– Spoiler Review –
After a whirlwind four weeks, the Andor series finale is here with the final season two episodes, “Episode 10 – Make It Stop” & “Episode 11 – Who Else Knows?” & “Episode 12 – Jedha, Kyber, Erso.” As we’ve been discussing since the season one premiere, Andor operates on a whole other level and these final episodes seal this assessment, providing both thrills and bittersweetness that might leave viewers sobbing, yet like any other piece of content, despite a socially awarded masterpiece status, it can’t avoid flaws either.
When they said viewers would look at Rogue One in a whole new light after Andor, I wasn’t quite sure what it would entail and I think how they wrapped this up exceeded any expectations, as now there’s additional heartbreak to the film’s ending, while the context and events here add even more weight to the mission and those fighting for it. I didn’t go right into watching the film after the finale, but I can imagine how I’ll be even more emotional than the last time I saw it. Rogue One has held a special place for me, as it was the first Star Wars content my friends and I really bonded over as adults, and now Andor’s hard work will prop it up even more.
Yet for all the hard work, there are flaws, and it revolves around the female characters on the show, which shouldn’t come as a surprise since, just like season one, there were only male writers and directors on Andor (though I’ll admit the Manor suffers a similar disparity). For starters, as far as I could tell, not a single scene between two female characters would’ve passed something as simple as the Beschdel Test (which has its own limitations), but the far more important aspect is the quality of the characters and what’s happened to them by the finale. We’ll start with the less spoilery of the bunch and work our way up, so you’ve been warned. Vel Sartha (Faye Marsay), one of Luthen’s deadly and dedicated operatives, is relegated to Yavin IV since the previous block of episodes, helping the base sort through new recruits, and while important, the only time we see her doing this is to introduce Melshi (Duncan Pow) back to the story anyways. And in all her scenes in the these final block of episodes, Vel seems so subdued, still in mourning and seeming listless without Cinta, and while we get to hear she’s happy here and with what they have, even helping Kleya (Elizabeth Dulau) accept what’s happened, to have her go from competent agent to Yavin IV base minder is a step back for her character, not forward. Where’s the Vel who dismantled the Ghorman dude who got Cinta killed? Where’s the strength of purpose and resolve afforded by Cinta’s unfortunate fridging? It makes the few women, and the even fewer women of color, seem even more callously forgotten or misused that Vel looks listless, not determined and focused like Cassian’s been able to be since Bix left. I loved seeing her and Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) on Yavin IV, in the mix together at last, no more walls or secrets to uphold, but their scene is about using Vel to confirm some shocking news Cassian brought back from Coruscant, and when she talks with him, she can’t even say Cinta’s name, he has to, and he has to explain to her Luthen’s devotion, even though she knew him first. Like I said, at least Vel gets to help Kleya through her funk, but it’s not enough given Cinta was fridged and this is what they give Vel afterwards for it. You could’ve easily swapped Vel for Cinta and the results would’ve been the same, yet this way has the added detriment of poor treatment for a POC.
Which brings us to Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona), who started off the season a pining lady waiting at home for Cassian, yet got mixed up in events in a dark way, only for her to be at home, waiting for Cassian to return, as Gorst’s torture and the recent rape attempt dragged her down to drugs in the second block. Her revenge on Gorst was the final straw, allowing her closure and the ability to take back control of her life, so things were turning around and then…the third block of episodes she’s on Yavin IV, waiting for Cassian to get home, worrying over his commitment to the cause because the belief she has regarding his importance to it. She leaves, recording an emotional message, and while I’m glad she didn’t have to die because she wasn’t in Rogue One, it felt like just pushing her off the board to give Cassian his story, and it left me wondering if there was a way to make her decision both about him and herself. Well, the finale finds a way, but it’s still not perfect, but it sure as hell left me ugly sobbing over its implications: the final shot is Bix on Mina-Rau, peacefully enjoying her life, holding A BABY!! Talk about something so utterly bittersweet, both for the show and for the ending of Rogue One now!!! I might just ugly sob again! Her decision to leave makes a little more sense, she was concerned for the baby’s safety and how it would worry Cassian, but it’s still feels like it was more about making him into the man he needs to be and not her into the woman she could be. Are they saying she was just meant to be a mother, to grow old and worry about her child going away and coming back, like their father? It’s certainly an option and choice for people to make, but to leave Bix largely where she was in the opening of this season and the only difference is a baby, it doesn’t seem like we’ve come very far for her. I cannot deny it’s hopeful message and the impact of this moment on my viewing of Rogue One forever, but I just wish Bix received more of a role towards the end here rather than just to prop up Cassian’s story.
Could these problems be avoided if there were non-male identifying individuals writing or directing? As I’ve shown in my data regarding Star Wars comics or Eleven-ThirtyEight dissected in data across all mediums, parity can increase if there are more marginalized voices behind-the-scenes but it still won’t guarantee the quality of representation, yet we won’t really know either way if Star Wars as a franchise continues to rely almost solely on men for these duties.
Another aspect I felt the series could’ve worked on was the amount of non-humans involved, as while this season definitely did a better job than the first, not having any non-humans in important roles, while I understand is a logistical nightmare and part of why K-2SO is so limited, lessens some of the story’s themes. How can this rebellion be for everyone, especially with the Empire’s speciesist ways, if there are no non-humans representing it in leadership roles? And in a salient and well-detailed article over at ClashingSabers, the point is made how the lack of non-humans lessens their importance in our and the characters’ eyes, as it was only until the fully human Ghorman population is destroyed in a genocide that important Senators like Mon Mothma have had enough. And more importantly, if the ‘others,’ aka non-humans, who have faced atrocities already were never going to be enough for Mon or others to speak up, it reflects back on our world and how we view those not like us, that their suffering is lesser since they aren’t just like us, yet the truth is we’re all humans in the end, and had Andor made a point to mention/include/or give more aliens a spot in the show, it could better reflect how it shouldn’t matter what we are as we stand up against fascism. Again, I understand the logistics and costs probably weighed against having plenty of aliens (at least we got Admiral Raddus {James Henri-Thomas} for a moment!), but considerations should’ve been made for how this choice goes beyond simple business decisions and impacts the story and viewers.
Of course I still adored the entire series and feel it is some of the best TV I’ve ever experienced, as I think my previous reviews and remaining coverage will highlight, but talking about Andor as a masterpiece feels disingenuous if we’re not also engaging with areas where it’s faltered, as I can’t say there’s ever been a masterpiece with no flaws.
Now, onto the episode coverage.
Episode 10 – Make It Stop
I didn’t have Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) flashbacks with Kleya on my Andor series finale bingo card, but I was enthralled and loved the choice, as it tells us so much about their dynamic, both adding to future rewatches and piling on the emotional baggage to what she must do in “Make It Stop.” When we meet Luthen in the past, a Sergeant in the Imperial army, he’s sitting in his command ship, the sounds of war and death outside, mumbling to himself wanting to make it stop. Yet the point-of-view we see these early scenes from are obscured, like someone is hiding and watching him, and he ends up finding who it is: a young Kleya (April V Woods, who does an exceptional job matching the intensity Dulau has and does bring to the character)! Something terrible as happened here and once he sees her, her fear and her anger, he goes from mumbling to acting, leaving the army behind and taking her out into the galaxy. As they scrounge for credits, it’s little Kleya and her resolve which provides them with successful sales and pushes them onward, but her hate for the Empire is never far behind, her witnessing a firing squad where a child dies only making it bubble up further, though Luthen reveals to her she needs to learn to hide the anger and let the other side win, as they aren’t big enough to make any victory really count yet. When they end up on Naboo (!!), it’s when we understand it’s been Kleya that pushed Luthen into rebellion, not the other way around, as her anger and desire to see them pay causes him to plant bombs and take on the burden of the Imperial deaths, scared of what he thinks he turned her into yet she assures him it’s what she’s wanted whether he likes it or not. It’s not a father/daughter relationship, he says as much after she questions him for using it as cover with a shopkeeper, but his nurturing of her hate shapes them both and puts them on a path to help build the rebellion. She’s the cold, focused, and determined person she is today because of him, but he’s willing to give everything for the rebellion because of her.
And in “Episode 10 – Make It Stop,” Luthen makes the choice to give everything. Lonni Jung, the ISB Supervisor Luthen’s cultivated over the years, sounds a big alarm, requesting an urgent meeting. Luthen rushes over and learns Lonni’s burned himself in the process of coming here, of uncovering what he’s here to share, but won’t divulge until Luthen can assure him they’ll help him and his family to safety. Luthen gives Yavin as their destination and Lonni reveals vital information which will change the course of galactic history and kickstart Rogue One: the energy program by Krennic is a superweapon, the kyber from Jedha is involved, minerals were needed from Ghorman so hence the massacre, and some scientist named Galen Erso (!!) is working on it. It’s worth Lonni burning his bridges, absolutely, but what he doesn’t account for is Luthen’s ruthlessness for the cause, Lonni’s death by Luthen’s hands revealed after he’s fled the scene. It’s an inauspicious and not worthy death for what Lonni’s done for Luthen, but in the end it’s not a total surprise he’d be so callous with an asset, as after all, we saw his empathy was already limited to non-existent in the second block of episodes and Luthen probably could never trust Lonni wouldn’t turn on him if it saved his and his family’s skin. Luthen warns Kleya what he’s learned and they separate, scheduled to meet back at the shop and be ready to leave, but I think they both already knew the location was compromised.
As Luthen destroys their radio, the vise around Axis clamps shut, as Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) awaits outside his shop. They both play their parts very well, yet when she shows him the destroyed star path unit Cassian was trying to sell to him in season one, the masks come off, with her excitement palpable and his resolve deepening. He makes a vital decision then, as he sees no other option, and stabs himself with ancient knife he was showing Dedra, setting into motion a chain of events which will bring her down with him, as we begin to learn her actions are her own, still following the personal vendetta to avoid thinking of her culpability for the Ghorman genocide. Kleya sees Luthen’s body carted away and she realizes two truths: one, she can’t leave him to be tortured by the ISB, a feeling likely from their connection but also the practicality of his knowledge, and two, she needs to get the message from Lonni to the Rebellion, so Luthen’s final sacrifice is worth it.
Kleya is such a badass and a dark horse favorite in the series and her infiltration of the hospital is the best damn icing on the cake. She’s smart, calculated, and efficient, with a big explosive distraction buying her the time she needs to start getting violent and into Luthen’s room. It’s such a tense and exciting sequence and is the pinnacle of Kleya’s work, especially with what comes next. While her ever simmering anger guides her actions, whatever love she’s felt for Luthen isn’t far behind, as she gives him a kiss on the forehead after pulling his life support, letting him die. The episode lingers on his dead body as she flees the room, and we get once last long look at an unsung mastermind of the rebellion who already knew, nearly two decades before, he’d never live to see the sun rise he envisioned for their victory, all his soul scrapping paying off but it was of course too late for him to know for sure it will. But I think he had faith, he had his belief in the cause, in the people, that his death wouldn’t be in vain.
Bonus Thoughts:
- The hospital is named after Chancellor Lina Soh, who ruled in the era of the High Republic, as seen in the excellent and sprawling publishing initiative which wraps up its story in June/July! The final novel had its advance reader copies sent out in the morning before the Andor series finale, so I was already a little teary-eyed thinking of one thing ending by the time I watched this!
Episode 11 – Who Else Knows?
Dedra’s tireless competency and eagerness finally bite her in the fascist ass, as both her bold decision to continue searching for Axis and the system she’s used to climb and claw for power are her undoing. Before Luthen’s death and the incident at the hospital, Dedra’s former attendant and now rival supervisor Heert (Jacob James Beswick) served her arrest in the previous episode, yet it’s not until Director Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn) arrives to interrogate her this episode we get a better picture of what’s put her on a chopping block. The scene between Dedra and Krennic is a damn delight, not just to watch the Empire’s systems used against her ambitious actions, but from the two performances: Gough delivers Dedra’s dawning realization of how screwed she is, yet clinging to a sense of hope all this order she’s served will appreciate more order, while Mendelsohn’s bursts of anger and annoyance remind viewers of what made the character a fan-favorite since his first appearance, his finger digging into her head at one point quite the Krennic move. We learn she’s been tapping into all sorts of working group data in the hopes of tracking down Axis, yet this unauthorized exploration led to Lonni, who had stolen her credentials and looked into her data, to uncover things like Jedha, Kyber, and Erso, but Krennic will not tolerate a single leak of anything to do with his precious Death Star and he unravels her notions of looking like a hero. She fights back, about how she’s had to scavenge to even get this info that led her to Luthen, but her choice to confront him alone, which led to his death, and these leaks are enough to seal her fate, the system which bred her to be a scavenger working against her. Even though she knows it’s over, she still helps them, so while I was wondering if I should feel bad for her this confirmed I shouldn’t, as she tells Krennic about Kleya and the need to find her, while when Heert visits her in the cell, she gives him the hint he needs to track their radio system, even though they spar for a moment beforehand and it’s clear she knows she’s done after their conversation is over. It’s a long time coming, but watching Dedra be spit out by the very system of fascism she benefited from and used to harm others, feels like its just rewards, and I’m not even including the finale’s final shot of her.
Krennic makes it threateningly clear to Heert and even Major Partagaz (Anton Lesser) the capture of Kleya is their only priority and any failure will find the ISB within the strong gaze of the Emperor himself. It’s another fantastic scene, as Partagaz shows frustration at Heert not understanding the situation, asking questions of Krennic, and Krennic’s contempt and dismissal of Heert, as well as his argument with Partagaz about the timing of his work, puts the Director’s superiority complex on full display. Kleya knows the ramifications of the information Lonni gave Luthen and takes to tearing down the Coruscant safe house, while in disrepair by this time, it still holds plenty of secrets, including another of their radios. Sending out an SOS, Kleya awaits if anyone, anywhere is listening. While her message makes it to the right ears, it also falls into the wrong ones, as Dedra’s advice to Heert prompts them to revisit the radio Luthen was destroying when Dedra arrived and they capture the signal she sends out. They’re able to triangulate the source, closing in with a tactical team, Heert going with them as they scour the building for the safe house, but thankfully there are watchful eyes who notice their arrival.
Whereas there’s a relentless and desperate search for her by the Empire, Wilmon (Muhannad Bhaier) picks up the signal on Yavin IV and brings it to Cassian’s attention, but he’s almost more upset Wilmon interrupted his, Melshi, and K-2SO’s (Alan Tudyk) drinking and card games! Before Wil arrives, there’s a funny scene of the three drinking and playing, just living it up, taking it moment by moment, which really sets the stage for how different Cassian’s life is without Bix around and also gives us the dynamic fans of the film have been waiting for. Cassian doesn’t believe Wil at first, but the moment Kleya messages again, he jumps into action, thinking they are getting an emergency signal from Luthen and they need to go rescue him. He knows the higher ups won’t sanction it, though we won’t get to hear their appraisals of Luthen until next episode, and he has Wil put in a fake flight plan for them so they can get away, off to Coruscant to save the day. Cassian, K-2, and Melshi arrive before the Imperials figure out where to go, and both sides are surprised to see the other, Cassian expecting Luthen and Kleya both assured by his presence yet not expecting it.
She’s desperate to tell Cassian what she knows, what Luthen found out from Lonni, frantically going over the details, screaming at him to repeat it so he knows it and doesn’t get it wrong. The idea of going to Yavin IV sounds out of the question for her, as she knows how they feel about Luthen and doesn’t think they’ll even want her, with Cassian’s promise of a hero’s welcome not gaining much traction. Kleya is more like Luthen than she’d probably like to admit, distrusting and unwilling to work with others, stubborn too, and Cassian does his best to break through, to convince her she needs to leave, as he won’t leave without her. He made the decision two years ago to leave Luthen’s schemes behind, even if he helped out with Mothma’s extraction, seeing the strength in numbers and not going it alone and he uses his experience to help her see the path forward. I liked this clash between them and Kleya’s inability to believe Yavin IV will be a place she can fit in, as without her hate, without Luthen helping fuel her and guide her towards targets, and she to him, what could she be but just another cog in the machine? She remains unsure of the option, but it doesn’t look like she’ll have much choice, as while the Imperial tactical team ends up in the wrong apartment, one level down, they figure out the mistake and make their way up. Outside, K-2 is waiting impatiently in the ship and while he’s suspicious of the comms blackout the Imperials institute before their landing, their arrival prompts him to action, as he clears out the first few Imperials and takes down even their comms, putting everyone on an even playing field ahead of the battle to come.
Bonus Thoughts:
I get Wilmon’s been a ride or die Luthen guy since the second block, though went through a little radicalization by Saw, I feel like it would’ve been good to have a little more time with him, as I don’t totally get why he’s so endured to the man we never saw him with. Nice to see he and Dreena (Ella Pellegrini) are at least still together, but she’s another female character who, especially after having the big, heartbreaking call on the radio for help as the Ghorman Massacre happened, is now just sitting at their home, not being active in any way…heck, her finale scene with Wilmon shows her giving him utensils, her in service to him.
Episode 12 – Jedha, Kyber, Erso.
With no way to warn them, K-2SO decides he’ll be the MVP of the episode, showing his worth and making up for his lack of time in the show in a thrilling and funny fashion, and while I still wish we’d gotten a little more time with him, his work here makes it hard to argue with the choice. Since they can’t be warned, Cassian, Kleya, and Melshi are still chilling in the apartment, attempting to help her see the benefit of going to Yavin IV, a place she really did help build. As they destroy the radio and head out to leave, Melshi going first, he’s greeted by the blinding flashlights of the Imperial tactical team, who don’t shoot right away because of their orders, allowing him to flee back to the room and defend their position. It’s not a good position though and the shootout that follows likely would’ve been the end for them, as the stun grenade (that’s a neat trick!), does them all rather dirty, injuring Kleya the most, but Cassian’s lucky he has K-2 on his side, as the droid sweeps through the men, even using Heert as a human shield and ending the sniveling man’s life. They calmly flee back to the ship and sneak out of Coruscant, as the cover story Partagaz and Heert used to justify sending all of Coruscant against her, Kleya being a contagious escaped patient, makes other security teams unable to comply with new orders quick enough, a moment Partagaz recognizes seals his fate. This is the last action sequence of the show and I feel like it was the right choice, as the finale begins with a bang and then focuses on the characters and fallout…and bringing us right into the opening moments of Rogue One.
The reception of Cassian’s return is, in mild terms, chilly, as the Yavin IV base scrambles X-wing fighters to meet them, no one totally sure who they are given how many protocols they’ve broken and the rushed nature of their arrival, but it doesn’t stop K-2SO from thinking up an alibi and waving to the X-wings. General Draven (Alistair Petrie) and a squad meet the landing U-wing, but the guns are lowered without too much preamble, with Kleya’s rushed to the sick bay and Cassian is directed to the big wigs to share his big news. Before his arrival, there’s a scene where a frustrated Mon tries to reason with Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker), yet they’ve fractured too much at this point he cannot trust them or listen to their suggestions he stop raiding Imperial shipments on Jedha, and he promptly cuts off contact. It’s here we see Mon’s bleeding heart position, hoping for the best from everyone, and Bail Organa’s (Benjamin Bratt) pragmatism, his secret at home and on Tatooine so big he’s not willing to give many the benefit of the doubt, as he has to be certain to help save the Rebellion and his daughter. This dynamic is an interesting one going into the meeting with Cassian, as Mon’s outnumbered, for Senator Pamlo (Sharon Duncan-Brewster) and Senator Nower Jebel (Jonathan Aris), both returning from Rogue One, are as pragmatic as Bail. It’s not just pragmatism Cassian has to contend with, it’s also their collective distrust and dislike of Luthen, who’s very effective methods of isolation and lone wolf tactics might’ve helped build the Rebellion, but it rubbed everyone the wrong way, while Bail even reveals they have intel Luthen might’ve been played all these years. It’s a fascinating glimpse into something I’d love to see more of, which maybe will be the case in the following two Reign of the Empire novels, as The Mask of Fear dove into the earliest of years for the nascent rebellion against the Empire, while the second and third will have time jumps, so to think we won’t see Luthen in some way in those stories would be betting against the house. Either way, Cassian’s fiery response to them all as they drag Luthen’s name, days after he died no less, cuts to why the Force Healer (Josie Walker) called him a messenger, not just for delivering this game changing news, but for how his passion and belief come with it. They don’t buy it in the end, waiting to discuss it with Generals Jodanna and Merrick the following day, but Mon sets out to make sure they believe it now instead.
Mon heads to Vel’s, informing her cousin of Luthen’s death and asking her to spy on Cassian to see if what he’s saying is true, to give her certainty in believing him, while Cassian, before put on house arrests, gets an audience with Kleya in the sick bay. Kleya’s still dealing with the loss of her father figure and the chilly reception of her arrival, which confirmed her worst fears, and Cassian’s update that it’ll just take time, it was too much for them to all take in, don’t help her prospects for sticking around. Vel’s conversation with Cassian, which starts with a toast to all those they’ve lost, might involve a few drinks, but she comes around to the truth of what Kleya told him and he told everyone else. Kleya stumbles out into the forests of Yavin, unsure of her place in all of this, and Vel finds her as she’s leaving Cassian’s, taking her in and warming her up from the cold. This final scene with Kleya and Vel stood out the most to me in these closing minutes of the show, as like I said earlier, as Vel’s words to Kleya unlock the potential of joining Yavin IV despite the general feelings on Luthen, as Vel points out while she was an outsider, she now has friends everywhere, so too can Kleya, helping her share the burden of loss and the fight ahead. In the montage to come in the final minutes of the show, we see the results of Vel’s words, as Kleya, watching fellow rebels help one another and live amongst one another on this base she helped create, cracks the slightest of smiles, maybe ready to give Yavin IV, and having friends, a shot.
Vel’s belief in Cassian and Kleya is enough for Mon, while a late night visit from Draven, releasing Melshi and K-2SO, reveals the frantic calls from Cassian’s contact amongst Saw Gerrera’s team, Tivik (who we see Cassian kill in the early moments of the film), and other news is enough to convince him. Draven and Mon present a united front to Bail and the following morning, after a dream of his sister, Cassian finds he has an unwanted guest. Bail and Cassian chat, coming to an understanding, and he reveals to Cassian that he’s to follow-up on the news in hopes it’ll help the Rebellion hit the Empire where it hurts. Cue the montage!! That’s right, this leads us right into Rogue One and the show’s final moments are all about giving us final glimpses of its many characters, both letting us see them one last time or to show others right where they need to be for what’s to come. The montage stays on and expands beyond Yavin IV, as we see Perrin (Alastair Mackenzie) is with Sculdun’s wife, Runai (Rosalind Halstead) now, though he doesn’t look happy or sad about it; Krennic gazing out at his achievement, the Death Star, still under construction; Dedra in one of the prisons Cassian escaped from, crying over her fitting lot in life; we see Melshi training with troops that include the alien Pao; the aforementioned shot of Kleya smiling; and of course Cassian donning his outfit from the film, nodding his head at the Force Healer, and getting into the U-wing with K-2, heading off to Kafrene. Cue the musical crescendo and fade to black!
Or not, but we already revealed the big finale secret: B-2EMO, who made a droid friend, is living it up on Mina-Rau, but so too is Bix, holding her baby! Despite what I’ve already said about this, it is a hopeful final shot of the show, as we know tragedy comes but this is what that tragedy, and the saying rebellions are built on hope stand over, the future, the hopeful future for those they can save from the hand of the oppressors. It might make me cry, but it’s because it’s bittersweet, the hope it represents and yet the knowledge it’s something Cassian, who we’ve gotten to know so well, won’t ever see, just like Luthen made his peace with years ago.
Bonus Thoughts:
- Partagaz listening to Nemik’s Manifesto before he decides to kill himself rather than lose his position due to his failure is such a layered scene, as it makes one wonder how many other Imperials listen to it and if their inability to quash its spread is more to do with how they can’t help but realize the truth of his words than the strength of their efforts to stop it. Like many of the show’s villains, it’s an ending which feels right for him, as he was too self-assured to ever go down, yet watching him realize his efforts were in service of something which will break with or without him, was an interesting final moment for him to have.
- I’ve seen the thoughts out there regarding the baby and I have to say, it’s a bad idea on many levels. In short, I’ve seen people saying, given when the upcoming Starfighter film with Ryan Gosling comes out, a baby Andor would be roughly 45 and since Diego Luna is 45, he should return to play his son. Here are a few problems with that: 1) given the attacks on diversity, equality, and inclusion happening daily, it would be better if we cast more POC in the franchise, not reuse the ones we have; 2) we don’t even know the gender of the child, though it could not matter if they bring some LGBTQIA+ rep to its life; 3) Luna doesn’t even look like a mixture of Adria Arjona so saying he could play the kid brings the connotation one thinks they all look alike. So no, not a good idea. Heck, I feel like I don’t even care if we see who or what the kid becomes due to what I said above about what it represents.
- Senator Pamlo graced the cover of Mace Windu #2 for Marvel’s variant covers recognizing Women’s History Month in 2024 and I was thrilled to see her again, if only for one scene.
Here’s one more thing:
- Love coffee? Chai? A really good café/coffee shop? And want some fun Star Wars themed coffee goodness for the month of May?! Well, if you happen to be in the greater Chicago area, make your way to Folklore Coffee in Lemont, IL, as one of our best friends owns Folklore and we collaborated on a special Star Wars menu for May!!! The Froth is strong with these specials!!
- While Nicholas Britell has been missed, though the personal situation necessitates his leaving, Brandon Roberts did an excellent job in his stead, as I didn’t totally notice much of a difference, Roberts able to capture the different sound of Andor, but as he mentions in the “Declassified” video, his melding into a more orchestral score felt like the right choice as we closed in on the film
- There’s a big interview at The Hollywood Reporter with Elizabeth Dulau about her feelings on Kleya, working with Stellan, and so much more, and is really worth a read! O’Reilly has an interview at Rolling Stone, but it’s paywalled, so if you’re a subscriber or someone sends out a gift link, enjoy!
- Watching all the greatness the special effects teams created for Star Wars over the decades, as well as just for Andor, it’s hard to imagine a company so built on the human hands and souls to ever want to champion generative A.I., a scorn of our society which threatens to destroy our planet because people can’t help but take shortcuts, so it’s absolutely embarrassing ILM touted shitty AI looking shitty as the future. Do fucking better.
- The final “Declassified” video is another great entry and full of that bittersweet feeling, if you’re looking to still be hurt by the finale. We also get the final entries in the “Behind the Seams,” “Creating the Worlds,” and “Secrets from the Set,” while Tony Gilroy shared some secrets on a livestream ahead of the finale.
Andor’s series finale episodes, “Episode 10 – Make It Stop” & “Episode 11 – Who Else Knows?” & “Episode 12 – Jedha, Kyber, Erso” are an unforgettable ending to a show which pushed the envelope for Star Wars, and while it has its draw backs and issues as well, it’s still going to leave me ugly sobbing for years to come.
+ Kleya shines brighter than the sun and we don’t deserve Elizabeth Dulau
+ The tragedy of Luthen and convincing those left behind to believe in him
+ Villains getting their just rewards for their work within the fascist system
+ Cassian as a messenger and K-2’s MVP status
+ Ending on hope, even if it makes me sob
– Female characters sold short
– Lack of non-humans knocks down the messaging
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him and the website on Bluesky and Instagram @mynockmanor.
ANDOR SERIES REVIEWS:
Season Two: “Episode 1 – One Year Later” & “Episode 2 – Sagrona Teema” & “Episode 3 – Harvest” | “Episode 4 – Ever Been to Ghorman?” & “Episode 5 – I Have Friends Everywhere” & “Episode 6 – What a Festive Evening” | “Episode 7 – Messenger” & “Episode 8 – Who Are You?” & “Episode 9 – Welcome to the Rebellion”
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” | Ep. 9 “Nobody’s Listening!” | Ep. 10 “One Way Out” | Ep. 11 “Daughter of Ferrix” | Ep. 12 “Rix Road”