rebel Alliance even more real.
Skarsgard should get a freaking Emmy for that speech alone, and the writer should get one too. Most riveting moments of SW since I can't remember when. Honestly, this is the best SW show since Episodes 4-6. This is better than Mandalorian, and I love that show too. There, I said it, convince me I'm wrong.
It feels great to actually care about these characters, to see them make difficult decisions with brutal rationalizations, and to see an Empire worthy of fear due to their cunning and cruelty. Everyone working on this show is being grossly underpaid, because it's the best SW product made by the mouse, hands down.
Definitely would agree this is the best thing disney has done with star wars thus far. Issue is every time I see someone mention the mouse I cant get the south park mickey mouse laugh out of my head.
Really good penultimate episode. Not the best of the season, but great set up for the finale. Really good acting as always, and dialogue setting up a lot for the finale.
The one brief action sequence was AWESOME though. And I really enjoyed Cassian encounter with the native Narkinians
Absolutely thought they were setting up seismic charge, wtf was THAT???
Forest whitaker and stellan skarsgard incredible dialogue. Genevieve o'reilly killing it as mon mothma -- wow she looks so broken. Kleya and Vel's exhange a great contrast in priorities and craft as well. How long before ISB Watcher and Cinta figure each other out.
And phenomenal contrast with the scene at the end of this ep vs the end of Rogue One
Whatever those beams were, I'm here for it. Love that they showed Luthen as a heck of a pilot in addition to his other skills.
He lightsabered two TIEs, bagged two more, and flechetted a cruiser's tractor beam array in under two minutes. Luthan's got the coolest ship in the galaxy.
I said what I said.
THE coolest. can escape tractor beams. shield itself with blast shields. most accurate guns in the galaxy. ship lightsabers that extend like 300 ft.
apparently the rebels lost this technology as time moved on because they would have chewed through the empire tie fighters like butter on the way to blowing up the deathstar.
Makes you really wonder about Luthen's origin snd what else he's hiding. Large kyber crystal, lightsaber weapons going from his ship, a sacrifice of all "calm" to do what he's doing. "Forced to use my enemy's weapons" -- Could he have been a jedi temple reject that never made it to Padawan?
This is definitely a lightsaber, isn't it?
That being said, did anyone else notice the Gungan Shield in the background of his shop early in the episode?
that shop is a treasure trove of lore -- holocrons, kalikori, etc
No, he used that thing the first time we see him. If you recall, metal came out each end and made it like a staff.
this is correct, but conceivably could still be a lightsaber. not like metal is gonna stop it.
I was gonna say.... metal staff out of one end, lightsaber out of the other. And explain it away in that he's a connoisseur of ancient forgotten technology.
this low key has me all in on Luthen as a former member of the Jedi Service Corps -- which heretofore has been in Legends only (to my knowledge) and not canonized. But the Filoniverse has slowly and steadily recanonized a lot of the Legends material in a more cohesive way. The JSC was mostly comprised of former younglings who failed their trials and were not admitted into the academy.
You can see all the players and pieces beginning to move together in this episode, but I still have no idea what's going to happen in the finale. Aldhani and Prison Break were all-time great Star Wars viewing for me, thrilled to see where the move all this development for the finale.
Also, I'm sure it's been said before, but this man is the most competent and efficient man in the entire Empire
I mean of course he was. He was the Hand of Cersei, so its just natural for him to develop a ruthless efficiency.
to me, his (and the ISB's overall) competence is what elevates this show above the other star wars we've seen for the last few years. There is finally an Empire that appears worth having a rebellion over instead of a collection of comically evil mustache twirlers.
Have you seen 1899 on Netflix? Same producers as "Dark" (which is an amazing show).
He has more screen time ultimately and plays a great character. I really enjoyed that show as well.
I love love love love this show.
Excellent finale. No spoilers from me, but there is a mid credits scene and we find out what all those prisoners on Narkina 5 were making
Finale was great, sets up season 2 nicely which should be the last and take us up to the beginning of Rouge one. I hope K2SO plays a prominent role in s2.
I also didn't realize there was an end credits scene, just went back and watched, awesome.
They HAVE to have K2SO in the show at some point, right?
Just incredible to me how many instances of great dialogue/monologues this show has given us. The build of the funeral scene and Maarva's "speech"...chefs kiss
I really enjoyed that entire season. Just fantastic all around.
I got to the end and I was like:
On a related note: I absolutely need a Ferrix double-belled cornet.
11/10 best thing from star wars since season seven of clone wars.
Everyones acting was fantastic all season long and the finale was no slouch. Season two is setup nicely as the finale tied some arcs together as they needed to be. I cannot wait for the second season if they keep this line of storytelling as I can't get enough of this kind of stuff.
Funeral scene was powerful, her speech was powerful and had me ready to find an empire and kick it's ass.
Finale and season were both excellent. One of the best pieces of Star Wars period. Rogue One was already the best thing Disney SW has done and this series has added even more value to that movie. Gotta rewatch it this weekend to appreciate it in a new way.
My only complaint is we need more seasons. One more isn't enough. I know the original plan was multiple seasons and it got cut to two but they need to revisit that idea. This show is just too good.
Only thing I'm going to enjoy more than that finale is going back and watching all this glorious season again.
Such great tension throughout the episode. Any time Maarva talks I cry lol. Her message to Cassian from beyond was just the best. What every hero needs to hear as they prepare to quest.
That line about him bringing it together to be a force for good...chills.
Such a damn good show
Omg when cass tells b2emo "I'm counting on you" and bee says "you always say that" and cass says "you always come through" 😭😭😭😭
I've only ever teared up for two droids in the Star Wars universe.
B2emo's "m-m-maarva?" when her body was being taken out was the second.
That speech had me teared up not the level of chewies yell out when han got killed but damn it hit hard.
Wait when did Han die? Jk jk, I just refuse to acknowledge the most recent trilogy exists
Also, how shitty is is that Chewy didn't go off and rip some people's arms off and received exactly zero emotional support from anyone after his friend of decades is murdered right in front of him.
I think we can just ignore the attempt at the latest trilogy. Let's all wash the pain that was that three stage turd and simply enjoy what real star wars content is and can be.
B2emo is the bestest little droid.
When that Imperial flipped over B2 I was rooting for that crowd to flay him alive.
What they did with Meero was such a tease.
The chemistry between her and Syril though...
Two authoritarian fascists...and you're almost rooting for those two crazy kids
Syril is a fascist stalker and I am still rooting for him somehow. I was sorta hoping the mob got Meero though.
For a brief moment I said to myself, "no way, are they going to kiss"? I thought no way but for a brief moment...I was like, "wayyyyy". But, they didn't. Do you think she was thinking about it though? s/
I don't like droids building the death star. That makes the Rebels killing all the innocent independent contractors on the 2nd Death Star way less impactful.
I'm glad I wasn't the only one who thought that.
Maybe just the components of the laser dish in the vacuum of space
You're a roofer with a government contract, and along come these left wing militants blasting everything within a three mile radius...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iQdDRrcAOjA
And of course the neck beard ratings are out today. Apparently, Andor is the worst thing that Disney+ has put out and "95% of the show is a total wash that only those suffering from Phantom Menace delusion could defend".
Link, if you want a laugh
I had seen a headline somewhere mentioning that Andor wasn't getting ton of viewership compared to other Star Wars shows, which I get. There's no Wookies or lightsabers or Jedi.
But how would you rate it low if you actually watched the show? I mean, if it's just not your thing, sure. But if you actually chose to watch the whole season, how could you say, "meh, that wasn't very good"?
Because for some reason, the only thing people like doing more than watching a thing they enjoy...is watching a thing they don't enjoy and then complaining about it
Like soccer! 😅
/Ducks
A friend of mine and I aren't talking right now (lol jk) because he says that Andor isn't good. I'm just shocked at his take, because he's a big Star Wars guy. Says that it "feels like a book report, because we already know what happens, but has some cool moments". Also doesn't love Rogue One. I'm just like...wut?!
Your friend likes sanitized or stylized violence and simple plot lines.
Probably likes only the original series and says that the prequels had some decent moments, but says nothing good about the sequel trilogy.
Not a fan of grittier movies or tv shows, is my guess. Didn't like Saving Private Ryan or Black Hawk Down. Probably didn't like Band of Brothers for the same reason, but has no problem binging Tarantino films.
Dude must be such a fun guy at parties. Probably hasnt seen the daylight in years which is why he would write such a laughable take. My favorite bit,
Right, a show named Andor which should've really been about Mon Mothma.
I feel like anyone who uses this phrase has not really spent time browsing the Disney+ catalog
What a dreadful website... I've never seen a better real life representation of She-Hulk's "Intelligencia". And guess what show they happened rated a 0/10? Something tells me it struck a nerve lol.
I enjoyed a lot about that show (it isn't without its flaws), but I think the accuracy with which they predicted the organized jackass response is particularly great.
Oh it definitely had some flaws, but I really enjoyed that it blatantly went for the pimply throats of the toxic neck beard community
Don't think that I could disagree more with this review. Andor delivers multiple fantastic performances and an intricate group of plot lines that are much deeper than typical Disney SW efforts (looking at you Boba Fett and Obi-Wan).
Anyone else get a Last of the Mohicans feel out of the funeral procession music? Waterfall scene.
Hadnt made the connection but that would be a very similar scene and music selection. Damn good movie that is.
I had not made that connection, but you reminded me how freaking awesome Last of the Mohicans is as well
Stay alive, no matter what occurs. I will find you.
On a related note, it still is odd to me that Alice in LOTM grew up to play Queen Calanthe in The Witcher
I'm mega late, but did anyone else notice the Y-wing cockpit right before Andor sent Bix away or was I just seeing things