– Spoiler Review –
Sometimes evil isn’t violent or perpetrated with mustache-twirling actions, but with complete silence, obedience, which Andor’s latest, “Episode 9 – Nobody’s Listening!” hammers home in big and small ways, all while still managing to offer a key remedy: hope.
Sometimes the episode titles of Andor are planets or names, other times phrases, and in the case of Episode 9, a statement. “Nobody’s Listening!” might be something Cassian shouts in their cell block, frustrated with Kino’s ignorance, but it’s central to the episode’s themes. On one hand, as Cassian references, the Empire isn’t listening, so secure and confident in their control, there’s nothing for them to fear. As I like to discuss, since it’s not hard to imagine this is what writers like Beau Willimon have in mind, this can easily translate to the real world and how various political factions believe so thoroughly in themselves and their control they don’t even bother listening to those under them. Why should someone like Florida’s despicable Governor listen to those who don’t agree with him if he holds all the power? With the Empire, the answer to that question isn’t too dissimilar, scarily enough, though while in-universe this isn’t some duly elected government and it’s not for the people by the people, so the fact people in our world believe they can do the same, act the same, is frightening and disgusting. Only listening to those who you agree with or thinking the plight of others is beneath your concerns is fear dressed up in a different form, fear of being wrong, fear of losing power. On the other hand, Andor is talking about nobody listening to those who are calling out the problems, trying to fight back against the oppression. We see this most clearly in the scene with Mon Mothma in the Imperial Senate chambers, lights flickering out as disinterested Senators tune out, shouts of support or dissent peppered throughout, Mon looking incredulous during and defeated afterwards. It’s tough to be a light in the darkness, to keep calling for action against oppressive actions and people, when it seems no one wants to listen, themselves either complicit or too fearful of what would happen if they join in. Oppressive systems work best, either as we see in the prison or outside one, when the fear of retribution is greater than the fear of losing our rights, and it’s clear Mon is fighting an uphill battle. How much of the galaxy is listening if all Mon has words? Aldhani certainly got people talking, but it’s not enough, it’s not what will bring out more from the woodworks to join the cause, to get over the fear of retribution. We also see the lack of people listening in microcosms throughout the episode, be it Syril Karn’s insistence to appeal to Dedra or Kino dismissing Cassian’s plans and ideas, showing in the small ways too how we don’t listen to one another if what’s offered threatens our worldviews. That one of the biggest examples of someone actually listening this episode is part of the ISB’s torture methods is a chilling reminder of what happens when oppressive systems listen and use it against those talking.
“Episode 9 – Nobody’s Listening” opens with an absolute tense, spell-binding scene, picking up directly from the end of “Episode 8 – Narkina 5” by diving into Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) interrogating Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona). From the writing, acting, to the camera work, the scene is a memorable one, as Dedra’s methods are nerve-wracking, slowly unveiling not only did Salman Paak break, but how much he spilled, the depth of Bix’s secrets unspooling before her. She’s defiant of course, while still trying to clear her name by talking truths which help her and Cassian, but protecting him means Dedra doesn’t believe what she’s saying and the actual torture commences. What’s crazy about this scene is how terrifying Bix’s situation felt and they were simply talking, which means the following one, when Doctor Gorst (Joshua James) begins his spiel, the tension and fear continues to build for us and for Bix, Arjona’s growing horror is an effective juxtaposition to James’ kindly, excited Gorst. As he describes how they arrived on this method of torture, and how effective it can be, the camera flicks back and forth between Gorst’s delight and Bix’s terror, his mundane feelings on the prospect of torturing this woman, which feels more like an experiment with a willing participant how he talks about it, expands Andor’s exploration of various levels of nuanced villains. There hasn’t been a single villain on the show at the mustache-twirling level we often associate with Star Wars and the Empire, from shows like Rebels to the films themselves, and Gorst being a doctor, excited about new methods, not even noticing or caring how it’ll affect his subjects beyond confirming the results of his work, shows evil wears many collars. The mundane ones, the ones you don’t suspect, can almost be more terrifying than the bigger, more obvious threats, as they believe so fully in what they are doing is right, they can’t imagine a world where people might call their methods disgusting and terrible. The form of torture here is terrifying, a sound derived from the screams of children on a moon the Empire razed to gain its resources, a sound derived from those willing to stand up and fight and lost, something truly evil on a level I was not expecting the show to go. The fact we don’t hear this noise makes it all the more effective, as instead the camera zooms in front of Bix, moments after Dedra enters the room again to taunt her, and within seconds she’s screaming in absolute agony. The camera lingers on her face as the torture begins, closing in, forcing us to watch, to be as uncomfortable as she is, but also even more uncomfortable, trying to jolt us awake as well at home. How much more torture can we watch done by oppressive people to other human beings, just trying to do the right thing, before we break as well? It’s a chilling scene for how it plays out and is acted, Arjona’s scream lingering in my ears still, the show torturing us the same way Gorst does her, bringing home the point this can happen to us, is happening to us, if we don’t listen either.
As I’ve said before, Dedra’s rise and effectiveness has been something to cheer about week after week, but I’ve been excited to love to hate her too; she is an Imperial after all, a fascist through and through, even if her journey through a sexist environment is something to endure us to her as she overcomes it. In “Episode 9 – Nobody’s Listening!” the anvil dropped on loving to hate her, as Andor doesn’t hold back on the reality of the fascist woman in front of us coming into her own, from her excitement of their progress thanks to the terrifying torture or her indifference to her subordinate’s desire to hang someone to send a message; whatever veil the show had over the truth of her wickedness flew off like a hurricane whipping around a piece of paper. Now Dedra’s progress so far, how she’s demolished the men in front of her and those that didn’t believe in her work initially, the ISB fully invested in her ideas and theories finally, is another reason to hate her, beyond the simple fact she is, was, and always will be a fascist. After Paak and Bix’s torture, Dedra’s able to further her theory on the elusive “Axis” and his actions, her adjutant pointing out Cassian’s clean shaven appearance as revealed by Bix enough to help Major Partagaz see the link of Cassian meeting “Axis” and being involved with the heist on Aldhani. Later, it’s revealed the Empire has captured a pilot of Anto Kreegyr’s, the man Luthen mentioned to Saw Gerrera as someone to work with, and thanks again to Dr. Gorst’s scary methods, they know about the attack being planned on the military installation. If Saw does end up working with him and it goes sideways, well, that’ll make it even tougher for Luthen to band them together. Regardless, thanks to Dedra’s quick thinking, the ISB has a great plan not to spook Kreegyr, as the pilot is incapacitated now due to the torture, so she decides to leave his ship drifting towards its original origin, marked by the Imperials as derelict, with him in it. And then she mentions Maarva, how she’s too old and frail to worry about, but they are keeping tabs on her because they know Cassian cares about her…how dare you disrespect Maarva like that; Add it to the list of reasons to hate Dedra! The metaphorical net she loves to talk so much about is tightening on this early rebellion, just not in a way we can appreciate, but because of how her story has been structured so far, at one time we all sort of wanted to.
Dedra’s not just dealing with rebellious activity from outside the Empire, but also from within. Syril Karn (Kyle Soller) can’t shake his questioning by Dedra last episode, so much so he’s taken a far different takeaway from it than she ever could’ve imagined. We start Syril’s part of “Episode 9 – Nobody’s Listening!” with him and his mother having another, healthy antagonistic breakfast, where now that he’s gotten this job she’s found the next thing to gaslight him for. After all the strings she pulled, what does he have to show for it, not attending to her and keeping her company, instead changing how he does his hair and leaving early and coming home later than normal. She tries guilt tripping him into spending more time with her, saying he was lucky she didn’t go delirious from his ‘neglect’ while on Morlana, otherwise she’d never be able to help him get back up with Uncle Harlo, so now he owes her his time as well. He claims his comings and goings are thanks to a promotion, and while it’s later revealed to be true, it’s not the only reason. We later find Syril outside the ISB building, waiting and stopping Dedra! The hair styling and his new schedule make more sense, as he’s been trying catch her, continue what he viewed as a conversation, a chance to rise back to his station. And that’s not all, as he equates their time together, and her recommendation for his help that resulted in his promotion, as an awakening, bringing him back from the dead for the few episodes after he returned home. Where he sees a kindred spirit, and maybe someone he’s attracted to, she sees a pest she left in the trash, somehow climbing its way back at out. At times it feels like she’s almost impressed with his fever, but in the end she stomps on his hopes by threatening to turn him in if he doesn’t leave her alone. Will his persistence win out or end him up in a worse place than he is now; as Cassian looks to rise, he falls again? Even though it’s often felt like his story is going nowhere and won’t end anywhere important, I’m still intrigued to see what comes next.
I’m even more eager to see what comes next with Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) week after week, however, and her part of “Nobody’s Listening!” doesn’t disappoint once again. It starts with the scene I mentioned earlier, her delivering an excellent speech about what they are here for in the Senate, fighting for the people who elected them, with, you guessed it, no one listening. Or at least, not enough people listening. The scene almost feels like a commentary on our current political issues in the US, where there are plenty of nice speeches about how they want to help the people and fight for them, but when nothing is done, it feels empty, leading to both those who don’t and those who do agree not listening. Regardless, Mon is obviously struggling afterwards, defeated even, which is why the news her cousin is visiting throws both us and her off. Mon Mothma has a cousin?! And they’re here on Coruscant?! I was so surprised, I didn’t even imagine it would be someone we know: Vel Sartha (Faye Marsay)!! Won’t even try to lie, I did not see that coming! At first I was curious if this was a front, a way for them to meet, but by the end of the episode, it’s clear they genuinely are family, from Perrin’s snarky comments about her finding a husband according to their traditions (it didn’t seem like he knew she’s not into men, but it seems Mon does, judging by her reaction to his heteronormativity) to her quiet moments alone with Mon. We’ve seen Mon smile throughout Andor, but this is the first time it looked and felt real, especially when she snickers at Vel’s comments at the table, and it was refreshing not just for us, but for Mon. Vel visiting happened at the right time, as Mon’s feeling low from her most recent vacant Senate address and of all the people to galvanize her, to refocus her fight with the Empire, a family member on the frontlines is the perfect one. Mon’s risking a lot, being so public, but while she might feel like her life is always on the line, Vel’s is even more than Mon’s, so to hear from Vel how they made this choice to fight for the light, to do something with their lives, hit homes with Mon. Vel’s only able to deliver such motivating words after she too had her own crisis of faith, her girlfriend Cinta course correcting her last episode, as we hear Vel parrot a few of Cinta’s lines to Mon here. It’s rather spectacular to watch these women rely on one another, no men required or needed, finding solace in their relationships with one another.
While Vel refortifies Mon, Tay Kolma (Ben Miles) returns with less than favorable news. Her big withdrawal isn’t causing issues yet, but time is running out before the Empire and its accountants scan her account and start asking questions. What I love most about this scene is, while Tay’s bringing new information to Mon, she’s piecing together what he’s not telling her yet, getting to the next conclusion, upset with where she knows it’s going. He suggests she takes a loan to put the money back in the account, so the scan won’t be left with any questions, but the only person who could offer such a sizeable loan is someone she considers a thug. She scoffs at the idea but he makes her see this is likely the only way, though the biggest problem and unknown is what it’ll cost her. I imagine having a Senator in your debts is an attractive start, but I can only begin to wonder what favors someone Mon talks about in such a distasteful way will want from her. I guess we’ll find out next week!
Throughout all this, we spend more time with Cassian in the Narkina 5 prison, though where I imagined it seemed he was beaten at the end of last episode, in “Nobody’s Listening!” it’s clear he was just biding his time. Cassian learned more than we realized from the mission with the Aldhani team, as he’s already an important part of his table’s team, taking over where others slack or giving them credit when he makes a smart call, while he’s apart of the larger efforts too, conversing with other people from other tables on their efforts to breakout. Cassian tries to get Kino (Andy Serkis) to help them, to give them any information he knows, but he’s not budging, believing their efforts are futile, too afraid of what happens to those who try things, comfortable in his current arrangements, his release too imminent to take the risk. He’s not listening to Cassian because he’s afraid and Cassian’s telling him nobody’s listening to them because they aren’t afraid of them, all the more reason to coordinate and overwhelm the overly confident prison guards. Despite Kino’s reluctance, Cassian and the others aren’t deterred, growing even more emboldened to figure a way out when a weird power surge happens, then turn growingly desperate when they learn something happened to a different floor, rumors swirling about the details. Beyond the bigger concerns, Ulaf (Christopher Fairbank), the older man at Cassian’s table, is having difficulties with his hands and with remembering, an issue which only gets worse as the episode goes on, resulting with him collapsing, the team trying to bring him back to the cell but they can’t make it. Kino and Cassian stay behind, waiting for the medic, who also happens to be a prisoner, and he’s far less friendly than Dr. Gorst but doesn’t beat around the bush: Ulaf suffered a stroke and he’s not getting out, even with 41 shifts left, so the doctor puts him out of his misery. Kino’s pissed he’s losing one of his men, but also angry knowing what it means with his own shift count coming close, so he pressures the medic to reveal what happened on Level 2. The answer isn’t surprising to us, but it shakes Kino to his core and reinvigorates Cassian’s hopes they can get him on their side: turns out someone was ‘released,’ only to be put on a different floor and they fried them all when they found out. Last thing they want the prisoners to know is there is no getting out, as the risk of being fried or zapped compares little to knowledge there’s no hope of freedom at the end of their terribly rotten dangling carrot. Kino decides to join Cassian and the team, beginning to share the details of what he knows, and when I tell you I got up and shouted, there’s no hyperbole there!
Here are a few other things:
- Considering how the Gorst’s torture leaves its victims, I can’t help but wonder if that’s part of what happens to Saw at one point, why he looks and acts the way he does by Rogue One. But more importantly, even knowing what this torture does to people, him having Bor Gullet, which leaves people in a similar state afterwards as well, digs into the philosophical aspect of war and how using techniques the other side uses makes one no better than the other. Certainly makes Bor Gullet feel like a reaction to those methods, something to match their torture, further exposing Saw for the extremist he really is.
- The pilot the ISB captured? He was heading towards Kafrene, which is clear a reference to the Rings of Kafrene, which is where we first met Cassian in Rogue One.
- The tense, hypnotic opening score for the theme was a perfect mood setter for the episode, while the closing credits song hit right in the feels.
- He wasn’t in this episode, bless his little heart, but I went as B2EMO for Halloween this year!
Andor’s “Episode 9 – Nobody’s Listening!” is worth listening to, from it’s themes and messages which stick with you long after it ends, to the revelations and realities sinking in for us and our characters, the team behind this show, and those on screen, can’t miss.
+ The terrors of not listening, no matter who does it
+ Dedra comes into her villainous own
+ Mon and Vel
+ Cassian’s pressure and Kino’s awakening
+ Harrowing, terrifying interrogation/torture
– Slightly beginning to worry about Syril’s storyline, but I do trust this team. We’ll see
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website on Twitter @MynockManor and Instagram @mynockmanor.
ANDOR SERIES REVIEWS:
Season One Premiere “Episodes 1-3” | Ep. 4 “Aldhani” | Ep. 5 “The Axe Forgets” | Ep. 6 “The Eye” | Ep. 7 “Announcement” | Ep. 8 “Narkina 5”