I sort of disagree with the critic that andor is the least interesting character. Andor is supposed to be someone without really a motive, someone who runs away, someone who just adapts to whatever situation he is in. When maarva tells him to give up on his sister, he just hangs out on niamos, doing nothing because he doesn't have any motive at that moment, but the prison arc and the final arc finally gives him a motive. Andor's whole character is someone who instead of always running away, learns to care about the rebellion and wants to fight against it, nothing more, nothing less. Nemik, Maarva and the prison all lead him to this motivation very naturally and beautifully.

@razgriz3711

Жыл бұрын

I agree, it's probably the only part of this review that I disagree with. I could be biased because I actually thought Cassian was the best character in Rogue One because he seemed to be the most realistically motivated person. I think his motivations in this show are the exact motivations that a person like me would have

@aquapendulum

Жыл бұрын

The fact that his arc was spreaded over the whole season has somehow created an illusion to these critics that he is somehow uninteresting. Compared to Din in The Mandalorian who we thought had learned to finally let go of the orthodoxy of his cult, taken off the helmet just for sentimental reason, only to revert right back to the cult's orthodoxy and seek validation from it, as seen in The Book of Boba Fett. And yet we have Star Wars "fans" out there readily defending Mandalorian as the superior show with the more interesting protagonist. I don't get it. Nothing about Star Wars fans' train of thoughts makes sense.

@albumkosong

Жыл бұрын

Agree

@void-creature

Жыл бұрын

I found his subtle growth throughout the show incredibly compelling, and Diego Luna did a fantastic Job bringing it across

@octavus4858

Жыл бұрын

I agree that authors of Andors took more meticulous approach to theme of revolutionary radicalization. Andor wish to join the rebellion was not a sudden whim like for Han in New Hope. It is a result of continous insults from oppressive empire which did not leave character much choice. Take real revolutionary. for example, Vladimir Lenin. His older brother was executed by tzarist autorities and it is how his rebellion started but then it was much more to shape ideology, character, methods

The show is fantastic. The only criticism from "it's not like Star Wars" area I agree with is the lack of aliens. We had only 4 alien characters and all of them are episodic. On the other hand, lack of makeup allows actors to deliver their best performances...

@darthmuppetthehungry

Жыл бұрын

Fantastic seems hyperbolic to me. Although I do realise our standards for Star Wars content these days have sunk tremendously.

@Dave0G

Жыл бұрын

It was good at what it was bringing to the table, but it wasn't great as weekly tv and it did start with it's weakest arc. I loved it but I can see why people checked out (or just ignored it completely)

@darthmuppetthehungry

Жыл бұрын

I started with praise and ended disappointed. I was of the mentality: just wait for it, they are setting stuff up. But when finally stuff started happening it did not hit the spot for me at all.

@aquapendulum

Жыл бұрын

The lack of aliens is probably a budget issue when put into the context of the Anto Kreegyr subplot. They didn't have the budget to setup that whole battle so they just told it completely off screen. Same for aliens, the costumes cost money to sculpt and fab, and puppeteers for them are additional salary to pay out on top of the salary for voice actors.

@darthmuppetthehungry

Жыл бұрын

I wouldn’t say these are reasons to say the show is bad. If anything it is completely superficial. Although I do agree it would be easier to feel immersed in the universe.

Episode 4 Andor: It's better to keep your head down to live, eat and survive another day. Episode 8 Andor: This prison provides everything I need, but I'm not living.

I actually found it's pacing perfect and didn't find any of the episodes slow or empty of purpose. Even the quite moments told you something worthwhile and interesting.

@artboymoy

Жыл бұрын

I refer to the swapping hats scene in the final episode as an example of showing and not telling. It's open to interpretation though. IMO, establishes that Syril and Mosk are on Ferrix and are going incognito and blending in with the locals to try to catch Andor. Syril is seen picking at his hat, unhappy like a child playing with a toy they don't like. Mosk, being Syril's buddy, knows this and offers his hat, probably because it's the one he wanted when they were putting together their outfits. Syril takes the hat, puts it on and is content. It continues to emphisize their relationship as fine when it's working in Syril's favor.

@TheDarkLasombra

Жыл бұрын

I agree, but I was also able to watch them after they came out and at my own pace. Typically, I watched 3 episodes at a time.

Wtf?? I agree with most if what you said except the criticism of Cassian's character... What you said of the development of Han Solo is exactly what happened to Andor through this season. He changed through his experiences (Prison), the people he met (Nemik, Luthen, etc) and the people who raised and cared for him (Maarva, Clem, Brasso and Bix)

@artboymoy

Жыл бұрын

Yup. I found this to be the case as well. Two characters just trying to keep their head down, scrape by and live get caught up in circumstances beyond their control, fight against it and in the end, join a larger cause. Bingo. So if one were to say that Cassian has no arc, then neither does Han Solo.

@cifey

2 ай бұрын

@@artboymoy I like that the show gave a raw look at what it feels like to be taken advantage of by a huge soulless bureaucracy, and the mindset of the leaders that know how to pull off a rebellion. Just on that, I'd call it a solid effort behind the Mandalorian and Kenobi. It would have been more interesting for Andor to have more of a Luke arc than a Han Solo arc. He could have been pulled into the rebellion as an expression of his angst against the empire destroying his home(s). He could have been inspired by the charismatic and brave leaders and worked his way into a position of responsibility. His love interest(s) would not have spent the whole show far far away and been strong personalities with the ability to heal his scars from youth as a major part of drawing him into the rebellion. Luna would/should have had a chance to show more range in that arc.

I am gobsmacked you didn't mention Stellan Skarsgard once in this entire video. Luthen is easily the best character in the show.

@Brian-gw5hg

Жыл бұрын

might be saving this commentary for a larger, more comprehensive video on the main channel?

@kostazarikos3383

Жыл бұрын

@@Brian-gw5hg no he even said on the main channel this is all we get

@soondslash

Жыл бұрын

@@Brian-gw5hg no im pretty sure the main channel is now just for negative commentary

@boobah5643

Жыл бұрын

@@soondslash He said that the main channel was for plot break downs, and that he wasn't going to do that for _Andor,_ just this review.

@KittySneeze

Жыл бұрын

Not enough negatively edged commentary for Luthen’s character, so hence no mention…

Luthen's answer to Lonni about what he had sacrificed was cold blooded and intense. I was hooked almost instantly by this show and a lot of it had to do with my appreciation of the EU books.

@wingsoffreedom3589

Жыл бұрын

That what I noticed for me all the people saying "it's not star wars where are the lightsabers" tell on themselves as being normies. I was so excited to see the ISB and the darker side of the rebellion like in the EU. I would really love if Tony Gilroy would do a Republic Commando adaptation and lean into the mandalorian culture and themes of the clones being slaves soldiers for a democracy they have no rights in and the innate hypocrisy and corruption of the Clone Wars.

i went into the show with 0 expectations and what a positive surprise it was. i personally loved the arc structure and didnt mind the pacing fluctuation, because i liked following the story the show was offering up and the characters delivering it. on a rewatch that might bother me more, but as a weekly watcher, not so much. this is definitely one of my favourite pieces of star wars media now. unfortunately people like me were so pessimistic about the show they didnt give it a chance, ive seen way too little talk about it online, i hope it gets the credit and continuation it deserves.

@mediumchungus

Жыл бұрын

Season 2 is filming rn so atleast it will be complete

@aquapendulum

Жыл бұрын

The arc structure was the key to success for The Clone Wars 2008. People had rose-tinted memory about that show nowadays, but Clone Wars when it first aired was very rough. Most episodes were standalone and don't connect into any greater narrative. They were filler episodes, so to speak. And then they started doing the 3-episode arcs, they told longer stories that allowed the show to retain viewers better during a binge watch, and that was people's lasting memory of watching Clone Wars. Arc structure was a proven, battle-tested formula that allows serialized shows to age way better than episodic shows, proven over and over again. In the long term, the majority of viewers are not gonna watch a show on a weekly schedule, they will binge-watch shows.

@leocossham

Жыл бұрын

It sounds like you didn't go in with 0 expectations if you were pessimistic about it

I don't think the pacing was bad at all. I think every episode is chalk full of tension and character/lore-building. But, because most people are too, sorry, inastute to appreciate the detail and more subtle story-telling, they feel as if "nothing is happening". Just because on a first watch things don't appear to be happening does not mean "things aren't happening". Also, I think the point with Andor as character and his arc is to follow his acquisition of a motivation. The point is that Andor is a practical survivor who has no interest in anything except merely surviving, and arguably finding his sister. But, due to what happens to him, he grows to care for the rebellion.

@chileanyways196

Жыл бұрын

Agreed

@javiervidal366

Жыл бұрын

Well said. The pacing is well done because it's developing characters and advancing the plot.

@soondslash

Жыл бұрын

yea that's what i didnt agree with in the video

@rogerborg

Жыл бұрын

Tension? The little ratty one lives, then he dies. The end.

@mischiefandmayhem8409

Жыл бұрын

I was happy with the pacing as well. If anything I would've been happy if the last 2 episodes had been a final 3 episodes.

My greatest concern about the poor viewership, is that Disney and other studios will learn the wrong lesson, and use this as an example of why their new material is so shallow, flashy and politically biased.

@Anerisian

Жыл бұрын

Beware, fandom menace became increasingly fake news conspiracy theories. Right now they ignore Andor, but you can predict what the storyline will be once it’s seen as a good show. Somehow Kathleen Kennedy tried to prevent Andor, but she failed, but the forces of good at Disney/Lucasfilm somehow overpowered her this time: but she will be back with revenge. Will she succeed next time in ruining Star Wars, or will she be fired any day now before? The story of a manichean war at Disney over the soul of Star Wars is a great content machine, where every week you can come up with new “rumours” about the secret war, whilst giving increasingly right wing viewership the dose of confirmation they crave. Tune in next week to Midnights Edge, Nerdrotic, Geeks and Gamers and so on. It’s tragic that right wing audience capture has lead them down the drain.

@CursedWheelieBin

Жыл бұрын

@@Anerisian The dorky KZread channels you listed aren’t “right wing”. Most people don’t give a crap about politics and just don’t want to be lectured when we watch a movie. There’s nothing “right wing” about that 🙄. Maybe stop generalising entire swathes of people with these labels. Most individuals have their own thoughts and emotions and haven’t mindlessly aligned themselves with some movement, clan, tribe or group.

@oljve

Жыл бұрын

A second season of the same tone is in the works, with the producers very happy about the shows reception

@xhshdd7113

Жыл бұрын

How is andor less politically biased than anything else star wars, is it because you agree that fascism is bad so you don't really clock it as political bias?

@DmitriPolkovnik

Жыл бұрын

@@CursedWheelieBin It depends what you mean by "be lectured too". SW has always been overtly political, it's just that fascism bad doesn't tend to be perceived as a political statement because it's a sentiment most of the audience agrees with. If someone thinks a racially diverse cast is a "woke" political statement but an almost all white cast isn't political, that's definitely status quo bias and right wing. I personally prefer when media like Star Wars, which was very much political in it's inception, has something to say about our current world, it just needs to be done intelligently like Andor. That's what makes it not feel like a lecture. Andor is probably the most overtly political SW media ever made, it has a lot to say about anti-fascism and anti-imperialism and even tinges on anti-capitalism with the back story of what happened to Kenari.

I’ll agree that the first two episodes were slow paced, but from that point on, the pacing was perfect.

Andor himself is a closed off, self serving character at the start. He is not one to cry infront of others, nor talk about his feelings. We see his development not by the things he says, but with the things he does. When he killed the traitor after the raid on Aldani, he was killing part of himself. When he became immediately defensive about his seemingly indifference for the Empire with the manifesto kid, it showed how conflicted he was with his own actions. And even with being so selfish, in the end, he was doing everything for his adoptive mother, but not going about it the right way. There is much more to say, but I don’t want to write an essay here. Andor’s such a good show.

I'm really glad I found your content man, while I appreciate Mauler's incredibly long form content, I very much appreciate your long form, but well-paced commentary. Love your content and keep it up.

This show was amazing. It reminds me of a great WW2 spy thriller set in late 1940 occupied France. It just happens to be in the Star Wars universe, and its fantastic.

@deadpan_delivry7476

Жыл бұрын

Agreed. I loved it.

@MonstersNotUnderTheBed

Жыл бұрын

Heist arc reminds me of Where Eagles Dare.

@JackAcid

Жыл бұрын

Yes, well said. I hadn't considered that, but you're right. It's the best StarWars spinoff of them all with genuine moments of tension and emotion.

@lpz123

Жыл бұрын

This is why I won’t watch it though. I’m pretty sure andor is just a heist story that would work in ANY universe

@lpz123

Жыл бұрын

@@JackAcidthat’s because that story can work in ANY universe. It’s not a good Star Wars story. It’s just a good story

Andor’s pacing is the best thing about it.

I had no issues with the pacing... Usually the "slowest" episodes just made me pretty tense and it was nice to leave that tension cooking for a week. We would watch it every Wednesday eagerly here!!

We were right to judge Andor harshly before its release. We're right to give credit now where it's due.

@donkeysaurusrex7881

Жыл бұрын

I disagree. It was telling a story about a mostly blank slate character in a mostly blank slate time period. That doesn’t promise that it will be great, but it gives it a much better shot at it than something like Obi Wan where they’re trying to shoehorn something extra into a character and time period for which we already had a good idea of what was going on then.

@tribacioustee2846

Жыл бұрын

@Donkeysaurus Rex You're right but for the wrong reasons. Obi Wan could have been great, but it being a big title almost guaranteed Disney would give it people who didn't care. Andor, having no expectations, was likelier of Disney to get people who do care. Sad how that works

@donkeysaurusrex7881

Жыл бұрын

@@tribacioustee2846 There’s a lot to be said for KK and the story group not wanting to get involved in projects without the main characters. However, if you think a project that by its very nature has to wreck canon could be great I’m not really sure what to say. That sort of attitude among the fanbase will almost guarantee you’ll keep getting projects that trash existing lore and characters while you keep ignoring projects that have a real chance of being good and adding something to SW.

@tribacioustee2846

Жыл бұрын

@Donkeysaurus Rex "if you think a project that by its very nature has to wreck canon could be great" Where did I say that? I don't think that at all

@donkeysaurusrex7881

Жыл бұрын

@@tribacioustee2846 You said Obi Wan could have been great, and the story of Obi Wan could not have happened if they had been loyal to the established canon. They even announced it by KK saying it was “the rematch you’ve all been waiting for.” Which I would say shows how out of touch she is in regards except sadly a lot of the fanbase was still excited even knowing then they were changing something that big in the story. I don’t know. Andor, and the criticisms só many so called SW fans levelled at it before it was released and after, has sort of made me think most of the SW fans aren’t SW fans and never have been. In fact they’re just fans of a few characters from the OT and PT and screw the story and SW as a whole as long they get to see these characters again.

Hands down the best Star Wars media I have ever seen. I even put it above Mandalorian. I have respect for the originals and I grew up on the prequels but Andor finally makes me take the Star Wars universe seriously and it makes the themes of hope so much more impactful. I am surprised that this was made under Disney considering the trash we've been getting lately. Edit: I also wanted to add that they did show Cassian's path to giving up. He was invovled with in a war at 16 y/o where the empire made him fight against his own people. He watched his father hanged publicly by the Empire. Many other examples are shown like this. He also lost his Sister. That can easily cause someone to go down a dark path. I wish this was shown better in more detailed flash backs but maybe due to time constraints they couldn't.

Here's what my son wrote on his review page: "Some fanboys will tell you that the worst thing about it is that it “doesn’t feel like Star Wars”. My father, who has been a devotee since the genesis of the saga in the 1970s (i.e. a bit longer than the KZread nerds who make that complaint), supplied an interesting rebuttal: Being that Andor doesn’t feel like anything we’ve seen in this series for the past few decades, it actually DOES feel like Star Wars - specifically, the 1977 film Star Wars (before it was named Episode IV or A New Hope or whatever); a film that at one point in time felt new; a film that whisked you away to worlds you hadn’t seen before. Hence, Andor “feels” like Star Wars in the purest possible way. It feels more like Star Wars than Star Wars has felt since it was first conceived."

The Acting, Dialog, and Writing was Stellar!

@leocmen

Жыл бұрын

stellar skarsgård!!! 😂

ANDOR is unique in that it's the only project in Star Wars IP history made with almost zero cringe from start to finish. Amazing.

I actually liked the show more on rewatches. Picked up more on the more subtle things and being able to enjoy the entire storyarcs in one go. Its the way to watch it. Love the more adult story, its what ive always wanted to see in a star wars show. Its been a breath of fresh air from the "fanservice vomit" they've been doing.

One aspect of the show I found particularly enjoyable was the contrast between the characters Dedra and Syril. In the first 3 episodes, we are led to believe that Syril is a man with good intentions on the wrong side through the characterization the show gives us. This is kept up in later episodes as we see Syril's depressing home life. In episodes 4-7, Dedra serves a similar story as Syril, the underdog character in the harsh work environment. However, unlike Syril who fails to accomplish his mission in episode 3, the trends do not continue after Dedra completes her goal successfully (taking control of Ferrix). Later episodes convey the true ruthlessness of Dedra that the show framed we should root for in the first half of the season. It just makes for a good menacing villain in contrast to a misguided protagonist of another story.

@przemekkozlowski7835

Жыл бұрын

We come to realize that Dedra knows what the Empire is really like and has become a willing participant in order to advance in the system. Syril remains as much an "innocent" as one can be in that setting. He never experienced the oppression like the people of Ferrix or Aldhani but he also never actively participated in the oppression (he seems surprised that the people of Ferrix despise the corporate security people). He is part of an evil system but is not aware that it is evil and has not had to make a choice whether to support it or rebel. What choice will he make when he is finally presented with the real truth of the Empire?

There are parts of the show that really impressed me: 1) Luthen Rael (the old guy pulling everyone’s strings) he says that rebellion is born out of oppression. When Mon Mothma confronts him after the Aldani heist she says “people will suffer”, and he replies, “that’s the plan”….he wanted to create a scenario where the Empire would overreact and start putting the boot down on people’s necks. 2) When Cassian is listening to the manifesto from the young guy he met during the heist, the kids says “random acts of insurrection are occurring constantly throughout the galaxy, there are whole armies, battalions, that have no idea they have already enlisted in the cause”. There is actually smart writing in this show. They actually put thought into sequences of events and the butterfly effect of peoples choices.

My biggest complaint is that Kassian starts the show looking for his sister and that motivation immediately gets dropped for him wanting to just live comfortable. And the only thing that happens with his sister is that Mav tells him to stop looking for her.

@TheGraemi

6 ай бұрын

Yep, underlines the criticism by the reviewer regarding Andor.

@pwh1981

2 ай бұрын

To give some defense of that point: Cassian as a character from the beginning of the show is a "drifter" more or less. He doesn't really have any motivation in life, other than living. Searching for his sister is likely just a way to try and connect back to a life that he was taken from, but it ultimately means nothing when confronted with the need to survive; hence why it is "dropped" when he has to do everything he can to get off Ferrix before the Corporate Authority finds him, and later when he has to help a small group of rebels undertake a heist, if only for the money. When Maarva tells him to stop looking for his sister, she's saying so not only to try and give him some closure, it's also because she doesn't want him to keep getting himself into trouble by doing so. Then we see him essentially living aimlessly on Niamos, living the life of relaxation he always wanted, until he gets arrested to fill a quota and taken to Narkina 5. It's the prison, along with the things he experiences on Aldhani and the culmination of events on Ferrix that lead to him finally finding a motivation in joining the rebellion.

You're so right about how this show bolsters the OT. The shit that goes down in Andor and Rogue One just makes Luke/Leia/Hans contribution to the rebellion all the more magical.

Seeing how the first two episodes of Ahsoka turned out I see my fears manifested that Andor was but a temporary rise over the sheetpile that is Disney Star Wars today. I hope its next season will do better in viewership and that it holds and maybe improves its story telling

@TheGraemi

6 ай бұрын

the problem is that for some of us fans a picture of Anakin and the humming of a light sabre seems to be enough. 😥

I never thought I'd actually see the day where Star Wars was actually improved by completely removing Vader, Palpatine (in person, at least) and awful face -painted actors in unrealistic rubber suits (as in BOBF). The grit and grime of the OT was more apparent in this series, too, which helps achieve that 'worn in' look that gave the OT its sense of realism. The biggest relief for me was the way the Stormtroopers were (almost totally) re-cast to be brutal and dangerous again, instead of hapless cannon-fodder that mindlessly run into direct fire all the time, or knocked out by hand slaps (I HATE the way they've been reduced to this state in every film and show since, barring Rogue One). I found it a bit confusing at the very start, and it was a little ponderous at times, and I agree it often doesn't 'feel like StarWars'. But it was a brave and adult vision, with excellent writing and played straight by some superb actors. It makes an absolute mockery of BOBF and Kenobi in this regard, and I applaud it for this. It's grown up, gritty StarWars and it's a breath of fresh air. More like this, please!

I think older people can appreciate the pacing..its not "binging" thats made people impatient its just society and the internet im general...I hree up as a child watching opera and symphony performances and compared to those this is EXTREMELY fast paced that being said after watching the first three episodes I knew every "slow" episode was followed by a "banger" and the episodes that were "banger" were in fact artistic accomplishments of the highest order that bot only brought tears to my eyes because of their messages but also because of their brilliance and execution...Andor by all accounts is everything good cinema is supposed to be and as a true cinephile that seees every aspect of film making Andors nuisance is unparalleled...so much symbolism thats subtle to anyone who doesn't traffic in the idealogy of rebellion but also in storytelling and just general theme...like the bell ringer who starts off and ends the series and his part throughout the first season

@vthaver1

Ай бұрын

great insight. Id love to read more of your thoughts on andor.

I’m jealous of those who waited until episode 12 to watch-Andor was made to binge.

@kostazarikos3383

Жыл бұрын

Me lol

@artboymoy

Жыл бұрын

I had no problem with the week to week. In fact, the show made me feel anticipation and must watch the day it dropped so I could discuss it with other people who felt the same way. I'm sorry you missed out on that experience, that helps build a community.

@TheDarkLasombra

Жыл бұрын

That's how I was able to enjoy it and I am so glad I did.

This is a fantastic piece of analysis. Thank you. As a lifelong Star Wars fan my consternation at Disney’s handling of the IP has grown with each subsequent installment. I did, however, quite like Rogue One. Andor, for me, did something I absolutely did not expect… it made me fall in love with Star Wars again. Its intelligence in its writing, world building prowess, technical mastery (the cinematography and shot blocking in particular were really well constructed), and general acting competence made this the most surprised and delighted I’ve been with a show in years. It’s imperfect, but on the whole I kind of adored it. More of this, please.

@arthurballs9632

Жыл бұрын

In the summer of 1980 I saw Empire in Butlin's Holiday Camp cinema as a 5 year old; bought the first two trilogies of novels on their respective release (91 & 94). The Mandalorian S1 is the best SW since Empire imo, and it's one of if not *the* most financially successful TV shows ever. 100m people signed up to Disney+ within 12 months when the M. was the only original content on the platform. 100m x $7pn = over $8 billion pa. It was incredibly popular with my younger brother's children. I saw in them the same love me and my brother had for the OT. Whilst I think Andor is decent enough, it's not the fun watch with the family that the Mandalorian is.

Hmmm but we know why Cassian is the way he is. So cynical and closed. Yeah I'd totally agree to explore his character more in details (this is why i wished for this show after watching Rouge one, for Cassian) We saw him living an orphan life on Kenari, then he was painfully separated from his only left relative, whom he should've protect - his sister. Thin living life with Andors he found family again, support and love in Clem and Maarva. As we know Clem was killed for nothing than hanged for people, more importantly his family to see. Cassian tried to revenge but ended up in prison for several years, still a child. He is damaged and lost, even more throughout the series only in the ending he found some purpose. As a character i can understand him and find him intriguing, but I am totally not against a bit more backstory details and screentime for Cassian. But I understand your point, of course, just can't totally agree Nevertheless, thank you for this video and in-depth analysis!

I'm pretty sure that once one of the main heroes goes on a rampage against some Space Bedouins and confesses to killing children, the restriction of Star Wars needing to be "fun" is thrown out of the room. Hell, some of the more serious and well-received Star Wars content are very serious stories, from the Thrawn trilogy, to the KOTOR duology and the SWTOR MMO. Other stores like the Rogue Squadron trilogy, Galactic Battlegrounds, the Battlefront series, the Force Unleashed series, the Dark Forces series, or Empire at War can have some really dark episodes, like when you play as Darth Vader in Empire at War and go on a slave raid against the Geonosians to help build the Death Star, and Tarkin tells you to inflict extra casualties. When Vader protests, saying that this will cut down the number of slaves, Tarkin sweeps aside his concerns, saying that the remaining slaves will work twice as hard. When Darth Vader is forced to be the lesser evil in a situation, you know things have gone dark.

Thank you for such a perceptive and intelligent analysis and review. ... I love(d) this show. And as a binger by nature, with deliberately developed capacities for extended and concentrated absorption, I could hardly wait for the release of each new episode. Andor completely revived a most beloved franchise which in my own world was already dead, mourned, and buried. Not only revived, but expanded and deepened the Star Wars universe in exactly the right ways -- ways I never would have expected from a Disney-backed project. The finale, for me, capped the story wonderfully, not as in an ending full stop, but as a reluctantly accepted pause in the storytelling, and as an invitation to the promised second season. In Andor I found a refreshingly different, and longed for, kind of Star Wars, in the deliciously slow and quiet development of a young man whose real character lives far more internally than it does in the swirling, chaotic external events of the increasingly oppressive world which continually accosts him. Who Andor really is, is only half glimpsed, revealed mainly in the refections of love and obsession with which others respond to him. And in that reflecting, these others are in turn revealed to themselves, even as they are revealed to us. This to me is real genius in storytelling. Praise is due in full measure to Tony Gilroy, I suspect, and in no small part to Diego Luna as well. Whatever one may think of his particular acting skills, his abilities were perfectly cast, and perfectly written for. I am amazed that the money handlers at Disney actually stepped back far enough to allow room for such creativity to happen. For the pleasure of anticipating the possibility of a second wonderful surprise, I may even dare the inevitable risk of disappointment. For what is delight, after all, if not seasoned occasionally by such risks?

The show's logo really emphasizes his name being And/or, and my brain refuses any other interpretation now.

@frankowalker4662

Жыл бұрын

I saw the logo before I heard it said, I thought it was ANDiR. LOL.

New sub. Ive just binge watched the last two months of your content and i have to say the scathing wit is a welcome change of pace. Im so used to overblown american sensationalism that your waspish but dulcet tones are a breath of fresh air. Thank you for the content and especially for covering Andor, we need more legends adjacent stories.

I completely disagree with the idea that Cassian was a cardboard cutout. I loved his slow turnaround, and it felt much more earned then Solo's to me. I thought that this season did a great job showing how he slowly lost everything, which culminated in him choosing death or the rebellion in the finale. Other than that, pretty much on board with everything else you said here.

I think Andor is the best Star Wars since the original trilogy.

When you have already fallen, Andor is immediately relatable

I am both pleased, and relieved to hear that there are still good writers left in Hollywood! I have not seen this show, or indeed, any "Star Wars" since the "Phantom Menace," but I love the original trilogy. I have watched the Disney horror slowly unfolding from afar. Your analysis of "Andor" was like a graduate lecture in philosophy, political science, history, and literature, with film/TV criticism unifying the whole. When I tapped on the video, I was certainly not expecting to hear about "Brideshead Revisited" or Michel Foucault! Especially in the second half of the video, you made so many excellent phil/poli sci points, that I am going to watch the whole thing over again and take notes. I've been out of school a long time, but I do enjoy learning. I have difficulty concentrating, which makes reading difficult. Wise, insightful KZreadrs like you, who are clearly able to express very complicated thoughts, are really helping me out. Thank you for one of the most brilliant analyses I have ever heard on KZread, or read in an academic journal or self-consciously pompous "thinkpiece" online. If I had the streaming service, I would watch "Andor" based on what you have said in this video. I hope you have a wonderful day! (I watched this as it premiered. I was just going to "send" when a power outage hit - 12 hours later, power is back 😃)

Excellent elaboration and summary. Very intellectually satisfying! Thank you!

I've had enjoyment watching Mandalorian S1, which quickly soured as they pumped out more seasons quickly deteriorating in writing and plot quality. After hwaring that my favourite reviews descriped Andor as competent, I went against my personal distaste for Disney starwars and was pleasantly surprised! The Set Pieces are quite visually striking. The "Home Town" feels rich with generations of tradition in stark contrast to the dirty scrap planet. People worked to pay rent, helped eachother, knew eachother. The show gave me both believable and relatable characters from every end of the universe, the working class men, the criminals, the contracted police force, the empire. When i was listening to our young aspiring police commander discussing about the severity of two dead policemen, and the veteran keenly discerning their character and extrapolating that they had no business being where they were and that their death was most likely provoked as he's laying out his arguments -had me absolutely fascinated. People like to believe they could never be part of a fascist dictatorship. That they're built different. Andor gives us a window into HOW you may end up becoming a cog into the empire, and its consequences.

Agree with the audience being skeptical of a "Good" (and even Great) Star Wars show. The delayed gratification of a week, doesn't justify people not watching. That's on the audience. And they telegraphed the what was happening the next week. The Arc structure is clearly the best to be used in some shows. Andor had me fully hooked by Ep. 3, which is what was released on Day 1. So there's no excuse to not binge it now at least.

@Jiub_SN

3 ай бұрын

Can the audience be blamed for lack of faith though? Disney continuously releasing mediocre at best content makes people assume the same of andor, which isn't really their own fault, not entirely at least

And here I thought Star Wars was dead… So glad I summoned the energy to watch this. I thought it was fantastic

Oh look, it’s me again.

I don't agree with the point about andor character. He doesn't have motive YET, this whole season, everyone he meet and everything he went through is the reason he have motive for the future till Rogue One event. This is the point of this series

For the 1st time since streaming, i found myself anticipating the next episode. I was waking up early to watch it before my day started, so I didn't try to watch it while i was at work. I found those conversations riveting. Like the Saul monolog.

Andor is easily the best show that Disney Plus has put out. Its amazing

@arthurballs9632

Жыл бұрын

Viewing figures have been a massive disappointment to Lucasfilm. It's not even being watched by people who already pay for Disney+. It's a stark contrast to the phenomenally popular show the Mandalorian that enticed 100 million subscribers to D+ in its first 12 months, when the Mandalorian was the only original content on the platform. Disney didn't even do any pre-launch marketing because Team Favreau believed Baby Yoda would become a viral sensation. It worked, better than Disney could've ever expected.

@zxbc1

Жыл бұрын

@@arthurballs9632 It's actually quite natural that the regular SW fans didn't take it that well. SW is made for children, with childish characters and stories and tone and dialogues. Andor is for adults, and children naturally find it boring or slow. I have never been a fan of SW, including the original trilogy, but I absolutely loved Andor because it's not like SW usually is.

@artboymoy

Жыл бұрын

@@arthurballs9632 If numbers are what you judge success by then you must hold the Avatar movies in the highest esteem. Flops don't mean their bad or a disappointment. That's where we have hidden gems and cult classics. I feel that Andor fits this very well.

@boobah5643

Жыл бұрын

@@artboymoy To a degree, numbers are the most important metric because big numbers tell the people who greenlight stuff what the audience will pay to see, and they're in the business of making money.

@artboymoy

Жыл бұрын

@@boobah5643 True. I understand this but the people that make the money should realize they have something great, that can pick up more viewership and make it worth their while. I mean, we're only getting one more season of this show and it's SW content so maybe it's an easier decision to make.

You make great content keep it up bro !

As the CRITICAL DRINKER said: "At this point, it's as if the restaurant on the Titanic decided to revamp the menu now that the ship is sinking. The damage is already done. The audiences it would have appealed to have already jumped ship. So, I guess in the end, you get what you f....king deserve."

I don’t understand the “passive” idea with Cassian’s character. I hear it all the time. He’s not a big personality, that’s true, but that’s supposed to be the character. Big personalities don’t make good spies. He keeps his thoughts and feelings close to his chest. He sits and watches and listens to those around him, analyzing and learning. You see that in his actions. He’s also representing the anti melodrama of the entire show. The show is meant to be more realistic, and reality is less…Hollywood…or boring 🙄if you will. But what’s funny is everything that happens in his arc is because of decisions he’s made. He’s not passive , he’s reactionary. He makes a decision to check out a rumor of his sister (which isn’t motivation but inciting incident), only to be put in a situation where he has to make quick decisions and shit hits the fan because of these decisions. Luthen only comes to the planet because he tells Bix to call him. His decision. HE decides to go to Aldhani, HE takes control of situations where he sees efficiency lacking. HE makes the decision to go to the doctor. HE decides to shoot Skeen because of quick thinking that shows it is the best option. He decides to leave Marva. Character motivation lacks because he has no focus, which is the point. He had to have something horrible happen to him in order for him to realize there is no escaping the empire. He was just on survivor mode before the Prison arc. He’s not a Han Solo, which was deliberate. Early on even from Rogue One. He’s not the great hero, the great leader. He is a supporting character who was made into the main character. He pushes others to the forefront (making others give the speeches, giving others credit for what he did). He has the potential for the perfect soldier. His character is the kind that usually gets killed off or used as a weapon. which is the kind of character Tony Gilroy likes, I think lol. Similar character in the Bourne series. I just don’t get this perspective of him being passive. I think if he didn’t have a Mexican accent people would have liked him more. English accents are the only accents that English speakers can accept as their heroes. Not calling out racism, not really, I think we’re just not used to it so we can’t connect. You’re instead just aware the whole time that he is not speaking his native tongue. I dunno. Whatever, just had to put my 10¢ in.

@razgriz3711

Жыл бұрын

I wish more people saw this. Your breakdown of the character is what I have thought about Cassian since Rogue One.

@lis.anwell638

Жыл бұрын

@@razgriz3711 oh good. I’m not alone lol

@chileanyways196

Жыл бұрын

Great analysis!

I thought the pacing was one of the best parts of the show and I was always left wanting more when an episode ended. The only thing to really complain about if you're looking for something to complain about (and everyone is in the always online era) is that some episodes dont end with any kind of important event for the cliffhanger, but that's also clearly intentional. They're telling the story, setting up the board very deliberately, and the conclusion of each arc moves the pieces into conflict. You could say Mon Mothma's arc is kind of slow but it's also important to set up what she has, what she's doing & what she's giving up for the rebellion (a family, her relationships, wealth, privilege, respect) and it also ties into Luthen's arc. And suggesting that the episode where Luthen confronts Saw about Kreegyr's raid then has to escape from an imperial patrol in one of the season's best, most tense, and most "Star Wars" action sequences was very boring is such a stretch. The episode was about tying off story threads and getting everyone to Ferrix, not a bunch of revelations, which are not a requirement for a story to move forward. Admit it (you sort of did), you were looking for things to complain about. Or really, making excuses for ppl who don't have the patience to watch good television bc it's not just a bunch of action figures being smacked into each other. Honestly, this show's first season was as close to perfect as they could have gotten with these characters and concepts in this universe. An easy 9, even a 9.5, with great characters and character arcs, including well-realized side characters, amazing dialogue, some award-worthy performances, very deliberate and well-planned storytelling, beautiful sets and attention to detail, great tension buildup and release, strong action sequences without overreliance on action, great effects without overreliance on effects, big emotional payoffs, beautiful shots, and an important message brought from the core of what Star Wars is, without a lot of childish pandering. It's just a great season of TV. And some ppl are, I suppose, realizing (or not realizing) that they never wanted great TV out of Star Wars, they wanted action figures and fan service and spectacle. They want something to complain about.

Another amazing critique Platoon. Agree completely. I watched the show 1 ep at a time and it was very hard to stay interested. You explained very well the positive things about the show that kept me coming back to the show till the end. I really hope Tony Gilroy takes these types of criticisms and improves the 2nd season. They really have a diamond in the rough with this show.

Look what this politition did to my boy Cassian. *Nino Rota* plays. It shows you why he was conditioned to let the Empire rule. After his adopted father Clem is hanged, he fights the clone troopers and is incarcerated, and then forced into the Empire to fight on Mimban. He has lost all the fight in him, because he has nothing to fight for, he needed an awakening. (Not that awakening lol). It is a brilliant show.

I have watched about a dozen video essays about Andor since (binge) watching the show recently and yours is the first to even mention the existence of star wars books, which I find strange since one of my first thought about the show was how similar it feels to some of the books.

The show is incredible. So is this editorial.

Great critique. I loved the show, and I’ve been watching virtually every critique I can about it. You had some very unique points that I did not find in other videos. Very much appreciated!

its got a good intro to the world, a half decent heist and an exceptional prison break. It's great.

I'm a huge star wars fan (I wore the VHS tapes for Empire and Hope out one winter as an 8 year old) and I have to say, it's not only possibly the greatest Star Wars media produced (certainly in terms of story, acting and production quality) but also one of the best shows ever made. You really get the sensation that the team behind it is not only very passionate about the project but also approaches it in a very thoughtful way.... and it comes through in every scene.

@pwh1981

2 ай бұрын

Exactly. I'm sure to many it would seem almost heretical and sacrilegious to say that Andor is *better* than the OT, but it's what I've come to see as a pleasant, if somewhat uncomfortable, truth. Credit is of course due to the original works; they have rightfully taken their place in the pantheon of media and human stories. But, sometimes the child outshines their parent, akin to Alexander the Great riding to greater success off the shoulders of his father Philippos II, who laid the groundwork for his son's conquests. It's the exact same relationship I view Andor and the rest of Star Wars with. I will always appreciate and enjoy the first six movies, they were some of the first things I ever experienced in life and will always hold a place in my heart. But Andor is the Star Wars I have always wanted and longed for, now having grown up. It's Star Wars for grown ups, in the sense that it doesn't treat or expect it's audience to be children. It demands of you to pay attention, to really think about what is happening, what is being said, what it means, along with having real characters of depth and the ability to empathize with every single one of them, played by some of the best acting I have ever seen in any media to date. It has gritty and realistic tones and themes, that are both universal and individually interpretive. It's writing is master class, complex and detailed, without bogging you down in excess, but with every moment being engaging and profound; which is to say nothing of the visual masterpiece that the show is. There is more told in just the visuals than entire shows have altogether, especially other Disney Star Wars productions. Shooting on location, especially using Pinewoods Studio, gives it a real and grounded feel unfelt since the OT, and with the technology available today, even surpassing it. Every part of Andor felt like I could reach out and touch it, that I could see myself standing there and have no discordance about it being reality. All of this and more to say I love this show, adore it even. It single-handedly revived a love for this universe that was long since dead, buried, mourned, and nearly forgotten. For that alone, it will forever sit beloved and cherished for me personally. Somehow, everything went right for this show, and I can only wish that Gilroy and his team were able to do it a second time for the second and final season. I just hope that Disney recognized they should just leave Gilroy to work his magic and not meddle like they always do.

For an actor of that superb caliber it's saying quite a lot about this show that this is one of Skaarsgard's best moments. The writing in that speech and the series generally is so obviously a cut above. I watched it in 2 or 3 'episode' chunks after it was all out. With 20 seconds between episodes instead of 1 week, the pacing was actually an asset. I recommend the experience.

When Andor was first announced my thoughts were something similar to ''why? who asked for this? aside from the intro in Rogue one where we get the twist of Cassian killing his informant, he wasn't really that interesting'' also I thought Kenobi show was going to be my favorite of these Disney series.Imagine my surprise for that to be reversed.Andor is the best Star Wars thing Disney has done with Rogue One being a close second.Andor gave me old Star Wars hype that I used to have from Games and EU books and I really hope we get more of this. House of the Dragon and Andor have been like a tall glass of water after being lost in a cinematic desert for a few years and having to survive on our own urine.

Little Platoon, never stop being great at what you do.

comment for the algorithm most heartily agree that Andor was a LOT better than people were giving it credit for you deserve a lot more subscribers btw keep up the good work

I don’t mind the slow episodes. They set up the steaks and create tension for mature audiences. If it was pew pew every episode, it’d just be another streaming slop on Disney+ this fit in as an HBO series, which is why I like your parallel to HOTD What’s your main channel, I’d love to follow 😊

Maybe you’ll talk about it more later on but I was really hoping you would discuss how the show delved into the morally grey aspects of the rebellion and Luthen’s willingness to sacrifice his own allies for the greater cause. His speech at the end of episode 10 was brilliant to hear. Like many real world rebellions, when facing an enemy of that magnitude and ruthlessness, it is almost impossible to stick with the ethics on which that rebellion was founded. It shows that these people who have “made their minds a sunless place” are necessary for victory, but are not looked upon fondly or even remembered. With that being said, this was a great analysis.

I think it's incorrect to say nothing happens in the in-between episodes. That's where characterisation and stakes are built up. People seem not to understand that "something happening" is not always action. The show is a character drama and as such the action follows the drama and not the other way round. Part of the reason the show is so good, and so impactful is because the characters are given lots of downtime in between action to actually relate to each other and have conversations. That's why so many of these other shows fail. It's because the writers are focussed on how to get between action scenes (and cameos) and not on making the characters and the stakes relatable. The down time on Aldhani, for example, is really important. It tells you so much about these people, as well as the empire and how they subjugate people and destroy their cultures. It's a fascinating episode but it requires more understanding of real world conflicts and imperialism to really appreciate it. It's not surprising it went over other people's heads and they felt like "nothing" was happening.

Excellent, thoughtful, & poignant summary. I had many of the same thoughts, though you added in a number of points I hadn't come across. A friend mentioned something about Cassian that I appreciated - essentially that his role in this show is to be a foil for the theme; that he exists to merely act in petty self-interest, but that in a system of oppressive totalitarianism, any act of nonconformity is an act of rebellion. & Any act of rebellion, when learned of by normal people, is inspirational. So while Cassian never believed himself to be political or in the rebellion, he kind of always was. That is what Luthen saw in him from the beginning. The show is merely his journey in discovering that for himself.

Personally loved Andor and i think the sister thing is coming back probably some big reveal in season 2 ,but who knows ...still ill be watching

The show should've been called "The Rebellion" or something rather than naming it after Andor himself.

I disagree on the pacing. I had no problem watching it week after week and enjoyed discussing it. If the audience can't handle a drama, screw them. The main meal is the characters and dialog, with the action being the cherry on top. There's tons of information and characterzation and world building. Phenomenal series.

I hope we get it’s like again and Andor is that spark to get quality writers to take the franchise forward. While not perfect Andor is not just the best Star Wars content it’s the best Disney content!

Andor is just as good as Hotd

"The weekly release model...." That is why they released the first three episodes - the whole of the initial arc - at once, so people could binge it and realise this is not the usual Star Wars.

At times, I forgot I was watching star wars, and for me, that was refreshing.

I absolutely love your elegance. Amazing review ❤️

The people who say that andor is not Star Wars don’t understand what this show is. This is a Star Wars story. The difference is that their kind of Star Wars is not actually Star Wars, because you will notice that andor is a lot like the original movies if you dumb it down, because this show is just a Star Wars story, but we don’t follow the chosen one. Cassandra is going through the same story, but at a smaller scale. Not everyone gets to blow up Death Stars and meld space magic, but for those people tho be able to do that, there will always be stories like andor, We just don’t get to see them. For example, what if we had a show about 5 seconds of a new hope, when the commander/ leader lady takes about how many people died to get them the plans to the Death Star. Wouldn’t it be exciting to see how those people did it? They didn’t get to blow up the Death Star, but they are certainly a part of Star Wars, and I doubt that since many of them died, it would not b a very happy story for the most part. Anyway I just wasted 5 minutes writing this comment since no one bothers to read txt walls like this but ohh well. No point in fixing the grammar then

Yes, yes, and Yes. I agree completely. Pacing was the problem, and low expectations. But this turned out to be a favorite episode of the Star Wars universal saga. An Adult themed rebellion of criminals, outcasts, and idealists, mixed together in a band of dirty, gritty, ruthless soldiers who are fighting for the highest stakes possible. Not just a pretty face to a rebellion that’s being framed as high ideals and principled. Leia and Luke are the pretty faced space wizards, and strong idealists, that are shown as the symbol of The Rebellion while Andor showed the truth of a rebellion in a totalitarian state. Desperate and bold moves are needed to break the illusion of invincibility the totalitarian state projects. Sacrifice, and pain are needed to wake people up from their comfort or blindness. This show was truly amazing in the depth of ideals it portrays. The more one analyzes it, the more you can see in it. I’m hoping they continue this vein of the story in future.

Excellent analysis and commentary.

I wrote a paper on panopticism in college. Fascinating.

Sensational review. Thanks.

I think part of the reason why Andor the show is less focused on Andor the person is that the show is more interested in rebellions as a systematic phenomenon. When Andor and friends complete the heist and take the money, Andor leaves the rebellion because he has no motivation to join it. His motive is money, and he gets it. He tries to go and help Marva, who tells him to go away because he’s kind of a disaster of a person who clearly doesn’t have any interest in helping his community because of how he frequently endangers it, along with a reality check of “your sister is dead, deal with it.” This makes sense for his character. Why, given his lack of motivations save for money and protecting Marva, would he do anything else? He goes off and tries to live on a leisure planet, only to get caught up in the meat grinder of imperial oppression. It’s random and senseless, but that’s the point of the empire. He gets some sense of personal victimization that ties him more into the concept of the rebellion. Still, his motivation is helping Marva and making Marva proud- when he calls back to the guy on Ferrix, he says, “Tell Marva she’d be proud of me.” When he finds out she’s dead, that leaves him with some unresolved issues surrounding his relationship with his adoptive mother, who obviously is an important figure in his life. Marva is also an important figure on Ferrix. She was at one point the head of a social activist group that apparently has some importance within the culture of the planet. When she died, she rated a large funeral with a marching band and a procession, despite the imperial controls and regulations. Clearly, she meant something to them- you can also see this in how the people in town take care of Marva and look down on Cassian for failing to take care of Marva. When Cassian returns, he sees the impact she had on Ferrix, which meshes with his personal angst toward the empire and the political awakening he gets from Nemik’s manifesto. Seeing the people of of his community fight the empire, along with the directive from his deceased mother, gives him reason to fight and become an actual rebel that believes in the cause, like Nemik, Mon Mothma, or Saw Guerrera. This works for the character in the story they are telling.

Excellent appraisal of this worthy addition to a currently dire phase in Star Wars creative output. Thanks.

Andor, himself, is a POV character. The series should have been called "The Rise of the Rebellion" because that is what is the focus.

@1:50. Next to nothing actually happening is I guess correct if you don't value dialogue, story writing, developing characters, and advancing the plot. If it's all about the payout then why bother with the rest that leads up to the climax. It's not filler; almost everything about Andor was outstanding. From actors, to characters, to plot, visuals, music. Hope that season 2 follows similar structure.

@aquapendulum

Жыл бұрын

When I hear "filler", I don't think of buildups and character development. I think of the episodes in The Mandalorian where Mando goes to a planet to look for something, doesn't get it, has to do a job on the side to get information or money, cues action scenes. Mando ends the episodes looking for the same things he was looking for at the beginning of the episodes, conflicts that arose in those episodes are resolved within the same episodes, main plot remains static. But hey, apparently action scenes mean "not filler" to Star Wars fans.

@gator7082

Жыл бұрын

I can't help but roll my eyes when I hear claims like "nothing happened" in this or that episode. It seems the producer of this video suffers from the very thing he accuses others. To me there was not one wasted scene. This show told a good story without relying on gratuitous violence, sex, bad language or mystery boxes at the end of every episode.

I'm happy to of been wrong about Andor it was amazing. I'm tired of channel's like robot head and geeks and gamers constantly attacking it because it was made by Disney. If it was fast paced nonstop action they'd be complaining about it not world building enough. If people want more brainless action then they should stick with Marvel the action in Andor actually feels earned.

I only watched it once each arc was completed. I was thoroughly engaged throughout

I had a great time with the show and yes I think Tony Kilroy is quite brilliant with what he does with these ideas. The first three episodes needed to be released together because week to week I can see why some people would’ve abandoned the show. Deidre is not the Mary Sue I thought they were going to make her I thought she’d be like Reva and have everything handed to her to make her seem brilliant .Although, they did try to throw in the obligatory “men don’t want to see a woman do anything Trope.” I hope it’s renewed please ask The Drinker and Nerdrotic to give it a shot. It’s a great Star Wars product!

So what you basically saying is that people want to watch new things but in reality they want to watch the same thing to me Andor was a great show is like people today don't know how to watch movies or tv shows is like they need their hands held while watching tv

Andor is the best best Star Wars since the Empire Strikes Back. Rogue 1 was good but making a good show from a nothing character is really something. Great writing and it stands on its own without all the bull crap fan service… it’s a good show even if it wasn’t Star Wars.

Excellent show. Not perfect, but its step in the right direction.

I'm used to watching nordic and Scandinavian dramas so a slow pace is nothing to me, I prefer story telling, world building over a gunfight.

I completely agree on Partigaz. I was watching one of the first few episodes with my kids and spontaneously blurted out something to the effect of, "That guy's a really good leader." He encourages his subordinates to share their thoughts while simultaneously dressing them down or assessing their responses, making his decision, and sending them on their way in a curt, perfunctory, efficient style. Very bureaucratic, shades of old-school, first edition Empire, based unashamedly on the Nazi hierarchy and its cronyism, sycophancy, and encouraged infighting. Then we see a spark of personality, eyes opened, brow raised, when Dedra Meero piques his interest with her intuitions and originality. A light dawns, as if he's saying, "Finally, here is someone that may have something to contribute." No more copy-and-paste solutions, no more cookie cutter responses.

Before I watch the vid I'm gonna say that I liked it (Andor) and I want more and I'm sure I shall enjoy your take !....cheers. Edit: This video needed to be made and I'm glad it was made by you. This is a beautifully narrated essay that I feel says everything it needs too and is complete. Andor for me was a panacea against the vapid nonsense that Disney 'Starwars' has become, and you aptly draw attention to the 'Bitterness' that runs deep in the fandom to the point where people flatly and passionately refuse to watch it ! a topic we broach with some regularity at "The Mr Brown Alliance" youtube channel. I am hoping that your thoughts may inspire people to 'take another look' at Andor and derive some pleasure from it as I have and try to erase or undo, at least in part the damage done by the likes of Boba Shat ! Speaking of 'The Mr Brown Alliance' maybe you will be there to discuss great movies for a change as opposed to having to pick through shite, I believe this weeks cracker (Getting in the Festive mood !) is John Wick....cheers.

I think you need to re-watch Rogue One. Andor isn't "down" in that movie at all, he's Head of Rebel Intelligence, he's just on a mission and following orders for most of the movie. Andor likewise has no "redemption" in Rogue One, because he wasn't down to begin with.

@LostChord

Жыл бұрын

He’s a cold-hearted cynical loveless person prepared to do anything his mission requires because he has no higher values or emotional attachments. He ends it with personal attachments and higher values, a happier, less cynical, more fulfilled man. “Down” is not a measure of his social or military standing, it’s a measure of his character, values and beliefs.

@Zenn3k

Жыл бұрын

@@LostChord I don't agree with that assessment of his character in Rogue One at all. He is still a good person doing what he believes is the right thing to bring down the Empire, he knows the cost is high but its a cost worth paying. The fact he didn't shoot Jyn's father is proof he wasn't as cynical as you say.

@emerraldx

Жыл бұрын

I think season 2 is where we are going to see how Andor gets to his low point that Rouge One starts him at. Season 1 is how he became a rebel but he still has a lot left to lose

i think the usual criticism vs Andor - "nothing is happening", "boring", slow, etc - is all relative. Take for instance the episode you mentioned - episode 11. Although you're right, this was meant to as a relatively calm episode, as a bridge between action packed episode 10, and the finale. But a lot happened in episode 10 nevertheless. We see Luthen in action here, which might appear as merely as gratuitous display of action just to have something exciting happen (which could very well be the case), but it gave us even more depth to Luthen's character, especially after his meeting with Saw Guererra. So although it could be said that not a lot of action happened in episode 11, a lot still happened in terms of character development - B2EMO, Mon Mothma, Vel and Kleya (in this episode we were given more information on just what exactly is Kleya's "role") Saw, Luthen, etc were all given pivotal scenes in this episode.

Just the sort of analysis I was looking for.

@lostChord, Have you read the 'The Fourth Realm Trilogy' by John Twelve Hawkes, 'The Traveler' novels of 3 books (1. The Traveller, 2. The Dark River & 3. The Dark City). It takes the institutional building sytem of the Virtual Panopticon as you described in Andor, and is a interesting read. It's story is set in modern times, but the protagonist does have an ability which some can descripe as spirital, which threatens the coverning authority for policing the Virtual Panopticaon model by leaving the system.

My friends who are bringing Andor didn't understand my saying, "don't give up after the slow eps between 3-6", because binging and not having to wait a week in between each, they don't seem slow. Not sure why the eps couldn't have been released in 3's - as waiting 3 weeks for The Eye took dedication. Other shows have done it.

Fair analysis, while I don’t agree with every point he does bring in some angles I hadn’t yet considered. Overall, it was presented in an intelligent manner that assumes the audience is intelligent as well. Good show

I’m glad I binged this one instead of watching weekly. Great show.