starring: diego luna, adria arjona, denise gough, and stellan skarsgard

​

REVIEWER: Lyall carter

Set five years before Rogue One, Andor Season 2 follows Cassian Andor as war draws near. 

Recently I was watching an old clip of an interview with Star Wars creator George Lucas. In it he said that he got inspiration for its creation from the political maelstrom of the Vietnam War. While Andor may not be based on any modern political or military conflicts, it speaks loudly to the chaos presently in our world and what may be around the corner. With a tale of terror, hope, and heroism, season 2 of Andor is perfect in every way and delivers one of the best shows on television. Welcome to the rebellion. 

​

The second season of Andor takes place as the horizon of war draws near and Cassian becomes a key player in the Rebel Alliance. Everyone will be tested and, as the stakes rise, the betrayals, sacrifices and conflicting agendas will become profound. Rife with political intrigue and danger, the series is a prequel to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which portrayed a heroic band of rebels who steal the plans to the Empire’s weapon of mass destruction—The Death Star—setting the stage for the events of the original 1977 film. Andor sets the clock back five years from the events of “Rogue One” to tell the story of the film’s hero, Cassian Andor, and his transformation from disinterested, cynical nobody into a rebel hero on his way to an epic destiny.

​

No narrative spoilers here but the second season of Andor ups the stakes for many of the characters that we were introduced to in Andor’s debut season. While the political maneuverings and the heart in your mouth spy drama that plays out is superbly crafted, it’s the various character arcs that are most satisfying. 

​

And it’s all incredibly deep stuff too from the consequences of the life of a rebel played out before us as well as well as the Empire squeezing its own people, this is a grown up, grounded, and gritty Star Wars that we’ve longed to see. But in its grown up-ness which is perfectly illustrated by some of its more industrial sets, the very essence of Star Wars is still at the story’s centre. Never tell me the odds, uttered by Han Solo, perfectly sums up the beating heart of Star Wars as a whole and the second season of Andor. Every character holds deep within themselves that even if they have to give their lives for the cause, the hope of a new world is worth it. 

​

The production design from the more sharp, grey industrial sets to the lush, jungle planets are exquisite in detail and in scale. Andor season 2 not only narratively expands the Star Wars universe but also visually does too. There is a particular battle in Andor season 2 that while not bloody, is particularly brutal and one of the largest in scale as well. Just brilliant. 

With a tale of terror, hope, and heroism, season 2 of Andor is perfect in every way and delivers one of the best shows on television. Welcome to the rebellion.  

★★★★★