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As season two of “Andor” came out, the episodes were released to critical acclaim. However, the last three episodes, “Messenger,” “Who Are You?,” and “Welcome to the Rebellion” have not only served a great story, but added to the “Star Wars” lore as well.
Previously in the season, Senator Mon Mothma of the planet Chandrila bids farewell to her estranged daughter, Leida, as she engages in an arranged child marriage. Imperial officer Dedra Meero struck up a relationship with Syril Karn. On the planet Ghorman, a secret rebel network is founded, and plans were made to seize a weapons shipment from the Imperials. Although the mission was successful, rebel Cintz Kaz was accidentally killed by a fellow rebel, devastating her lover Vel Sartha.
The three episodes that were recently released take place only one year before “Rogue One” and, as “Star Wars” nerds would know, this was the year in which the Rebel Alliance was established. The episode finally depicts the Ghorman Massacre, an event previously mentioned in “Star Wars” media to have been the breaking point that caused the creation of the Rebel Alliance.
One thing I really liked about the episodes was the continued character development of Mon Mothma, the future leader of the Rebel Alliance. Her speech condemning the Ghorman Massacre was well done, and actress Genevieve O’Reilley conveyed the sorrow and emotion that Mothma was feeling as she addressed the Senate. Before the series, Mon Mothma is not really elaborated upon and is simply seen as the stoic leader of the Rebel Alliance. “Andor” humanizes her and depicts her troubled family life and the sacrifices that she gave to support the rebellion.
Another thing I liked is that Andor is not afraid to kill off its characters. In previous media, “Star Wars” have killed off characters and brought them back such as Darth Maul, Ahsoka Tano, Darth Sidious and Asajj Ventress. In the series, many main characters have faced shocking deaths such as Brasso and Cinta Kaz. The death toll throughout the series demonstrates that no one is safe in “Andor” unless they appear in media that took place after the series such as Mothma and Andor himself. Last week’s episodes were also significant in that they confirmed a character that was implied to have been killed off earlier in the season, Mon Mothma’s friend Tay Kolma, is actually dead. Kolma’s death is significant due to Star Wars characters not being dead unless their bodies are actually shown.
I also appreciated how the episodes and series as a whole did not incorporate well-known characters for the sake of Easter eggs. In previous “Star Wars” media (especially in “Star Wars: The Bad Batch”), many well-known characters are established to have met up and had adventures together. While it does make sense in certain situations, “Star Wars” is established as a vast galaxy with millions of planets and people. It makes absolutely no sense that most of the franchise’s characters would have known each other due to their diverse backgrounds. The only well-known characters to appear in “Andor” are Andor, Mothma, and Orson Krennic from “Rogue One.” It would make sense for them to meet since they are established to have known each other in “Rogue One.”
However, one thing that I dislike about this season is how fast paced it is compared to the first season. The entire first season took place four years before “Rogue One.” This season took place a year after the first season, and is trying to cram the three intervening years until it is right before the film. For these three episodes specifically, the formation of the Rebel Alliance is a major event in the “Star Wars” timeline, and I feel that more episodes should have been spent on that year. They could have separated it into more seasons, so that the series would not feel as rushed.
I think that the final episodes could be very dark even when compared to the previous episodes of the series. In “Rogue One,” Andor mentioned that he lost everything, which could mean that a fair portion of the surviving characters will die. Additionally, Mon Mothma would become head of the Rebel Alliance, which might mean that the Galactic Empire would murder or incarcerate her family to get back at her.
Overall, while the series could have been paced better, the last three episodes are worth a watch. The final three episodes of the series will come out today at 9 p.m., and I think that they will be spectacular.
